Chapter 16-The Talk

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Chapter 16-The Talk

Sydney Carrington's POV

Feeling the sensation of someone watching me, I opened my eyes to see a pair of green eyes looking at me with deep concern.

Blinking, I immediately sat up. "Sarah?" I gasped as soon as I realised that the figure of my sister wasn't disappearing.

"Hey there sleepyhead." She smiled warmly and tears welled up in my eyes to see that she was safe. "You're here! I mean here in Kingston's pack. How? When? Where's Sean?" I cried out in happiness as I hugged her tightly. Sarah hugged me back and she gave me a big grin.

"Yeah, we're in Alpha Kingston's pack. We got here yesterday early in the morning. And Sean is fine. Still sleeping like the pig he is. How are you Sydney? I mean, after yesterday..." Sarah trailed off with an uncomfortable look on her face.

"Yesterday?" I questioned before tensing as the memories of that horrible day was etched into my mind. "Oh god. Yesterday, Will and Giselle-" I cut myself off and stared down at the sheets on the bed, betrayal was stung.

I was such a blind fool. How could I not have realised it sooner? Was I always too caught up with my dreams for the future? Has my head been too high in the clouds? I should've known, nothing good ever worked out for me.

And I realised that I was in Kingston's bedroom once again. I fiddled with the detailed design of a lacy nightgown I was wearing and remained silent for a moment before I spoke quietly, "I was such an idiot Sarah."

My sister sighs and pulls me into her arms, "You're not. How could you have known? How could anyone have known?"

"I should have. And being used because I'm orphan? That hurts. I mean I thought Will was an amazing guy. I thought wrong. It seems I have a terrible judge of character." I said bitterly and push a curl behind my ear.

"Sydney, you couldn't have known. And from what I heard from Rhett, they got it good when Kingston was done with them yesterday."

I met my sister's eyes and frowned, "What?"

"Yesterday when Alpha Kingston went to get you, he almost strangled Will to death and threatened Giselle. He even said that he'll go to war with them if needed to." Sarah finished with a smug smirk on her face while my eyes widened.

Going to war just for me? I couldn't seem to believe it. "Are you serious?" I blurted out and Sarah nodded. "Yeah. According to Rhett. Alpha Kingston seems to really care for you."

At this, I inhaled sharply. "He doesn't. No one does." I say quietly and Sarah rolled her eyes. "Don't play stupid with me Syd, the man obviously feels something for you."

I remained silent, not wanting to divulge anything to Sarah.

Sarah continued, "The man clearly does. I mean, he took Sean and I in. And honestly, I don't see why people are so wary of him. And he even puts you above his pack. Shouldn't that say something?"

Seeing that I was still silent, Sarah prodded curiously, "Alpha Kingston said he hurt you. What did he do?"

My gaze flew to hers and my mouth worked, thinking of a response that wouldn't make Sarah fly into a rage that will make her confront Kingston. Us Carringtons had rage issues. We were sorely protective of those we cared about and we wouldn't care about the consequences till later.

I couldn't tell Sarah that Kingston had choked me, marked me without my consent, blackmailed me and threatened my siblings. She would go into a flying rage.

"It's in the past. It doesn't matter." Sarah seemed a little surprised by my response and she nodded, "Alright, but look, if anything happens, you got me and Sean. We're family aren't we? We stick together."

A small smile crept onto my face and I nodded, "Yeah. Thank you for coming here for me." I threw my arms around her and hugged her tightly. Sarah sniffled and I could tell she was getting emotional. "U-uh huh. We missed you so much! The house wasn't the same without you."

Overwhelmed by relief and joy that my siblings were okay, I teared up. "I missed you too and I'm really happy that you're here with me."

Sarah pulled away from our hug fest and swiped some tears away from her face and smiled warmly at me. "Me too Syd. At least we can have a fresh start. Away from everything."

I smiled and nodded, "Yeah."

"So how is the pack like?" Sarah questions curiously as she shoved her hair into a messy bun. I pursed my lips as I sat cross-legged on the bed. "Everyone is really welcoming. And they aren't as cold and distant as people say they are. The people here are really nice too. I only guess that they are more detached to other people from other packs."

Sarah raised her eyebrows, clearly surprised. Because rumours were that the European pack was cold and reserved. Nobody really knew much about them and they themselves didn't offer much to others. We were mostly a private pack that kept to ourselves.

But from what I've seen and experienced, the European pack were the friendliest people I have ever met. A comfortable silenced passed and I sat there, deep in thought.

I didn't know what possessed me to ask someone-anyone-this, especially Sarah but it was something that was tugging at my heart to speak my mind. "What do you think of Kingston?"

Sarah looked up at me curiously before a knowing glint entered her eyes, "Hmmm, you want my opinion?" At her question, I nodded.

