Tainted Romance

by Simone Elise

  "Yeah, because it makes complete sense one moment he has his hand up my shirt, and now his tongue down her throat."

  "Yeah, but they’re mates."

  "No, they aren't, they hate each other." Her eyes were scorching, and she spat the words at me.

  Shit. Wrong form of words on my part.

  "I mean…

  "I don't care what you mean. Just go away."

  "So, you're bitchy when your drunk."

  "Sweetheart, I'm not even close to drunk." She scanned the crowd behind me. "Now, if you don't mind, I have another Falcon brother to chase down before he decides to lock lips with a slut."

  "Ebony isn't that bad."

  "No, she is just so sweet."

  "You could stay here with me." My fingers linked around her arm. "I'm sure I can keep up with you."

  "I only drink with friends, and last time I checked friends don't treat you like you’re invisible."

  "I've had a shit week with family stuff. Trust me, Allie, if I acted like a dick, and I'm sorry."

  And I honestly fucking meant it. Just wish she could see it. Well, it meant I was just going to have to show her, and as for my parents, well, they could just get screwed.

  "Let me make it up to you," I whispered in her ear, feeling her body tense at my touch.

  Her eyes locked with mine. "Fine."

  Chapter Forty-seven

  ALLIE

  So, the drinks flowed, the conversation didn't dry up, and much to my disgust I found myself being pulled back to him. So what if I spent the whole night with him? So what if he paid for every drink? So what if he wrapped his arm around me, and pulled me so close to his side I couldn't move?

  So fucking what.

  I knew as soon as we stepped out into the night air what would happen next, but just because I expected it, didn't mean I wanted it to happen.

  His hand was still locked with mine as we walked down the pavement.

  "So, come Monday, can I expect you to not be talking to me again?" I stopped him as I took my heels off and carried them. "At least this time I know that the weekend means nothing to you. What happens on the weekend stays on the weekend."

  He grunted.

  "Well, that's my cue to get a taxi." I let go of his hand and stepped to the curb.

  My body filled with tingles when he wrapped his hand around my upper arm.

  "I could take you home." His words were like velvet to my ears, and my heart raced at the sound of his voice.

  "I think you've had more to drink than me."

  "I'll walk you home."

  "It is blocks and blocks away."

  He shrugged his shoulders. "I don't mind the walk."

  "Well, my feet will." And yet at the same time, I wanted to walk home with him. "Look, tonight’s been fun, and that's enough for me, so I'll see you later." I waved my arm, and a taxi pulled to the curb. "Night, Zane."

  "Night, Allie."

  ***

  I stared in the mirror. My blonde hair, emerald eyes and white skin. It bothered me that every other wolf always had tanned skin and somehow, I always had lily-white skin.

  I shook my long blonde hair and sighed.

  I looked innocent.

  I looked, I swallowed sharply, too cute.

  I didn't want cute. I wanted edgy. I wanted attitude. I didn't want to look like the girl that had her memories taken from her. I didn't want to look like the pushover I was.

  I picked up the scissors and sighed again. I might regret this.

  ***

  BLAKE

  Ebony was impossible. One minute she wanted me, the next she wanted me to ignore her, and then the next second she wanted me to play by the rules; the rules we laid out so not to tease each other.

  I was beginning to come to terms with it. Ebony and I were going to end up together, especially after the nightclub. Having her and tasting her just made me want more.

  I leaned back against Allie's locker. I wish I could talk about it with her. She would understand. She could help. Instead, I had to act dumb and keep her in the dark.

  It sucked.

  I lost my best friend.

  "You could at least move so I could get to my locker."

  I opened my eyes, and they slowly widened.

  What the fuck?

  She had Allie's eyes, but that was it. The tight short skirt clung to her upper thighs, matched with a ripped tight t-shirt, and that went with the loose boots she was wearing. Now her blonde hair was jet black, the same length; at least she didn't cut it, but the piercing in her ear was new - it was a bar that went from one side of her earlobe to the other.

  "What the fuck happened to you?" tumbled out my mouth.

  This was not the sweet, doe-eyed Allie I knew.

  "Nothing, now move, would you."

  I slid to the side. "So, wanna explain why you talk like Allie but sure as hell don't look like her."

  "I decided to change it up." She stuffed her bag in. "Got a problem with that, Falcon."

  As if on cue, Zane and Ebony turned into the hallway. Now, this was going to be interesting. I focused my attention on Zane. Wonder what he would think of his mate's changes.

  "Blake." Ebony stopped, and so did Zane, but his eyes were searching the hall.

  "Ebony." We hadn't really spoken since the nightclub. I guess I should be happy she wants to talk to me.

  Allie closed her locker and turned around.

  Zane still hadn't picked up on it was her which caused me to crack a grin.

  "What are you laughing at?" Ebony snapped at me.

  "Nothing."

  "Blake, can we go now?" Allie's voice was bored, and she clenched her textbooks.

  Zane's head snapped to Allie. His eyes slowly going up and down, and his mouth slowly opening.

  Now, this was going to be classic.

  "Come on, let's go." Allie tugged on my arm.

