~Brielle
I’ve never been so frightened in my life.
It’s not everyday you’re led downstairs by two Alpha’s who could turn and kill you at any moment if they felt like it. Kaden has one arm, Asher has the other, taking me down the steps as quickly as they can. I can hardly believe they think I’m a traitor, but I suppose that makes sense. Perhaps someone came past the door when it was ajar and noticed Chase and I in there.
“You can’t trust Ren, I promise you that,” I tell them, as they lead me promptly down the hallway. They must be taking me away from everyone else upstairs, right into the depths of this manor where I’m alone, and no one can hear me.
“After this, you’ll never want anything to do with that freak again,” Kaden comments.
I’m assuming they mean Chase. As much as I want to hate them for saying that, I don’t, since they know nothing about him. I thought the same thing before I met him. Somehow I doubt Chase will be as forgiving as me.
They lead me into the old servants sleeping quarters, where I spent most of my time in the beginning of working here. It’s all cleared out now, with only a few chairs they had pulled up prior. I’m sat on one, rather forcefully by Kaden. I have to remember he is the Alpha of the Vengeance Pack, and these kind of interrogations aren’t something he’s unfamiliar with.
Which leaves me terrified.
“I think you know not to go anywhere without me allowing you to,” Kaden warns, letting me sit upon the chair without being tied down.
“This is ridiculous, and I think you know that. Chase is my mate. I know your mate accepted you despite you being an evil, sinister man,” I say carelessly. I’m not bothered if he takes offence to that. He knows I’m right. Everyone knows the story about how Mara managed to change him from his old ways. It paved the way for all girls dreams to be with the bad boy to change him. Even I know it doesn’t usually work that way.
“You should be ashamed of yourself, you know,” Kaden says, pacing in front of me. Asher stands away, watching silently. He has never been the man to talk much, I’ve noticed. He still stands there letting this all go down.
I roll my eyes, so Kaden can see.
“Ren trusted you. Does he know about your relationship with that demon in his head?” he questions, folding his arms. “Did you really blind side him?”
“He would hurt me if I told him. He assumed once and I nearly got hit in the head until Chase came out and stopped that from happening,” I tell him, as if it’s going to change his mind. I refuse to feel guilty, after the time Ren tried to hurt me. He was faking how he felt about me this entire time, lulling me into a false sense of security. I hate him for it.
Kaden still paces in front of me, considering his next move. He can’t hurt me, in case I truly am Ren’s mate. He will keep me in here for as long as possible.
“Well why don’t you get Ren, and let me talk to him about it. If he thinks I should be punished, then he can do so,” I say, folding my arms over my chest also, matching Kaden. I know I’m safe if something happens.
Chase wouldn’t let him hurt me.
“I’ll go see if he’s here, or if that demon is still in his head,” Asher mutters, before he walks out the room without further instruction.
Kaden turns back to look at me, and I glower at him. For a moment I liked him, but then I remembered what he is actually like. No wonder his mate left him once. It makes me wonder if they got back together or not. He might be handsome, but those eyes haunt me, looking into my soul, preparing to rip it out.
“Did it never cross your mind that Ren might not be what you think? That maybe he is the bad guy, not Chase?” I ask. Kaden narrows his eyes on me, walking closer. I try not to react, but my heart does accelerate; especially as he kneels in front of me.
“And why do you think he’s so good?” he asks.
For a moment I stop, considering how to answer him. Can I truly trust him to be the man he says he is? I hate that I have to think about that, when Chase is my mate, and he has done more for me than Ren ever has. Even if I don’t know his true intentions just yet. I bet he will tell me as soon as he can.
“Chase has never tried to hit me,” I mutter. Kaden had no time left to reply, as Ren walks into the room, Asher following close behind him. Unfortunately, on closer inspection, it is in fact Ren. That slicked back hair, that bright green eye. Chase is gone.
“Someone like to tell me what’s going on?” he questions as he storms into the room. He casts one glance at me, before turning his attention to Kaden.
He couldn’t care less about me.
“We’ll leave you to talk to your own mate, who seems to have caught feelings for Chase,” Kaden says, before pulling himself and Asher out of the room.
The silence that consumes the room almost seems to hurt. Ren turns to face me, finally giving me the attention I never wanted to recieve. That green eyes I used to love, that used to be a signal of relief and calm and care. Now, I’m frightened of them, wishing it would go away, dim forever.
“How is my sweet, precious mate?” he asks, his voice sickly sweet. It takes immersible willpower not to let my expression screw up. Is he seriously trying to get on my good side, or did he just magically forget about how he nearly choked me out.
My fingers press painfully against the bottom of my seat. “Can you believe Kaden’s audacity? Dragging me down here like I’ve done anything wrong.”
I have a plan.
If I’m right, the moment I say something wrong, Ren will blow up. But if I act sweet and shy like I used to, he will believe I want to be with him, and that I want to get rid of Chase as much as he does. It won’t be easy though. I’ve never been good at acting, and quite honestly, wearing a mask like that make me feel ill.
“Is it true? Are you with Chase?” he asks, his frown deepening. I glide out of my seat, strolling toward him. He watches me cautiously, as I approach him, reaching out to grab his arms, feeling him tense underneath my touch.
“Chase thinks that, but I’m just trying to lure him out, make him think if he leaves your body, I’ll be with him. It’s all an act though, don’t worry,” I comment.
I think he believes me.
“You haven’t let him touch you, have you?” Ren questions, relaxing into my touch. I’m glad he’s believing me, trusting me blindly. He doesn’t know what’s going on with Chase, and I’m sure he would believe me over Kaden and Asher. I know how Ren works now. I just have to make sure I don’t step on his short temper.
“Only enough to let him think I want him. Maybe a kiss here and there because I’m not getting any from you, so someone has to sate me,” I say, running the tip of my finger down his face. “I just pretend it’s you, since you’re in the same body and all.”
Ren swallows. “You want to kiss me?”
“Why don’t I come to you later about it. Tonight, in your room?” I question, tapping his chest. He nods gently.
“Alright. Tonight,” he says.
I watch him leave, muttering profanities under my breath once he walks away. That couldn’t have been more insufferable. I feel guilty lying to him, yet at the same time, I couldn’t care less. After what he has done to me, I have no feelings for him.
There will be no tonight. At least I hope there won’t be. I’m hoping Chase will be back in time, and I will have the Alpha’s trust again.
Chase didn’t come in time for dinner, though.
As Ren went up to his room, he winked at me, expecting me to join him as soon as possible. It sends dread right to the pit of my stomach, but I know now I can’t avoid it. So I trek up to my room, looking for my sexiest piece of lingerie and a robe to go over it. I don’t have much, but it’s enough to tell a story. To make Ren believe me.
I want him to think I want this. I’m going to go in there, complain about a headache until he sends back to bed. I’ll complain about how sad that makes me, he will believe me, but still send me away.
All I have to do, is make him think I want him. Here goes nothing...