The weight of uncertainty presses down on me as I stare at Alex’s number displayed on my phone screen. Each digit feels like a step closer to uncovering a truth I’m not sure I’m ready to face. Part of me fears confirming my suspicions-that he’s gone on this trip and is betraying our relationship. But another part of me knows I can’t keep avoiding the inevitable.
I’ve tried reaching out to the company directly, hoping for some clarity, but days have passed without any response. Time is running out, and I really need answers for my project.
A million thoughts swirl in my mind as I hover over the call button. What if he denies everything? What if my worst fears are confirmed? Can I handle the truth, whatever it may be?
Releasing a deep sigh, I mutter, “Fuck it!” and dial his number. With each ring, my heart races, waiting for him to answer, but he doesn’t pick up. Maybe he’s not near his phone. I try again, and this time, it doesn’t ring for long before he answers.
I suck in a breath, waiting for him to speak, but my brows furrow in confusion when I hear a female voice. The moment I recognize it, my heart clenches, and my shoulders slump in disappointment. He’s not alone, and the truth I’ve been avoiding is staring me in the face.
“Hannah, hello, are you there?” Alice’s voice breaks through the haze of my thoughts.
“Yes, it’s me,” I respond, my voice barely above a whisper, heavy with disappointment and hurt.
“Alex is sleeping; we just had our fourth round, and he’s exhausted. Would you like me to drop a message for him?” Her casual tone feels like a dagger to my heart, each word a painful reminder of the betrayal down to me. Tears well up in my eyes as the truth sinks in-I was right. He’s actually cheating on me.
“Hannah?” Alice’s voice calls out, snapping me back to the present moment.
I sniffle and quickly respond, “No, goodbye,” before hanging up.
As soon as I do, all the tears I’ve been holding back escape, rolling down my cheeks in waves. I cover my mouth to muffle my sobs, feeling like I’ve been punched in the gut. Slumping against the wall, I sink to the ground, the weight of his betrayal crushing me.
He’s cheating on me, his mate. She said they just had their fourth round. Images of them together flood my mind-kissing, him calling her his. My heart clenches even harder in my chest.
I always knew deep down that my love for him was unrequited, but I never imagined he would stoop so low as to cheat on me. Hearing Alice’s voice on the phone, casually mentioning their intimate moments, feels like a dagger to my heart. The thought of him pleasuring her the same way he did me sends a shiver down my spine.
I never expected him to disrespect our bond as mates. Alice was his girlfriend before she became his mate. He liked her even without the mate bond, but still….
“I don’t believe Alice. Alex isn’t that heartless; he wouldn’t cheat on you. Alice must be lying,” Poppy insists, her tone laced with conviction.
“Lying? Then why did she pick up? If they aren’t together, why is she with his phone?” I say, my voice trembling with hurt and confusion.
“Maybe she lured him to her room, and he left his phone while rushing out of her room in a hurry,” Poppy suggests, her faith in Alex’s loyalty unwavering.
“Really, Poppy? You sound like you are trying your best to believe he just didn’t cheat,” I retort bitterly.
“I know I sound that way, but trust me. Alex isn’t that heartless. Call him again tomorrow,” Poppy urges.
“So he can confirm, too? So I can hear it from his own lips?” I question bitterly, the pain of uncertainty gnawing at me.
“No, to talk to him. Just call him again tomorrow,” Poppy insists, her tone firm yet empathetic.
“Alright, I will. I still have to talk to him about getting data from his company,” I concede, trying to focus on practical matters amidst the emotional turmoil.
“Good, now pick up your phone,” Poppy says, and I notice it’s actually ringing.
I pick up the phone and see it’s Luna Marley calling, my eyes widen in panic. Why is she calling? With a shaky hand, I swipe to accept the call, trying to compose myself as I quickly wipe away my tears and clear my throat.
“Hello,” I manage, hoping my voice doesn’t betray any hoarseness from the tears I’d shed earlier.
“Hello, dear. How are you doing?” She asks, her tone gentle and concerned.
“Good,” I reply, clearing my throat to sound more composed as we continue our conversation.
“That’s lovely to hear. I wanted to ask you and Alex to come over tomorrow so we could pick pictures to use for the article about your engagement,” she says, her voice brimming with excitement.
“Oh,” I murmur, feeling a knot form in my stomach. She assumes Alex is here, and that’s why she’s invited us over. I’m torn about what to say. Part of me wants to correct her, to tell her he’s not around, but another part of me worries about the consequences. Alex’s parents might not be pleased to learn he’s with Alice, and if they find out from me, he won’t be happy. That’s the last thing I need right now.
I take a moment to collect my thoughts, searching for the right words to respond, when Luna Marely’s words cause my eyes to widen in a panic.
“Hannah, where is Alex? Put him on the phone,” she says.
“He’s… he’s in the shower,” I manage to squeak out, my heart pounding in my chest as I hastily fabricate a lie, praying she won’t see through it.
“Really?” Luna’s tone is skeptical, making me sweat bullets despite the cool air.
“Yes,” I reply, trying to sound confident, though doubt gnaws at me.
“No problem. I want you both over tomorrow morning. See you then.”
“Yeah. Bye,” I mutter, the relief flooding in as I end the call, my hand trembling as I release the phone. Luna definitely didn’t buy my lie.
