Circle of Lies (Red Ridge Pack)

by Sara Dailey

  Of course, the way the scene went down on the porch told me that this wasn’t anything new. I could tell by her body language she wasn’t shocked to see him sitting out there. Obviously things weren’t right in the Rhodes home, but she’d seemed angry not afraid.

  I had just put the car in reverse when he called her a tramp, which instantly made my vision narrow. All I could see was his hand on her arm, all I could hear was my blood pulsing in my ears. The decision was made. Something needed to be done.

  Just as I opened the car door, I felt the first cramp. It was so bad I couldn’t move. The pain was completely unbearable, like my insides were trying to fight their way out of me. I tried to breathe evenly to make the pain manageable, but that was useless so I closed my eyes and tried to imagine something else. Something calm, something pleasant. Teagan. She was the first thing that came to mind.

  Teagan. She was sitting next to me in the car laughing at something I’d said. It was a big laugh, the kind of laugh that makes you join in and ends with everyone in happy tears. Slowly my breathing evened out, and then as quickly as it came, the pain was gone.

  It killed me, but I had to leave. I was in no shape to play hero. Not only was I very close to keeling over from the pain, but if I shifted for my first time in front of Teagan, I’m guessing it wouldn’t go over so well. As much as I wanted to shift, this wasn’t the time or the place. I needed to get out of there.

  Anyway, Teagan looked like she knew how to handle her father. But I swore to God right then and there that if I ever saw him lay a hand on her I would rip that arm off and beat him over the head with it.

  I was barely back out on the highway before it happened again; searing pain coursed through my body and I was instantly drenched in sweat. This time it was worse. The cramp seemed to spread like wildfire. It started in my stomach just like before, but it quickly traveled to my chest, through my limbs and down to my fingers and toes. I thought I was dying for sure. Luckily, I was able to pull the car over before I crashed.

  No matter how much air I sucked in, I still couldn’t catch my breath. My lungs felt like they were on fire, but it didn’t stop there. Before I knew it, my head was throbbing; being stabbed in the brain over and over with a fork would have hurt less.

  I was just on the verge of passing out when the pain stopped, and what followed was painless but very freaking weird. I felt tingles deep under my skin like tiny hairs brushing up and out of me from the inside. Was this finally it? Would I finally be able to shift?

  It all stopped as suddenly as it had begun, and though I waited for a few minutes, nothing else happened. I didn’t know what the hell was wrong with me. Had it not been the werewolf thing? I’d been so sure it was, especially with the sensation of tiny hairs, but then why had it stopped?

  Finally, I decided nothing more was going to happen and continued home. By the time I pulled into my driveway, everything was back to normal. At least, as normal as it ever was in my life after we moved to Red Ridge.

  16.

  Teagan

  Unbelievable! I’m not sure I could have imagined a more embarrassing moment than the scene on my front porch. Things could have only been more humiliating if the whole neighborhood had been out to watch. Why couldn’t Aiden have just driven off? No, he’d had to sit and watch the drama unfold. I was just glad he hadn’t stuck around long enough to see my dad follow me inside.

  Guess he got lonely out there on the porch, Dad, and when he came in I had the pleasure of witnessing his verbal abuse at its best. I think he managed to call me every name in the book before I safely escaped to my bedroom. Thank God for doors that lock.

  I’d refused to give him the satisfaction of tears, but as soon as my door slammed the flash flood began. I cried about everything: my loser dad, my missing mother, my screwed-up existence. I also cried because I felt like such a fool. What would Aiden think of me now? Who would want to get involved with someone like this? Then I cried some more for having had those thoughts. Aiden wasn’t even in my realm of boyfriend possibilities, anyway. Not for keeps. His kind didn’t mix with mine. And even if they did, I’d most certainly seen my fate sealed with the night’s little escapade.

  It didn’t matter. If Aiden Wright wouldn’t want to be with someone like me, what did I care? I didn’t want to be with someone like him—someone who judged everyone by their social standing, by their place in the pecking order, by their physical beauty. Someone who only worried about popularity, about the Who’s Who of Red Ridge High. Tonight had been just a coincidence. Happenstance. He’d just been acting nice by driving me home, but he probably wouldn’t even look my way at school tomorrow.

