Bella's pov;
"M..other, can we not do this?" My lips wobbled in fear as I asked. How in God's name had she and Ronnie's father gotten the chance to meet up that the next thing to think about after talking for hours was marriage?
After tossing and turning throughout last night, even going as far as scrolling on the college's website, with the hope of occupying my thoughts with my new mate, I stumbled upon an information I never wished to have found out.
Carman, was the Beta's son and was known to be best friends with Ronnie, the devil who took my dignity from me!
Ignoring me, my mother didn't seem to care at this point "do not ruin my mood, we've been talking for months and I think it's finally time for marriage" she hummed as she continued packing her bags.
Sighing to myself, I had no choice but to also pack mine. Was it the money that drew my mother in? We definitely weren't poor and neither were we rich, just average. Then why?
"Goodbye hometown," I whispered, my eyes stinging with tears as I stared around, a lot of memories in this home. There was not a single friend I had to say goodbye to.
The ride back to the city was a long one I dreaded; had been quiet and so uncomfortable.
Finally, we arrived there and were now facing the extra large and beautiful gate of the Alpha's Mansion.
Where I had to face the ghost of my past.
Unfortunately, I was going to be living in the same house. By all means, I wanted to tell my mother about my experience but then, I didn't want to take her happiness away from her like she accused me of.
"Mother…what…what if this is a wrong decision?" I asked with my head bowed. My voice comes out in a whisper. Then I'd be glad to take it. Besides, what is there to lose?" There came my mother's reply, reminding me that I was of no importance to her.
The gate of the mansion soon automatically opened and we drove in.
Like the guests we were and like Alpha Harris' new bride, my mother was treated accordingly, leaving me to roam the mansion all by myself.
Hours passed by in the blink of an eye and I didn't even think much of it until the silence kept eating at me. I could smell Ronnie's familiar scent and each time, I had to remind myself of what I had been through with him and now that we were step siblings, anything intimate between us was forbidden.
To keep my mind occupied, I continued walking around the mansion, having the feeling that I had been completely erased from the world.
This was until I turned the corner into one of the long, wood-paneled corridors that led to my assigned room—and found him waiting.
Leaning against the wall like he owned it. Like this house was his kingdom and I'd trespassed in it.
"Lost, little stepsister?" Ronnie drawled, eyes sliding over me slowly.
I stiffened. "Don't call me that." His mouth twitched. Not a smile. A smirk.
The kind he used when he was about to ruin something.
"You really moved in, huh?" he said, voice too casual. "Unpacked your little life and decided this is where you belong?"
"I didn't decide anything," I said. "I didn't have a choice." My words were supposed to come out fiercer and stronger than this but instead, they kept sounding choked out and forced. "You always have a choice," he said, stepping forward. "Like the one you made when you crawled into my bed that night."
Heat rose in my cheeks, but I didn't move. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction.
"That was a mistake," I said coolly, pushing back the tears that threatened to sting my eyes at his accusation, like I was the only one who wanted it. Like he hadn't been the one to draw me in and tell me about how much he cared about me. All of these had been broken in just a single night which I'd never forget.
He tilted his head. "Sure. Keep telling yourself that."
Having had enough and trying to get away from his scent since I could feel my body already reacting to him, I tried to move past him but his hand shot out, his palm pressing against the wall beside me, blocking my path.
But then, he didn't touch me like he used to when we were alone. It was almost as if he was waiting for something. All of a sudden, the wall now seemed extremely close and so did he.
"I've been thinking…," Ronnie murmured, eyes locked on mine. "About how things worked out."
"Move," I said quietly, not willing to engage in this conversation one bit.
"Because it's funny," he continued, ignoring me, "how fate picked my best friend to be your mate. Out of everyone."
I froze, immediately dreading where this was heading to. I knew what Ronnie was and I was so much aware of what he wanted.
His smile widened, "Did you feel it, Bells? That warm little jolt in your stomach? That itch under your skin? When you locked eyes with him? The one you feel while with me?"
My voice caught in my throat, "Stop." I said, whispering, refusing to meet his eyes.
"I'm just curious," he said, leaning closer, breath brushing my cheek. "Did it feel better than when I had you pressed against the headboard, moaning my name?"
"Tell me…," He added, now whispering as if trying to get me to speak at all costs.
My hand shot out on instinct, as I shoved him hard in the chest.
He stumbled back a step, caught off guard but he soon laughed, no doubt finding pleasure in getting me to act like this.
A short, sharp sound with no joy in it.
"You should relax," Ronnie said, straightening his collar like I hadn't just tried to hit him. "Carman's a good guy. He'll take care of you. Like a mate should."
The words were sharp. Too sharp. Like they cost him something. Why couldn't you have been a good guy? Why make me a laughing stock in front of everyone? These were the words I wanted to scream out but it was as if I couldn't find my voice for those words and instead, something entirely different came out of me.
"You don't get to talk about him," I snapped.
His eyes darkened. "I don't? Strange. Last I checked, he still tells me everything. Including how strange you first smelled when he met you…like how you smelled of me."
I clenched my jaw, fists at my sides and my heart in my throat with the fear that Carman could possibly have figured something out. Did he? This question was at the tip of my tongue and knowing it was what he wanted was just what I needed.
"I don't care." I answered, preparing to move away.
Ronnie didn't move this time. He just looked at me like he could still taste every lie I told myself.
"If you say so," he whispered. Then he stepped aside, letting me pass. I didn't run.
I walked.
But my hands shook all the way down the hall.
And I hated that a part of me still felt his gaze burning into my back long after I turned around the corner.
Did Carman perhaps know about what I had with his best friend? This question ate away at me while I desperately tried to think of something.
No! Carman has to want me! I need to get Ronnie out of my blood.
I tried to think about the way I felt with him back that morning and then thinking of Ronnie's scorching touch, my life isn't about to be perfect anytime soon.