by Sara Dailey
45.
Peter
The plan was to meet James at Tucker’s Icehouse tonight, the bar just down the street from the Red Ridge Motel. This was phase one of Recruitment. James had assured him that in order for their plan to work it needed to be done over a longer period than Peter originally intended; each night’s story would grow more desperate. They’d both retired to their individual homes to consider the stories they’d tell. Peter agreed with the methodology, he supposed, but he was also anxious to get results.
He walked through the bar doors at exactly nine o’clock. James was already there, and if the number of empty beer bottles in front of him was any indication, the man was well on his way to belligerent.
“Shit,” Peter muttered to himself. He hated drunks. He needed the man alert and focused tonight, not slurring his words. Peter faked a smile, though, as he walked over. “James, how’s it going, man?”
“Peter, my friend, come sit!” the drunk called, waving down the joint’s one cocktail waitress. She walked over and took Peter’s order, and before he could say anything she was back with his beer.
Peter wasn’t sure what James had in mind, so he just started in with what he hoped sounded like a normal question. “So, how’s your daughter doing?” They had to establish themselves as normal, caring members of society. Fathers and such. Trustworthy.
James smiled like Peter had just asked the magic question. “I have to tell you, Pete. I’m worried about her,” he said, a little too loudly. It was all part of the plan.“Why?” he asked.
“It’s this new boyfriend of hers. He’s one of those lakefront kids, and I don’t know… I just don’t trust them. Seems like those rich bastards are… Well, I dunno. They’re just so cliquish. Secretive. Elitist.”
Peter looked around. A few of the barflies were already interested.
“Have you talked to Teagan about it?” he said, trying to appear genuinely concerned.
“Yeah, but she’s smitten. She thinks he can do no wrong. He has her wrapped around his little finger,” James complained.
“Does he seem like a decent kid?”
James leaned back in his chair and said, “No, he seems like a snake. Can I tell you something, Peter?” He leaned forward, like he was going to reveal a truly earth-shattering secret, but his voice didn’t soften at all.
“Sure, James. Anything.”
“I think he’s brainwashing her. I think everyone out on that lake is crazy, and they’re trying to take my daughter away from me. I think they’re a bunch of brainwashing sex perverts!”
Peter sat back and pretended to contemplate what he’d just heard. Time passed. He was about to flag down the waitress for another beer when the man from the next table asked to join them.
William, his name was. James introduced them. William had been born and was raised in Red Ridge, James said, and Peter could tell that their suggestion had hit pay dirt.
“I heard you talking about the people down by the lake. I have always thought there was something weird going on there, James,” William whispered. “It’s too private, too secretive. Always has been. I think you need to get your Teagan away from that boy. She’s too nice of a girl to get mixed up with them.”
“Well, thanks, Bill. I just don’t know what to do short of going over there guns blazing and grab her back from him,” James complained.
“We do what we have to do for family,” William said. “You know, there are a few of us around here that don’t want their kind near our town. I bet the others would be willing to help you out. I know I would.”
“I appreciate that, Will. I truly do. I might need to take you up on that offer sometime,” James was quick to say.
Peter wanted to smile but refrained. This was a serious business. Recruiting had begun.
46.
Teagan
I awoke to my blaring alarm clock. It was already six thirty, and if I didn’t hurry I was going to be late for school. I faintly remembered Aiden waking me with a kiss before he left to head home about an hour before.
Standing in front of the mirror, I starred at myself, wondering if I looked any different. I might not see any change, but I definitely was a new person. I might have had sex before, but this was the first time I’d ever made love. Memories of Aiden flooded my mind: his gentle touch, the way we’d melded together, how he’d held me afterward as though he never wanted to let go. Our night together had confirmed that our feelings were real. He did love me.
I quickly showered, put on a bit of makeup and threw on some clothes. As I left I had a damp ponytail, but I didn’t want to be late. I couldn’t wait to see Aiden. I loved him so much. There was no denying it now. There was no point, either.
I pulled into the parking lot with just enough time to rush to my locker and high-tail it to first period. Finding Aiden would have to wait, I supposed, as I got out of my car. But as I hurried through the main doors, my phone chimed.
Aiden: Running late, find u after 1st per.
I typed OK so he’d know I’d seen his text. I hoped he wasn’t in trouble for staying out so late. My own dad probably wouldn’t have noticed, but something told me Aiden’s mom would. She probably didn’t like her son staying out all night.
I made it to my locker with only a few minutes to spare, and as I fumbled with my locker combination someone practically pounced on me. There she stood, leaning her perfectly polished self against the locker next to mine. And before she said a single word, I knew it wasn’t going to be good.
Without any pleasantries whatsoever, taking a page straight from Kendall Stuart’s playbook, Becca attacked.
“So, I hate to be the one to tell you this, but you’d be better off ending whatever little fling you’re having with Aiden. Now. Right now. Really, I’m just looking out for you. I don’t know what he’s even thinking. I mean, if his mother knew that your father was the town drunk—and trust me, she will find out—she’d never allow you within fifty feet of her son. Let’s face it, Teagan. You’re not good enough for him. But surely you already know that.”