"When people say he's cold, merciless, I see all of that. But what people don't see is that he...cares for those that matter to him. But he tries to hide it. Yes, I'm sure he can be what people say he is but all of us have a darker side to us. After all, we're werewolves. We have the instincts to kill. We just don't."

At her words, my mind flashed backed to all the moments where Kingston had showed his vulnerable side to me. I bit on my lip, deep in thought as Sarah sighs before continuing.

"The man truly cares for you Sydney. When he said that he hurt you, I could see regret in his eyes. And it wasn't that sort of regret that goes easily. He's tormenting himself over it. Over what he has done to you."

I could only manage an "Oh." I didn't know what to say. My thoughts were all jumbled up. Some parts of my brain were still stuck on the hurt and betrayal from Will. The other part of my brain was still on my siblings being here with me. And lastly, my remaining thoughts were about Kingston.

That wasn't much of a surprise considering he was in most of my thoughts anyway. Brendon Kingston was like an enigma. With his dark allure, mysterious past and his brooding good looks, I was drawn to him.

I groan inwardly and I froze as I just realised something that Sarah had said. "Wait you and Rhett?"

Sarah stopped fiddling with her hair as she turned to me. A light blush formed on her cheeks as she frowned, obviously feigning confusion. "What? Me and the beta? No! No way!"

I snorted, "Sure." I watched amused as Sarah grumbled under her breath while insisting that there was nothing going on between her and Rhett.

The door burst open and my brother entered before jumping on the bed and engulfed me in his arms as he started exclaiming on how much he missed me. Sheesh, when did Sean become bigger than me?

Listening to Sean shouting at Sarah and she arguing with him about some trivial matter made me grin. It was as if things are back to normal.

I was glad that my siblings were with me.

***

I stroked the brush against the canvas furiously, all the pent up emotions were bubbling and they needed an outlet.

Sarah was downstairs having lunch with some of the pack members while Sean was getting to know some other teenage boys while playing football. I was glad that they were socialising with the other members of the pack. It has been at least a few days since Kingston brought me back the North American pack and I hadn't really had the chance to thank him for taking me and back and apologising for leaving.

Someone knocked on the door to the art studio that Kingston gave me and that said someone entered. Immediately, I knew who had entered especially with the way the wolf was acting.

"How do you feel?" His voice asked gruffly and I looked up at him and nodded, "I'm alright. Just feeling like an idiot. Fifty shades of an idiot." I mumbled the last part and a small smile cracked up onto Kingston's mouth.

My mouth had almost dropped wide open from how handsome he looked with a smile on his face. Albeit it was a tiny one, but it was a smile nonetheless.

"Thank you for taking my siblings in. You didn't have to but you did." I spoke up and Kingston shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans. "They're your siblings Sydney. Of course I would." He says seriously and was that a hint of warmness in his tone?

I shifted nervously and looked up at him. Kingston's eyes were gleaming. The shade in his eyes were more silver than grey and they were beautiful. "Well thank you. And also for getting me back at the North American pack." I say quietly and a tad bit awkwardly.

"I know it was immature and childish of me to just run away and I'm sorry about that. I wasn't thinking. I'm impulsive. It's a trait that I have that gets me in trouble." I offered embarrassed. In truth, running off like I had done was plain stupid.

Kingston stepped closer to me and I could sense that the mood had turned sombre. "No, it was my fault. I should not have marked you when you were not willing."

My gaze flew to his but his eyed were on the mark he left on my shoulder. Regret and remorse was in his eyes and I frowned a little before asking quietly, "Why did you then? Why did you mark me that day?"

At my questions, it was Kingston's turn to shift uncomfortably. "I was jealous of you and Rhett."

"Me and Rhett?" I echoed a little confused and Kingston sighs impatiently, "You were getting along with him so well and that night, you were unhappy with me again." He explains reluctantly as his eyes watched me observantly.

Immediately, I remembered why I had been so distant that day with Kingston. I had seen him with that girl in one of the pack house bedrooms.

"If you had someone else, why did you pick me?" I ask emotionlessly and Kingston looked at me with confusion on his face, immediately picking up on the sudden mood change from me.

"What do you mean I had someone else? I don't Sydney. I only have you." He says quietly, his silver gaze burning into my being.

My heart fluttered at that and I watched him closely for any signs that showed that he could be lying. His eyes met mine with such an intensity that it made my breath hitch.

"On that night. The Winter Party, I saw you coming out of the room with a woman who was barely dressed." I said awkwardly but softly, my fingers were clutching onto the paintbrush tightly.

Confusion marred his face before realisation settled and then understanding crossed his face. "Sydney, I'm not the sort to cheat. But I'll admit I wasn't exactly a saint before I met you. That night, she was someone I used to be around with but now that I have you, I rejected her advances."

"Oh." I mumbled, my gaze now fixated onto the ground. A low chuckle sounded and my eyes flew up to meet silver ones. Kingston's face had a small smile etched onto the corner of his mouth and my heartbeat sped from the sight of it.