  Damn it! I hated myself for giving two shits whether he liked me or not. But I did. I also couldn’t stand not knowing if he’d told Alli what had happened. She was one of the very best people at Red Ridge, and I hated the idea of having to be embarrassed around her.

  It took me ten minutes just to figure out what to say, but finally I decided on playing it safe and texting her:

  Teagan: Hey, Alli. Got ur text earlier. Was at work. Sorry I couldn’t text back. But ur brother gave me a ride home tonight from work. Will you thank him for me?

  Seconds later, she replied:

  Alli: Sure will. BTW, that’s what I texted u about. I get the feeling he likes you. Just in case...

  Before I could stop myself, a smile spread across my face. My finger trembled as I tried to type a response. He liked me? Seriously, he liked me enough that his sister was commenting on it? I didn’t know what to say, so I put the ball back in her court:

  Teagan: Just in case what?

  No answer. I sat on my bed, staring at my phone and willing it to chime. What was taking so damn long? Finally, her text came through, and I suddenly couldn’t decide if I wanted to read it or not. What if she got my hopes up and was wrong? But a second later I decided that I couldn’t possibly not look.

  Alli: In case you’re interested. Trust me. I know when Aiden’s smitten. And his face practically lit up the room when he told me he got to drive you home. He just got back.

  I had to ask. I had to know. It was really bothering me.

  Teagan: Did he mention anything else?

  Closing my eyes, I prayed that he hadn’t told Alli about my dad.

  My phone chimed again, and with my heart pounding and my fingers fumbling with the stupid little buttons, I rushed to read her response.

  Alli: No, why? What happened?

  Thankful, I replied quickly.

  Teagan: Nothing. Just wondering. I’ll see you at school tomorrow.

  Unable to control myself, I felt another smile creep across my tear-and-mascara streaked face. I must have looked like I belonged in a loony bin. Was I crazy? I was certainly walking the line to think that someone like Aiden would be interested in someone like me, even if his super-nice sister thought it was a possibility. There were lines of girls waiting to steal his heart, and each of them was hotter, richer, and way less dysfunctional than me.

  I again reminded myself that it was wrong to like someone like him; he wasn’t the type I’d ever dreamed of. Aiden was part of a crowd that made others feel less than human, as if his clique was better than the rest of us. He’d fallen right into that crowd even though he was new to the school. That right there showed what kind of person he was. At least Alli had tried to keep her distance from them at first. Now it seemed we’d lost her to the pod people as well.

  No, a little voice in my head promised, I didn’t want to be with someone like him. But even as I heard the words, I knew I was lying to myself.

  *****

  The next morning I found myself carefully applying just the right amount of makeup, fixing my hair, and picking out one of my favorite outfits. No matter what excuse I gave, the truth was that I wanted to look good. I wanted Aiden to notice me. I’d have been kidding myself to think otherwise.

  Luckily, Dad was passed out on the couch. I didn’t want to wake up Sleeping Boozy, so I carefully ste
pped over the empty beer bottles on my way to the door. I made it safely without notice, but when I stealthily turned the knob, the door screeched. I went out cursing and praying he wouldn’t wake up. With the door closed and locked, I hurried to the car for my grand escape. Too bad if I was leaving Dad without transportation. He deserved it. He’d just have to find another way to get to work.

  I reached school a short time later. Walking into the commons, I looked around for someone—anyone—to talk to, not wanting to stand alone like a leper, especially not all fancied up. I especially didn’t want to be alone if Aiden happened to pass by.

  Just as I was about to casually meander over to a group of girls from my French class, Alli appeared. “Hey, Teagan. Don’t you look amazing! Any reason in particular?” She gave me a knowing look.

  With an awkward grin I glanced down at my outfit. “What? I don’t look this amazing every day?”

