Chapter 4

Sure, I had been playing a dangerous game with Keith, but his words then twisted in my chest, leaving me feeling raw.

What did he even see me as?

Tears pricked my eyes in a hot rush, and each breath stung a little.

I jerked my head up and bit down hard on his lip.

Keith let out a sharp sound, but he did not stop, and my strength to fight back was fading fast.

He gazed down at me, and I could not tell what he saw, but I knew my cheeks were burning and my eyes were shimmering with unshed tears.

Keith bent down and captured my lips once more.

…

When it was all over, I lay with my face pressed against the warmth of Keith's chest and murmured, "So, are you going to stick around? Maybe you could come home with me..."

Out of nowhere, the phone's ring sliced through the silence, and "Joan" flashed on the screen.

Keith sat up and hit the answer button without a second thought.

He switched on the speaker, and a moment later, a soft voice filled the car. "I just finished my performance, Keith, can you come pick me up?"

I had sneaked a peek at Joan's dance once, she was like a star on stage, absolutely stunning, and her voice was just as sweet and pure.

I could not stop the image of Keith and Joan together from popping into my head—they would make quite the picture.

Keith's face softened as he heard her voice, and he did not hesitate to say, "Sure."

They chatted like old friends for a few moments before hanging up.

Then Keith pushed me aside, cool as ever, and slid back into the driver's seat.

It was like the whole thing between us had never happened.

I was still sprawled out in the back seat, my heart aching in waves, feeling all kinds of wrong. I could not help but murmur, "The match the alpha picked for you… You seem pretty happy with her."

Keith kept his eyes on the road, not even glancing my way, just letting out a soft laugh, "Joan was my choice, so yeah, I'm happy."

That hit me like a ton of bricks. My mind went totally blank, and I just stared at him, stunned.

For some reason, my heart started to hurt more and more, almost making it impossible to catch my breath.

Keith pulled over to the side of the road and stopped the car.

Then he finally turned to look at me, his fingers gently brushing the tears from my eyes, his touch sending mixed signals, but his voice was flat and emotionless.

"I'm off to pick up Joan. You'd better grab a cab home. I don't want her getting the wrong idea."

I snapped out of it, managing a smile that did not reach my eyes, "Okay."

After I got out of the car, I could not resist turning back to Keith, "Maybe you should take another car to pick up Joan. I wouldn't want her to find out what her future mate and his sister have been up to here.

Keith did not even give me another look, his voice dropping a degree colder, "You seem to know your place well enough, no need for me to spell it out."

He drove away, leaving me standing there, long after the car had vanished down the road.

The next day, I went to the restaurant my mom had texted me about to meet with Lucas, the next in line for the Morey pack. The guy was all decked out but talked like he was anything but classy, "Elsie, I don't care about your bad rep. Just be my mate and stop your wild ways, and that's all I need. I just want a pretty face to show off."

I bit back a retort, but before I could get a word out, Daniel popped up out of nowhere, sliding into the seat next to me as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

"Seriously? Dude, aren't you scared Elsie's gonna blow all your cash on me? I mean, we've been tight for almost four years now," Daniel said with a smirk.

I glanced at him, my face a blank slate.

Lucas' eyebrows knitted together in worry. "Elsie, is he telling the truth?"

I was not into that whole set-up date thing and was itching for a way out, so I just nodded, my mind elsewhere. "That's just who I am. I can't change it. You should look for someone else."

Lucas' face turned icy. He held back his anger and stood up. "Elsie, I'm going to tell your mom everything that happened today, exactly as it went down."

I gave him a fake smile, totally unfazed. "See ya."

Once Lucas was gone, I got up too.

I tried to ignore Daniel, but he stuck to me like a pesky stray dog I could not shake.

I sped up, my patience wearing thin, when Daniel piped up, "Hey, Elsie, isn't that your favorite brother over there?"

I looked without thinking, and there, in the jewelry store window, were Keith and Joan.

I knew the store's deal—guys could only buy one ring for life.

My heart skipped a beat, and it hurt like I had been jabbed with a needle.

They looked perfect together, just as I had thought.

I tortured myself, unable to look away.

Then I saw Keith slip that stunning diamond ring on Joan's finger.

I stood there, stunned, a wave of bitterness washing over me.

Without thinking, I gripped the ruby necklace around my neck—the first gift Keith ever gave me.

I had never taken it off since the day I got it.

Daniel eyed me with a smirk, leaning in close enough for me to feel his breath on my ear.

"Elsie, just look at you. You're like a lost little puppy."