His Fateful Choice

The morning after

What happened between me and Josh that night became my most guarded secret. Well almost. I had to tell someone and since there is only one person I can confide in, I had to tell Bill. It was immediately after I woke up the next morning.

After I remembered what I had done, I did what any mature woman in such a situation could do - panicked and ran straight to his guest room, where was Bill in deep slumber. Fortunately for me, almost everyone was still asleep or too busy with their hangover. 

The gravity of the situation called for a radical solution, and there was no time for a gentle awakening, so I jumped at him with my full weight. The shock in Bill's eyes confirmed to me that my chosen method had the desired effect.

“What the hell are you doing? And a secondary question, how much do you weigh?” he asked, with a shock still evident in his voice.

“Hey, that was uncalled for! And as for the first question, I’m waking you…”

“Obviously, but why? Shouldn’t you be still sleeping, like the rest of us?” he replied.

“Well, I would, if didn’t have a crisis on my hands!” I mean, I know I probably overreacted, but then again, it was a problem and I needed Bill’s help. So, I used what I knew would work on him.

Bill perked right up. As much as he tried to hide it, he was a diva with a taste for a proper drama. “Whoa, what happened? Tell me!”

“No, not here. Let’s go to the woods.” I said. With so many wolves still in the house, I couldn’t risk someone hearing, what I had to say.

My tone probably said more than I wanted, because Bill immediately became serious and began to dress. “OK, let me just get dressed and we can go.”

Less than ten minutes passed, and we were already standing on the edge of a dense forest. Spruces and firs stretched as far as the eye could see.

We sat on boulders lying by a small drying pond, above which the morning haze was still floating. I didn't know how to start, and for a few minutes there was nothing to hear but the croaking of a tireless toad.

“Sooo…” Bill stretched, trying to get me to speak.

“I slept with Josh. Well, sort of. Not really. Almost...” I blurted out, trying to rip off the band aid.

“You did what?! Are you crazy? That guy is a mean, arrogant jerk. Tell me what were you thinking when you jumped in his arms? And let’s not forget that he is no ordinary jerk. He used to be your friend before he started completely ignoring you just because you were born different.” At the end of his speech, he was already shouting whispering. 

I probably should have realized that the information would have struck a chord with him. He too was born different and after years of suffering, he wasn’t very keen on giving second chances.   

“Please calm down. I know I’ve probably messed up, but to be honest, I wasn’t really thinking at the moment. I know he was a jerk to me, but last night it felt like I had my Josh back, at least for a moment. I mean the way he looked at me…” I couldn't go on because of the look Bill gave me. There was kindness, understanding but mostly pity. Oh f**k you Bill...

“Emma…” he sighed “I thought you were over him. Please tell me you didn’t fall for him just because he knew how to seduce you.”

“No, of course not.” I replied. And it was partly true.

“Oh my god, you couldn’t be a criminal even if you really tried to. You are a terrible liar!” Bill laughed and immediately started to tickle me, making me forget about everything because of how ticklish I am. I laughed and screamed at him to stop.

Just when I felt I would probably pee myself, a cracking sound was heard nearby. Bill immediately stopped and we both looked up towards it. There at the edge of the woods stood Josh staring at us. Barefoot and in a shirt barely buttoned, he looked as if he had run here right after he woke up. 

I swear the look he gave to Bill would win wars because of how murderous it was. However it was the look he gave me, that took away the air from my lungs. When he looked at me, his eyes were ice cold, but I swear I saw hurt flicker in them first. Without a word, he turned around and left.

I didn’t know what to do. I wanted to run after him and hug him for some reason, but my body was frozen in Bill's arms. It felt as if freezing water was flowing down my spine into every single cell of my body and as if something very heavy sat on my chest, making it impossible for me to breathe.

After few minutes it finally faded, and I was woken from my trance by Bill’s voice. “Huh? Did you say something?”

“Yes, I said that it was weird and then I asked you if you were okay. Several times… You didn’t respond so I took it you need some time.” Bill replied with gentle tone.

“What was that about? Why would he come and go like that?” I asked, still little bit confused.

“I mean, if I had to guess, I would say the position we were in when he came, might have seemed compromising. You know, with you on my lap, my hand all around you…” he said apologetically.

“Well, that is just wonderful. Now I will have to explain to the guy with whom I spent last night, that I didn’t have anything with the guy he saw me with today. How am I going to do it? And more importantly, how is he going to believe me?” I said while desperately throwing my hand in the air.

“You could tell him you loved him. That could throw him off.” He giggled which earned himself one deadly look from me. “Or you could tell him, you know, the truth. If you add all that “I’m not that kind of girl” nonsense, he could believe you.”

“Any other brilliant idea?” I asked bitingly.

“No that’s all you get from me today. I’m still a little bit hangover.”

“Yeah, so am I. And I am sorry, I didn’t mean to sound so annoying. I guess your I will take your advice. What can I mess up with talking to him anyway? Let’s go back.” I stood up and slowly walked towards the pack grounds with Bill in my tow.

When we arrived, everyone was already up and there was a small crowd in front of the main house. We tried to see what was happening, but too many people were blocking our view. 

Suddenly the front door opened and Josh along with Mark, his future Beta, exited. They both stopped in front of their fans, who were obviously waiting for some kind of speech. Then Josh spoke. 

“Thank you all for coming. As the future Alpha of this pack, it is my duty to ensure the well-being and safety of all its members. Therefore, I decided to visit the surrounding packs and try to strengthen our relations with or friends and build friendships with our acquaintances.” And with that, he got in the car and drove off into the sunset to the sound of the cheering crowd. 

At least that’s how I remember it. I can’t be really sure, because while he was leaving to find his happily ever after, I felt as if something sharp was piercing through my heart.