by Juniper Hart
He sighed. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I don’t know…” Everly trailed off as a single tear fell from her eye.
Michael grabbed her hand. “Don’t cry, Everly. We’ll figure this out together. I just can’t believe you told people that you were my best friend’s daughter without consulting me, or even telling me after the fact.”
“Sorry…” Everly muttered.
“I suppose in the meantime, I can fire you. Or, you can quit. Hopefully that will stop the lawsuits until we can figure out what to do about our relationship.”
She gaped at him and tore her hand from his. “Fire me? You can’t fire me!” she roared. “What the hell am I going to do about this apartment you had me rent so we could screw?!”
Michael stared at her in shock. “Is that why you think I had you rent this place?” he questioned. “I had you rent it so that you were out of your parents’ house. I gave you the job because I wanted you to feel like you were part of our community here, and not just some burden like your father claimed. I have been trying to give you a start, and this is how you repay me? By telling everyone I favored you? Do you know what will happen if any of these lawsuits comes to fruition?”
Everly glared at him, more tears threatening to fall from her lashes, but she didn’t answer. What did he expect her to tell Carmen? Maybe it was her fault. Still, in that moment, she could not stop glowering at him as if he were her worst enemy.
“If this goes any further, they will look into my life under a microscope, and you know what that means, Everly! That means the pack activity and that means you.”
His words seemed to rain on her like a spray of icicles, and Everly’s body turned weak.
Oh, God, what did I do? I ruined everything with my big mouth.
Michael seemed to read the panic on her face, and he leaned forward to grab her hand again. “We can’t just sit around and allow our lives to be exposed to everyone. Removing you from the company seems like the best course of action.”
I almost ruined this guy’s life. He had everything before I came along, and I almost took it all away, just like that.
“Everly, don’t worry about the apartment,” he continued. “I’ll take care of it. And, I’ll take care of anything else you need. Everything will work out just fine, all right?”
Her head whipped up, and she stared at him angrily.
“No,” she said flatly. “You can’t pay for this apartment. I will make other arrangements.”
“Everly, we don’t have to deal with this right now,” he told her, but she held up her hand.
“We had a good run,” she told him, her voice monotonous, but she could not look him in the eye. “But I think we’ve pushed our luck far enough. It’s time to end this.”
Michael’s face contorted in surprise.
“Everly, no! It’s a setback, but we can—”
“We can still have a future together? Hiding out and ducking behind posts when people we know walk down the street? Working together and then firing me because people might learn about us? Keeping our relationship a secret? No thanks, Michael. The best thing to do it is walk away while we still have some dignity.”
“Everly!”
“Can you leave now?” Everly asked, rising slowly from the table. “And leave your key. I don’t want to see you again.”
“Please, Everly, I know you’re upset, but—”
“Get out!”
Her voice firm, and Michael froze.
“Okay,” he murmured, stepping back. “All right.”
He reached into his pocket and withdrew his keyring, pulling off her apartment key. Dropping it on the table, he slowly turned away, and Everly caught a glimpse of the shine in his eyes.
Michael was going to cry, too.
Everly forced herself to maintain her resolve, silently gasping back the sobs that threatened to leave her throat. She positioned her shoulders away so that she would not see him leave, but as she heard the door shut in his exit, she allowed the tears to fall freely down her face.
As she hurried to lock the deadbolt, she leaned heavily against the door and reached into her back pocket. Her blue eyes traveled down to look at the plastic item in her hand, a cry escaping her mouth as she read the word again for what seemed to be the hundredth time since she had taken the test that evening.
Pregnant.
Chapter Thirteen
Sydney Stone had always been a go-getter in life.
Ever since she was born, it was clear that she was going places, learning to walk by the time she reached nine months, and rattling off complete sentences at eighteen-months old.
She had come from an upper middle-class family in Austin, Texas, an only child who had not waited around for things to happen to her. It had not surprised anyone that she’d ended up at an Ivy League school, despite the incredible cost it had been to her.
Sydney had managed to work two jobs throughout college, and with the help of an amazing support system, she had thrived.
She reasoned it was one of the main reasons she had been so drawn to Everly Castle.
Sydney couldn’t imagine a life where her parents did not support and motivate her. Everly had never had the same chances she’d had, even though she was just as hard a worker.
The blonde had a sense of protectiveness for the slender redhead almost from the moment they had met in their freshman year.
At first, their friendship had blossomed, but as the years passed, Sydney realized that there was more than simply a maternal safeguarding urge that she had for her friend-turned-roommate.
She had known that something was different about Everly almost immediately, but she could not have imagined what secret Everly harbored.
Most women would have run screaming when she learned the truth about her friend, but Sydney was not most people.
She had gotten to know the sensitive, kind heart of her roommate, and there was nothing that Everly could do that would make Sydney see her in any other light.
But as she opened the front door of her two-story townhouse, staring at the tearstained face of her best friend, Sydney wondered if she might be in over her head.
