Fate's Eclipse *Book 2* FREE READ

Instinct

::Sarah's POV::

    I could swear that my anxiety was making the whole room spin around me. I felt really unsafe and my wolf was trying to calm me down while being on high alert, so it wasn't making anything better. I did however, noticed Billy giving me some type of look. An expressionless one at that, as if he had been in a long daydream. 

    ''Oh Sarah! Come with me!'' Janet tugged at my sleeve giving me a sudden jolt.

    ''What's wrong?'' she questioned innocently.

    ''Oh- nothing! I was just thinking of something.'' I smiled.

    She led me into the mobile store she was giddy about. It wasn't an apple store that was for sure, which baffled me because she was an iPhone user. This could only mean one thing.

    ''Billy needs a total upgrade,'' she started to browse the merchandise, ''He's been using that raggedy old phone of his.''

    ''I see,'' was all I could offer.

    ''And...'' she spun around to face me, ''... you're like his best friend so you would know what kind of phone he would like.'' she looked back to the showcase, ''he won't tell me, because he believes in being content with what he already has, but c'mon, he deserves better.''

    How was I supposed to offer advice I didn't know what he would like either. But I had to come up with something, ''Well he does have fat fingers, so why not get him one of those Galaxy Notes series?''

    ''Oh you're so right,'' she deviously smirked, ''He DOES have thick fingers.''

    I can tell her wolf was urging to get back to her mate. I still could not believe he had successfully marked her, Billy did deserve happiness, and Janet had changed for the better. 

    ''Or did she?'' Jen chimed in.

    Yeah I don't know what to do.

    Janet picked out one of the newest Galaxy Notes and went to pay for it. The sales clerk was very impressed about her decision.

    ''Thank you have a nice day,'' the clerk waved.

    Janet then stuffed the new boxed phone into her purse and then smiled at me, ''His birthday is coming up soon.'' and went back to engaging hands with Billy.

    Was it really? I started to doubt myself being his so called ''Best Friend'' because I didn't know when his birthday was.

    ''You can't blame yourself with everything that has happened.'' my wolf tried to comfort me.

    Still. I couldn't help but feel guilty.

    ''You okay?'' Veronica lifted her eyebrow.

    I didn't say anything.

    I guess my suspicions triggered something in her because she grabbed my wrist and started pulling me to another direction.

    ''What are you doing?!'' I began to panic and was ready for Jen to take over at any moment.

    ''Somewhere private.'' she announced, still pulling me away.

    Billy was distracted looking into his mate's eyes. Had he not noticed me being taken away? And this girl sure is strong! Her grip reminded me a lot about Drake's, but it was not harsh just urging obedience. 

    ''I got you if anything happens,'' Jen perked up.

    We were led up some stairs and we ended up on the roof top of the mall. I did not know there was anything at the top, but there was a whole rooftop garden! The greenery and flowers that pathed towards a marbled gazebo. It looked like somewhere a wedding photo shoot could take place! There were pink lotus flowers in a small pond accompanying the beautiful koi fishes. Vines draped along the columns of the gazebo and the rooftop had exotic orchids in full bloom. This was a beautiful distraction from what was going on for sure.

    ''What is wrong with you?'' Veronica let go of my wrist. I averted my eyes from the scenery, but still said nothing.

    ''Look,'' she combed through her red locks, ''I don't know what your deal is, but you have to communicate with me.'' she gestured her hands to her chest.

    How was I supposed to start?

    ''I know this is all sudden, and I guess you have the right to be suspicious. But, Sarah, how am I supposed to protect you if you can't trust me?''

    ''Trust you?'' I heard myself blurt out, ''If you understood my reasons, why do you ask?''

    ''Because we are running out of time!'' she was starting to tone up her voice.

    ''What do you mean by that?'' was all I could come up with.

    She took a step back and took in a deep breath. She made her way and sat on one of the wooden benches in the gazebo, ''Come, sit with me.'' she patted a spot next to her.

    ''I dunno,'' Jen growled.

    I had to take a leap of faith, and joined her.

    ''This was the first place Drake and I ever met.'' she began, ''It's irrelevant now, but maybe if you knew how things were back then you'd understand me more.''

    Interesting.

    I allowed her to continue, ''I was an orphan who stole from the food stalls in this mall, when it was to close I had to hide from security guards and bunked in this very place.''

    ''One day, I was maybe 10 or 11, I was already on the wanted list from the stalls and I didn't have any luck or chance to eat. So I cried by myself in this gazebo, until I smelled something sweet.'' she chuckled.

    ''Drake appeared, and he was alone.'' she nodded her upper body.

    ''I thought maybe, I received my mate bond thingy right then and there, but of course, I was feeble minded. What I did smell was a cinnamon roll, with extra glaze!'' she said almost drooling.

