The Bond Between Us

Chapter Three

Lacey has always known who she would marry. She was a bit of a late bloomer but at that point Andrew was already her best friend and when his name appeared on her wrist, no one was surprised. Her life was perfect.

She hates it.

Things were fine until her little brother, Mark, came out to their parents. He had found his soulmate and he didn't want to hide things from their parents but they didn't react well to the information. They disowned him and he moved in with his soulmate.

She misses him every day but at least he's safe. He got out. She didn't. Lacey likes girls. She never told anyone other than Mark. He was her twin, they told each other everything. She missed him. She wished she was more like him. She wished she had the courage to tell people. She hated her soulmark. Everytime she looked at it, she was reminded of everything she didn't want. Don't get her wrong, she loves Andrew, but in a super platonic way. She doesn't want to marry him!

Lacey was fully aware that she has made some really bad choices the past few years. She's a bully. She hurts people. She hurts those who are different because they are everything she wishes she could be. She wishes she could be herself. She's oh so tired of this life. What she wouldn't give to stop all of this. But Lacey was too much of a coward. She knew she wouldn't be able to do this much longer but she also knew that she was too much of a coward to stop.

"Move it." Lacey barked and shoved Emmaline aside. She ignored the twinge of guilt she felt as she saw Emmaline hit the lockers. She didn't like doing this but it was necessary. Either she was the bully or someone bullied her. And she refused to be bullied. That's why no one will ever know. She will continue to hide behind this false exterior and one day she will leave this place and move out of her parents house. Maybe one day she can be herself. But that is not today.

"Hey Andrew." She greeted her soulmate with a kiss to the cheek. A flash of resentment rose up inside of her but she stamped it out. She couldn't take her anger out on him. Never on him.

"Why do you bully her? I don't understand. What did she ever do to you?" Andrew questioned her. Lacey sighed and pulled away from him.

"She exists. That is enough."

"No, it's not!"

"Stop it, Andrew." Lacey levels him with a glare and he stands down. He knows better than to argue with her. "I bully her because I can, because I want to, because she deserves it. I need no other reasons than that." Andrew's head was bowed under the weight of her will. He was lucky that she wasn't pushing harder or else he might be on his knees. Her will had always been stronger than his and because of that she had some control over him. Sort of like an Alpha order on the pack.

"I'm sorry. I won't push again."

"I know. You know I don't like doing this to you, so just don't fight me on this. Okay?" Andrew nodded and Lacey smiled. "Now let's go to class. We don't wanna be tardy"

And with a whispered okay from Andrew, they made their way to class.