"Last chance to back down." Tristan spoke.
We had driven to the town square.
We were using a black range rover - which might I say was gorgeous.
Bridget was driving and Tristan was sitting up front with her, which I had to admit, irked me. I felt like the kid in this situation.
I mean, I was the youngest but my wolf clearly wasn't okay with this arrangement. It didn't make it better that they were having their own private conversation up front.
I had never felt so jealous in my life.
Was it even normal? Was it even justified?
That riddled me with guilt. Of course it wasn't.
This was just an arrangement letting emotions get in the way was never part of the plan.
"It gets pretty hectic in there." Tristan spoke bringing me out of my thoughts.
He had turned to face me and for a moment I just stared at his face. His perfectly sculpted face...
"Crystal?" He asked.
He had his brows furrowed in concern.
"Oh - um - huh?"
Tristan frowned. "That's it. I'm taking you home. You clearly aren't -"
"No." I replied immediately. "Um, I'm fine, I want to help your grandmother."
"You really don't know what you're signing up for, do you?" Tristan spoke warily.
"She's met Nana Francessca. I'm sure she has an idea." Bridget spoke, looking at me through the rear view mirror.
My eyes widened. I wanted a distraction but now that I thought about it, was I ready for Nana Francessca's extravagancies?
"Just call me if you need an out. I'll come up with an excuse for you. I've gotten good at that over the years." Tristan winked.
I couldn't help but smile.
He must have had to do this a lot with his grandmother in the past. I suddenly wanted to know more of his stories about his childhood.
Had he been a rebel child?
What kind of student was he?
Who was his first girlfriend?
How had he coped when his parents died?
I wanted to ask about the drinking problem Kat had told me about...
I didn't want emotions to come and interfere with this arrangement I had with him. I didn't want it to get messy.
But I wanted to know him better. And I didn't know if that was even fair.
"We have a meeting in half an hour, T." Bridget spoke up.
An irritated look crossed Tristan's face.
He nodded. "You gonna be okay going in there alone?"
"Pretty sure she knows how to walk." Bridget rolled her eyes.
"Well she can't seem to go anywhere without causing trouble." Tristan responded.
I know it was meant to be a joke but I couldn't help but think of the incriminating evidence in my bag right now. I needed to tell Tristan about Roman sooner than later.
I knew that Bridget would find out about it when I told Tristan but I didn't want her around when I actually said it.
I sat forward.
"Um, Tristan? Could we - could we talk later? I have something important to tell you."
I realised I shouldn't have brought it up judging by the way Tristan's facial expression changed.
"You can tell me now. What is it?" Tristan pressed.
"I - um - no I don't want you to be late for your meeting." I rushed the words out.
Tristan stared at me for a little while.
"Okay, what is it about?"
I cast a nervous look at Bridget. She whipped around abruptly.
"Is it about me?" She demanded.
I was taken aback.
"N - no." I sputtered.
Bridget narrowed her eyes at me.
I raised my hands. "I swear."
Tristan sighed. "Ease up Bridge. Why would it be about you?"
Yeah. I wanted to add. Get over yourself.
It's not like I was jealous of her and her perfect skin and the fact that she had a relationship with Tristan that I couldn't even come close to matching.
Not that I should want to match their relationship...
Maybe Bridget was just worried that I would tell Tristan about how she had talked to me yesterday.
Wow, I didn't realise that was still on my mind.
Well why wouldn't it be? She had basically told me that I didn't care about Tristan.
But I did.
I always have.
Tristan's eyes were still on me, staring in concern.
"You know what, um - it's really not that urgent." I spoke as I reached for the door handle and opened the door. "We'll talk later."
I quickly exited the vehicle unaware that Tristan had too.
He stepped closer to me. "Crystal, are you sure you're okay?" He asked.
No! Roman contacted me! You know, the guy who had been spying on you for ten years...
"Yeah." I spoke.
I wanted to tell him. I really did. But now just didn't seem right.
But when is the right time to tell someone such a thing?
Probably right away.
Why are you still holding on to this, Crystal?
"I'm fine." I told Tristan. "Promise."
It was true. Physically, I was A-okay.
"T, we're gonna be late!" Bridget snapped.
Tristan ignored her and placed a hand gently on my arm.