    ''Anyways, Drake saw how hungry I was and offered me to eat the dessert which I shamelessly accepted. He didn't mind, he laughed playfully at how viciously I ate it.'' Veronica scratched her head.

    ''Happy Valentines Day. He told me, and that was a surprise because I lost track of what day it was!'' she chuckled to herself.

    ''Anyways, Drake introduced himself to me, actually snuck me into the territory and took care of me.'' she sighed happily.

    ''Then why-?'' I tried to connect the dots.

    ''His father.'' she sadly looked down, ''When he found out Drake had been nurturing some orphan not from the pack I had been forced to witness his fury.'' she paused. She looked gutted.

    ''He threw his around and slammed him against the wall, picked him up by his hair and threw him to the wall again.'' she began to choke.

    ''I couldn't take it anymore! So I jumped in and hugged at his calves. Please, please stop hurting him!'' she painfully recited.

    ''But, he kicked me away and said 'Don't touch me you filthy mutt' and was going back to beating up his own son.''

    A part of me was beginning to feel bad for her, but there had to be more.

    ''I cried and cried, he only stopped when I agreed to leave the pack and not return.'' Veronica whispered.

    ''I-'' I was about to say I was sorry she had to go through that, but she cut me off once again.

    ''So I left, Drake was crying witnessing my farewell. I regretfully had to leave, for his sake. It was at that moment I realized I loved Drake, not as a mate or anything, but thankful for the friendship and hospitality he gave me despite my status.'' she then turned to me.

    ''Even when Drake acquired the Alpha status I did see him at the meeting, but he did not recognize me. Not like I could face him anyway. It had been years so it was understandable.'' she began to playfully swing her legs from the edge of the bench.

    ''More years passed and the word of him finding his mate kind of gutted me,'' she admitted, ''Somehow I thought maybe we were supposed to be mates, b-''

    ''You still love him?'' I bared my teeth at the words that lingered in my brain. I love him. I thought maybe we were supposed to be mates.

    ''Calm down Sarah,'' she voluntarily scooted, ''That's not why I am here at all!''

    ''I don't give a damn why you are here. I don't trust you! This is probably some pity story of lies to try and get me comfortable with you. I'm not falling for it.'' I already felt Jen getting ready to lunge.

    ''Seriously what is your problem?!'' Veronica stood up and was releasing her alpha aura, ''Best believe you calm yourself down, or I will have to force you to.''

    ''I knew it! You're after me or Drake! You're not his best friend!'' I can feel myself itching to shift.

    ''You're hypocritical! You have many guy best friends, but Drake doesn't say anything, but when one female best friend comes by and gives you all the leeway to your convenience you still treat me like an enemy?!'' she growled also getting ready to transform.

    Me? Hypocritical?! What was this b***h going on about?

    ''Sarah! Veronica!'' Billy's voice boomed from the door. In a split second he flashed and appeared between us, ''What's going on!'' his protective body shielding me from her.

    Veronica calmed down and then took a step towards the exit, ''Nothing- it doesn't matter anyway.'' and made her way out.

    ''Where the hell is she going?'' I can tell Jen was still hyped up with anger.

    I felt Billy embrace me along with Janet, ''Are you okay?''

    Was I okay? Couldn't say yes, but also could not say no. 

    ''Let's talk this over on the drive home. I assume Veronica has left.'' Billy analyzed.

    Yeah that's enough of the mall for now. 

    On the way home the gears in my mind started to crank, some sort of weird OCD I have is revisiting past occasions and thinking of the what ifs and their possible results. Had I been to harsh on her? Was I too traumatized to let anyone near me ever again? Was she telling the truth? 

    These were the questions that kept circulating in my head, and I hated it! Because usually this meant that she was telling the truth in some sort of way. Call it my instinct if you will, unfortunately my instincts kick in when it is too late.

    ''Is there anything you want to tell me?'' Billy said over his shoulder while driving. Janet was fast asleep int he passenger side.

    ''I feel like I don't know anything or anyone anymore.'' I coiled to my knees.

    ''It's fine Sarah,'' he stopped at the red light, ''Like time, people do change.''

    ''Yeah,'' was all I could muster.

    ''But if there is anything you want to know I'm here.'' he gently proceeded when the green light came on.

    ''When's your birthday?'' I coughed.

    ''Oh! Yeah it's February 21!'' he announced.

    Right after the meeting huh! I thought to myself.

    ''Why do you ask?'' he questioned.

    ''Well, I didn't know it. I don't even know much about you, but you call me a best friend.'' I admitted.

    ''Sarah, you are my best friend, just because you don't know some things about me don't make you a lesser one. I believe getting to know each other takes time, but you and I bonded before knowing anything about each other, so that's where we will start off. Best Friends first, strangers later.'' 

    I couldn't help but laugh at that. I guess he was right, not everything had to begin in order. I was just glad that Billy was still there for me, maybe I should be there for him too.