Becca finally decided to take a breath, so I cut in. “Thanks so much for your concern. Really, how kind of you to be looking out for my best interest…but do you really think this is any of your business?”
With a cruel smile, she continued. “Oh, honey, of course it’s my business. I know you haven’t been here long, but if you haven’t noticed we look out for our own around here. Aiden may be new to this school, but he’s part of our group. You know, the group that dissed you last year—for good reason? To be perfectly honest, you’ve got no chance ever of getting in with us, especially with your family’s history. If you think you do, you’re crazier than your deadbeat father. Or maybe you’re drinking as much as him.”
By this point my blood was way past boiling. I could literally feel my cheeks burning. Tears threatened to spill down my face, but I refused to let Becca think she could get to me. Screw this bitch. She needed a taste of her own medicine.
“Maybe the real problem here, Becca, is that Aiden isn’t interested in what you have to offer. If you think us nobodies haven’t noticed that you sit up and pant every time he’s near, you’re the one crazier than my ‘deadbeat father.’ So, let’s just be real here. I’ve got what he wants, and you…well, you obviously don’t. So, how about you take your little ‘I’m-just-looking-out-for-you’ bullshit and shove it up your ass.” Then, before she could respond, I took off down the hallway.
I might have had the last word with Becca, but her words hit too close to home. They’d made me doubt everything that happened between Aiden and me. Was what she said true? I certainly wasn’t one of them. I’d never be one of them, either. Who was I kidding? They would never accept me.
Without thinking twice, I headed straight toward the parking lot so I could get the hell out of school before I broke down. There was no way I was going to class now. My eyes were already threatening to fill with tears as I rushed the exit. I heard Sean calling my name but
I didn’t turn around. I knew he would want to talk about it, and since we hadn’t spoken much since the play I didn’t want to get into it. I needed to be alone. I was done. Done with Becca, done with Aiden’s parents’ strange little enclave and the Beautiful People, done with it all.
By the time I got into my car at the back of the school parking lot, tears were streaming down my face because I’d suddenly realized that if I really was done with it all, I was done with Aiden too.
I started the car and took off toward my house. School clearly wasn’t in the cards for me. Not today. Neither was Aiden Wright. I couldn’t talk to him. Not when I didn’t know whether or not I could handle being with him. No matter how much I liked him—loved him—would this ever work? I should have listened to my instincts. I’d known Aiden wasn’t the right guy for me from the very start. Anyone could take one look at the two of us and know we didn’t belong together. I was just an average girl, and there was no denying there was something special about Aiden. Something I doubt anyone could define.
On the drive home, I set my phone to silent and shoved it deep into my purse; if I knew Aiden was calling, I wouldn’t be able to ignore it. When I got home, I dried my eyes and slid back into bed. I covered my face with my pillow and begged for sleep to take me away from the feelings I wasn’t ready to face.
47.
Aiden
“What the hell did you say to her, Becca?” I demanded when I finally caught up with her and her crony in the middle of the commons. I’d heard the story from Sammy, who’d seen the whole thing, and I was fuming.
Becca stopped walking and swung around to face me. Shari came to a halt as well. She took one look at my face and scrambled, leaving her friend standing alone, but Becca didn’t seem fazed. She actually looked a little proud of herself.
“I did that girl a favor. You should be thanking me,” she said, taking a quick glance around to make sure no one was watching us and lowering her voice so that prying ears wouldn’t hear. “Do you really think for one minute that you can have a relationship with a human?”
I said nothing. How the hell was I supposed to respond to that?
“Omigod, you did. You actually thought Marcus would let you carry on this little fling with a domestic. That’s sweet—but come on, get real. Aiden, it would never be allowed. You have to realize that. Just look what Marcus put Cade through, and Alli’s only half human. Do you really want to subject that poor little girl to the wrath of our alpha?”
It was clear that Becca was really pulling out all the stops. There was nothing that she wouldn’t say to make me break things off with Teagan, but her words were also making me think.
“You know what?” Becca went on. “Why don’t we just pretend that whatever you and that girl had going on—”
“Teagan,” I interrupted.
“Okay, you and Teagan had going on, never happened. We can fix this, Aiden. Take me out this weekend? I can make you forget all about your poor little Teagan. It’ll make Marcus happy. I’m allll wolf.”
Was she serious? My eyes widened as she took a step closer and placed her hands on my chest. She was serious. Holy hell, I couldn’t handle this right now. The chick was absolutely crazy if she thought I’d leave Teagan for her, especially after everything that had happened before.
“Becca, are you hearing yourself? Are you so delusional that you think I would ever go out with you? You’re a hateful, evil bitch that has to make others feel badly about themselves so you can feel good. You better pray that when I catch up to Teagan she realizes how full of shit you are, because if you hurt her, there will be hell to pay.” Without giving her a chance to respond, I turned and hurried down the hallway. I had to find my girl.
She was nowhere to be found. I tried calling her again and again, but she didn’t pick up. I couldn’t figure out where she might have gone.
“Hey, did you talk to her?” Alli asked as she met me at the car after school.
“I just tried her phone again. Nothing. I wish I knew what Becca said.”
