What Taila Must Never Know.
1263 Words
“Easy there.”
My eyebrows raised as I stared at her hand.
“That’s who he is, as an alpha.”
“Taila, I don’t think it’s what you’re thinking.”
“Tell me the truth, Rose.” Her brows furrowed, arms folding tightly across her chest.
“Taila.”
“What? I’m just asking a question.”
I laughed, bending forward a little on my bed before meeting her gaze.
“How could anything possibly go on between me and Jonathan’s younger brother? Pierce and I—” I scoffed. “Never.”
“Then explain how you got this bracelet on your wrist.”
“I don’t even know how it got there—”
“Okay, I don’t want to jump to conclusions,” she cut in quickly. “I know you’re not some w***e, Rose. But listen to me. Stay away from him. Pierce is bad news. Worse than Jonathan. I’m not bluffing. I’m telling you this because I care about you. He doesn’t care about anyone but himself. Don’t let his looks deceive you. He’s full of dirt, he’s not the innocent type.”
“Don’t talk about your brother like that. It’s not nice.”
“Really?” she smirked, scoffing. “Stop defending him, Rose. I know you’re kind, but I know him better than anyone. You think I’m bad-mouthing him behind his back? Even if he were here, I’d say it to his face. My brother is a joke, and he knows it.”
She loves to go on and on.
“Seriously.” I laughed. “I wonder how you two even get along.”
“We’re both weird. That’s how. And I don’t want you close to him because I care about you. I love you. I don’t want you getting hurt because of him. Date other alphas, cheat on my stupid brother, I don’t care. But not Pierce.”
“Seriously, Taila.” I couldn’t stop laughing. “There is nothing going on between him and me. Believe me.”
“Fine.”
I looked at it again. “It must have fallen off. when he was talking with me on the balcony.”
“With you?”
“Yes.”
Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Why? What were you two talking about?”
“Nothing much.” I shrugged. “He just asked if I was bored, smoked his cigarette, and left. So maybe it fell off and…” I hesitated, frowning slightly. “Did you know how I got here?”
“I heard your mom brought you in when you fell asleep on the balcony.”
“Right!” I exclaimed. “She must have clipped it onto my wrist, thinking it was mine when she picked it up from the floor beside me. Which means Pierce dropped it without realizing.”
“That makes sense.”
“Yeah, it does.” I agreed, though my gaze lingered on the bracelet. It was tiny, light, and beautiful, like nothing I had ever seen before. It carried the brilliance of a diamond.
“You’re in love with the bracelet, aren’t you?”
“Yes,” I blurted out, smiling. Then quickly, “No! I mean, I like it.” A nervous laugh escaped. “I like it. I don't love it.”
“Alright, Rose.” She sat down beside me. “Hand it over. I’ll give it back to Pierce.”
“No.” I shook my head firmly.
“Why not?”
“It wouldn’t be polite.”
“What’s not polite? Returning it to him?”
“Yes… no, I mean…” I stumbled over my words. “Giving it to you feels wrong. I’d rather give it to him myself, it fell while he was with me. It wouldn’t seem right otherwise.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Rose.”
I sighed, avoiding her stare. “I just… want to give it back to him myself.”
“Girl, he’s already out of the country,” Taila revealed, smacking her forehead. “Suit yourself, Rose. He won’t be back until next year, you know that, right?”
Why do I feel a little down?
I forced a smile and nodded. “I hope he has a safe flight.”
What is wrong with me?
“Yeah.” Taila jumped up from the bed, stretching her hand toward me.
“What happened?” I asked.
She grabbed my hand and pulled me up. “Get dressed. Let’s go out. You can’t stay stuck in here forever. We’ll grab popcorn and catch a movie.” She squeaked with excitement as I laughed.
“Leave me alone,” I whined.
“Come on, learn to get out of your shell sometimes.” She tugged at me playfully. “Don’t your furs itch? You’re not the first werewolf to get married, and you won’t be the last.”
Taila, the thought of you finding out I was with Pierce terrifies me. How did I do it? Pretend in front of you like nothing happened.
“Hurry, Rose.” She rushed. “I want to sniff fresh air.”
You are my best friend.
“I think I want some air too.” I flashed a smile.
I shouldn’t tell lies. We tell each other everything. Why is this hard to say?
“Dress up and let’s go.” She walked to my mirror. “I’m using this red perfume.”
The first time I met Taila was also the first time I saw Pierce. They were both at the gym, working out.
That was the day I walked into Jonathan’s home, after getting pregnant from a one-night stand with him.
Taila wore black sweatpants and a plain gray long sleeve, barefoot on the mat. Her sweaty bangs clung to her forehead as she raised her shirt just enough to flaunt her abs in front of the mirror. Beside her stood Pierce. Gray sweatpants hung low on his toned waist.
And his plain black long sleeve lifted to reveal sculpted abs in the mirror’s reflection. A white bandage wrapped around his right side. Back then, his hair wasn’t long and black. It was a short, dirty blonde, giving him the look of a player.
I thought he was her boyfriend at first, until Taila turned and greeted me. Still, Pierce’s piercing gaze didn’t let mine go. That was the first time our eyes met.
A week later, Taila traveled abroad.
I held my throbbing left cheek where Jonathan had slapped me. He had woken me up at 7 a.m. just to strike me across the face.
“What were you doing with my best friend? Don’t tell me you were trying to seduce him!”
“Seduce him?” I shouted, tears flashing in my eyes. “How could you say that to me?”
“I saw the both of you talking at the party earlier!” he roared, grabbing my shoulders and digging his claws into my skin.
I screamed, but he pressed harder, ignoring my pain.
“I’ve warned you before. I hate when you talk to another alpha.”
“I bumped into him. I was only apologizing!”
“I don’t care.” He shoved me off the bed. “You should focus on satisfying me, on giving me another child. How long are you going to mourn a dead one?”
His thunderous words cut into me like venom.
Taila was right. Jonathan and I need to divorce. I can’t endure this any longer.
- Writer
