"Where is it you said you were again, dear?" Nana Francesca asked Joshua who was currently seated on my right.
We were in her SUV which was being driven by one of her private guards who wasn't very chatty and believe me, Mikey - who was seated in the passenger seat - had tried. All he had succeeded in doing really was earning a death look when he tried to change the radio station.
"Oh - I was er... helping Bea with her car." Joshua replied. He was sitting behind Mikey's seat, on my right.
"That's all?" Nana Francessca asked from my other end.
"Yeah." Joshua spoke.
Michael coughed.
Joshua kicked his seat a little too roughly.
"No matter. Whatever you were doing with that young lady, I just hope you kept it in your shorts. It would be terrible to get intimate with her before you met your mate. I mean look at your bro -"
"Nana!" Michael snapped.
I suddenly noticed that their eyes were on me.
"I'm sorry, what?" I asked.
To be honest, I hadn't really been paying attention to what they were saying.
I was feeling sick.
Like seriously ill. My stomach was churning and my palms were sweaty and I was scared and at the same time I wanted to cry.
This wouldn't have happened if I had just told Tristan earlier. None of this would have happened.
Now someone had incriminating evidence about me. And who knows what they would do with it.
Someone had stolen it.
Michael looked somewhat relieved at my obliviousness.
"We were just talking about - um... taxes."
Joshua shook his head. I turned to Nana Francesca who just rolled her eyes.
Okay...
She turned to look at me. "You've been awfully quiet, dear, is everything okay? I do hope Michael here didn't give you a concussion." She reached over to touch my forehead.
"Nana." Michael grumbled.
Nana Francesca gave him an accusatory glance before looking back at me.
"Anyway, this is where I leave you."
I looked out the window and found that we were already at the manor.
Michael and Joshua had already started disembarking.
"Dear." Nana Francesca placed her hands on mine. "I know what's going on."
She did? How did she find out?
"You're worried about tomorrow." She spoke.
Yeah... let's go with that.
"Don't worry, everything has already been taken care of, all you have to do is show up." She reassured me.
"Thanks." I told her, knowing I wouldn't actually have to do anything was actually reassuring.
"No problem, dear, and I do hope you like the dress, it's Zac Posen." She winked.
"Dress?" I asked in confusion.
"Oh after you stood me up yesterday, I took the liberty of picking one out myself. The girl helped." She added the last part with a roll of her eyes.
It was disturbing how much I actually didn't care that I hadn't chosen my own dress for the ball. Last year I would have gone crazy if someone else had chosen what I was going to wear. But right now I really didn't care.
A ball didn't really matter with everything that was going on.
"Who am I kidding?" Nana Francesca spoke. "You will love it! It's equal parts classy, sexy and modest. Let's see those uptight elders say something about that."
"Oh speaking of, Tristan told me about the meeting he had scheduled for you with the council. I mean of course I will be on your side but dear, I must tell you that those other old farts can be quite backwards so you will have to give them an answer for the mating ceremony."
"The mating ceremony?"
Of course I had heard about it. I just hadn't been to one before. And seeing as to how Tristan and my relationship was conditional, I didn't think it was anything to consider.
"Oh you look so tired, I'll let you get some rest, you'll need it."
I nodded. Honestly, my body was here in the car with her but my mind was somewhere else entirely.
I got out of the vehicle, surprised to see Michael and Joshua still standing there.
"Goodnight dear." Nana Francesca called, waving and blowing a kiss.
"Goodnight Nana." Micheal and Joshua spoke simultaneously.
"Not you two." She spoke, giving them both dirty looks.
Joshua's jaw dropped and Michael placed his hand on his chest.
Nana Francessca smiled at me before closing the door and telling her driver to drive off.
"I can bet you a hundred bucks that she's going home to revise her will right now." Michael spoke.
"Well, what do you expect? You basically assaulted her new favourite grandchild." Joshua mocked.
Michael glared at him then he looked at me with an apologetic look on his face.
"You did not hurt me. I promise, I'm fine." I quickly let out before he started apologising again.
He looked reassured enough and turned back to his brother. "And besides, if she writes us out of her will, it's because of you. Do me a favour next time and keep your mind closed while you fornicate with Bea."
"Oh, but then how would you know what it's like to be with an actual real girl?" Joshua told him sarcastically.
"Shut up." Michael spoke, blushing slightly.
"Or what?" Joshua smirked.