Alli bit the inside of her cheek. That meant she was trying to keep herself from talking.
“What do you know?” I demanded.
“I really don’t want to be the one to tell you,” she replied, leaning up against the car.
Every muscle in my jaw tightened. “What did she say, Alli?” I asked through clenched teeth.
My sister moved from the driver’s side over to where I was standing. She looked around quickly before spewing all the dirty details she’d gotten from Cami. After the first few sentences, her words were drowned out by the sound of my heart pounding in my ears. My sister was still talking, but I couldn’t hear a thing. My anger and hurt were destroying my hearing.
I could only imagine the look on Teagan’s face when Becca confronted her. The image broke my heart and made me want to rip Becca to pieces at the exact same time.
“Aiden. Aiden. Are you listening?” Alli asked.
“Yeah?” I said. I’d finally heard. But then my thoughts got in the way again.
I tried to calm myself down before I did something I’d regret, but it wasn’t working. My vision tunneled, and I was only vaguely aware that Cade had walked over. He tried to talk to me, but once again I could only see his mouth moving; I could only hear the sound of my racing pulse. Rage was building inside of me, and if I didn’t get out of there fast, the students of Red Ridge High were going to get an eye-full.
Suddenly, Cade was in my face. He grabbed me by my jacket and shoved me into the backseat of the Jetta then got behind the wheel. Within seconds we were speeding out of the school parking lot and heading toward the estate. I just sat there watching the clock on the dashboard, and as each minute passed I grew more and more desperate to change. But I knew I wasn’t in control and was trying to fight it off.
“Want me to pull over?” Cade asked, looking at me in the rear view mirror. All I could do was nod.
As soon as he stopped, I jumped out of the car.
“Aiden, wait! Do you want me to come with you?” Alli yelled.
“No. I need to be alone,” was all I could manage before I took off into the trees.
The change came more quickly this time, almost instantly. There was no pain, no panic, just a sense of release. I needed to run. I longed to run until my legs were shaky and numb. I needed to rid myself of the rage inside me before I went to find Teagan. She didn’t need to deal with me or my anger issues; she needed to know that everything Becca said was a lie. Now more than ever she needed to know how I felt about her.
By the time I slowed down, I could tell I was close to home. I could smell the estate, the familiar scents of the pack. I was feeling better, more calm and in control. I took a moment to wander though the underbrush, allowing the cool December air and fresh smells to ease the anger and tension from my body. I only hoped that when I turned back this tranquility would stay.
Suddenly, a giggle from my left startled me, and before I knew what was happening I went from wolf to bare-ass-naked human. When I stood up, I saw two people heading my way.
“Holy shit. Aiden?” Luke asked.
I ripped a leafy branch of the closest tree and used it to cover myself. I could tell Luke was doing his best not to laugh at me, which I truly appreciated since Cami was laughing so hard I thought she might pee herself.
“Looking goooood, Aiden,” Cami said when she finally managed to compose herself.
“Gee, thanks,” I replied. There wasn’t much more to say.
Luke handed me the blanket he carried. As I wrapped it around my hips, I noticed he and Cami were looking at each other like I’d caught them doing something naughty. I wondered what was going on. Together, we headed back onto the estate.
“Hey, Aiden, we would appreciate it if you wouldn’t tell anyone that we were out here. Cami’s parents don’t know about us,” Luke admitted as we left the woods.
“Of course, but what’s the big deal?” I asked. It’s not like either one of them was a hu
man.
“They’ve known me my whole life. Let’s just say they think she can do better. I don’t blame them, either. I guess I deserve the reputation I have around here. I wouldn’t want my daughter dating me either.”
“Well, they won’t hear it from me,” I said.
We said our goodbyes as soon as we got to the lake. By then I was so cold that my teeth were chattering uncontrollably, so I held on to the blanket and ran all the way back to our house.
“What in the name of Christ happened to you?” my grandfather asked as I came flying through the front door. He was standing next to Cade and Alli. They looked at me apologetically.
It seemed like this was always happening lately. I’d come home, hoping for some quiet time, only to find that the family had guests. It was just my mom’s parents this time, but they didn’t fail to give me a you-still-can’t-control-yourself look. I felt like shouting, “Yes, I’m naked. Yes, I shifted on accident in the middle of nowhere! Still want me to be your damn alpha?” Instead, in all of our best interests, I ignored the entire crew and went straight to my room.
On the way upstairs I could hear my grandfather telling Cade there was no way I could handle being the head of the pack. Awesome. Just freakin’ awesome. My own grandfather was already planning to back Cade. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be alpha or not, but I at least wanted my grandparents to support me.
Alli had put my backpack and phone on my bed. I grabbed the latter to see if Teagan had finally called me back. Nope.
Pushing my anger and anxiety aside, I sent her a text:
Aiden: Baby, I’m so sorry about Becca. Please call me. I need to hear your voice. I love you.
Then I waited for a reply.
When I’d woken up this morning with Teagan snuggled up next to me, I thought that this was going to be a perfect day. I couldn’t have been more wrong. After an hour of staring at my phone, I had a feeling that she wasn’t going to respond.
