Iwanted to vomit.
Smile.Megan pushed closer.Smile and accept his kind stupid offer, so we can get close.
I turned my focus from the letter in my hands and focused on my wolf, who was becoming more aggressive by the moment.What the hell does he mean you rejected him?I screamed at her.I thought we waited. When did this happen?I looked for Nix.
Megan glared back at me, still defiant.It was one time Nina came over to mess with us. I saw an opportunity, and I took it. I just left you out of it so you could focus on more important things.
Like, what about Megan? What could be more important than my wolf rejecting her mate?
Nix came running out of the trees and skidded to a stop between us.You lied to us.She sounded hurt, as hurt as I felt.We could have been there for you.
We should have been, but you kept this from us. And you kept it a secret until now…why? We have come so far this past year together, and you still kept us out.I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me. The pain of this betrayal felt like it undermined all the work we did together. While Nix and I worked hard to get past the hurt and blame we’d toward each other, we didn’t even realize we had. Megan had kept this from us.
I’m sorry.She didn’t sound sorry at all, but she continued pacing in a circle.But you were both crazy about men and I needed peace. I needed to heal. AndGoddessforbid having to deal with this fucking insufferable man every damn day. Chasing after us like a lost puppy.Megan whirled, fur standing on end.He killed me. He killed me and my pup, and then I had to wake up again and do this fucking bullshit all over again. You don’t understand.
I felt as if I was punched; the pain bounced around inside on my chest as I thought of my pup, my child. I thought of every moment I had with him only to have him ripped away from me and then, now, to have my wolf try to say that he was just hers…it hurt. There was a vast silence between us, and then I whispered back.He killed us, and our pup. We share this body, our souls. Every win, every loss, every love, and most importantly, every pain we share. All of us. He was my pup, too. I whispered to him every night. I sang to him every day. I made sure he had all the nutrients he needed. It was me who set up his nursery and went to see every doctor’s appointment. He was mine too.
I could feel the hurt radiating from her. But then she growled.Yeah, well, you didn’t have to feel your heart being ripped out every damn second of the day.She turned and started to walkaway. But then she whirled.No! You don’t get to make me feel bad about saving myself.She stomped back.We can discuss this later. But for right now, smile and pretend that you are actually considering him as a mate option. One, because we need the job to get close to him. And two, because you promised we would get our revenge.
She’s right.Nix’s voice was still full of hurt, but she agreed.This is a way to get close to both Vince and Brandon.
I forced a soft smile to my lips. “I’m flattered.” I looked back up at him. “I don’t know what to say…”
“Don’t answer yet.” He rushed in. “Let’s wait until after graduation before you make any final decisions about where you are going and what not.” He was afraid I was going to say no. That made me suspicious.
What is going to happen today?I forced myself to keep a straight face.He is so sure that I will choose to be with him and work with his dad?
Nix and Megan came close to the edge of my barrier.We will face this all together.Nix’s voice was strong.
Yes, we will.Megan sighed.For what it’s worth, I’m sorry and I will explain it better later.
I felt my center settle and then I nodded, agreeing with my wolves, but Brandon smiled. I felt my stomach clench again.
“Okay.” Toya stepped in. “Let’s do cake.” She walked over and lit the candles. “Happy birthday to you…” Everyone joined in and started singing. The song wound down and then everyone cheered. “Happy twenty-first birthday, Amy!” Toya kissed me and held out my cake for me to blow out the candles. “Make your wish!”
I closed my eyes and me and my wolves all wished at the same time. We wish we can find a way to kill Brandon and Vince. My wolves started to howl in laughter as I smiled and blew out the candles.
After I ran upstairs to store my presents, we headed out. We had decided to drive there together, but when we walked out of the building to get to the van Wendy’s mom lent us, there was a limo waiting.
Everyone furrowed their brows until Brandon coughed. He stepped in front and waved a hand with a small smirk on his mouth. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I wanted it to be a surprise for your birthday.” He smirked as he opened the door, but I had a feeling he was lying.
Toya looked at me, and I just nodded. She gave her thanks and slid in. Sterling made his way out of the door, while everyone was sliding in with their dresses. “You know the pup didn’t pay for this limo.” He leaned in to whisper. I chortled as I gave a tiny nod.
“Was it?” I trailed off with my question, tilting my head to look over my shoulder. Sterling swallowed and then gave a single nod. “I figured. He’s going to announce something today, isn’t he?” Another single nod, but I could see the pain in his eyes. I turned fully. “Hey, none of that.”
“I just know-” He started, but I smacked my hand over his mouth.
“I need my reaction to be genuine. But I need you to know, no matter what happens today…You have become my family, and that isn’t even going to change.”
I saw relief in his eyes. “You don’t deserve this, Amy. I’m sorry.” He hugged me again and this time it was tight. He was worried about me. “Stay strong. They want you to break. Don’t let them win.” His whisper was super low, and I heard a step behind me.
“I have to let them think they succeeded, or else it won’t work.” I pulled back with a broad smile and a wink. I raised my voice a little. “Thank you for always helping me when I needed it. And protecting all of us here. I’m going to miss you.”
“I’m going to miss you, too.” He smiled as he stepped away, then he went back into the building.
I turned back just as Brandon reached my back. “You ready?”
“Yeah.” I turned. “Yeah, just saying goodbye.” I headed back to the limo that I knew Rowan sent to make me feel a tiny bit better about the day. Knowing he was going to ruin it.
