Shattered Tears mxb

Chapter 9

Riley's POV

I imagined the day that I would meet Mason again; it would be coincidental like the first time. I would be sitting in the corner of a quiet cafe sipping my coffee while I stared out the window, like I usually do. He would come in like he owned the place, probably taking up the whole room. We would look at each other from afar for a while before he approached me. He would say one sentence to me and I would be completely under his control.

Now here I am on the way to his house wondering what the hell I was going to do when I got there. Sunny said he approved of me coming which means he probably has no idea it was me who was showing up.

“You’re going to have so much fun Riley! Just to let you know the property is sort of a sanctuary for wolves so don’t be alarmed if you see any. They’re friendly so don’t worry about them attacking you.” Sunny said as she drove to her house where the festival would take place. 

I didn’t respond and instead kept my eyes on the window. I really hoped I was able to see some wolves tonight because they were my favorite animal. Something about them was so majestic, and when I was younger I used to get this dream about a giant black wolf. He would be sitting near a waterfall looking at me, but never approached me. No matter how hard I tried to reach him I never could. I would get the same dream for years until they stopped when I turned 14. That wolf was the reason I wanted to become a veterinarian. 

The forest looked quite scary at night as if there was something lurking just waiting to consume me. “Your house is pretty deep in the woods.” I commented after driving for about an hour. I wonder how I will get home.

“Yea Mr. Mason has hundreds of acres. He built a small town of sorts which is where we host the festival. It's a small community.” She sounded proud when she spoke about Mason. Honestly the more she told me about her community the more it started to sound like a cult.

I tried not to let my anxiety completely envelope my mind. Tonight was supposed to be fun, and I wasn’t about to let my stupid brain ruin that for me. “Thank you for inviting me. I’ve never really had much social experience.” I muttered.

“Honey I could tell,” She chuckled. “That’s why I’m going to show you what an amazing friendship is like.” She smiled at me. I tried hard not to get overwhelmed by the welcoming and caring aura she gave off. But I’ve never had someone show interest in my well being, so it was impossible not to. We entered the property through a big metal gate. The community was absolutely stunning.

Houses with huge yards lined the street. People mingled around in their yards while some were walking to where the festival would be hosted. We drove up a hill where a cabin, no mansion, resided. It belonged on the cover of magazines for those luxurious snow resorts. There was no way it wasn’t a hotel because it was definitely not just a “house”.

“Wow.” I whisper while staring at my surroundings. She was right about wolves littering around. They walked along the booths that were set up outside the mansion. They looked to be slightly larger than your typical wolf, but that was probably due to human intervention. I bet they were never hungry.

“I know. Mr. Mason is to thank for our amazing pa-community.” She parked outside the mansion and led us towards the dozens of booths set up. “As I said before, everything is free so try any food or play any game. Oh look there's my girlfriend! Lily!” She waved at the crowd.

Some people every now and then would stare at me out of curiosity. They must really not get newcomers in this town. Sunny stared at a girl with pink hair in pure admiration. She looked like she forgot about her surroundings, and all she focused on was the pretty girl that approached us.

“Hey, you must be Riley. Sunny has told me-” Before she was able to finish her sentence, Sunny grabbed her by her waist and pulled her into a deep kiss. She placed one hand on the small of her back, and the other on her jaw. I turned away blushing, not wanting to interrupt such an intimate moment.

I eventually walked away when Sunny picked her up and pushed her against the wall. Many people seemed to be doing the same, groping and making out with their partners. It was a little awkward considering I wasn’t used to people showing affection.

I felt completely out of place here. I cringed at the loads of people bumping into me as I walked. Everyone was so tall and it made me feel suffocated. All it would take was one wrong step and I would be trampled by a sea of people. They probably wouldn’t even notice me being stepped on. My anxiety began to spike the more I walked aimlessly. I was in the middle of a giant crowd with no exit in sight. Okay, I needed to breathe before I barfed at the person in front of me.

“Riley over here!” I spotted Leo shouting at me from a funnel cake booth. I slowly made my way there trying to calm my stupid brain. “Did Sunny start eating Lily?” He asked, but it sounded funny with food in his mouth.

I try to subtly catch my breath before speaking, “Um yea, how did you know?”

He smirked, “She can’t keep her hands off her even after 3 years. But that’s what you do with the people you love right?”

“I wouldn’t know.” My mind drifted back to Mason and what our made up relationship would be like. Knowing he’s somewhere here just made me more anxious. I wonder what he would do if we bumped into each other here. Would he make small talk? Suggest to fuck me again? Probably not. I think about Jason and how he also fucked my Mason. Wait, my Mason? He probably has no idea who I even am.

But maybe he does, sex couldn't possibly be meaningless, right? He has to know who I am. The thought of him pretending we never met made my stomach turn, or worse, not knowing me at all.

“I have to see Mr. Mason. It’s probably a good idea for you to meet him as well. He doesn't like complete strangers here.” He quickly ate the last of his food. “I told him you were coming, but he should get a chance to see you’re harmless.” He started walking towards the mansion.

“Right…” I tried to keep myself composed the closer we got to the house. This was it, I was going to see the man that took away my virginity again. The man who actively fucked other people, one of which I met. The man who for some reason I can’t get out of my head.