An Unwanted Reunion
1334 Words
[Nick’s POV]
“Why are they here?”
Noel’s question reaches me, but I don’t respond as my father’s hard gaze stays locked with mine. Even from where I stand, it is easy to tell that he doesn’t want me here, and the disgust that he feels from my mere existence presses against me.
“Nick.”
Noel’s voice is soft, gentle, and prodding as her hand reaches out and touches me, snapping me out of my daze and allowing me to get my wits about me again.
“Nick,” my father announces, changing his expression to a happy one. “It’s good to see you.”
Good to see me. That was almost laughable when I knew deep down to his core he wished that he wasn’t seeing me. Not when I was now standing in the way of his precious son becoming the alpha of the pack.
“Is it really?” I ask as Noel presses herself against me. “Don’t worry; you don’t have to pretend here.”
He didn’t. Not when everyone present was against not only me, but even Noel. Well, everyone except Hunter, who looked a little too interested in Noel as she remained silent beside me.
“Why on earth would I pretend?” My father asks, playing the perfect parent. “Especially after you ran away under the guise of dying.”
Flinching, I try to keep my expression normal as his thoughts slam into me.
You should have died.
Why did you have to reappear?
Just go and die like you were supposed to.
You’re a burden.
Again and again they repeat, mixing in with and overpowering all the other thoughts that are driving me crazy, but I won’t let him get to me. Not when he was no longer in charge of my fate.
“Was that how it worked out?” I ask, c*****g my head to the side. “Because I remember it a bit differently.”
As I speak, I turn my gaze to Hunter’s, and when our eyes lock, I can see anger and even the slightest bit of fear there.
“But there isn’t really any reason in reliving that moment, right?”
There wasn’t, not when I knew what the outcome would be. That was the reason I stayed hidden all this time, well, from them, but not from my grandfather, who secretly supported me because even he knew that Hunter wasn’t a good alpha or even leader of our family’s company.
“Anyway,” I say now, giving Noel a gentle squeeze. “Since we’re done here, we should really get going. I owe my wife a honeymoon.”
“Wife?” Hunter barks, his eyes growing wide with shock. “Did you just say…”
“That’s right,” I smirk, looking down at Noel affectionately. “I said wife. What? Disappointed?”
“I…” he begins, clearly looking for the right words. “How could…”
“Hunter,” Joelle hisses, wrapping her arms around his. “Shouldn’t you be congratulating them?”
For a moment, he doesn’t move, doesn’t speak, and doesn’t take his disgusting gaze off of Noel. It is clear that he is reeling, and that just gives me more satisfaction, but even now I can hear his true feelings in his thoughts.
How could she?
Why would she betray me like this?
Couldn’t she have given me the chance to fix things?
Grimacing, I don’t bother hiding my disgust over his hypocritical thoughts. Who was he to dare think that he deserved the slightest bit of forgiveness from Noel after what not only he, but even Joelle and her whole f*****g family did to her?
“What?” I ask, drawing his gaze back to mine. “Why do you look so shocked?”
“Because she was supposed to marry me!” He growls, unable to control his temper. “Noel,” he continues, turning on her. “Were you cheating on me this entire time? Is that why he showed up out of the blue? Were the two of you planning this behind my back?”
At his words, I feel Noel tense and when her body starts to shake with emotion, I want to attack the bastard who was making her feel such extreme things.
“You,” she says as I open my mouth to defend her. “How can you say such things to me?”
As she speaks, shock crosses Hunter’s features, and his eyes widen with shock, but I can’t stop the pride that is beginning to flow through me.
That’s it. I think inwardly. Stop bowing down to them and speak up.
After so many years of being repressed, abused, and made to feel like she didn’t even deserve to have an opinion or fight back, it was time that Noel started speaking up.
“Go on,” I whisper when she doesn’t continue to speak. “I’m here. So, speak what’s on your mind.”
Nodding, she gives me a look of appreciation before turning her gaze back to Hunter.
“Unlike you,” she says slowly, gaining her confidence and strength. “I never cheated. I was true to you up until I found you with Joelle.”
“Noel!” Joelle gasps, her cheeks flushing. “How could you say such a thing?”
“Because it’s the truth.” Noel says, her voice growing stronger. “If anyone should be accused of cheating the whole time, it is you and Hunter. I’m just glad that I found out the truth before I said I do.”
“Noel,” Anita growls. “How dare you accuse your sister of such a thing! I ought to…”
“To what?” I growl, stepping in front of Noel and narrowing my gaze on the woman in front of me. “What do you plan on doing?”
Eyes widening, Anita stares at me as if trying to determine if I would stop her from doing what she wanted, and when she settles on the possibility of it happening, she backs off.
“H-how about we go inside and then…”
“No need,” I announce, not wanting to continue looking at those who surround me. “I already said that Noel and I were due to go on our honeymoon. Since we’ve delivered the marriage certificate as needed, there’s no reason for us to stay any longer.”
“Nick,” my father growls. “Are you really going to leave when all of us are together?”
“That’s exactly what I’m going to do.” I smile, no longer giving two shits what he thought of me. “But please do enjoy your gathering; maybe you should take the time to discuss Hunter and Joelle marrying. It seems that they're pretty close as is and you all know Grandfather's conditions for becoming alpha, right?"
“No!” Hunter gasps before realizing what he was doing. “No, I meant…”
“Hunter,” Joelle whimpers, tightening her hold on him. “What on earth are you doing?”
“Isn’t it clear?” I chuckle. “You’re good for a f**k, but clearly he has no intention of marrying you. Now, Noel and I will be taking our leave. Let's meet again in a few weeks when we return."
"Nick," my father snaps, his aura beginning to press against me. "What do you think..."
"What does it look like?" I ask, not bothering to look at him. "I'm taking my wife for our honeymoon. What? Do you have an issue with that?"
Of course he would since he knew grandfather's condition for becoming the leader of the pack, but honestly, even now, I wasn't going to force Noel into anything.
"I'll see you around, father." I continue, peeking over my shoulder and giving him a smile. "Do take care of yourself during that time."
- Writer
