Jayce’S POV.
I lied to Alora.
I feel like the worst person on earth right now. I couldn’t even look her in the eye after lying to her. Before she asked the question, I was planning on asking her to join me for a late night snack, but I changed my mind after lying to her.
Her question completely took me off guard. It landed like a blow to my face and I was struck and speechless for a split second. I had to summon all my courage and energy to act as though I had no idea what she was talking about so she wouldn’t feel like I was lying to her and she immediately believed me when I told her there was nothing she needed to know.
That’s how much she trusts me.
But that trust will be broken when she finally discovers the truth. It’s going to shatter her.
What did I just get myself into?
I lifelessly walk over to my wine bar where I take out a bottle of tequila from the whiskey row and make myself comfortable on one of the bar stools.
I have to drink myself to stupor tonight.
My father always advised me to avoid drinking alcohol whenever I have a challenge, because alcohol never solves anyone’s problems, but tonight, I’m going to pass on that advice. I’m too ashamed and disappointed in myself to go to bed sober.
I won’t even fall asleep because I’ll be thinking all night. I’d rather get drunk so I’ll be able to fall asleep.
I pick a morning hangover over a sleep deprived night.
“I’m such an idiot.” I angrily curse myself as I pour a shot of tequila and down it in one go. “I should have just told her everything.”
“This is the reason why I tried not to ever have friends!” Reed’s voice comes through and I chuckle. I called him a while ago to come over so we could talk, but he told me to go to hell and hung up on me, but here he is.
On the surface, he’s tough and cold and emotionless prick, but deep down, he’s as soft as a sponge.
“One minute you are excited to go home and see your mate and the next minute you are asking me to come over with a crying voice.”
“My voice didn’t sound like I was crying. Besides, why are you here? I thought you asked me to go to hell.”
“Yes, I did. And just so you know, I’m not here for you. I came to get some milk and I happened to see you over here.”
“If you truly you were here to get milk, you would’ve gotten it and left without saying a word to me because you are not the type to mind anyone’s business ”
“That’s why the first statement I made when I got in here was: This is the reason why I tried never to have friends. It’s because it’s gradually turning me into someone I’m not. I’m beginning to mind your business which I shouldn’t.”
There’s no winning against Reed when it comes to arguing.
He always has something to say. Something that will shut you up.
I know he’s never going to admit that he came to see me because he’s worried about me, so I’m going to drop it.
At least he’s here.
“I lied to Alora.” I confess my crime. He gives me a queer look. “I looked her in the eye and lied to her.” That statement tells him what I’m talking about is pretty serious. He takes the next stool by my side and I offer to pour him a drink, but he declines.
“No thanks. I have a lot of work tomorrow and the last thing I want is to wake up feeling like shit.” I nod and put the bottle aside. “What did you lie to Alora about?”
“She asked me if there’s something about someone I needed to tell her, but I said no. I lied to her.” Tears prick in my eyes as I swallow another shot of tequila. It burns my throat like raw acid, but the feeling it leaves behind only makes me yearn for more.
“And how did she even think of asking that kind of question?”
“I have no idea.”
“She must have met with Skye.” At the mention of the name Skye, something snaps in my stomach. I pause on my drink and blink…
Once.
Twice.
No way!
“No. Skye would never do that. She knows better than to tell Alora about us.”
“You over underestimate the audacity of a desperate woman. A woman who is ready to go any length to get what she wants. That’s the type of woman Skye is right now. I can bet my life she said something to Alora that prompted her to ask that question and the only way you can stop the havoc that’s coming your way right now, is by telling Alora what she needs to know. If she hears it from Skye, things will get messy. Trust me Alpha, the last thing you want is for you to lose Alora’s trust.” My chest tightens from his admission. My eyes flick from his burning gaze. He knows how to make my insides churn with just a few sentences.
I push the glass and tequila bottle bottle away from me and place my head in my hands, my fingers threading my hair, ruffling it.
Reed is excruciatingly correct.
I need to tell Alora the truth about my past with Skye because if she hears it from her, she’ll not only be hurt and furious, but she’ll lose every bit of trust she has in me.
I don’t want that to happen.
“I still need some time.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Reed’s gaze hardens. “You do not have time. The more you wait, the more dangerous this thing becomes. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He steps down from the barstool.
“And where are you going?”
“I’m sick of listening to you blabber like a highschool boy. We’ll talk more tomorrow when you must have sobered up. Goodnight.” And he leaves.
without any milk.
I don’t know why, but that makes me smile.
It feels good to know that Reed of all people care about me.
Alora crosses my mind and my mood changes. I haul myself up from the stool so fast that I trip on my leg and crash into the nearby stools, hitting my head and I’m actually grateful. I take a moment to appreciate the pain.
I pull myself up to my feet and that’s when I notice that the world has started spinning. I start staggering towards the staircase.
Alora will be so disappointed to see me in this kind of wasted state. It’s a good thing she is fast asleep.
****************************************
Skye’S POV.
“Alora has been marked by Alpha Jayce.” Tania reports and cracks begin to form along my face, all the way down to my arms, my torso, my legs. I take in small, even breaths to help steady my mind.
I am bound and untethered by the chains of this life.
Everything I care about revolves around one person and for the first time in my life, that person isn’t me and because I have no luck in this life, that person happens to be mated to someone else.
But I don’t care.
I am Skye.
I plan. I act. I conquer.
I will have Alpha Jayce all to myself sooner or later.
“Skye, did you hear what I just said?” I rise to my feet and walk past Tania, all the way to my mirror stand where I stare at my reflection in the mirror. The determined look on my face makes me smile.
“I’m going to tell her tomorrow.” I finally speak. Tania rushes over to me.
“Tell who what?”
“Alora. Tomorrow, I’m going to tell her about my sexual relationship with Alpha Jayce.”
“But what if he gets upset with you? Don’t you think that’s too dangerous a thing to do?”
“Tania. In order for me to win this fight I have to take risks. If I have to bet my stay in this castle for a big fight between those two love birds, then so be it. So yes, tomorrow, I’m going to tell her what Alpha Jayce and I have been up to. I can’t wait to see the look on her face when those words reach her ears.” I let out an evil chuckle which ends with a scoff.
It was about time.