Chapter 3 A night at Father's

ELENA PETERS

Hearing my phone buzz had me frozen in a spot. But my heart dropped when I checked the caller ID, and it wasn't the man I wanted it to be.

It's been a week since the night we shared. It was certainly alcohol speaking when I told him I wouldn't regret what happened between us.

Because I came home the next da,y and I bawled my eyes out. I never thought I'd do something as dirty as sleeping with another man aside from my mate. And worse, his father. The fact that I did made me feel so horrible.

I hated him instantly and didn't wanna talk to him anymore. But that hate watered down into a burning longing and craving a few days later.

I get endlessly tempted to call him, but when I pick up my phone, I lose the courage to. And he hasn't called me. We haven't seen each other either. That part left me more unsettled.

Had me thinking he was either ignoring me or what we had didn't mean enough for him to keep in touch with me.

Maybe to him, it was just a one-night stand, just some random sex. Nothing more. And while I should be thrilled about it, a part of me was hurting badly.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't he make me promise that I wouldn't pretend that it didn't happen? So why was he doing exactly that?

Did he not mean those words when he said them? Were they just said to spice up the moment? Was he regretting it as much as I was?

Maybe to him, it meant nothing. And it was supposed to mean nothing to me, too. But my lonely heart seemed to be craving him in a way that couldn't be helped.

Staring at his number again, I shook my head, deciding not to call him. I dried the tears in my eyes and went downstairs for breakfast.

Trent was already seated and was on his phone. But he quickly put it down when he saw me.

Why? Was he talking with Tracy? It was hard for me to confront him about it. So I couldn't. Especially knowing I'm just as dirty as he is, having gotten involved with his father.

"Hey, baby," he said and aimed to kiss my lips. I subtly evaded the kiss, and it landed on my cheek.

I haven't let him kiss me or fuck me since I found out. His touch repulses me now. And knowing he was sticking his cock into Tracy certainly made him less appealing to me.

I might not confront him about it, but I was certainly not gonna share a cock with my sister. It'd kill whatever shred of pride I had going.

He pulled out a seat for me, and I slid in. Ever a gentleman. That's why I can't ever understand how he could cheat on me. Like how?

"Your father's dinner party is tonight." He reminded me.

Yeah, Father was the Alpha of Moonflakes Pack. While Trent's father was the Alpha of Crimson Hills Pack. Until he retired early and passed the position to Trent.

Father and Trent's father, Vince, were childhood friends, and the friendship grew with them. That's why they seemed very ecstatic when I became Trent's mate.

"Yes," I replied blandly, trying to eat even though I had no appetite.

"I have work later tonight. So I'm just gonna drop you off there and go attend to it. But I'm certainly gonna be at the party tomorrow."

I nodded again. I had nothing to say. He was lying. A lie that wasn't worth any replies. If anything, it was trying to make me bawl my eyes out again.

"I'm not hungry," I said and hurried back to my bedroom. I stayed locked in until evening.

Trent drove me to Father's Pack. We got inside the compound, and Father was waiting at the front porch.

I alighted from the car and rushed into his arms.

"Easy, baby," he chuckled, running a hand over my back.

"Sorry." But I needed a hug. Desperately.

Trent drove off after greeting Father. Watching him leave made me feel more depressed.

Father and I went inside, and there was Tracy with her mother, my stepmother.

"Hi, Mother," I hugged her. She might never fill in the gap my mother left in my heart when I was four. But she certainly was very kind to m,e and that meant a lot.

"Hey, big sister," Tracy flashed her usual, cheeky smile. A very bright smile that brightens up the gloomiest of hearts.

How could anyone with such smiles be so evil? And I love her so much that I don't know how to confront her either.

So I was forced to bottle in all my emotions, and it was suffocating the fuck out of me. And right now, I have to be nice to her. Even though it's killing me.

"Hey, Tracy," my smile only stayed for a second, and it disappeared. Good thing no one noticed, and Father took us to the dining table.

It was just us, though. There was no other invitee. Not even...Vince. Coming here, I had my heart in my mouth thinking I'd see him here. But seeing he wasn't here was both disappointing and relieving.

