ADRIA’S POV
My mouth fell as I stared at Stacy in shock. I had wanted to tell her. I really wanted to tell her, but… things just happened the way they did.
“I asked a question, Adria.” She said, in a hurt whisper.
“Stacy…” I started, but felt weak. So weak that I realized I really couldn’t start an argument. She walked to me, and dropped my phone next to me on my bed.
It was the text I had sent Lucien. I hadn’t even left the messaging app because she had come into my room, seconds after I had sent the text and of course, she had seen it when she had tried to call the guys.
“When did we become this way? First there’s the saga with Monica, then you start drifting away, and now I didn’t even know when you started dating Professor Lucien. It’s such a huge news, Adria. And there’s me and the guys making sure we tell you everything that’s going on in our lives. It’s just not fair. I meant to be easy on you because you’re still feeling weak, but I just… I just can’t help feeling bad, useless, and ‘not needed’.” She lamented, folding her arms and looking away with tears sparkling in her eyes.
“No. It’s nothing about Monica, and it’s definitely not about you ‘not needed’. If anything, you’re the person I need most right now. Okay, this was way before Monica and… I wanted to tell you but… I just… I don’t know. I’m sorry.” I apologized, because I realized at that point, that I had no excuse. She was my best friend. I should have managed to tell her about it.
“You say you’re sorry. What if there’s something else you’re hiding from me?” She asked, and I bit my lip because there was indeed something I was hiding. Something else I couldn’t tell her—something I had to hide from her because I couldn’t see myself telling her the truth about it.
If she knew I was a vampire and Lucien, a wolf… I didn’t think she could handle it. It would be too much for her.
“See? There is indeed something you’re not telling me. You can’t even keep your guilt to yourself.” She shot at me, plopping down on the stool.
“There is nothing. I just feel bad because now that I see it, I’ve been a terrible friend. We started dating, months ago.” I told her, sitting up straight, and she shook her head in disbelief. “I’m sorry. I know it’s a little late, but can I explain now?” I asked, reaching out for her arm.
“Only if you promise you won’t do that ever again.” She snapped, looking at me, and I nodded. “Go on.” She said, dropping her folded arms.
“That first time I got really sick. He visited, and okay… okay… I think I’ll just tell you everything from the start.” I decided, and she smiled.
“That wasn’t the start?” She taunted, and I giggled.
I told Stacy all she needed to know. Starting from us falling in love while he tutored me, but omitting the part where I discovered what he truly was.
And when the long story was done, Stacy gave me a goofy smile.
“Which do you like most? His face skills or…”
“Face skills?” I asked.
“Listen. Which do you like? His face skills or bed skills?” She asked, and I cringed, laughing.
“Come on!” I exclaimed, and we giggled.
It was so nice having someone to talk to about Lucien. The only thing that made it a little sour was that I didn’t know if I’d be able to tell more of the lovely stories, since I wasn’t sure of the relationship I had with Lucien anymore.
There was another knock on the door and the boys came in.
“Tada!” Tommy shouted, holding up bags containing packs of pizza.
“What were you guys talking about?” Daniel asked, and I and Stacy exchanged smiles.
“You have to say it all over again. From the beginning.” She said, hitting my shoulder with light punches, and I giggled.
“Alright. Alright…” I said, with a sigh, and the boys walked in, still looking puzzled.
~
LUCIEN’S POV
I had been on my way to check on Adria when I received her text, and I stopped in the middle of the road, staring at the words on the screen—the words Adria had written herself.
She already knew that we couldn’t be together. I squeezed my phone slowly and bit my lip. I was faced with a really tough choice, but didn’t know what I was supposed to do.
She was awake and probably fine, so it meant I couldn’t go to her anymore. She was a vampire that could be used against me, and I was unable to disappoint my people.
Stashing away the phone in my pocket, I turned away, walking blindly back to my house.
What was I meant to do? How could she have been my mate? What was the moon goddess trying to do? My heart ached as I retraced my steps in anger. Only I knew how much I longed to see her face and hear her laugh.
We had gotten to a point where our relationship had to change. Those sweet memories were suddenly taken from me and turned into sour ones.
The fact that we couldn’t return to those lovely times haunted me, and it felt like hell.
The real hell was having someone you wanted, so close to you, but not being able to reach out, and hold that person.
And just as I got to my house, I met two people at the door and upon hearing my footsteps, they turned.
Monica’s parents—Alpha Grayson and Angelou.
“Monica… Monica, why’s she dead?” Angelou asked, unable to hold her tears or wait for us to go into the house.
Alpha Grayson held her shoulders, but she brushed them off and screamed.
“Leave me alone! Tell him to provide my Monica! Tell him! What did he do to her!?” She shrieked, and broke down in tears, and I couldn’t help but wonder what was going to happen next.