Truths Collide (WolfGirl 2)

Chapter 12: Family

(Caius Asher)

I come downstairs to find my father and brother sitting in the living room, waiting for me. Tristan is sitting in an armchair with a drink in his hand that he keeps swirling absently. Dad's standing by the bar smoking a cigar.

"I don't even want to know what you were thinking," Dad starts.

"Well it doesn't matter. You're still getting what you want. And don't act like you cared about Mom," I snap back at him.

"Watch your tongue, boy," Dad spins around and glares at me.

"Or what? You'll ruin my life? Kill me?" I ask, humorlessly, before sneering, "You already have."

Tristan gets up and gets in between us before he tells me, "I talked to Scarlet. She's caught up on everything."

"Except on how you're tied in on this, right?" I raise my eyebrows.

My brother narrows his eyes, "That has nothing to do with this situation, therefore irrelevant. She wants to see you before the engagement."

"The hell she does!" Dad exclaims, "That little slut needs to leave town, that's what she needs to do."

I growl but Tristan turns on Dad and in a calm yet lethal voice says, "She will be my wife. And don't worry I'm going to take her far away from this hellhole."

I walk away from them to the other side of the room, needing my own space, "I don't want to see her. It'd just be easier to get through the engagement if I didn't. Besides, Half Moon Pack should be arriving any moment. Better if we don't risk it."

"Whatever you want," Tristan says and the irony doesn't surpass me.

"We'll leave you to get ready. Don't be late to your own engagement party," Dad points at me before walking straight for the door, leaving Tristan and me alone.

"I'm sorry," I say full of shame and grief. I can imagine how Tristan must be feeling. It's how I felt fifteen years ago, but still I feel his pain.

He simply looks at me and says, "Karma has a funny way of coming around. Consider us even now, brother."

(Tristan Asher)

When I get outside, Dad's waiting by my car. Before I can say anything, he asks, "What did you tell her?"

"What she needed to know. Don't worry, she'll come with me this time, especially since the engagement is still happening," I nod toward the house. I doubt she'd want to stay here anymore.

"How do you know?" Dad asks suspiciously.

I let out an impatient sigh, "I told her what we told Caius. That the curse can't be broken. They can't know the truth and no one can know they're the reason Mom died. This can't get out. She's going to be my future wife and I don't want word getting around."

"Should've thought of that before you left her here," Dad snaps back.

"And you don't want your precious son's alliances to break because of this so you will keep your mouth shut," I threaten, "Father."

"Remember who you are speaking to," he replies in a low voice, taking a step closer to me.

I let out a laugh, "You can't touch me. If I open my mouth there won't be an engagement tonight."

"And you will die."

"Granted. But then the Royals will hang you," I smile.

Dad pauses, "You..."

"Did you really think I wasn't going to tell them?" I laugh, because now he knows I have the upper hand. He no longer has control, "You tried to use them to get rid of me. But I told them everything. The actual truth not this fucked up one we are telling Caius and Scarlet. So you try anything to me, they come for you."

"So you're hiding being the Royals, now that mommy dearest is gone," Dad shakes his head.

"No. I don't have to hide behind anyone. It's just insurance," I tell him before getting into my car and heading home.

(Scarlet James)

I sit at the kitchen table with a mug of freshly brewed coffee that's still steaming, cupped in between my hands. The warmth from it feels good as I try to think about the conversation I'm about to have. The light above the table is dimly lit which is perfect because my vision has been pretty sensitive along with all my other senses.

Bethany's funeral was yesterday. It was beautiful, nothing less than the best for the Alpha's mother. Caius and Olivia had their engagement two days ago—I was forced to attend for appearances. Tristan was my date, but things between us are a little tense. I don't know why he's still with me to be honest.

I let my golden blond hair fall around me from the tight ponytail that was starting to give me a headache. I rub my forehead, just as the front door opens and the sound of keys enter the house. I think about getting up to greet him, but decide otherwise. The footsteps get closer to the kitchen before I feel his presence.

"Scarlet?" he pauses at the sight of me.

I look up at his handsome but confused face and offer a tight smile, "Hey."

He places his keys on the counter and doesn't miss the three suitcases next to it before walking up to me. He sits down, "What's going on?"

"I want to go with you, if you'll still take me," I take a deep breath, "if not I understand."

Tristan is silent for a moment, before saying, "My family...it's complicated, Scarlet, and I'm sorry you got tangled into this mess. I'm the reason you're in it. Of course you can come with me."

"What do you mean you're the reason I'm in this mess?" I question him, even though I know better. This man is giving me an out and giving me himself. I have no business questioning anything he does or says.

"I promise I'll tell you everything one day," he gives me a small smile, almost an apologetic one.

"Just not today," I sigh heavily.

Tristan reaches into his pocket again and pulls out a velvety blue ring box and opens it. Inside sits a beautiful, expensive diamond ring. I let out a nervous laugh.

I'm speechless.

"This was your birthday present before all this happened. It still stands..."

"Tristan...why...? After knowing...and after Bethany's death, why would you want to marry me?" I question his motives again, utterly confused by his proposal. It doesn't make any sense. I killed his mom by mating with his brother.

"Scarlet, what you and Caius did...it was stupid but I understand. I know you can never love anyone like you love your mate, and I also know I can't make you love me, but you can't stay here," he states objectively, then gets up and turns away from me, "but if you are to come with me, you have to wear the ring."

"I'll do whatever you want..." I whisper more to myself than him, because I know I can't stay here.

Tristan looks down and I can see him clench his jaw before looking at me. His brown eyes are full of sorrow and it breaks my heart to see him like this.

"Good," he says a little too quickly which makes me frown. He turns his body to face me and his eyes hold mine, "You can stay with me in Portland or we can get you your own place...I don't care. You can go to college there if you like and we'll think about the rest."

My whole life's been in ShadowBrooke . This is home. But this is also where all my memories of Caius are. I need to get out of here. So I look at the man in front of me, who's also fighting his own battles, and nod.

"It's time we leave."