Trusting My First Love

Chapter 23: Because of me

Charlie's POV

I couldn't get out of his room fast enough. Things were taking a weird turn. It felt like we were connecting. I felt safe and calm being in that room.

The only thing that was making me nervous was worrying about what people would think. What my mother would think and do if she found out where i was at.

When I was sitting next to him on the end of his bed, it took everything in me not to lean into him. The room was intoxicating on its own by his scent, and being near him was making things that much more complicated.

I didn't go in there wanting to tell him the truth about Eddie. I just thought that being honest with everyone was the best way to go. Really, the only way to go. Especially if I didn't want to wreck an eighteen year friendship.

The back stairway was dark and all around kind of creepy. It wasn't properly lighted. I honestly don't think it's been updated since this place was built. It was narrow, and both sides were stone from the floor to the ceiling. So no one can see you going up and down them. It was cold, and i swear if i pinned dropped, i would have been able to hear it.

I should have asked Matt to come with me. I wasn't thinking clearly when I said that i would be okay. I wasn't one to scare easily, but right now, i was getting the spooks.

I started to hear steps coming upward. I wasn't sure what to do. Matt said that only the omegas on duty use these stairs. He also said that they had already done their chores for the day. I wondered if maybe one of the ranked members called one of them up. It really didn't matter the reason. Someone was coming, and I needed to figure out a way out of this.

I know for certain with Matt, not by my side, that any omega that sees me will mostly start spreading rumors. Especially with Matt not here to stop it.

I decided my best bet was turning around and heading back to Matts room quickly. I was just about to turn on my heels when i heard my name. "Charlie, what are you doing up here?"

Shit. It was Eddie.

I had to repeat to myself that i needed to be honest. That's what I told Matt, and i need to stick to that.

I was being a coward and couldn't look him in the eye. "Matt and I were talking. Your sister and her friends were being themselves when i tried to leave school today.... And we were talking about you and I, and well, Matt."

He just nodded his head slowly like he was taking it all in. "And?"

I sighed. I hated how cold and distant he was now. Yet i couldn't blame him. He was staring at the floor just like I was just doing.

I wasn't sure what to say. I told him my feelings early. He knows where i stand, wanting to be friends with both of them.

He looked up at me suddenly, and i felt like i had no choice but to look him in the eye. He looked angry. Even more so than earlier. Honeslty, it felt like there was more than just hurt boring through his eyes. It almost felt like he hated me. "Are you seriously going to lie and say that you guys had to go all the way up to his room to talk? You could have done that anywhere. You're more than just friends, aren't you? You're like every other damn w***e in this pack."

My mouth dropped open like a fish out of water. His words cut deep. I've never seen Eddie act like this before. Between earlier and now, I just couldn't believe that he was saying these things. Earlier, i cut him some slack. Now, i felt like i needed to defend myself. "How dare you. Don't act like you don't have an idea of who I am. You know me. At least parts of me. I haven't given you any reason not to believe me. I shouldn't have to defend myself in a stariway. Nothing happened with Matt and I. We just talked. Not that it's any of your damn buisness. Clearly, you can't trust my word. So if you excuse me, I'm on my way home."

I shoved past him. I was livid. He was acting like a straight asshole. I swear him and Matt switched personalties. No, that's not fair to Matt. Eddie was acting far worse. Matt at least remained quiet and ignored me. Eddie, on the other hand, is being vocal about s**t he has no clue about. All he's doing is making accusations.

Of course, the firey side in me just couldn't leave it alone. I turned back around. "I know you tried to kiss me earlier. You know it. I know it. You dont have to act like this just because i pulled away. I meant what i said. What's funny is that Matt is respecting my wishes. You're the one that who isn't, and now you're pissed off because i held to it. What's funny is if i had let you kiss me, you would have been perfectly fine with it. You wouldn't have cared what i said because it got you exactly what you wanted. You wouldn't have cared that you hurt Matt."

I turned back around and practically ran down the stairs. I wanted him to think over what i just said. I heard a loud crushing sound and Eddie yelling out in pain. I didn't turn around to see what happened. I have a strong feeling he hit the stone wall.

