Chapter Two: A Little Blackmail

“Can’t you even remember his face?” Audrey, my best friend asked. She was the only one I’d entrusted with the truth, and while it was a relief that I wasn’t alone in all of this, I wished she’d stop asking so many questions.

“I was drunk. I barely remember a thing.” I recounted, “Besides, what does it matter?”  I asked, venting my frustration. “Even if I found him, it won’t change anything. He’s probably some low-life drunk anyway.”

Audrey slumped into the love seat beside my bed.

“I’m worried about you, Bella,” she admitted, the truth was—I was too.

“I don’t know what to do,” I admitted.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket. She took it out, and her eyes widened at whatever message she’d received. She jumped to her feet.

“Shoot! The ball is starting in thirty minutes.”

I’d completely forgotten about the long-anticipated Coronation ball, where Asher was going to be named Alpha of the Iron-clan pack.

“I can’t go,” I stated. A party was the very last thing I needed right now.

“What do you mean you can’t go? The whole pack will be present—you are the beta’s daughter, your absence won’t be ignored,” she said and she was right. “Come on, you don’t have to stay all through, just… make an appearance, that’s all.”

~

I loved balls. My favorite part of balls were the dance.

Usually, Audrey and I would pair up and dance until we could no longer feel our feet, but right now, I couldn’t even see the fun in that.

From a distance, I spotted my parents approaching. Rosalia had her arms locked around my mother’s and despite myself I could help that all too familiar longing as I watched them.

Rosalia was their perfect daughter—their very own trophy, and I, was… well, not.

My mother’s scrutinizing gaze met mine. A fleeting thought ran through my mind; what if Rosalia had gone against her word to tell them the truth?

But then, her gaze zoomed past me just as quickly.

I let out a breath of relief.

“Are you alright?” Audrey asked, and I nodded.

“I’m fine,” I breathed, “I just need some air—I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll be here if you need me,” she called out as I walked away.

Out on the balcony, I toned out of the party.

There was always something calming about nature, and the view of tall trees and greenery was exactly what I needed.

My little moment was interrupted by footsteps.

“Audrey I—” I’d began, but cut myself off when I realized it wasn’t Audrey, but my sister, Rosalia.

She was dressed in a beautiful midnight-blue dress that clung to her figure, highlighting her curves. Rosalia was undeniably beautiful. She had long blonde hair and soft green eyes—at least that was what every other person saw. I, for one, knew they were anything but soft.

“You’ve gotten fat,” she noted, “It’s either that or the dress isn’t a fit for you.”

I looked down at the milk-white dress I had on, suddenly feeling insecure in it.

“What do you want Rosalia?” I asked and she cocked her brow,

“I see you are yet to tell mom and dad the big news?” she noted out loud, “I was just wondering if you plan to do that tonight?”

My chest constricted at her words,

“One week was the deal,” I gritted out quietly, not wanting to draw any form of attention.

“What deal?” she asked, feigning innocence.

“Rosalia, not now. Please.”

She threw her hands up in surrender.

“I mean, I understand why you want to keep your pregnancy a secret—”

“Hush!” I cut her off, my gaze darting widely to see if anyone had overheard that.

“Why are you so afraid?”

“Someone could have heard you,” I rasped, with a hand on my chest,

“Right. It is a shameful thing—that the beta’s very own daughter didn’t know when to use a condom,” she said, “And I imagine ‘its’ going to be a bastard?”

“Rosalia stop this,” I pleaded, holding back tears,

“Alright. Whatever you say, little sister,” she dismissed with an eyeroll. “But I didn’t come here simply to taunt you. I came here because I want something more from you.”

I couldn’t help the sinking feeling in my chest. I’d known it would come to this, but I’d hoped that for once she’d be less cruel, if not for anything, then for the position I was in.

“Come on, don’t look so disappointed. My request is an easy one; all I need you to do is… confess your feelings to Asher.”

“What!”

“You’ve had a crush on him for how long? Perhaps since you could stand on both your feet, I mean, it’s worth something that he knows what you feel for him, right?”

“What game are you playing at, Rosalia?”

“I’m only giving you the opportunity you’ve always wanted,” she said innocently,

“He’s getting married to you,” I stated, just in case she needed a reminder.

“But that hasn't stopped you from fantasizing about him all night, has it? I’m doing you a favour, you should be thanking me.”

My gaze drifted to the hall, and on cue, Asher had just arrived. He was dressed for the ceremony in a coat made from wolf’s hide, and loose leather pants.

His dark hair was neatly combed back, and his unusual set of grey eyes had my heart skipping a beat like it always did at the sight of him. It was easy to fall for a man like that, easy to have him fill your thoughts.

I felt that familiar burn in my chest at the fact that he’d never be mine. It was stupid to ever hope he’d be, and yet that hadn’t stopped me all those years.

Rosalia, on the other hand, never shared that obsession—or at least that was what I’d thought. Sometimes, I wondered if she’d only chosen him because she knew how much I’d wanted him.

“I know you want to,” she urged.

“No.” I said, tearing my gaze away from him, “I can’t do it.”

Asher was never mine and it was time I let him go.

“Then you don’t mind father discovering the truth right here, do you?” she threatened with a mischievous smile.

I still couldn’t help but wonder how she managed to deceive the whole pack into believing she was a good person.

She leaned close, “Tick. Tock.” Came her minty breath.

“Fine. I’ll do it.”

“Yay!” she clapped, in mock excitement. “Finally, you’re growing some nerves. All thanks to the bastard growing in your womb.”