The sorrys came out like water from the sink the moment I felt guiltiness that triggered it. Conrad lowered himself to meet my gaze because I was taking my time avoiding his eyes. I felt horrible. The way his hands were scared and careful to hold me after I consistently neglected him for days felt like a needle prickling my heart. How could I have thought of fooling him when all he’s done since the moment we met was be nice and genuine to me? How could I have thought of lying to him, two-timing him, thinking it was okay because I would eventually leave Adler to freely love him? I was hypocrite. Selfish. Liar. “I want to understand, Avalynn…” His voice was soft, almost as if he didn’t want to frighten me by asking. He used his other free hand to hold my left cheek. “What are you sorry for? What took you so long? Did your pack finally find out about us? Did they ask you to…” “No…” I bit my lower lip. One more word and I was sure that my voice would break from emotions I was trying so

“Conrad…” I called his name, unable to answer him directly. My tone was dipped with unsureness. I was embarassed. But most of all, afraid. I haven’t thought of a way to explain things easier—not like it was even in my plan yet to let him know. Since the moment I decided to drop everything and just enjoy every bit of moment with him, I stopped giving everything a thought. That very question included. Why was I out of reach? If I say I lost my wolf because I had been in close contact with him, would he believe me? If I say I had two mates since the very beginning, and that Adler and I had always been enemies, would he look at me the same? If I say I was a possible half-wolf and half-lycan, would he accept me? “I still don’t understand what it is that makes you look like you’re afraid of opening your lips…” he said before he looked away. “I’ve been holding back not to ask but you make me so damn eager.” “Whatever that happened, it wasn’t because I chose to,” I swallowed hard. “Of cou

Won’t help me out? When did he ever help me? When he wanted to bring back Alice? When he let me sleep on his house? When he contacted Amelia? All of it benifitted him, did it not? He got something out of it. Which was why two months from now, he was going to be the pack’s leader. He was going to achieve his dream soon, and it’ll be because of me. “Just admit it.” My voice was low and mocking. “You’ve got what you need so you’re dropping me.” Whatever it was that I did, it was for the sake of my relatiosnhip with Conrad. But Adler? Though I did not ask him to, if he truly wanted to, he would’ve saved me. He would’ve cover up for me. But he didn’t. Why, when he acted like he cared about me just last week? It made sense. Because he finally got what he want. He was finally going to be the Alpha. He made full use of me, and I had accomplish my only purpose in his life. “You brought this upon yourself when you chose that Lycan over your situation here.” His whole face darkened. “Go, Ava

I took back my arm with force. I turned my body to him, and then looked at him with injustice. I didn’t want to make it sound like I had something against their relationship. But I couldn’t help myself. I didn’t like what Gunner said. I didn’t like how he phrased it, how he wanted me to make a decision, as if he was someone who had the power to tell me what to do. I didn’t like how he views this entire situation. Because who was he, until I found Alice? He was no better than the Alpha. “Do not make me repeat myself, Avalynn. Do not involve Jade in this.” “Where were you until now?” I asked with my eyes reflecting the grudges I held against him in the past. “Where were you when I was bullied?” He shook his head. His eyes remained on me. Conflicts were building up on his eyes. He was probably taken aback. He probably didn’t see my question coming. I also didn’t. “Gunner, do not provoke her.” Jade’s voice was calm, a force one, I believe. She walked to my side. “Avalynn, please.” “

I looked away from Adler. Because how was I supposed to answer that? What did he mean by that? He didn’t like me with Conrad? I had been noticing that he was like that whenever Conrad and I meet, but I never knew the entire reason why. I’ve always just thought it was because his wolf and mine were connected. That Asmodeous was attracted to Alice and tha was why he was acting aggressive whenever he could smell the Lycan scent in me. “I won’t be meeting him anytime soon,” I said, like what I heard didn’t bother me. “Not until we marry and you gain the power to cover up for me. You wouldn’t drop me after all this, right?” “Does that mean you trust me?” He asked. “Are you willing to, Avalynn?” “If you’d promise to help me afterwards, of course.” I was here for that very reason. To give him my trust, and to earn his. I wanted to cut a deal. That I would marry him, but in ex-change, he would help me escape and live with Conrad. Perhaps forfeit my position in the pack, too. “What help a