  "He's not ready to leave," Ebony snapped on my behalf.

  "Allie." Zane's voice was filled with shock. The dude couldn't hide it, even if he wanted to.

  Allie just stared back at him. "Oh, hi Zane."

  I laughed and then pretended to cough because he just got burnt. She had no interest in him whatsoever; meanwhile, he was completely stunned by her.

  It is Allie after all. If I had got to choose my mate, I would have picked her, but, instead, I'm stuck with Miss Bitch.

  "You changed your, um, look," Zane stuttered.

  "Just dyed my hair, and it isn't a big deal." She tilted her head to the side. "Surprised you noticed."

  "Have to be blind not to."

  "Right. Well, we should get going. Unless," she glanced between Ebony and I, "You two want to make out again?"

  I narrowed my eyes at her.

  "Didn't think so. So, can we go now? I want a smoke before class. Bye, Zane." She strolled off, and I was about to follow her when something snapped in Zane, and he strode off after her. Leaving me with bitch face.

  ***

  ALLIE

  I felt him before he even touched me. His fingers wrapped around my upper arm pulling me to a stop.

  "Ok, did I miss something?" He looked deep into my eyes, but there was nothing there to tell him. This time I was playing it smart and that meant keeping my emotions in tight.

  "Not that I know of."

  "Since when did you smoke? And start dressing…" his eyes ran down me, "Like this?"

  "I made some new friends." Lies. "But does it really matter, because it isn't any of your business." I stared him down. "Now, if you don't mind, I need a smoke, have a few texts to reply to, and then a class to be bored by."

  "I mind."

  I arched my eyebrows. "Why?"

  He went silent, but the emotions played across his face so clearly. "I don't want you getting in the wrong crowd?"

  I cracked a grin. "That's cute. You actually pretend to care. Don't worry, Zane, I'm a big girl and can look aft
er myself," I stood up and whispered in his ear.

  I pulled my arm from his grasp.

  Then turned around and walked off. Students parted as I strolled down the hall. Maybe I should have changed my look earlier.

  Chapter Forty-eight

  “Try harder.”

  I glared back at Jace. “I am trying.”

  “Not good enough.”

  “Do you want to help me or not, because right now you are just annoying me.” I crossed my arms.

  Jace sighed and began to pace the large empty hall we were in. It was one of the many empty rooms of the large house dad and Jace lived in. They had offered for me to move in but we all agreed, in order for me to keep up my ‘not knowing,’ I should be living at home.

  As much as it sucked, mom just cared about what the pack thought of her. Why else would she agree to let them do this to me?

  “It’s been weeks, and you still haven’t changed.” Jace frowned. “Maybe your wolf is too damaged.”

  I sat down in the middle of the room, bringing my knees to my head. “Wish it was dead around Zane. He still manages to bring the wolf out of me.”

  “Is it a pulling?”

  “More like a need.” I looked up. “If I could still feel that surely my wolf mustn’t be that dead.”

  “We just need to reign that in and….” He sat next to me. “Then maybe we have a chance here.”

  “I just need to get really pissed off.” I smirked and nudged his shoulder. “Sorry for yelling at you.”

  “You had something to yell about so don’t be sorry. By the way, I like the hair.”

  Here I was thinking he wasn’t going to say anything. “Thanks.”

  “Got a reason for changing your appearance?”

  “Felt like it.” I looked at him sideways. “Just didn’t want to be the same girl they took advantage of…well, I didn’t want to look like her anymore anyway.”

  “Makes sense.”

  Someone that understood it. At least with Jace, I could be honest, he knew the real me.

  “Ok, let’s try again.” I got up. “Maybe I can focus on hating Zane to influence a change.”

  Jace cracked a grin and stood up shaking his head. “If only it were that easy.”

  I knew it wouldn’t be, but the least we could do was try.

  ***

  I was dreading next period while getting my books out of my locker when Chase appeared at my side.

  “So, are you and Blake fighting again?”

  I looked at him oddly. “No.”

  “So why won’t he speak to you?”

  “News to me.” I closed my locker. “He is most likely pissed off I embarrassed him in front of his girlfriend the other day which I totally don’t get. One minute he is all about her, the next he wants nothing to do with her. Explain to me how that is healthy.”

  We walked down the hallway.

  “You’re talking about Ebony.”

  “Who else.”

  “That is complicated.” His words wavered. “Blake will work it out.”

  “Well, I don’t have to stand by and watch the cow wiggle her way into his life.”

  “They’ll sort it out, and maybe once you get to know her, you might actually get on with her.”

  “More chance of me hooking back up with Blake than that.”

  “Look I’ve got to go. See you at lunch?” I paused at the classroom door, and he nodded his head.

  Then I took a sharp breath and stepped into the class I had with Zane.

  Then there he was, sitting at the back, leaning back on his chair with his piercing eyes locked on me. It was as if he had been waiting for me to walk through.

  He pulled the toothpick out from his teeth and leaned forward. “Hey, Allie.” He waved his hand for me to come to him.

  Was he drunk?

  Still?

  I slowly made my way there. “Zane.” I tilted my head. “What’s up?”

  “Thought you might want to sit with me this period?”