“Everly! What are you doing here?” she gasped as Everly pushed past her, rolling in a suitcase behind her.
“I left,” she replied dully, sinking onto the staircase directly in front of her to bury her face in her hands. “I’ve made a mess out of everything!”
Sydney shut the front door and hurried to her side.
“What did the bastard do?” she demanded. “Did he hurt you?”
Everly shook her head miserably. “He didn’t do anything,” she whispered. “I’m the one who screwed up.”
Sydney’s blue eyes narrowed.
“Tell me what happened,” she insisted, pulling Everly into an embrace. “It can’t be that bad.”
Everly didn’t reply, but she wiped the tears from her face and shook her head instead.
“I know you’re sick of me and my inability to make a decision, but is there any way you can help me find a job?”
Sydney peered at her. “Are you sure you’re staying, Everly?” she asked gently. “Or is this just a moment of weakness and you’ll run back to Utah in a day or two?”
Everly scowled, her mouth puckering into a pout. “I’m not going back,” she said flatly, and Sydney could hear the truth in her words.
Something bad happened. I wonder what? I know I could ask, but she seems so devastated. I should wait for Everly to tell me in her own time.
She recalled how Everly had been determined to stay in Ogden, convinced that she belonged among her pack.
She knows if she leaves, they won’t take her back, Sydney thought nervously as another thought occurred to her. Would that put her in danger? Would Michael come looking for Everly and see Sydney as the cause of her leaving?
She gnawed on her lower lip and dismissed the idea. Sydney had never shied away from any challenge in her life, and she certainly was not about
to start with abandoning her best friend.
You were the one who told her to find you when she was ready. Well, now she’s ready, and you need to step up to the plate.
If there were going to be repercussions of Everly leaving Ogden, they would deal with them when the time came.
“Of course I’ll help you get settled here,” Sydney assured her. “You can stay with me in the meantime. I have a spare room that I use as an office, but I spend most of my time at work, anyway.”
Everly looked at her hopefully, and Sydney nodded comfortingly, squeezing her close.
“Everything is going to be fine,” she told the redhead. “You made the right decision coming here.”
She felt Everly relax against her.
Whatever happened obviously traumatized her enough to leave so suddenly. I won’t make it worse by asking her unnecessary questions. My job is to be a good listener and support system, something she has never had.
But as she helped Everly to her room, Sydney was filled with a sense of uncertainty.
There was a naked pain in Everly’s cobalt eyes, one that told Sydney there was a story she needed to know.
She’ll tell me when she’s ready, Sydney reminded herself, but it did not alleviate the feeling that Everly was still not where she needed to be.
***
Over the next two weeks, the mystery surrounding Everly only seemed to deepen as she retreated further into herself and seemed to avoid any online interactions.
“Does anyone know you’re here, Everly?” Sydney asked one night when she came home and found her friend curled up on the sofa, staring at the television, which had not been turned on.
Everly had been in Austin for two weeks and she seemed to grow weaker with each passing day.
Sydney grew concerned for her dearest friend. She’s sinking into depression, Sydney realized. She was beginning to feel like she might be in over her head.
Nothing seemed to alleviate the funk that had overtaken Everly, claiming more of her minute by minute.
Slowly, Everly turned to stare at her blankly.
“You know I’m here,” she told her. “Who else needs to know?”
Gingerly, Sydney crossed the living room and perched beside her on the sofa. “Your family is going to be worried about you, Everly.”
She scoffed aloud. “Who? My dad?” she chuckled. “Not likely. And my mom doesn’t care.”
Sydney paused. “Have you told Michael where you are?”
Everly’s face twisted into a look of despair, and Sydney wished she had not asked the question.
“Do you want to tell me what happened, Everly? Of course, you don’t have to, but I’m your best friend. I’d like to help if I can.”
Everly shook her head, her face growing stony. “There’s nothing to tell. You’re the one who told me that nothing good would come from me staying in Ogden. I listened to you, and now you’re asking me if I’ve contacted the man I’m trying to escape!”
The mini diatribe seemed to take every ounce of energy from Everly, who tucked herself into a tight ball and turned her face back toward the television set.
Sydney sat quietly for a long minute, debating whether to continue the conversation.
There’s no point, she decided, rising from her spot.
“I’m going to order some Chinese,” she told Everly. “Anything you want specifically?”
Everly didn’t answer, and Sydney could see that her friend had fallen back into her trance-like state.
As she made her way into the kitchen, she debated about her plight silently. On one hand, she was happy that Everly had taken herself out of the town that had only caused her grief, but on the other hand, Sydney wondered if Everly wasn’t worse off for having left.
And I won’t know unless I find out what happened.
Sydney reached for the landline and dialed out to her favorite Chinese food delivery place. After making the order, she sat at the kitchen island and thought for a long, hard minute.