"I'm here, okay? Talk to me if something is wrong."
I nodded.
Way to guilt trip someone.
Tristan suddenly moved his hand from my arm.
"Um - I'll see you at the manor later?"
I nodded. That's right. I would be living in the manor now.
I'd tell him then.
"Oh and while you're here, you should work on one of your rules." He spoke with a smirk that showed his dimples.
I looked at him in confusion.
"The rules you came up with? My brothers are here, try to spend some time with them."
Oh those rules.
"Technically, that one was yours." I told Tristan.
Tristan shrugged. "Fine, 'our' rules."
Ours.
I kind of liked that. It showed a kind of partnership.
"And I didn't technically agree."
"Well if you want me to follow yours, you have to follow mine." He spoke smugly.
"Real sneaky, alpha, real sneaky."
He shrugged.
"Fine." I spoke. "I'll try."
It's not like Joshua still hated me and Mikey... well boys never have crushes on me and if by a miracle they do, it quickly disappears when they actually get to know that I'm actually very plain and obnoxiously ordinary.
I mean, other than the fact that I'm half animal.
Tristan's eyes suddenly flashed green.
He winced as they returned to normal. "Gotta go." He spoke before going back into the car.
I watched them drive away and sighed. I clutched my purse and thought of the phone, of Roman...
Stop it Crystal.
I quickly decided to head up the steps before I talked myself into doing something stupid.
I already did though by not telling Tristan right then and there what had happened.
But it just didn't feel like the right time.
It sounds stupid but it just didn't.
I was pulled out of my thoughts when I walked into the town hall, right into a flurry of activity.
People moving back and forth carrying tables, chairs you name it.
I saw a team working on the sound system in one corner. And in another people putting up lights.
Everything might have looked chaotic at first glance but I saw the cohesiveness. That's one thing I liked about pack mentality actually, they knew how to perfect the art of teamwork.
I looked on in wonder, I had forgotten how important the AAP ball was.
I mean, Roman hadn't really been excited about it. He was happy. But Roman usually made a point of not letting himself get too excited about things because... well he usually got disappointed in the end.
Maybe that had been his mindset when he had texted me last night.
I was the one person who wasn't supposed to let him down.
"Did I say purple?" I heard a familiar voice yell. "No! Violet, I said violet!"
I saw Nana Francesscsa quite literally standing in the middle of the circus show yelling at some poor girl. Actually the poor girl was May.
Oh my.
I immediately cringed feeling horrible for her.
I definitely wouldn't want to be her.
It was beyond me why Nana Francessca was yelling at her but my immediate instinct was to go over there and help in anyway I could. After all, I quite literally owed May my life.
Even if I was frightened to death of Nana Francessca.
I started to head towards the two when -
"Ow!" I yelled as I felt something hit my head, knocking me to the floor.
"Oh crap!" I heard someone yell.
The first thing I saw was an unusually high stack of chairs.
The next thing I saw was Michael Melrose looking down at me.
"Oh crap, crap, crap. Crystal, I'm so sorry." He spoke.
I stared at him, stunned.
I wasn't in any pain or anything, just in shock really.
"What's going o- oh nice going, Mikey." I heard someone else who sounded like Joshua speak and the next thing I knew his face was above me as well. "You okay?" He asked.
I nodded. "I'm fine."
Joshua stretched out a hand for me and pulled me to my feet.
"Crystal, I am so sorry." Mikey continued. "I didn't see where I was going and - oh gosh, are you sure you're okay?"
Joshua rolled his eyes at his brother.
"Honestly, Michael, I'm fine." I told him, giving him a reassuring smile, because he honestly looked about ready to pop a vein.
I realised the whole room had gone quiet. I looked around and found that everyone's eyes were on me.
What a way to make an entrance.
I waved awkwardly. "Uh, all good here." I spoke, wishing everyone would just go back to what they had been doing before.
"Who hurt the luna?" a sharp voice screamed.
Oh no.
Nana Francessca came bustling through.
"Who has the audacity to attack the luna?" She yelled again.
No, please God no.
"I'm fine, really" I spoke hurriedly, wanting her to just stop making a scene already.
But she must not have heard me because her eyes were darting around viciously, looking at everyone in accusation.