I was ranting to myself all the way home. I thought i had a good idea over who Matt and Eddie were as people. I've never felt so wrong in my life. Just makes me feel like i know absolutely nothing.

I heard my mother yell loudly. I just wanted to turn and run in the opposite direction. She somehow found out where i was. "Charlotte Anne, get inside now!"

I dragged myself through the front door. I watched Adam slip upstairs before my mother came in behind me. I knew i was in deep s**t if he was dipping out. I didn't see my dad or Aiden here, which was a little worrisome. My mother was in full panic mode. Who knows what she's done. She honestly could have sent them out to look for me, which is just ridiculous.

I sat down on our sofa and waited for her to begin whatever lecture she had prepared. She looked like she was about to break down as she stood over me."Where have you been, Charlotte? I've been worried sick."

I was feeling confused. I was barely late. I've been way later than this hundreds of times before. Why would it be such a big deal now unless she knew exactly where i was at. But it didn't seem to be the case. "Mom, what's going on? I'm not even an hour late."

She looked slightly taken back over the fact that I would even think to ask her a question right now. She seemed lost for words. "There's been sightings of rogues roaming the borders, and we didn't know where you were at, and your phone was going to voicemail. I thought something might have happened to you."

My mother seemed older right now. Normally, she looks so ageless. I've never seen her look so scared, so worn down. I stood up from the couch and wrapped my arms around her. "I'm okay, mom. I didn't mean to scare you."

It took her a second to hug me back. "Where were you, Charlotte? When Braya didn't answer, I called her parents. I know you weren't with her."

Shit, there was no way to lie my way out of this. I was going to have to tell her the truth as much as i didn't want to. "Mom, I..."

My dad came rushing in at the perfect time. "We can't make out what pack there from. They are mixed with something, or someone is blocking their scents. Aiden is with the warriors now. We're going to up the security at the borders."

I looked at my mom. "I thought you said it was rogues?"

My mom and dad both seeemed a shade paler. My dad quickly cleared his throat. "We thought it was rogues. It still might be. I think it's best that you stay out of the woods until i say otherwise, okay? You can go to school and to the pack house, but nowhere else for the time being, got it?"

Both my parents were acting so strange. We've had rogues before. They've never been so protective of me. That's when it dawned on me. "It's because i dont have a wolf, right? You dont trust that i will be able to defend myself out there?"

I thought out of all people that they would believe in me. I thought i've shown that I could protect myself without a wolf.

My mom started to rub the side of her head like she was getting a headache. "Charlotte, it's for your own safety. Just do what your father asks, please? It's for your own good."

I knew better not to ask if the rule was for all pack members. My dad is the head warrior he knows more than most, and a lot of time, the alpha has my dad keep things a secret that could be harmful to the pack. It's mostly so it doesn't cause the whole pack to panic. They only inform everyone when it's completely necessary. "

I nodded my head. "Sure, whatever you say."

I walked up the stairs and stopped right around the corner, and waited a few minutes. My parents were talking in hushed voices, but i could still understand them.

My dads voice held so much fear, just like my mother did. "Has she shifted yet?"

She whispered back. "No, not that i know of. She hasn't said anything if she has, and i dont see her hiding something like that from us."

I heard my dad start to walk to what i think was the back door. "What if she figured out her birthday was actually last weekend?"

I heard her mother scoff. "You should have been more worried when you let her go hang out with those boys the night she turned eighteen. It was stupid and foolish. What if her first shift was in front of them? We lied about her birth because she was so small. Do you think i liked staying hidden in this stupid house just for you to be so reckless. Everything we've done has been to protect her, to throw off those who were sent to look for her. I've basically forbidden her from hanging with those boys. She will understand one day that it's for her own good. She has no clue she's being hunted."

I heard my father open the door. He spoke softly. "You're giving her the exact reason to go running toward them. Let her be Lily. She's eighteen. She's the exact age you and i were when we fell in love. Just let the girl be. You need to trust her.... Just like Raya did for you."

My father slammed the door shut after that. I jumped, not because he was the one that scared me, but because it took me out of the frozen stance i was in. I was in shock. I was scared for my future. But one thing is for sure is my parents are keeping a secret, and Matt was right it has everything to do with me.