Brooklyn.I can feel Billie's eyes on me.My hands face flat against the asphalt behind me, I let myself lean back into it, keeping my focus on the scenery above.“I couldn't recognize you.” That gets my attention and I peepers land on her, but she's already gazing up. She sighs, her back hunching and one hand rubbing her belly in circles. “I should have recognized you.”Is that why she stayed away? Because she feels guilty that she can't recognize me? Was she even born by the time her sister left? Or was she wise enough to tell what's right and what's happening?My eyes lift up at the half moon shining its brightest. It's half, yet it shines. When it's full, it glows? Surely, nothing exists without its second.“You couldn't have known.”She scoffs, “I could have. I was just blind to it.”If she wants to feel guilty and is hell bent on it, who am I to tell otherwise? Sooner or later, she'll realize and look to the future. “I don't blame you,” I shrug lazily, “so you have no right to
Brooklyn.“This is so amazing, Brooklyn. Your artistry is beyond stunning, regal.” Lisa stares at herself in awe, unbeknownst to my flaming cheeks. Even worse when people are trying to get a glimpse of her image. After drawing her, I decide to also paint her and that turns out more beautiful. The sketching of her remains in the painting room.Landon, whose arm lies around me, pushes me further into his side as the same time massages my shoulders. “I know right,” the pride in his voice can't be hidden. “I've got a dexterity as a mate and queen. What more can I want?”I slap his chest, “stop it.” His eyes peer into mine. Pride. Admiration. Love. So much that I have to look away for a second. “I tell the truth, love.”Rolling my eyes at his words, I smile sheepishly at Lisa. “I am glad you loved it. Really!” She has no idea what those words mean to me. I wasn't sure she would, but now that she loves it, I feel satisfied with my work.“I told you she'd love it.” Landon whispers in my ea
Brooklyn.Landon peek into the room, eyes smiling. “Come with me.” I look up from the sketching I am actively doing and tilt my head at him. “Where to?”“Just come,” he ushers me with his hands.His eagerness is contagious, but I also want to finish what I am drawing. It's been a really long while since I drew or painted and these days, I have spent most of my time away from Landon drawing.With a groan, I push the comforter away from me and get up from the bed. I wince slightly at the coldness of the tiles, even with socks on, it's still cold. I groan again and clutch my sketchpad and pencil to my chest and follow my man out of the room.I've been taking them wherever I go. Even to the bathroom! I've expressed my desire for him not to see anything I am drawing until I am done with them all. But his interest in it won't make me trust him not to look. Hence, always with me.Currently, I am trying to draw Lisa a portrait for her birthday. It's next week and I need to be done before the
Brooklyn.Of course, leave it to Raine to follow me.I don't have to sit in my feelings for long before a body appears behind me. Raine groans and sighs. “Thank goodness, you're safe.”I return her worry with a glare. “Of course, I'll be safe. You shouldn't have come,” I look behind her just to see it's only her. I press my lips together. “You didn't bring Alan with you? You left him alone?”“Never,” she grins. “After making sure you're okay, I was going to return to him.”“I'm fine. Now, go.”“Yes—”“—what the fuck is going on here?!” Landon asks in a calm tone, but I've left not to be deceived by it. It's simply the calm before the storm and from the way he rejected my touch, I'm certain he's not happy with me.But right now, I'm here for Lisa. My eyes drop on her lying, pale self on the bed. “Go, Raine,” I order and soon, I hear a whooshing sound. With a sigh, I sidestep Landon and kneel beside the bed. Her eyelids are darkened and her lips pale. I let my hand touch her sleek, ches
Brooklyn.For the second time that year, I feel the stabbing pain of looking at someone you love. A family. It's so wrong on so many levels because I can save them. I could have saved her…but alas, there are always losses with me being a blue blood.The men lower her coffin into the ground. I can hear the cries, smell the tears, feel the pain. Like it's me who died and yet refuses to die.I blow out air from my mouth and glance skyward, trying not to let the burning, salty water roll down my face, but it's useless. Swallowing, I wipe the tears that go to the side of my face.For the first time in my life, I watched someone die right in front of me. I remember her last words clearly. They play like a broken record in my head..one I can't stop until I accept the fact that she's gone.Just…gone.Raine's loud sniffs pull me to her. Her eyes refuse to close as she watches the coffin go lower and lower into the dug ground.With a sigh, I yank her to me and she breaks down in multiple sobs.
Brooklyn.No response. I remove the phone from my ear just to make sure he’s still on, but when I see the call still active and he’s not saying anything, I begin to think the worst.I can feel my built confidence beginning to drop—my heart along with it. My mind wants to hang up, but my heart and bones are telling me to wait.Maybe he’s just surprised I called?“Landon…” I say with less confidence this time.And that does the trick.“Brooklyn?”“Yes?”A sharp intake of breath. I hear the shuffling of papers next, and soon his voice becomes audible. “Little wolf.” My eyes water at the nickname, and I break.Sniffing, I confess, “Lan. I miss you, Lan.”If it were physical, his eyes would soften and he’d pull me into a hug instantly. And now, I hate that we are so many miles apart.Raine and Alan’s union gives me the boost to call him. I smile as I remember the way Raine jumped on him, not minding the crowd. I’m certain they’ll be bond-making right now. “Alan found his mate,” I blurt out