Chapter 7
Hayden's idea of freedom wasn't freedom at all. When Gemma had said we were going shopping, I thought she meant just us girls, but apparently it meant Hayden, Gemma and I were all going. I honestly felt bad for Olivia as she pouted out the window while we pulled away in the shiny black car.
I hate this car.
When we finally arrived to the mall after a silent car ride, Hayden walked behind Gemma and I without a sound as we made our rounds.
T-shirts, jeans, leggings, sweats and shorts were just the beginning of the piles of bags of clothes I had dangling off my arms.
Gemma chuckled and offered to help, but I shot her down. Feeling one of the bags slipping I mentally swore, but didn't have to try and catch it because weight was removed from my arms and body. I furrowed my brows at Hayden, who was now carrying all of my bags.
"Come on," Gemma began dragging me towards Victoria's Secret, but not before turning to Hayden and telling him to stay out. Relieved, he complied.
To say the least, underwear shopping with Gemma was not something I'd wan to experience again any time soon.
After making our purchases and meeting back up with Hayden, the blonde clapped her hands, "I think we're done!"
"Let's go home then," Hayden spoke, his voice stiff and unemotional as always.
The road trip back was once again quiet, only being broken by the low playing radio and Gemma's soft humming.
At the very moment I set foot into the house, Olivia ran up to me, "Tell me everything about shopping!"
Giggling, I nodded and took her hand, running upstairs with her. Holding my bags in my hands, I tried to figure out where I should put them.
"You can put them in my room," Hayden spoke up from behind me and I jumped up a foot in the air, shrieking. He raised his eyebrows in amusement.
I glared at him, "I'd rather have my own room."
He folded his arms over his chest, "That's not going to happen, sweetheart."
Gritting my teeth at the nickname "sweetheart", I spoke through clenched teeth, "I want my own room."
"No, goddammit!" He swore, slamming his fist into the hallway wall as he spun around.
I flinched.
"Why not?" I challenged, quickly recovering.
"Because," he was stiff again, like a talking board, "you're my mate, and I need to be close to you."
Lips pursed and arms folded over my chest, I did my best to seem intimidating even if it was just a little, "What if I don't want to be close to you?"
His demeanor changed with those ten simple words and his eyes were filled with hurt. His shoulders slouched in defeat and his lips were apart. Without saying anything, he straightened and walked to his room, slamming the door behind him.
Standing in the hallway, exactly halfway between Hayden's room and Olivia's room, I contemplated my options.
A.) I could go to Olivia's room and play it off like nothing happened.
B.) I could go to Hayden's room and talk it out with him.
C.) I could go downstairs, eat, and ignore both of the Cross'.
Groaning in frustration, I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath. When I opened them, my decision became clear and I pushed open the bedroom door.
Hayden laid on his bed, limbs sprawled out as he stared up at the ceiling with an unreadable expression on his face. His stony mask was back.
"Um, Hayden?" I awkwardly spoke out and he sat up when he saw it was me. He gave me a careful look, probably trying to figure out what was going through my mind. Huffing, I walked over and sat on the bed next to him. "What I said out there, I didn't really mean it."
"You didn't?" His eyes twinkled with hope.
I shook my head, "You're my mate; of course I want to be close to you."
He let out a sound of relief.
"But," I began, and just like that he was still, "you're also my enemy, and you have to understand that this situation I'm in is really difficult for me."
After a few beats, he finally asked, "How so?"
I told him, "Being with you would mean going against my family. It would mean betraying my parents, my brother and sister and my friends. I don't want to choose, Hayden."
"I'm sorry," he suddenly said and I gave him a confused look. He sighed, "I'm sorry I told them you were gone-- it's just, I don't want them to take you from me. I can't lose you, Arleigh."
"I guess we both have a dilemma, then," I spoke with a bitter smile.
He nodded, "We do."
Wiping my hands on my thigh, I turned to look at him, "I'll stay in your room, on one condition."
"Anything," he nodded, a small and honest smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
"I get to take Olivia out sometimes," I spoke, my voice thank fully unwavering. He pursed his lips and looked down in concentration. Standing up, I stood in front of him and he looked up at me. "Think about it-- no one outside of a few people know I'm your mate. No one knows Olivia. If they see us together, they wouldn't think much of it, right? She'll be perfectly safe Hayden, I swear."
"What about you?" He asks. "What if you're both attacked at the same time?"
He had me there, but I didn't let it show. I took a step closer to him, "Then I'd do anything in my power to get us home safely."
Sighing, his shoulders slumped in defeat and he nodded, "Fine. Just please, stay in town."
I grinned widely, "I can't wait to tell her!"
"I have a condition as well, though," His deep voice reached my ears.
"Which is?" I question.
He smirked, "We both sleep on the bed."
Rolling my eyes at him, I nodded nonetheless, "Fine. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a ten year old to visit."
Skipping down the hall, I threw her door open and found her sitting on her bed with a doll, brushing its hair. I gave her a large smile, "Guess who's amazing!"
"Who?" She asked, not looking up for her doll.
"Me!" I exclaimed, laughing. "I convinced your brother to let me take you out of the house!"
She froze and stared at me wide-eyed, her jaw unhinged. Suddenly, she was shrieking, "Are you serious!?"
I nodded and she began dancing around the room, pulling me with her. I saved her just before she ran into the tea table, causing me to trip and fall on my butt while she landed on top of me. I groaned.
"What's going on in here?" A new voice inquired and I grinned up at Gemma, who stood above me.
"Arleigh's gonna take me out!" Olivia sang, bouncing around the room again.
Gemma offered me her hand and I stood up, thanking her. She raised an eyebrow at me, "How are you going to convince Hayden?"
"I already did," I told her with a smug smile and she congratulated me.
Leaving the two girls, I made my way back to Hayden's room, which was now empty, and hopped into the shower, humming to myself random tunes. When I got out, I wrapped my towel securely around me while my hair fell down in curls. Brushing it before I walked out of the bathroom, I pulled open the door.
Laying lazily on the bed was a shirtless Hayden, and I was only in a towel.
Shit.
YOU ARE READING
Behind Enemy Lines
Werewolf"I don't trust you," I told him, refusing to go. He smirked, "You shouldn't." Arleigh Blackburn has always dreamed of the day she would meet her mate. She imagined he would be her knight in shining armor, smiling down at her with love in his ey...