I rushed forward to her. "Nana Francessca -"
She was still looking around furiously. "Might I remind you all that hurting your luna is an act of treason and treason is punishable by death! Just because she's a halfling, doesn't mean she doesn't deserve every ounce of your respect you pathetic small minded -"
"Uh Nana -" Michael stepped forward.
"Not now, dear." She waved him off. "Now, who will we be burning at the stake for disrespecting our luna?" She demanded, narrowing her eyes at everyone.
"Nana." Joshua snickered and threw his arm around Michael's shoulder. "That would be your grandson."
Nana Francesscsa turned to look at Michael sharply.
Michael's face had gone pink and he scratched the back of his head. "It was an accident, I swear." He spoke quickly.
Nana Francessca looked disappointed at the lack of blood shed.
Wait. Werewolves didn't really burn people at the stake, did they?
That sounded kind of Salem witchy.
"False alarm, people, get back to work." She told everyone in resignation
She walked up to me and placed both her hands on either side of my face.
"Oh dear, I am glad you could make it after rudely standing me up yesterday."
I furrowed my brows.
"Um, we were attacked by rogue Van Cliffe wolves." I told her.
I would have thought she would have known that.
"Oh I heard." She spoke dismissively.
"When I was your age, other packs would send wolves after me all the time, I was something of a gem." She threw her scarf back with a smug look on her face. "They always tried to get to me in order to get to Trevor. You know the saying, 'if you want to destroy a king -"
"-you take down his queen'." Michael and Joshua chorused in a teasing tone.
Nana Francessca gave them a proud smile and patted Josh on the cheek.
"That's right. You boys are learning more and more from me each day. Keep it up and you'll be the exceptional, upstanding gentlewolves this pack needs." She stopped in front of Michael and narrowed her eyes. "Gentlewolves who don't knock young ladies over."
Michael's cheeks tinted pink.
"Nana." He grumbled. "It was an -"
But Nana Francessca was already looking around for something.
"Where is that girl?" She spoke to herself.
"Her name is May, Nana." Joshua spoke.
I noticed for that he was dressed extremely casually in a navy blue t shirt with khaki shorts. Michael wore the same khaki shorts except his t shirt was grey and had the words, 'WiFi is in the Air' printed on it in white.
"And don't you think you should ease up on her?" Joshua asked.
"Nonsense! How will she be able to carry my god grandchildren and take care of my godson if she can't handle a few simple orders?" Nana Francessca asked.
"Are 'godgrandchildren' even a thing?" Micheal asked, looking confused.
"You asked her to get you your favourite sushi from Japan for lunch." Joshua told her.
Nana Francessca just stared as if she didn't see the problem.
Joshua sighed
"She's not your PA, nana." He told her slowly.
Nana Francessca waved him off. "Oh please, all apprentices are basically over qualified personal assistants."
"Hey!" Joshua yelled.
Michael snickered but then his eyes landed on me.
"Except you, of course." He spoke quickly.
"Thanks." I spoke with a small smile.
"Yeah, Mikey, thanks." Joshua narrowed his eyes at his brother.
Nana Francessca shook her head at her grandsons.
"Strange boys." She whispered in my ear before placing a hand over my shoulder and ushering me away.
"Come, darling, we have much to do."
"Um, what exactly will I be doing?" I asked Nana Francesca.
"Oh darling. You'll be doing the best part of the job, bossing people around." She smiled slyly.
"Everyone thinks the alpha is the one everyone listens to but it's really the luna." She spoke stopping in front of three men who were doing something with a bunch of wires.
"Tell them to jump." She told me.
I looked at her in confusion.
She nodded in encouragement.
She wasn't kidding, was she?
I turned to look at the men and gave them an apologetic look.
"Uh, jump?"
The three men complied and each jumped.
Nana Francesca looked satisfied. "You can tell them to do whatever you want. Try something else." She encouraged me.
"Oh um - maybe later?"
Nana Francessca rolled her eyes. "Boring." She placed her hand around my shoulder as well and started leading me away from the three confused men.
"So you wanted me here to just boss people around?" I asked Nana Francessca.
She shrugged. "Well you have to learn how, to be honest, sweetheart, you're something of a pushover."