  Ever get that feeling like every pair of eyes in the class are on you? Well, I wasn’t imagining it. It was really happening.

  “Instead of sitting by yourself?” he added.

  This wasn’t part of the plan, but my wolf was stirring, and she was waking being near him. I guess I could just try and make up a plan as I go.

  I dropped my textbooks down next to him. “So, this is different.”

  “So is your hair and your clothes. In fact, it is like I’m meeting a completely different Allie.” He put the toothpick back in his mouth. “Wanna explain why?”

  “A change is always good.”

  “Yeah and usually there is a reason why behind it.”

  “Guess it will just have to be a mystery to you.”

  “Babe, you are a mystery to me.”

  Babe.

  One word and it stirred so many emotions inside me.

  Not fair.

  I flipped my hair back. “I’m not that much of a mystery if you really knew me.”

  “You know smoking kills you.” He turned side on, facing me. “Shortens your life.”

  “And why would you care if my life is shortened?” I arched my eyebrows. “It’s not like we are friends.”

  “I think of you as a friend.”

  “Then I would hate to be your enemy if this is how you treat friends.”

  “Fair enough. Guess I have some ground to make up with you.”

  “And what has you thinking I want that ground to be made up?” I looked him squarely in the eye. “You aren’t as smooth as you think, Zane Harris, and you don’t have me on my knees.”

  “Now, babe, if you were on your knees I think we skipped friendship altogether.” He smirked.

  I leaned closer to him, hearing his heartbeat increase. “You don’t know what you are messing with, I’m not just any girl.”

  “No.” He pulled the toothpick out, and the smirk dropped. “You’re the girl that drives me crazy. So, no, you aren’t just any girl, you’re my girl.”

  “And how did I become that unlucky?”

  “You tipped orange juice down the front of my shirt.” He cracked a grin. “Been cursed since then, babe.”

  “Whatever. You’re likely to take all this back by next period anyway.” I turned back and looked at the front of the class. “That’s the game you play. Hot and cold. You enjoy the chase.”

  “I haven’t played games with you.”

  “Really.” I snapped, “Then what do you call talking to me one minute, and the next minute you are not? You were meant to be my forever, and all I got was pain.” My words just tumbled out, and I snapped my mouth shut once I said it. “Can we just focus on the class?”

  He didn’t say one word.

  And my God I was sweating because I nearly, if not have already, broken my secret.

  Chapter Forty-nine

  I just wanted to get out of here. The quicker I put my stupid books in my locker and got out of this place the better. The words had just tumbled out when I was speaking to Zane. I can’t believe I used the word forever. I cringed at just remembering it.

  He really brought the worst out in me. Lately, it felt like he was bringing out the wolf in me, but I still hadn’t changed, which meant while there might be some connection there, it wasn’t strong enough.

  I wasn’t strong enough.

  “Haven’t seen you all day.”

  I jumped at the sound of Blake’s voice.

  “Yeah well, I thought you were avoiding me.” I quickly undid my locker and stuffed my books in.

  “You’re the one who has changed.”

  My head snapped sideways. “Just because I change my hair doesn’t mean I’ve changed. I’m still the same person I have always been, unlike you who keeps two girls going at once.”

  Did I really care about Blake and Ebony? Yes, it bugged me. I didn’t like her, but I also got the fact that you don’t get to ch
oose your mate. The old Allie would have understood, but I’m meant to be the new Allie, so fuck it, I was going to play the jealousy card.

  “What are you talking about?” Blake looked at me oddly.

  “I’m talking about you and Ebony. One minute you want her, and the next you want me. For Heaven’s sake, just make up your mind.”

  “You and I have never been like that. You’ve always been the one saying it means nothing. Hell, when we started it, you were the one who gave the speech about it not affecting our friendship.”

  Now I really had trapped him.

  “What are you talking about? I never said that.”

  He didn’t know what they erased and what they didn’t. For all he knew, I didn’t recall the conversation because in the new Allie’s head it never happened.

  His face slowly dropped, and his mouth opened. “Allie, I’m sorry if I’ve been leading you on, but what we have isn’t like that. You know. It isn’t like a relationship.”

  ***

  ZANE

  Allie had her back to me, so I couldn’t see her reaction, but boy did I have questions for her. Like one, what the fuck did she mean by forever and two, since when did she think she was in a relationship with Blake.

  Like I was ever going to let that happen.

  “Allie.” I tapped her on the shoulder, and she spun around. Her calm expression changed to one of anger immediately.

  “What do you want?” Her eyes narrowed, and she clenched the locker door tighter.

  “Can I talk to you?”

  “Isn’t that what we are doing, Harris? Talking?”

  She really was in a bad mood. “I meant in private.”

  She glanced at Blake and then shook her head. “Whatever you have to say to me can be said in front of Blake. He is my best friend, and it’s not like we have secrets.”

  Here I thought she wanted more than just a friendship with him.

  “Fine, you said I promised you forever. What the fuck do you mean by that?” I crossed my arms, determined to get an answer because the only thing that made sense in my head was impossible.

  She got her memories back.

  And that wasn’t possible.