Dread grips me like a vice as I contemplate the consequences of my deception. If I don’t reach Alex before then or conjure up a convincing excuse for his absence, the fallout will be catastrophic. At least one of us needs to show up tomorrow, but the thought of facing Luna’s wrath alone leaves me feeling utterly helpless. I’m trapped in a web of my own making, and there’s no easy way out.
ALEX
I find myself standing outside Alice’s door, my hand resting on the handle. It’s finally time to clear the air between us, but despite knowing it’s necessary to explain things, I can’t shake this hesitation. It’s one of the reasons I agreed to join them on this trip when my brothers suggested it. They insisted that Alice, having recently survived an accident and faced rejection from me, needed some time away from the world, which brought us here. My brothers believed that despite rejecting Alice, I should still be there for her as a friend. They emphasized that true friends are there for each other, especially in tough times. If Alice found happiness, they reasoned, she could recover faster, and I reluctantly agreed.
Releasing a deep sigh, I finally summon the courage to knock. A heartbeat later, Alice swings the door open, her smile lighting up the dim corridor as she recognizes me.
“Can we talk?” I ask, stepping into her room, feeling the weight of the impending conversation settle upon my shoulders.
“Of course,” she replies, her voice warm and inviting as she gestures towards the couch. We both take a seat, the air heavy with unspoken emotions hanging between us.
“Thank you,” I murmur, feeling the gravity of my words pressing against my chest, knowing the inevitable heartbreak again that awaits her once I reveal the truth.
“Is everything alright?” Alice’s gaze searches mine, her concern palpable.
“Yeah,” I reply with a nod, steeling myself for what comes next.
Clearing my throat, I gather my thoughts before I begin, bracing myself for the pain I’m about to inflict upon her fragile heart. “Alice, you know that I will always love you, right?” I start, my voice trembling with the weight of the confession.
“Yes, I do,” she responds, her unwavering gaze fixed on me, urging me to continue despite the turmoil brewing within me.
“And the only reason I agreed to marry Hannah was because I wanted to fulfill a duty to my pack,” Alice nods.
“But there is something you don’t know,” I continue, my voice trembling slightly as I brace myself for her reaction. “The following day after I rejected you, the moon goddess was kind enough to favor me and bless me with another mate, and she happens to be…” I trail off, swallowing hard against the lump forming in my throat. It’s not difficult to say Hannah’s name, but I know the impact it will have on Alice, which fills me with hesitation.
I wet my lips and attempt to continue, “Hai…,” but before I can finish, Alice gasps, her eyes widening in shock. Tears well up in her eyes before I can even utter the name. My heart clenches with guilt as I watch her pain unfold before me. She must feel like the unluckiest person in the world right now, her heartache compounded by the cruel twists of fate. First, Hannah was betrothed to me instead of her, and now she learns that my second chance mate is her wicked adopted sister. The weight of her sorrow hangs heavy in the room, casting a shadow over our conversation.
“I’m so sorry, Alice,” I say, my voice heavy with guilt. “And because she’s my second chance mate, I couldn’t reject her. I was lucky enough that the moon goddess didn’t punish me for rejecting you and blessed me with a second mate immediately. I couldn’t invoke her wrath and dare reject Hannah. Please understand.” I lay bare all the truth I’ve been carrying, letting it spill out into the space between us, knowing it’s the least I can do for her.
Tears glisten in Alice’s eyes, tracing silent paths down her cheeks as my words sink in. “It’s okay, I understand once again,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper. Her acceptance catches me off guard, a testament to her incredible strength and compassion.
“Thank you so much,” I manage to choke out, overwhelmed by understanding. Without another word, I turn and leave the room, unable to witness her pain any longer.
Standing outside her door, I release a deep sigh, the sound mingling with the echoes of her sobs from within. With a heavy heart, I remind myself that this was necessary, that it needed to be done for the sake of honesty and closure. Steeling myself against the ache in my chest, I force myself away from her door, each step feeling like a weighty burden. It’s a painful conversation, but one that I hope will eventually lead us both to a place of healing and acceptance.
As I approach my room, I reach into my pocket for my phone, intending to call my brothers as Alice could use their support right now. To my dismay, I realize it’s not on me. It must have slipped out of my pocket when I sat down earlier. Without hesitation, I pivot on my heel and head back towards Alice’s room.
Pushing the door open, I find Alice holding my phone, her eyes meeting mine with a momentary look of surprise that quickly fades. I push the door open fully and make my way towards her.
“Did I get any calls?” I ask, reaching out to retrieve my phone.
“No,” she replies, a hint of happiness dancing in her eyes. It strikes me as odd, considering the heaviness of our earlier conversation moments ago.
“Alright, thank you, and good night,” I say, offering a small smile in return, sensing that she’s already feeling better.
“Good night,” she replies, her smile genuine and warm, wiping away any remnants of the distress I witnessed moments ago. My brow furrows in confusion, but I refrain from probing further, choosing to let the moment pass.
I step out of Alice’s room and make my way towards mine, my phone suddenly emits a soft ping, signaling an incoming message. Glancing at the screen, I see that it’s a message from Hannah urging me to call her back. Confusion furrows my brow. Alice had just told me that I received no calls while my phone was in her room.
Doubt gnaws at me as I ponder the discrepancy. I quickly check my call logs, confirming that indeed there were no missed calls. Why would Hannah ask me to call her back if she hadn’t called first? Something doesn’t add up, and I find myself caught in a web of uncertainty, unsure of who is telling the truth. With a heavy sigh, I tuck my phone away, resolved to find the truth another day.