Well that wasn't offensive at all.
I looked around at the already well oiled machine.
"Everything seems to be going well so maybe I can kind of do some background work instead."
This pack already didn't like me, I didn't want to make it worse by being that luna. I have a feeling I wouldn't even be good at it or do it right for that matter.
I was a background kind of girl really. I couldn't go prancing around like an 'iron luna'. Lest someone inevitably decides to call me out on my act.
Like Raphael had yesterday. If he could do that in front of Tristan, who knows what mutiny could happen here without him.
Before Nana Francessca could say anything else, May returned, she held a clipboard in one hand and her phone in the other.
"Luna." She nodded.
"Where have you been?" Nana Francessca demanded.
May gestured to her phone.
"Oh, I - Tristan called, he wanted me -"
"You know your Luna was almost killed in the time that you decided to go and chat on your phone." Nana Francessca spoke dramatically.
May's eyes widened and she turned to look at me.
"I really wasn't." I rushed out the words quickly. "Michael just -"
"It was horrendous!" Nana Francessca continued.
Oh. My. Gosh.
"It's a good thing I was there." She put a hand on my shoulder as if she had just saved my life.
I subtly shook my head at May. She just had an exhausted look on her face as if she was used to it.
"My apologies, Lady Melrose." She spoke, sounding defeated.
"Oh well, no matter. She didn't die. This time."
I looked at Nana Francessca incredulously.
I looked at May who just looked resigned.
"Oh are those violet table clothes?" She yelled as her eyes followed someone. "I said I wanted purple!"
"Um, you said violet, Lady Melrose." May told her.
"Excuse me, young lady, I think I can remember what I words came out of my mouth." She snapped. "Excuse me, dear." She told me sweetly before marching away.
I looked at May. "Um, is this how she always -"
"All the time." May sighed.
She gave me a small smile.
"How are you?"
There was a faint scar on her forehead and another faint scratch on her fore arm.
"Shouldn't I be asking you that?"
"I'm fine." She spoke with a small smile. "No need to worry."
I nodded. "I never got the chance to thank you for what you did yesterday. You saved our lives."
"Don't mention it. It's my job." She shrugged.
Honestly, I did feel guilty more than ever. May would never have had to risk her life if those wolves hadn't come for me.
"Are there any updates with the - um rogues?"
May looked at me in confusion. "Didn't you talk to Tristan?"
Was there something to talk about?
"No, is there any -"
"May!" May winced.
Nana Francessca was gesturing wildly at something. "Have you seen this? I could just die!"
May sighed. She forced a smile at me. "I'll see you around, Luna."
Was there something Tristan hadn't told me about the rogues?
I mean it's not like I had asked. I was a bit preoccupied.
But then again, wasn't he obliged to tell me if there had been a development?
I deserved to know. Especially if it could have something to do with my mother.
My mother...
I'll come back for you, Crystal...
Is that why you never made it back for me?
Are you in trouble, mum?
I got a sick feeling.
It was just a scent, Crystal.
Maybe it was nothing. Like Uncle Victor said, maybe it wasn't a conspiracy like I wanted it to be.
Maybe I was looking for an excuse to forgive her for abandoning me.
Or maybe it was something. I hadn't imagined Roman texting me, had I?
And yet you still haven't told Tristan. A voice told me.
But I would. I just -
Needed to stop thinking too much about all this. That's why I was here, right? To distract myself.
Your spy ex boyfriend contacted you and you want to distract yourself?
Shut up voice in my head. When did you get so patronising anyway?
I spotted Joshua walking towards the stage.
Hello distraction.
Tristan did say I should try to befriend his brothers.
I rushed after him.
A few people stopped to bow at me and I just smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.
"Hey." I called.
Joshua looked down at me. He was already on top of the stage. I noticed he was carrying a tool box.
"Hey." He responded, looking unsure.
"Cool if I hang here?" I asked.
"Grandma driven you crazy already?" He asked with a smirk.
"Uhm..."
"I know, she's a lot but she usually means well. In her own way."
I smiled. "Yeah... um, what are you up to?"
Joshua gave me a sort of confused look.
"Um? Nana wanted me to make sure the stage is stable. An incident occurred like a million years ago one time and now we have to make sure the stage is alright all the time before a big event."