I was sure Michael was going to pounce on his brother but thank God the front door swung open and Anita's face appeared.
"Oh finally." She sighed happily before pulling me into a hug.
She pulled away and beamed at me. "Oh when Tristan told me you were finally moving in, I was over the moon."
"Temporarily, Nita." Joshua spoke as he walked into the house.
Anita looked hopefully at me. "Unless she changes her mind and decides to stay permanently."
I smiled at her but I didn't say anything, I didn't want to give her false hope.
"Anyway, let me officially welcome you to the manor." Anita spoke as she pulled me inside. "I just know you'll enjoy your stay. We are so delighted to have you."
"Oh definitely, Nita spent all morning cleaning guest room." Joshua spoke.
"And she took out the good linens just for you." Michael added.
"Only the best for our luna." She smiled at me. "Well until the mating ceremony when you move into Tristan's room."
My eyes widened. "What?"
Anita frowned. "Oh dear, you have discussed the ceremony, haven't you?"
"Uhm, no." I responded.
"Oh." Anita spoke as if this was the strangest thing she had learnt about me.
"Uh Nita, Crystal didn't grow up here." Michael spoke up.
"Oh, yes, right." Anita spoke quickly but she still looked at me strangely.
What was I missing?
"Hey Nita, is dinner ready? I'm starved." Mikey announced defusing the awkward silence that had settled.
"Oh yes." Anita seemed grateful for the change of topic. "Your brother and Bridget already ate so I suppose it will just be the four of us."
"Actually I don't think I'm hungry anymore." Joshua grumbled before turning around.
"Oh Josh, don't be that way." Anita spoke softly.
But Joshua didn't stop, he kept walking, saying something about homework.
Anita gave Michael a pleading look.
Michael sighed. "I'll go talk to him."
He turned and followed his brother.
I looked at Anita confused by what just happened.
She frowned in the direction the boys had gone.
"They haven't had a proper meal together in weeks." She spoke. "Last night Tristan didn't even make it home."
"Oh."
My mind went back to the night Tristan told me the reason he wasn't always able to make it to meals.
Of course he must have been busier than usual now more than ever.
"Is he home now?" I asked.
Anita nodded. "Up in his room."
I was surprised I didn't sense him immediately. The empathy link must have been fading.
"Do you mind if I go up and talk to him?" I asked Anita.
"Sure dear."
I couldn't help but feel like I had disappointed her.
Aunt Sarah would definitely scold me if she knew I was making someone wait after they had cooked for me.
But this was important.
I followed the familiar route through the mansion until I got to the staircase.
I didn't exactly remember where Tristan's room had been so I followed his scent.
I knew I was heading in the right direction when I heard a laugh.
The sound was strange but I immediately knew who it was.
Tristan was laughing.
For a second I smiled to myself, a part of me selfishly wishing that I had been the one to do or say something to make him laugh.
I stopped in the hallway and peeked through the door and saw Tristan laying in his bed, his hands behind his head looking the most at peace than I had seen him in a while. He had an easy smile on his face as he listened to whatever Bridget was telling him.
Oh and did I mention he was shirtless?
I was glad to see him happy. I really was. But I wasn't so happy about seeing him half naked with another girl in bed!
Okay, so maybe they weren't in bed together. Bridget sat a respectable distance away but still on his bed.
She was fully clothed but I couldn't help but still feel a pang of jealousy. The way she looked at him was so full of love. The way her body seemed so comfortable being in his presence.
Bridget loved Tristan. I could tell.
Maybe I had known for a long time.
Did he love her back? I wondered fearing the answer.
I was about to turn away. Watching them like this suddenly felt wrong but before I could, Tristan must have picked up on my scent or maybe the mating bond had alerted him of my presence.
"Crystal?"
I felt my face heat up at being caught.
I walked into the room and waved awkwardly.
Bridget rolled her eyes but Tristan's face still held an easy smile.
"Hey, did you just get in?" Tristan asked.
My palms felt sweaty and I wiped them on my jeans. "Yeah - um, a few minutes ago actually... hey... um... I was hoping we could talk."
i wasn't planning on beating around the bush this time. Things were a lot more urgent.
Tristan didn't even open his mouth when Bridget spoke up.
"Tristan is tired. He needs to get some rest so that Peter and I can get some rest so if you don't mind..."
I wanted to say,
'Didn't seem like you want him to get some res, with all the laughing that I heard just a few seconds ago.'
