"All I'm saying is talk to her, get to know her," he said. "I didn't think much of her when I first met her, but Scarlett told me to keep an open mind and I did. I've gotten to know her. She isn't who we all think she is."
I ran an agitated hand through my hair. I didn't want to build up the hope that there was goodness in her that had been made to do the evil things she had.
"I've got it from here. You can go back," I dismissed him. There didn't need to be two of us with her. I could keep an eye on her and convince her to mate. Kyle didn't need to be here.
"I'm not going anywhere," he informed me. And I gave him a surprised look. "I know what you and Cade are up to and I'm against it. My loyalty to my sister is the only reason I haven't told Keri."
We sized each other up for a moment.
"I'm not going anywhere. I'm here to make sure you don't break her."
He squared his shoulders as he held my gaze.
"If you are set on deceiving her, you leave me no alternative but to tell her the truth, and don't doubt that I will." I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "All I'm asking is that you mate with her for the right reasons.”
Keri
Why had he come here? I'd been hiding in my room for the last hour while trying to come up with a reason why he was here. I didn't trust his intentions at all. The change from when he'd first found out about my betrayal to now had been too dramatic to be believed. As much as I racked my brain, I couldn't see the benefit of trying to deceive me into mating with him, but just because I couldn't see the reasoning didn't mean it wasn't there.
My hands went to my throat when I thought of which pack member I was going to appoint as my second-in-charge. I was still undecided but I had time to think about it.
My neck still felt tender and in my reflection in my bathroom mirror I could see faint bruises. With faster healing than humans, I knew the bruises would be gone by the end of the day.
Today was going to be tough and I wasn't sure having Blake around was going to make it any easier. I was also feeling nervous. I couldn't let Blake find out about my mother until I was sure I could trust him. I hoped Kyle wouldn't say anything. Feeling a little panicky, I went to the room next to mine and knocked. Moments later, Kyle opened the door.
"Hey," he greeted with a friendly smile. I didn't smile back.
"Can I talk to you?" I asked, getting straight to the point.
"Sure," he said as he stepped back and allowed me into his room. It was exactly the same as mine.
"What do you want to talk to me about?" he asked as he closed the door and turned to face me.
"I want to ask you not to tell Blake about my mom," I informed him as I held his gaze. I didn’t know what I would do if Blake found out.
"I won't," he assured me softly. "It isn't my story to tell. But I hope that you know Blake wouldn't use her like your father did. He might be acting like an ass at the moment, but he isn't like your father."
"All I want is your word that you won't say anything," I stated, not wanting to discuss Blake.
"You have it," he assured me.
"Thank you," I mumbled as I walked past him and opened the door.
"You're welcome, Cinderella."
At the mention of the nickname, I turned to glare at him but he just smiled at me. I left feeling flustered. It was hard keeping the walls up around him when he was so bloody nice all the time. If I weren't careful he'd worm his way into a real friendship without me realizing it.
I wanted to go and see my mom. According to the guard I'd instructed to keep an eye on Blake, so I’d know where he was at all times, he was still in the room I'd escorted him to. Under no circumstances could he find out about my mother.
Curtis was with her when I entered the room.
"Hi, Mom," I said as cheerfully as I could muster, ignoring the nervousness inside me.
"Hi, baby," she said and then she coughed.
My eyes went to Curtis who held my gaze. It was happening already and there was nothing I could do to stop or delay it yet. I wanted to cry and scream at how unfair all of this was but there was no point. Crying and getting upset was an irrational response that wouldn't change anything.
My mom needed me to be calm for her. I hid my feelings and plastered a smile on my face. In front of her I would keep it together, and when I was alone I would fall apart.