To be honest, I was only partially listening to Joshua.
Roman had been on this very stage two years ago during his ball. Tristan had called out his name and he has walked up to receive the official AAP badge. I remember he had looked as sure and confident as he always did. And so handsome.
But, to be honest, he wasn't the one I had been looking at that night. Tristan looked handsome too, that night.
He had a date too, Jasmine Reece of the pack. She wore a shimmery silver dress that made her look like a glamorous model straight out of the Great Gatsby.
I remember I had kept staring at them that night. I wouldn't say I was jealous...
Okay, maybe a little....
I had a feeling Roman had noticed I wasn't a hundred percent there that night and it had honestly made me so guilty. I was supposed to be celebrating him and there I had been staring at Tristan.
"Can I help?" I asked Joshua, quickly pushing away thoughts of the past.
"Er, sure?" Joshua responded. "You can hand me a hammer. I think the plank over here is weak."
"Got it." I responded, quickly going to the took box and taking out a hammer with a red handle.
I walked back to the stage and gave it to Joshua.
He took the hammer and just stared at me for a while.
"What?" I asked.
I didn't accidentally walk up to the wrong twin, did I?
No. I wasn't that out of it.
"Nothing." Joshua responded. "I just thought you'd still be mad at me."
"Mad at you? Oh that."
I honestly had too much going on to even remember that Joshua Melrose had pissed me off by looking into my file.
Why had I been so mad, you might wonder?
Well I can only guess what had been in that file. But if my guesses were right, there was information about my mum, which Joshua had pretty much already confirmed.
And there was information about the trial and my relationship with Roman.
The whole trial had been a deep invasion of privacy.
A traumatising experience.
Uncle Victor had tried to protect me from as much as he could but I was the one who was being asked if Roman had used sex or anything else to manipulate me into being his accomplice.
After all he was older.
That's what infuriated me the most. Roman might have been older but he was still a kid. Why did everyone forget that?
And I was going to report that 'kid'. That guilty spy of a kid... oh Ro...
"We went through a near death experience together. Our second one actually." I tried to force a smile but it actually really wasn't funny.
Joshua almost died. Again. Because of me.
"I guess you're right." He gave me a wry smile.
I noticed that he actually looked better. Well at least he wasn't limping anymore.
Joshua crouched down.
"But I really am sorry, Crystal. I - I was just trying to help T out."
I nodded. "I understand. But Josh - you know I would never hurt Tristan, right?"
Joshua didn't answer immediately. Instead he looked at the hammer.
"For the longest time its just been the three of us. I mean Nana, Nita, Pete, May and Bridge are all family but - " Joshua took in a deep breath.
Tristan did that too. I always suspected it was him stopping himself from revealing something too personal.
"T always puts everyone else first." Joshua finally continued. "I mean it's his job as alpha but - I just want to have his back too sometimes."
"Hence making sure his mate isn't some traitor." I concluded.
Joshua nodded. "I was misguided and I'm sorry for that."
"But you're not sorry for trying to protect your brother." I added.
Joshua gave me an apologetic look but nodded none the less.
"I get it. Your brother is - his great." I know my words were underwhelming when describing your mate. I knew Tristan was more than great..
More than I deserved anyway...
"Speaking of your brothers," I started, changing the topic. "Is Michael ever going to stop acting weird around me? I mean we'll be living together and I don't want things to be awkward."
"Oh." Joshua smiled to himself. "Give him some time. I guess he's still a little embarrassed. It's not everyday that you have a crush on someone and she turns out to be your brother's mate."
Joshua seemed to be enjoying this too much and I kind of felt bad for Michael.
"How long has Michael even had a crush on me?" I asked.
It didn't even add up. I had never even talked much to the Melrose twins before recently.
"I think that's a conversation for you to have with him. He was already mad that I told you about it."
I guess I would have to talk to Michael sooner than later. Just to clear the air. I wanted us to be friends or at least friendly for Tristan's sake.
"Hey, I've been meaning to ask you something, actually." I spoke as I remembered something about yesterday. "Do you and Michael open your minds to each other? Because yesterday when May told you to call Michael, you just like shut your eyes."
Joshua rose his brows at me. "What? You don't know?"
