4

Evie's pov

The sound of the necklace snapping sounded way too loud in the quiet room. My eyes widen in horror as the delicate chain falls between us on the floor with a faint clink.

"I-what? You pulled it-

"Don't you dare blame this on me you wolf-less bitch!" She sneered under her breath harshly and steps closer until the stench of her sweet perfume assaults my nose.

"Kim is going to have a fit when she finds out you broke her necklace that Ryan her future mate," she stresses on future mate, her expression turning from fake pity to something dark. "Gifted her."

"But I-

"Oh save it Evie. No one will believe you, not even Ryan who you follow around like puppy," she snorts and turns around, flipping her copper colored hair over her shoulder.

"I bet he can't wait to get rid of you when he finally mates your sister. I know he's tired of having a charity case follow him around like a lost puppy," she giggles and walks over to the window where she can see see Ryan seated in his car, waiting for me.

"Poor Ryan, has to babysit a leech," she fakes a sigh and whips around, her eyes glazing over with hatred. "It must be exhausting for him to pretend to care about someone so worthless."

Her words hit me like a physical blow right on my chest, hard and painful. My throat tightens yet I don't look away because that's what girls like Hannah and Kim want to see. They want to see me break. And I refuse to break in front of them or anyone.

This was the only way I could show that I am not weak as they claim I am.

I bend down slowly, my fingers grabbing the broken chain off the floor. "You don't know anything Hannah. Not about me or about Ryan," I mumble and straighten.

"Oh?" She arched a brow in mockery as her lips twist into a cruel smirk. "I think I know enough actually Evie," she takes a step forward and I clutch the broken chain tighter.

"I know that you don't belong here. You don't belong to be one of us. No wolf. No strength. Just weak. No future. Just...." Her lips twisted into a cruel smirk even more. "Nothing."

My chest aches.

"I wonder how long alpha will put up with you after he finds out you broke his precious mate's necklace," she snorts and rolls her eyes. "You better get going then," she shoos me away.

"Don't want to have your future Luna waiting."

There was no point in going back and forth with her. She'd just have more bad stuff to say to me.

Biting the inside of my cheek, I turn around and walked away, keeping my back straight as though her words didn't affect me even though deep down they did.

Each step I took felt like her words were weighing me down, dragging me to the bottom. By the time I reach the door my eyes were misty.

I stopped, swallowed and forced the tears back. I didn't need Ryan to be worried about me. I took a couple breaths before I stepped outside.

I welcomed the air, pulling it into my lungs.

Ryan is still in the car, one hand resting in the steering wheel while his gaze roams forward. But then as if sensing me, he turns and our eyes clash like they always do.

His brows furrowed.

Uh oh. Did he notice I was upset?

I faked a smile, which gets harder to do when I don't feel happy at all. It also sucks that Ryan knew me like the back of his hand and I was sure he knew that smile was fake.

"Was about to head in there to see what's taking so long," he uttered when I am drawing closer.

"Sorry about that," I apologized as I opened the car door and settle inside. "Hannah couldn't find the necklace."

Ryan doesn't look convinced and studies my face. "Did she do or tell you anything?" His jaw locks and I nervously buckled myself in.

I shook my head. "Nope. Don't worry about it."

"Evie," he stressed. "If she made you upset in any way you can tell me. I'll deal with her."

My heart slams against my ribcage. Oh Ryan that's what I am scared of and don't want. I don't need Hannah or Kim to tell me I'm making Ryan fight my battles.

I don't want to be the damsel in distress.

"You shouldn't worry about me so much Ryan. Especially after tonight when you claim my sister," I said softly but judging by the uncomfortable silence that zaps in the air after my words, I knew I had upset him.

His knuckles are pale white as he clenches the steering wheel brutally. His jaw clenched once, then twice before his eyes flashed red. His wolf.

I stiffen.

My words may have upset him even more than I realized they would.

"What does that mean Evie?" His tone is hoarse and filled with frustration.

I looked away, my eyes staring at Hannah's house only to see her staring at us through the window of her room. Her words came crawling back.

She was right. After tonight I would be nothing. Especially to Ryan. Things would change.

"Just saying the truth Ryan," I whispered and tore my eyes away from Hannah. "Things will change after tonight. You'll be happily mated to my sister and I'll just be....nobody to you and everyone."

A growl, dangerous and low rumbles in the confines of the car.

"Don't say shit like that Evie, you know you mean a lot to me," he growled

His words make my chest ache even more. Not because I didn't believe him but because I do. I really do. But it aches more now because I know that soon these words will no longer be said to me but her. Kim. His mate. His Luna.

To avoid turning this into an argument I just nod and Ryan lets it go thankfully.

The drive back home was awfully quiet and uncomfortable. Not a word was said and honestly it was for the better.

Once we pulled up, Kim was already outside with a bright smile on her stained red lips. "Ryan baby!" She squeaked and I winced.

She rushes over, her heels clicking rapidly against the driveway. My hand tighten around the broken chain in my hold and turned my expression neutral.

Her arms were around him before he could get out properly and I fumble with the seatbelt. Her perfume flooded the air around him, sweet with a tang of rotten honey.

I looked away and got out the car.

"That's so sweet of you to drive Evie all the way to Hannah's. I told her dad would give her the car but she insisted that she'd walk," she chirped.

I didn't have to look to know she was pressed against him, her perfectly manicured fingers brushing over his chest like she was already marking her territory.

The thought made my heart ache.

"Evie did you get it?"

I looked up to catch her gaze. She looked at me in triumphed, her eyes gleaming as though she had just won the lottery.

Ryan peels away from her, his expression blank and unreadable.

"I did," I said and opened my palm to show her the broken necklace. It was better to show her now than later.

She faked shock, her lips parting as she gasped dramatically. "My necklace! Evie you broke it!"

I swallowed and shook my head. "It wasn't me, Hanna-

"It was a gift from Ryan, Evie," her eyes filled with tears that I knew were all part of her act. "How could you-

"She said it wasn't her," Ryan cuts in, his jaw flexing as his eyes flashed with irritation. "If you liked it so much I'll buy another. No need to blame it on Evie."

My heart skips a beat. He was always so protective of me. How long more can he be?

The thought saddened me.

The tears in Kim's eyes seem to freeze all of sudden, her face morphing into one of irritation. "You always let her get away with everything. Does she matter more than your own mate's tears Ryan?"

My heart stops and my throat tightens. Why would she ask such a-

"Yes. She does." Ryan's voice is firm and unshaking as his dark eyes cats over to stare at me.