If Everly doesn’t come around soon, I will have to take drastic actions. She can’t just sit around here, wasting away. I will have to reach out to someone and find out what went on.
The idea filled her with concern. If no one knew Everly was in Austin and she contacted them, would that put Everly in a bad position?
I’ll give her another couple of days to get herself together, Sydney vowed, but it was the same promise she had been making to herself for weeks.
***
Everly was no closer to picking herself off the couch than she had been when she had first arrived on her doorstep.
Sydney had an idea. Her company was hiring again, and although it wasn’t an ideal position, Everly would have no problem getting hired. She slipped off the stool and hurried into the living room, plastering a smile on her face.
“Hey, Everly?” she called sweetly, but there was no answer. For a second, Sydney thought her friend had fallen asleep. “Everly?” she tried again.
The redhead released a low grunt, and Sydney exhaled.
“I have a lead on a job for you,” she said with feigned excitement. “You can probably start next week if you go for an interview tomorrow.”
It’s a receptionist position, Sydney thought wryly. It’s too bad she wanted to stay in Ogden when we were hiring for sales positions. But, it’s a decent job, it will get her foot in the door, and it’s for the greater good. She needs to get up and shower. She’s becoming part of the couch.
To her surprise, Everly began to laugh.
“A job?” she guffawed, and Sydney maintained the phony happy expression on her face.
“Yes,” she said. “It’s administrative, but you’ll have opportunity for growth.”
“Oh, yeah?” Everly retorted, and Sydney could hear venom in her voice that she had never known before. “Do they hire pregnant Lycans?”
The blood drained from Sydney’s face. “What?” she gasped. “You’re pregnant?”
Everly tossed back the blanket that covered her lower body, and suddenly Sydney saw the small but telltale bump across Everly’s midsection.
Oh, God…
“It’s Michael’s?” she whispered, and Everly’s face grew twisted in scorn and anguish.
“Of course it is,” she spat. “Because when I screw up, I screw up royally. I get knocked up by my boss, who is also my pack leader, and my dad’s best friend.”
“Does he know, Everly?”
“No! I already ruined his company. I’m not going to ruin his life and pack standing.”
Suddenly, Sydney understood her friend’s reluctance to tell her anything.
“It’s okay, Everly,” she murmured, pulling her into a hug. “It’s going to be fine.”
But Sydney didn’t believe her own words.
There has to be some serious backlash to running off with the pack leader’s child, she thought, a foreign sense of fear gripping her heart. What will Michael do if he learns that Everly is pregnant and that I have been hiding her here?
Sydney did not claim to understand how the Lycans operated, but she had a terrible sense of foreboding.
Your duty is to take care of your friend, she reminded herself. As Everly would do for you if the roles were reversed. But should Michael know about this? What if he comes after both of us?
The answer seemed obvious if she was merely contemplating their safety, yet going to Michael would mean she would lose a friend, and potentially send Everly back into a world where she was a virtual prisoner.
Oh, God, she thought, a sick feeling washing through her gut. What am I going to do?
Chapter Fourteen
“Where is she, Kevin?” Michael growled, his foot in the doorway of the house. “Tell me where you sent Everly!”
Kevin smirked, but he did not block the door as Michael stormed into the house, his face red with anger.
“I didn’t send her anywhere. Maybe she’s actually smarter than I gave her credit for and left town before taking everyone dow
n with her. I hear the lawsuits got dropped.”
Michael studied his friend’s face, and for the first time, a twinge of doubt slipped through his veins.
“I have yet to hear anything about a lawsuit,” Michael said slowly. “From anyone.”
Kevin shrugged. “I guess with Everly gone, there was no need to call you out on your favoritism,” he replied, but there was a feeling of unrest growing inside Michael.
“Kevin, who told you about the lawsuits?” he challenged. “Where did you hear about them?”
Kevin stalked towards the front room, but Michael stayed on his heels.
“I can’t remember,” Kevin replied evasively. “There was just talk. I happened to hear of it.”
Michael’s jaw tensed. He’s lying. He lied about the lawsuits. But why?
Everly had been missing for three weeks now.
At first, Michael had respected her desire for space, not calling or texting her, but it had been impossible to stay away.
At the end of the first week, he started to message her, wanting to ensure she was all right. As he had expected, she did not return his texts, but when he finally dialed her number, he learned it was disconnected.
His next course of action had been to visit the apartment.
When his knocks went unanswered, he finally begged the landlord to allow him entry, and his heart had been filled with shock.
Most of Everly’s clothes had been removed from the closet, her toiletries gone from the bathroom. It was clear she had gone somewhere, but where?
When he called Kevin, his friend had pleaded ignorance.
“I don’t know where she went,” he’d replied. “But you should be glad you dodged a silver bullet there, Mike. My daughter would have ruined everything for you.”
Michael tried to believe that Everly simply needed time away to clear her head, but as the first week turned to the second, and the second turned to a third, his worry grew into panic.
