Stephanie’s POV
As we walked down the hallway to my room, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Reyna was still holding something back.
There was a heaviness about her, as if the weight of her secret was suffocating her. I wondered if I’d ever be able to get her to open up completely, but for now, I was just grateful she trusted me enough to share even this much.
Once we reached my room, I could feel the shift in atmosphere. The tension that clung to Reyna in her own space began to loosen as she stepped inside. I quickly pulled out the snacks I promised, setting them on the small table near the window.
“Here,” I handed her a piece of bread topped with honey. “This always makes me feel better when I’m stressed.”
Reyna took a small bite and nodded, her smile faint but genuine. “It’s good,” she said softly. “Thank you.”
We sat in silence for a while, just enjoying the peace. But it wasn’t long before the conversation drifted back to the troubling reality.
“What are you going to do if your father sends someone to find you even after you leave the pack?” I asked, unable to ignore the looming threat.
Reyna’s face hardened, and she set down the bread. “He’ll send someone, I’m sure of it. He always gets what he wants.”
“And what will you do?”
Her eyes flicked to the window as if the answer were somewhere out there. “I’ll keep running.”
I shook my head. “You can’t keep running forever, Rey. You deserve better than this. There has to be another way.”
Reyna leaned back, exhaling deeply. “I don’t know if there is. I’ve spent my whole life being told what to do, what to become. I’m just… tired.”
I felt a surge of frustration on her behalf. “You shouldn’t have to choose between being someone’s pawn or living in fear. You’re stronger than that.”
She gave me a sad smile. “Maybe. But right now, I don’t feel strong.”
I wanted to argue, to tell her that she was strong, that she could stand up to her father, to anyone-but I knew it wasn’t that simple.
Reyna had been through more than I could understand, and no amount of pep talks could change the reality she was facing.
Instead, I reached over and squeezed her hand. “I’m here for you. Whatever happens, you’re not alone.”
Reyna squeezed back, her eyes softening. “Thank you, Steph. That means more than you know.”
The quiet between us was comforting this time, a shared understanding that didn’t need words. But just as I thought things were finally settling, there was a knock at the door.
My heart jumped, and I exchanged a glance with Reyna. Neither of us were expecting anyone.
“Who is it?” I called out cautiously.
“It’s John,” came the familiar voice from the other side.
Reyna tensed beside me. I could see the conflict in her eyes, and I knew this was the moment she’d been dreading.
“What should I do?” she whispered.
I stood up, glancing toward the door. “Do you want to talk to him?”
Reyna hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah. I guess I have to.”
I opened the door, and John stepped inside, his eyes immediately finding Reyna. The relief in his expression was unmistakable, but there was also something else-something that told me this wasn’t just a casual visit.
“Reyna,” John said, his voice low but steady. “We need to talk.”
Reyna stood slowly, her face carefully blank. “What is it?”
John glanced at me, and I took that as my cue to leave. “I’ll give you two some privacy,” I said, offering Reyna a supportive smile before slipping out of the room.
As I closed the door behind me, I couldn’t help but worry about what would happen next. Would Reyna finally tell John the truth? Or would she choose to keep running, even from him?
Whatever her decision, I knew one thing for sure-I wasn’t going to let her face it alone.
__________________
John’s POV
As soon as the door clicked shut behind Stephanie, I turned to face Reyna. She stood across the room, her posture tense, arms folded tightly across her chest. Her eyes flicked between me and the floor, her face a mask of indifference, but I knew better. I could feel the storm brewing beneath the surface.
I took a breath, choosing my words carefully. “Reyna, I know something’s going on, and I’d appreciate it if you tell me what it is.”
She didn’t answer, and just stared at the floor.
I stepped closer, lowering my voice to match hers. “Reyna, you don’t have to hide things from me. Whatever it is, I’m on your side. You know that, right?”
She looked away again, biting her lip. For a moment, I thought she wasn’t going to say anything. Then, with a shaky breath, she spoke.
“I didn’t lie about my father wanting me out of the pack,” she said slowly, her words measured. “But there’s more to it. He… gave me two choices.” Her voice wavered as she continued, “Leave the pack, or marry the son of one of his allies.”
A cold knot formed in my stomach. “Marry you off?” The thought of Reyna being forced into a life like that-trapped, used as a bargaining chip-made my blood boil.
She nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I couldn’t do it, John. I couldn’t let him control me like that. So I left.”
I swallowed hard, trying to keep my emotions in check. “And you didn’t tell me? Or anyone?”
Reyna let out a bitter laugh. “Tell you what? That my own father thinks I’m nothing more than a pawn? That I’m an embarrassment to him?” She shook her head. “I didn’t want your pity. I didn’t want anyone to know.”
“It’s not pity, Reyna. It’s-” I stopped, struggling to find the right words. “I care about you. I want to help you, not just stand by while you suffer alone.”
Her shoulders slumped, the fight draining out of her. “I know,” she whispered. “But what can you do? This is between me and my father.”
I stepped closer, gently placing a hand on her arm. “You don’t have to face him alone, Rey. You’re part of this pack now. You’re part of my pack. And I’m not going to let anyone take you away from that, not even your father.”