Forced To Love You

Eat Something

There were plates of food sitting on the coffee table when I got up the next morning. I figured someone brought food for me and just left it when they realized I was asleep. I was hoping it would be Madison but she would have woken me up if it were her.

I stared at the eggs and toast as my stomach growled. I was starving and just seeing the food was making my mouth water. I needed to eat. I couldn't remember how long it had been since I last had anything, even water.

The stubbornness inside of me told me not to eat the food and to leave it sit but I knew that was easier said than done.

With a sigh, I sat down on the couch and lifted the plate onto my lap. It was still warm. Maybe whoever dropped it off had gotten rid of the prior day's food and replaced it with something fresh.

At least someone cared about my well-being.

I scarfed the food down in just a few bites. My hunger got the better of me and took over. I needed to eat so I ignored my own greedy habits.

I grabbed the glass of orange juice and took a sip as I stared out the glass doors directly across from where I was. The snow had settled but left a thin layer on everything on the balcony. The tree tops had snow on them and the mountains were hidden behind some fog. It was a beautiful sight.

A thought popped into my head and I got to my feet. I walked to the door and reached out for the handle. On second thought, I dropped my hand and spoke through the door.

"Hello?"

"Ms. Banks? How can I assist you?" It was so formal it made me roll my eyes. I was sure Christian made the guards go through some sort of training and politeness was something they had to study.

"Is Christian out there?"

"No, ma'am."

Good. "Is there a way I can call him on the phone? I don't want him to come here."

There was a hesitation before the guard spoke again. "You can use my phone to call his cell."

I needed to get my own phone. "Great. Thank you." I opened the door and looked into the hallway. The two guards were standing outside the doors. I wasn't sure if I recognized them or not.

The shorter of the two with a reddish beard turned to me and held out an iPhone. "He's listed under Alpha in my contacts."

Of course, he was.

I nodded and looked between the two of them. "Do you two always guard the room?"

"We are here from 5 am to 5 pm. The night guards take over for the late shift."

"7 days a week?"

They nodded.

"You guys don't mind just standing here?"

The taller one glanced down the hallway before looking at me. "A boring day is a good day."

"Well, I'm sure you've had some entertainment lately to keep you occupied." I didn't think they could hear us fighting in the moment but now, I knew better.

"An Alpha's business stays with the Alpha. Same goes for you, Luna."

My stomach lurched at him calling me 'Luna.' I didn't feel like someone of authority. I didn't like having a title.

"You can just call me Blair. Really. I'm not royalty or anything."

The shorter one smiled a very gentle smile. "Here in Twisp, you are."

I nodded and looked down at the phone I was holding. "Um, I'll be right back with your phone." I ducked back into the room and bit my lip as I wandered back to the bedroom and opened his contact list. Sure enough, Alpha was the first contact listed.

I hit the call button beside the contact and lifted the phone to my ear. It rang once before he answered.

"Hello?"

My breathing went shallow at the sound of his voice. Fuck him for making me feel something when I didn't want him to.

"Carson, is everything okay? Is Blair-"

"It's me. Blair." I took a sip of my juice to clear my throat, hoping I didn't sound as nervous as I felt.

"Blair, how did you get this phone?"

"I asked."

"Do Carson and Luke know you're calling me?"

All nervousness went away at that point. "I asked for a way to get ahold of you and Carson or whatever let me borrow his phone. Now, can you please stop treating me like I'm five?"

He sighed. "I'm sorry, Blair. I just... I gave all my staff instructions not to let you use any phones so you wouldn't find out... about your aunt."

I swallowed down the lump in my throat. "We're a little past that now. There's no need to keep censoring me."

"I know. I don't want to see you upset or hurt."

"I've already dealt with my parents dying. I know how to handle losing someone. I'll be fine."

His voice was soft when he spoke next. "I'm sorry, Blair."

"Look, I didn't call to rehash all my traumas. I just... I don't have anything here. I need clothes and some books and..."

"And?"

I sat down on the bed. "I was in the middle of the semester. I'm supposed to graduate in December. I need a laptop to figure out if I got dropped or what I'm going to do to get back on track."

"Did you go in person?"

"Yeah."

"Make a list of your log-in information for any online websites you used. Everything you can think of. I'll handle everything for you."

"Christian-"

"Please. I want to do this for you. It's the least I can do."

True. "Fine."

"Give the list to your driver and I'll take care of the rest. I'll leave my card with him. Get whatever you want."

Now, that was the least he could do. An all-expense paid shopping trip was something I had always dreamed about.

I just sort of hoped I'd get to go alone. But I guess after driving to North Carolina alone, that was out of the question.

"Okay."

"Blair, while you're out... eat something, will you?"

---

Okay, are you guys team iPhone or team Android? Personally, I'm team iPhone until I die. I'm like that girl in the commercial for the new flip phone who's like "I love my iPhone' when the girl's like 'check out my new phone'. It always makes me laugh.