  Before Alli could grill me any further, he appeared as if from nowhere: Aiden. My pulse quickened, and I silently reminded myself not to fidget. I reminded myself of every reason why he and I were wrong for each other.

  “Hey, Teagan. What’s up?” He walked over and propped his elbow on Alli’s shoulder. She gave him a glance that said she was humoring him.

  Every synapse in my brain was firing off warnings for me to stay away from him, and Aiden’s smug smirk made me want to turn and run the opposite direction. But my body was tingling with his nearness. Instead of taking off, I ignored my fears and said, “Not much. Oh, and thanks again for the ride.”

  Then there was silence. Aiden, Alli and I all just stood there. It was extremely awkward.

  Aiden’s eyes left mine and drifted to the floor. His smug look had vanished. “So…uh, I was wondering if—”

  Before he could finish, a familiar voice rang out. “Hey, Aiden!”

  I cringed inside, knowing Becca, the next in line for queen of the beautiful people, was headed our way. She sauntered up and hooked her arm through Aiden’s as if claiming a prize. Just the sight of her made me want to gouge my eyes out.

  Completely ignoring the rest of us, Becca announced, “So, Aiden. I was thinking I’d let you take me to the movies this weekend.” Aiden just stood there, so she proceeded to paw all over him while waiting for a response. Finally she asked, “Well, what do you think?”

  That stupid little voice in my head answered first. It screamed, “Forget him, Teagan. He’s out of your league. Forget he even exists!”

  Well, there was no way in Hades I was going to stand there and watch Aiden hook up with that hooch. I waved at Alli and made my escape.

  17.

  Aiden

  No, no, no, no, no.

  Why did this keep happening? There was no way in the world Teagan would ever go out with me if she thought I was also seeing Becca. Teagan wasn’t like the other girls at this school, even the other human ones. Hell, I could barely get her to look at me. Most human girls stared longingly at our pack males or followed us around. It was kind of sad actually, but what could you do? Pheromones were pheromones, and wolves have those to spare.

  As Alli excused herself for class, I removed Becca’s arm from mine, looked her straight in her eye and said as gently as possible, “Listen, Becca, I thought we were just friends. I like being your friend, okay?”

  “Sure, Ad, but there’s nothing wrong with us being really friendly. Right? We don’t need anything official to enjoy ourselves.”

  She must have learned that coyness from Kendall, but I knew exactly what she meant. Apparently, the girl had no pride. I was all for having a good time, but she moved a little too fast for even me. Besides, I had my sights set on someone else.

  “Sorry, Becs. I’m not that kind of guy,” I said with a small smile. “I kind of like ‘official.’” Then, not sure what else to do and still save our pride, I walked away.

  “We’ll see about that Aiden Wright,” she called as I made my escape. I wanted to turn and say, “Becca, you’re acting like a tramp. I’m not now, nor will I ever be, interested.” But I couldn’t. It just wasn’t in me—though I was seriously considering channeling my inner asshole if she did that shit in front of Teagan again. She clearly wasn’t taking a hint.

  Alli was waiting near my locker. “What the hell was that about?” she asked. She’d apparently witnessed Becca’s offer.

  I shrugged. “She’s been weird since we got back.”

  “Well, you better set her straight, Aiden. At least, you should if you’re interested in Teagan. You can’t be acting like the man-whore we both know you are.”

  “Man-whore? Really?”

  “Yes, man-whore. It’s no secret, you know. And Teagan looked repulsed by the sight of you and Becca. You know she has issues with the people we hang with, anyway.”

  “No kidding,” I said. “And, I’m trying. Avoiding Becca doesn’t seem to be working. I don’t know what else to do…short of just telling her to get lost.”

  “Well, I don’t know Becca very well, but considering who her best friend was, you’re probably going to have to do just that. I’d give it to her straight.”

  Alli was right. If I really wanted any chance with Teagan—and I did—I was going to have to make it clear to Becca that I was off-limits. It’s not like I’d have been interested in her even if Teagan wasn’t in the picture. She was way too overbearing. More and more she reminded me of Kendall.

