Truths Collide (WolfGirl 2)

Chapter 19: Siblings

Four Years Later

(Scarlet James)

The house is buzzing with female chatter and laughter as we celebrate Diana's bridal shower. I still can't believe my brother's going through with this. It's been four years and Diana doesn't approve of me still and I don't of her. It's convenient that we're engaged to the other's brother.

Anna nudges me as she comes back with two glasses of red wine and hands one to me. She looks gorgeous in the red dress she picked out for today, wearing it with a high ponytail. She nods toward Diana, who's laughing with her bridesmaids, "So how are things with you and the slut?"

I force a smile, "Trying to put my best foot forward. I'm just honored that I'm not part of the wedding party."

Anna laughs, "That bad huh? Well it's a good thing we'll be stuck together at the wedding seeing that our fiancés actually have their roles to play."

"Thank God!"

"So...do you want to run together Friday night?" Anna asks me, slowly.

I look at her, "Don't you and Keith have your moon date?"

"We do, but I'm sure he'd understand if I wanted to run with my best friend," she smiles at me, "I missed you."

"I missed you too," I reply, honestly. Over the years, Keith and Anna came to visit us in Portland, but I never came back home. Tristan did for work but we decided unless we absolutely have to come to ShadowBrooke , we're staying away. We're just happier that way. The anger and hatred for what his father did doesn't affect us when we're away from this town.

"And I'd love to run with you," I grin.

"When's Tristan coming?"

"I'm not sure...I'll ask him but he'll probably say once he finishes work," I roll my eyes. Work never ends. And apparently neither does this bridal shower. I lean into Anna, "Wanna bounce? Let's go back to my place and have more wine and gossip."

"This is why we're best friends," she grins, "I'm just going to run home and steal from my dad's wine collection. Meet you in thirty?"

"Sounds good, let's say our goodbyes real quick," I hook my arm with hers and head into the heart of the party. Johnathan went all out for his daughter's pre-wedding events and I already know the wedding's going to be glamorous.

Diana doesn't try to prolong our stay when we tell her we're leaving. Anna and I separate ways when we leave the Asher Manor. I hurry to the other side of town to Tristan's house. I've visited a few of Tristan's other properties around the states, but this one in ShadowBrooke , will always have a special place in my heart. This is where it all began.

The ShadowBrooke Pack may be powerful financially, but it's falling apart. The Elders and the younger Pack members are at odds and that's creating a lot of tension. While Tristan and I escaped the effect of Caius and Olivia's engagement on the Pack, being back now, I feel it. There's a stronger disconnect among the Pack. People are angry and the charade the Elders put on of everything being perfect is not working anymore. The Half Moon Pack is still on the rise and still attacking at any given chance. Even though Tristan has a good relation with his grandparents, Alpha William still wants Johnathan to pay for what he did to his daughter. I can't blame him.

I quickly exchange my yellow dress for a pair of skinny jeans, a pink tank top, and a light sweater once I get home before calling Tristan.

He picks up on the fourth ring, "Hey, babe."

"Heyyy, are you coming soon?" I question.

"Yeah, I am. We should be done with this mission tonight and I'll head over," he lets me know.