"Don't know what?"
Joshua sat on the edge of the stage so that his legs were dangling.
"Some werewolf twins are born with an empathetic or telepathic link. Sometimes both, like with Mikey and I."
Wait, what?
"So you two can feel everything the other feels? And you can hear each other's thoughts all the time?"
Kat was the closest thing I had to a sister and I knew for a fact I wouldn't want her in my head all the time at all.
"Well, not really." Joshua spoke. "I mean when we were kids, yeah, we couldn't really control it but we learnt over time. We can usually keep things from each other. Unless the emotion is - um too overwhelming, I guess? Like the day I got attacked, he felt it but couldn't quite comprehend where I was because of the pain. Blessing and a curse."
It did make sense. When Joshua was hurt, I would sometimes see Michael flinch when Joshua did. And it would explain why Joshua would blush when Michael spoke to me sometimes.
"Doesn't that kind of make relationships awkward?" I asked Joshua.
He scratched the back of his head. "Yeah. There were so many times when we would think we liked the same girl but turns out we were just feeding off the other's emotions. Let's just say, it took a lot of practice to know the difference and become individuals."
Huh. That was really interesting.
I had so many questions.
But before I could even ask one, I heard someone clear their throat.
I turned to see Bea with her hands folded across her chest.
"Oh hey baby." Joshua greeted, jumping off the stage and walking towards her.
He placed a kiss on her cheek. Bea's eyes were on me, not looking friendly at all.
I guess near death experiences didn't necessarily equate to friendship for everyone.
"I thought you said you weren't coming." Joshua told her.
"Changed my mind." Bea spoke. "You said you'd help me with my car, remember?"
"Oh so that's the only reason you're here? To take advantage of my free services?" Joshua asked, humour in his voice.
"I'll pay you in kind." Bea told him, trailing her hands up his chest.
I averted my eyes awkwardly.
Weren't they mad at each other just yesterday?
"Right." Joshua grinned at her. "Let me just grab my stuff."
Joshua rushed off leaving me with Bea whose glare just became more intense.
I knew that look too well. She was about to start something and I honestly wasn't in the mood.
I was about to walk away when she begun to speak.
"Joshua isn't your friend, you know."
Too late.
I turned back to face her.
" I know you went through two traumatic experiences together but that doesn't mean anything especially since you're the one who caused them."
Goodness, where was Nana Francessca when I needed her?
"Listen, Bea, I don't want trouble." I told her.
She stepped forward. "All you are is trouble, halfling." She spoke in a low voice.
That's right. This wasn't school and I was the luna now. She couldn't exactly yell at me in public anymore.
That made me confident enough to do something I had never done before.
Talk back to Beatrice Gonzalez."What have I ever done to you anyway?" I asked, stepping forward.
I kept my voice low as well.
Even though I was taking a stand for once in my life, I didn't want to cause a scene.
I remembered what Andre had said yesterday, about Bea and Courtney having a history with halflings.
"Why do you hate me so much?" I continued. "Because Kat chose to be my friend instead of yours?"
I had always known Kat's friendship with Bea and Courtney ended because Kat ditched them when they made her pick between us. But even that couldn't be reason enough for all that hatred.
This wasn't some cliché teenage movie.
"You better back off." Bea told me, narrowing her eyes but I wasn't scared.
"Not until you tell me why exactly you and Courtney are such witches to me. Honestly, what have I ever done to you two to make you hate me so much?"
Bea scoffed. "You think because you're 'the luna' now you're hot stuff, huh?"
She let out a humourless laugh. "I'm on to you, Swan. You might have convinced Josh that you're innocent but I see right through your bs. And I'm going to find out what your endgame is."
Great. Joshua had passed his paranoia onto his girlfriend.
"Endgame?" I honestly didn't know what to say anymore. I was so tired to the accusations.
"You think I buy it for one second that your traitor boyfriend gets caught and now you're the luna?"
"So you think I made Tristan imprint on me?" I asked. Honestly, the conspiracy theories were getting old.
"Be a smart ass all you want." She spat at me. "But I saw you talk to that Van Cliffe wolf and I know not to trust you." She spun around and stormed off.
I sighed. I had enough going on to worry about Bea Gonzalez gunning for me.