  I glanced up and down the hall, hoping to find Teagan and explain there was nothing going on between Becca and me, but I decided it was probably for the best when I didn’t see her. Maybe I was being a bit premature. I mean, I didn’t even know if she was interested.

  Still, I wasn’t going to take no for an answer.

  *****

  I didn’t see either Teagan or Becca the rest of the day, but I was feeling a lot better by the time school let out. My shoulder was stronger, the cut on my face had gone from stinging to itching, which I suppose was only slightly better, and my mood was almost normal. The super quick healing confirmed I was a werewolf after all, despite my slow development, and that made me feel better, too.

  I rode home from school with Alli and Cade, which looked to become a norm. This time, however, Alli started in on me about Teagan.

  “Did you find her and explain? Are you going to ask her out? Can we go on a double date?”

  I replied with the reasons Teagan should avoid me. Like, my inability to shoo away pretty girls, the new scar on my otherwise perfect face, and of course my incredible humility. Thankfully, Alli and Cade got me. Sarcasm has always been my way of dealing with things, but sometimes it backfires.

  Regardless of my concerns, before we made it home Alli made me promise to ask Teagan out. Just as we pulled onto the estate I assured Alli I’d talk to her as soon as I had the opportunity.

  “Well, you better be quick about it,” my sister said, “or I might take matters into my own hands.”

  Strangely, Cade didn’t weigh in. Normally he would have been super chatty and opinionated, but he didn’t make a sound. I wanted to ask him if that was because Teagan was human and his father was outspokenly against human-werewolf relations, but before I could, the vehicle sitting in our driveway stole my attention. Speak of the devil.

  To say that seeing Marcus’s car at our house put a damper on my good mood was an understatement. It seemed to have an effect on all of us. I knew that Cade and Marcus were still on bad terms, and I didn’t blame Cade for being angry with his father; knowing what Marcus originally said about my family and my little sister made him an ass in my book as well. I wondered what he would think of me wanting to date a human. For a moment I was nervous, but then I decided it didn’t matter. Sooner or later I’d have to have a real conversation with my sperm donor, but I’d deal with that day when it came. In the meantime, Mom had been doing a good job running interference. She’d been telling Marcus that I was always sleeping.

  He was on the porch before Alli even turned off the car. “Hey, kids, how was s
chool?”

  We all just kind of looked at each other. Who was going to speak first?

  “It was good,” Cade said, grabbing Alli’s hand. It was hard to tell if he was doing it just to rub his relationship in his dad’s face or because he and my sister could rarely keep their hands off each other these days. That “true mates” thing supposedly made you all crazy for one another, but still…when it’s your sister, it’s just gross.

  Alli and Cade walked straight past Marcus and into our house, leaving me alone to face him. It’s not that I was afraid of Marcus; I just wasn’t sure what to say or how to act around him. There wasn’t a rulebook lying around to inform me how someone is supposed to behave when he finds out his dad for the past seventeen years is not his real father—or how to behave around the new biological father. And was I really supposed to think of Marcus as my father now?

  We stood there in silence for a moment as Alli and Cade made their escape. When the front door shut, Marcus finally spoke. “How are you healing, son?”

  My first instinct was to tell him, “I’m not your son,” and go inside, but considering I am his son and he is the pack’s alpha, I figured that might be a bad idea.

  “I’m feeling a little better, sir,” I said, trying to keep it formal.

  I could tell by his deflated expression that he’d been hoping for something a little less uptight. Instead of correcting me he said, “Come on, Aiden. Take a walk with me.”

  “Now?”

  “Unless you’d rather go inside and have your mother lie to me again about you being asleep.”

  “Oh. Yeah. Sorry about that,” I said.

  So, I guess he knew I’d been avoiding him. That probably made me the biggest coward alive.

  “Come on, just a short walk,” he said, and he turned down our path to the sidewalk.

  I put my backpack on the porch and zipped up my coat. The only thing I hated more than the cold weather here was having to walk through it. I really missed warm Houston winters.