"You didn't invite anyone else?" I asked Father as I sat next to him. Tracy sat next to her mother.

"I invited only Vince," he replied, grabbing his cutlery.

I froze, but quickly covered it up. "Why..." my voice was croaky, so I cleared it up. "...why didn't he come?"

"I don't know. He said something came up. Something he couldn't leave unattended." Father sounded kinda disappointed.

I ate silently, feeling a train of guilt wrecking me apart. What if Vince declined because he knew I'd be here?

What if the man was feeling bad about himself because of what happened? Something that happened only because I'd been tipsy and audacious and spiteful.

Maybe Vince was feeling bad. Because, after all, I was his best friend's daughter. And his son's mate. He must be hating himself right now.

And I shouldn't easily forget that I was the one who initiated what we had. It was me.

"It's alright, honey. He'll definitely be here for the party tomorrow." Mother consoled him. But Father couldn't hide his sadness.

I felt so terrible that I barely ate.

Finally, I was in my room, staring at my phone again.

My actions that night might ruin his friendship with my father and further ruin my relationship with Trent if I don't fix this. I need to take responsibility for my actions. I need to apologize and put his mind at rest.

It was all my fault. I shouldn't have thrown myself at him. And I should apologize for that.

With a deep breath, I dialed his number. What shocked me was the fact that he picked the first ring.

"Took you long enough," he gruffed.

"I'm sorry," I said calmly, trying to control my speeding heart.

"It's..."

"I shouldn't have thrown myself at you." I continued, cutting him off. " I'm sorry if you feel guilty. But you don't have to. It's just a random one-night stand. Let's... let's just pretend it never happened. Please."

There was an icy silence between us. And I was tempted to think he had ended the call.

"Is that what you called to tell me?" There was an edge to his voice. A frightening edge. It sent ripples through my spine.

"Ye-yes.." I stuttered, gripping my phone harder. "Isn't...isn't that what you wanna hear?"

"You got no fucking idea." He hissed, and the line got caught off.

I was pale for a whole minute. My face was flushed at the intensity of the three-minute call with a man who was supposed to be the most decent and laid-back.

He didn't sound a bit of that on the phone. If anything, he sounded kinda beastly, unhinged, like he was the night when he was pounding into me.

What's going on? Why does it feel like there's more to him than meets the eye? What...what's really going on? Because I feel like I just upset a beehive with the phone call when all I was trying to do was soothe him.

"Is there a problem?" Father's voice startled me. I spun around quickly, replacing my pale expression with a smile.

"None, father." If only I could ask him exactly what kind of a man his best friend was. Because I'm getting deadly chills from him. Wasn't he supposed to be the warm and friendly Vince?

Who is this Vince that I slept with and just got off the phone with? They seem totally different from the Vince we've all known over the years.

"I came to say goodnight." Father came closer, hugging me briefly. "Thank you for coming to spend the night with me on my birthday eve."

"It's my pleasure, Father." I kept my smile, but dear goddess, my heart was heating with guilt. How disappointed he's gonna be if he ever finds out.

"Get some rest. I'm sorry you won't be having any fun night with your sister."

Fun night...well, usually, on nights when I drop by the house like this, Tracy and I would stay up and watch horror movies and scream our hearts out.

But tonight I certainly wasn't gonna do that with her. I can't even look at her for a whole minute, so how can I share a room with her or laugh with her?

"No, father. I'm exhausted. I need to get some rest."

"Nah, it's fine. Tracy isn't here anyway. She left. Said she had to meet a friend."

"What?" But all I got as my reply was the soft sound of the door shutting. Father was already gone.

Tracy...wasn't here? I didn't wanna start imagining things. I shouldn't torture myself like that. Maybe it wasn't what I was thinking.

Maybe...

My phone beeped. Quickly,y I clicked on the text. Another set of pictures from Mr. Anonymous.

Trent was butt-naked, and Tracy was on top of him, having the time of her life.

And the text read.

-Your lovely mate, Trent.-

My heart bled.