But I knew that was jealous Crystal talking and jealous Crystal needs to chill because she doesn't even have the right to be jealous.
"Bridge." Tristan sighed.
I looked at him and frowned. Bridget had a point. He really did look exhausted. I wanted to chicken out right then. To tell him it was nothing and scurry away.
But I knew this needed to be said.
"Roman contacted me." I blurted out.
"What?" Bridget yelled standing to her feet.
Tristan just sat up silently, looking... not as confused as I had expected.
I wondered again if I was doing the right thing. My hands were shaking now.
I could just picture Roman looking at me in disappointment, saying 'you let me down'.
Well you let me down first, Ro.
I looked at Tristan. Bridget did too.
I had been expecting her to yell my ears off but she looked at Tristan like she expected him to do it.
For what felt like a while, Tristan was so quiet that it scared me and made my heart beat faster.
"When?" Tristan finally spoke.
"Yesterday." I bit my lower lip nervously. "It was after the attack. I was home and then I realised that there had been a tracking device in my phone case and -"
"You just now realised this?" Bridget asked not looking convinced.
"I'm not lying. I swear."
"Show us." She demanded.
Now for the worst part. "I can't. It - it went missing."
Bridget didn't look convinced. "That's freaking convenient."
"I swear, I put it in my bag and left it for a few minutes to... to go to the bathroom and I got back and it was gone." I spoke in a desperate tone.
Bridget stepped closer to me. "I don't buy it."
"I'm not lying." I spoke more firmly but my voice still cracked because of the nerves that were still eating me up.
"Why didn't you come to us sooner?" She continued pressing.
I took a step back, she looked so mad right now. "I - I... I don't know."
"You don't know?" Bridget scoffed. "Tell me, what did you talk about with you little lover?"
"Nothing! We didn't talk. He texted me and I didn't respond."
"I don't believe you."
"I'm not lying!" I yelled and it now felt like I was pleading with her.
"Bridge," Tristan finally spoke, putting his legs on the floor. "Give us a minute."
Bridget didn't look happy about her alpha's order but she didn't protest.
She gave me a stone cold glare and said,
"Raphael was right."
With that Bridget stormed out of the room. I didn't know what that meant but I couldn't imagine it was good.
Tristan stood up.
He walked over to his closet and grabbed a shirt before putting it over his head.
"Sit down, Crystal." He told me.
I walked towards his bed and sat at the edge. I I studied his face trying to read his emotion but there was none at all. So I couldn't tell if he was mad at me like Bridget had been.
He folded his arms over his chest.
"What happened?" He asked calmly. "Start from the beginning."
I took in a deep breath and explained everything, trying to be as accurate as possible, only leaving out the part about Chris.
Tristan was quiet the whole time, not interrupting me even once.
When I was done, he didn't sat anything immediately nor did he look me in the eye.
"Thank you for telling me." Was all he said.
I wish I could read his mind or know what he was thinking.
"What are you going to do?" I asked.
Tristan didn't respond immediately.
"What would you do?"
I wasn't expecting that question.
"I don't know." I spoke honestly.
"Well you didn't text him back so what do you think will happen next, Crystal?"
I didn't know what answer Tristan was expecting and I honestly didn't have one.
"Take out your phone." He spoke.
I hesitated but complied. He would need it as evidence anyway.
"It's still off." I told him as I stretched out my hand to give it to him.
"Turn it on." He ordered.
I was confused.
But I guess I understood that he would need to actually see the message.
We waited in silence as my phone powered up.
I went straight to my smses and showed Tristan.
He looked at it briefly before stepping back.
"Text him back."
This time my head shot up. "What?"
Tristan didn't budge. "Ask him what he needs help with."
My fingers hovered over the screen as I stared at Tristan.
"Are you serious right now?"
His face remained emotionless.
I stood up and stepped up to him.
"Tristan."
He still stared at me with the same emotionless stare.
"Say something." I begged.
"Do you want to help him?" He asked.
"N - no." I blurted out. "If I was going to help him, I wouldn't have come to you."
"Good." Was Tristan's response. He put his hands on my shoulders and looked me in the eyes. "Because I need you on my side, Crystal. I need to know your allegiance is with me and not Roman. Can I trust that you will stand with me?"
Roman popped up in my head again.
Don't let me down.
I shook my head, shaking the thought away.
Tristan's blue green eyes were drilling into me.
"I'm on your side." I told him softly.
He pulled away.
"Good. We're going to set a trap."