The Art of Mending Memories

The Art of Mending Memories 28

The Art of Mending Memories Chapter 28

I froze, not fully comprehending the words just spoken.

Second in Line? Aaron?

Not possible.

These thoughts flickered through my mind as I recalled what I knew about the Second in Line. It wasn't much.

The Second in Line takes over if the Alpha dies and the next Alpha is unable to take over yet. The Second also acts as a decoy in the event of the creation of Treaties, transcontinental Shifter gatherings, and most functions where the Alpha is weak to attack. Much like the decoy Queen Amedala in Star Wars. The Second in Line is there to protect the Alpha, but also has a lot of influence and power in the pack.

"Fuck," I whispered. My eyes traveled to Aaron's guilty and pleading face. I backed away from him until I hit the wall behind me.

"Kaelyn," he started to say.

"Shut up," I said closing my eyes.

Aaron was Second in Line for Alpha.

Second.

In.

Line.

And he didn't even tell me himself. The Second in Line is important-almost as important as Beta, although they have different duties.

"I can't fucking believe this," I muttered, my eyes still closed. "You didn't think" -I opened my eyes- "that it was important enough to tell me this? God, Aaron."

"I was going to but-"

"I don't want to hear it," I snapped. I pinched the bridge of my nose with my fingers and sighed. "Tell Jaquie I had to leave early today."

I untied the apron from around my waist and placed it on the counter. Walking over to the back corner, I retrieved my jacket and started moving toward the door.

Aaron, who had been rooted to the spot and following me with his eyes, silently flowed me out the door.

"Well shit," I heard Shay mutter as I was leaving the shop. I dropped the door behind me and let it bang into Aaron. Childish, I know, but I was mad.

Not only that, but I was hurt. I felt I should have been told his position. The Second has as much privacy in his (or her, although that is less common) life as Lindsey Lohan: not much. Likewise, his partner doesn't have much either. Not only that, but the Second and his or her partner share a important political roles in Shifter society.

Something I would be no part of.

We were alone on the street, except for cars passing us by with their windows up, blocking out the chilling wind. Aaron was walking a few paces behind me.

"Kaelyn," he started.

"One month!" I yelled. "A whole month, and you couldn't find the time to tell me you were Second?"

He caught up next to me.

"I wanted to, but-"

"Then why the hell didn't you?"

"It never seemed like the right time," he said weakly.

"Would it have ever been the right time?"

Aaron mumbled a reply but I didn't bother to find out what it was.

"How could you not tell me this? It's important! I can't even imagine what you're not telling me. I was so right not to trust a werewolf."

"You can trust me," he argued. "I've never lied to you! And I would have told you. I just wanted to ease into it."

"You've had a whole month to 'ease into it,' Aaron!"

"I never had enough time with you," he said quietly.

"It doesn't take very long to say 'I'm Second in Line for Alpha.'"

I knew I was being harsh, but my words were sparked by hurt and fear, mixing to for anger. Aaron never told me, and instead let me believe he was an average werewolf. An average werewolf, maybe, I could deal with. Anything more? Not so much.

Also, him being Second would affect me, were we ever to be together. I had no interest in Shifter politics.

"I wanted to tell you in private. We never had enough time alone."

"We've had plenty of time alone," I argued, beginning to get uncomfortable with where this conversation was turning. By this point, I had reached my car and was pushing the key into the lock. I turned the key, just as Aaron stilled my hand with his.

"Come on a date with me."

I whipped my head around. "What?"

"Come on a date with me. I'll tell you everything." His beautiful gray eyes sparkled as a smile curved on the side of his mouth. His black hair toppled around his face.

"No," I said quickly out of reflex.

His smile faltered and he moved closer so our bodies were brushing together. I backed against my car.

"It's. One. Date." Aaron stated firmly. "One. How bad could it be?"

How bad indeed? I didn't bother to ponder. My thoughts were a jumble, and I couldn't think straight. His sudden and audacious question caught be off guard, I just wanted to get away from this werewolf. Immediately.

"No," I said firmly, pushing against his chest.

He moved forward, crushing his body against mine. "You're just afraid you might have a good time. Admit it," he challenged.

"I am not!"

His lips twitched in an upward angle. "You are too! Otherwise you would've agreed to go on the date to get answers."

I felt my face beginning to heat. "That is not true!"

"Yes it is, and I can prove it."

"How?"

"Because the only reason you won't go on a date with me is that you are afraid you won't hate it." A smug expression covered his face.

"That's not it! I just don't want to go!"

"You're afraid."

"I am NOT."

"Prove it," he whispered.

Feeling my anger and humiliation bubble beneath my skin, I clenched my jaw in the need to prove him wrong. I was not afraid of a date.

"Fine," I spat. "One date."

A jubilant expression morphed Aaron's face as he swept me up into a hug and kissed my cheek.

"I promise you won't hate it," he said in my ear before kissing my cheek again.

A sighed angrily and pushed against him. He backed up, the smile failing to falter the least bit. A bright red glow outlined him, accenting his excited and happy appearance.

"Blackmail," I muttered as I climbed into the car and slammed the door shut. Polling down the window, I told him, "this does not mean we are dating, so don't get any ideas."

He smiled even more. "Too late. Goodnight!"

Grumbling, I rolled up the window and drove home. I wasn't even sure what to think.

So, what do you all think? Good chapter ? :) I hope so. Thank you all for reading! I hope you enjoyed it! Sorry to leave you hanging last week :)