Secret Rejection

Isolated

Sorry if there are errors! I rarely double check what I write anymore. I get really caught up in my fictional worlds.

I updated this chapter so quickly because of @thewandering.
She is great.
Her books are fascinating and I highly recommend Coffee & Tea. IT'S AMAZING.

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I retreated to my room for the rest of the night. The ache of leaving Nate in his room alone was intense even though he probably wouldn't notice my absense. He was completely knocked out.

I had no idea what I'd just gotten myself in to. Portia was indeed a master of deceit, but maybe I could be too. If Nate's life was in danger, I'd try just about anything.

But was I really considering throwing Lizzie under the bus? She'd saved my soul, quite literally, from her demonic sisters not too long ago. Sending her to the ultimate chaos of Portia's hands was so wrong. Especially because I had not a single clue as to who the demon was that hired Portia.

I curled myself into a ball on my bed, gathering up the sheets around me. I already missed the feel of Nate's body against mine, emanating fiery warmth and bringing me sereneful bliss. My room was freezing, not to mention unsettling as well.

I guess the unsettlement came from my conversation with Portia. She was an antagonist in my world. If I gave her Lizzie, I'd be risking her life and Xander's heart. If I kept her safe, I would have to say goodbye to Nate, which was not happening. Ever.

Nate was my forever and it would stay that way. Forever.

My thoughts kept spiraling deeper into the pros and cons, bringing me a disastrous headache.

Damn you, Portia. Damn you.

And then it hit me. A mate was your weakness. Your soft spot. Your vulnerability. Nate was my utter demise and no one knew it. Except Portia. So she used it against me.

But everyone knew Portia's demise. It came in the quite good looking form of Gage. Gage was her soft spot, her vulnerability, her weakness. Her mate could destroy her, just like Nate could do to me. In the kitchen, being all not fond of Gage had to have been an act. Sure, maybe he could be a bit arrogant, but boys were boys. No matter what, she loved Gage. And I fucking knew it.

♦♦♦♦♦

By morning, my plan was set.

I entered the kitchen, instantly spotting Lizzie. She sat on a barstool, dutifully sipping coffee. Sporting a jean skirt and halter, she looked ready to go out. I came up beside her, pulling out my own barstool.

A dazzling smile instantly lit her face. "Good morning, Lily!"

How did she do it? How could she be so happy? It was eight in the morning. I was dying on the inside, barely resisting the temptful call of my bed, and here she was. All bright and gorgeous and full of wonders. So unlike any demon you could ever imagine.

I grunted in response and snatched her coffee mug, taking a long gulp. It wasn't steaming hot, lucky me or else I would have majorly suffered.

"What are you doing today?" She asked me.

"Nothing." I replied in a short, clipped tone. Also a side effect of my early waking.

"Perfect! Come shopping with me."

"Did someone say shopping?" In walked Portia, all normal and smiles. Her short blonde hair was tied up in a messy bun. Dear lord, I hated how cute she looked in her short shorts and flowy top.