Kingston was handsome as hell when he had a smile on his face. Never mind that it was a small one, it was a smile nonetheless.

His eyes were lit up with mirth and happiness and he stepped closer to me. "What?" I demanded and Kingston shook his head and pushed a curl behind my ear. "I'm pleased. It seems that you do care."

My eyes widened and thoughts flashed in my head. Did I care? If I didn't, I wouldn't have felt so hurt and betrayed by the sight of him and that woman. Oh god, I did care for Kingston. "I-I-I-" I stammered stupidly and a wider smile crossed his lips.

"You do care Sydney. That's good." This was said as a statement and not a question and I didn't know how to react.

His face neared mine and I stared at him entranced. His rough calloused hand caressed the left side of my face and awareness spread through me of how close his body was to mine.

"Sydney, you don't have to worry about fidelity issues from me. I promise." He murmurs and I watched him wide eyed. His silver eyes took me in carefully as if observing for any signs of discomfort.

Slowly, his eyes drifted down to my lips and it was as if his gaze was snagged onto it. His eyes flitted up to mine and my breath hitched. My heart rate increased and I was pretty sure he could hear it.

Was he going to kiss me?

Silver eyes went back to my mouth and my lips parted as he stroked my cheek with his thumb. Once more, his intense gaze met mine as he spoke.

"Like I said, I wouldn't have an affair. Not that I could or want one anyway now that I have you." His baritone voice said lowly as he withdrew his hand from my cheek and moved away from me.

My shoulders slumped slightly in disappointment and I caught myself for that. Disappointment? Did I really want him to kiss me? What the heck was wrong with me?! Just because he was handsome as hell and showed me he could be nice and charming didn't mean that I wanted or should kiss him!

"I'm not going to be like that beta from your old pack. And speaking of that, how are you feeling about it all?" He questions as he sat down on one of the chairs in the room and watched me.

I sighed, did everybody seem to know about my humiliation? I could feel tears prickle in my eyes at the thought of Will and freaking Giselle James.

I was still deeply hurt about it and why did everyone want to talk about it with me? Those few days that I was back, it seemed that Sarah offered to talk about it with me and so did Cara but I turned down their offer. "I'm fine." I mumbled and turned back to my painting as I fought back from crying.

"Sydney." Kingston warned impatiently from across the room.

I groaned but remained fixated on the dull blue and grey painting in front of me. "I'm fine. Really! I don't know why everyone keeps bringing it up. I would like to not talk about it at all." I say emotionally and suddenly Kingston was just beside me.

"Sydney." He growls lowly and crossed his arms across his chest.

I sigh annoyed, I just wanted to put everything behind me and move forward but obviously, that wasn't happening. "Why do you want to know anyway?" I demanded and was met with Kingston's hard glare that meant he wasn't going to budge on the subject.

Putting my brush down, and facing him fully, I knew that Kingston could see the unshed tears in my eyes. "You want to know how I'm feeling?"

At my question, Kingston nodded and gestures for me to take a seat beside him. I did so reluctantly, the dam was on the verge of breaking and all the emotions were bubbling up in me.

"I feel like a fool alright? A humiliated one in fact. I shared with Will everything, all my fears, my hopes, my dreams. Every single thing. And to have the relationship I had with him thrown in my face like it was something dirty made me feel sick. Knowing that he cheated on me and used me is another ball game in fact. I mean, I never dreamed that he was this sort of guy."

I continued sorrowfully, tears were streaming down my cheeks as I wore my heart on my sleeve. "But I should've known. Every time he told me had to work as he cancelled a date, he was probably with her. And I feel so hurt and betrayed by that. Three years this had been going on and I-I-" I cut myself off as the dam broke causing all the tears in my eyes to fall uncontrollably.

I sniffled and swiped at the tears away in vain as they were coming down so fast it was useless. All the hurt and sorrow bubbled out of me and I cried even more. I hated talking about feelings.

Suddenly arms pulled me against a hard body and hugged me tightly. I continued weeping as I lay my head on Kingston's chest for everything that I've gone through.

I didn't know how long I was in Kingston's arms but when the tears stopped, I hiccuped and sniffled before pulling away. My body felt stiff from staying in the same position for too long and I noticed a dark patch on his grey Henley from my tears.

"Sorry about your shirt." I croaked out and Kingston shrugged, "It doesn't matter. Feeling better?" He asks and I nodded my head jerkily.

Suddenly, I felt embarrassed. Like why was I spilling everything I've felt to Kingston? It was kinda ironic considering that maybe a month ago, I didn't even want to be in the same room as him.

Also, it was now that I realised I was sitting on his lap and my hands were on his chest as I tried to get off his body. This was incredibly awkward. I cursed myself for getting into this sort of situations. It was typical, I was Sydney Carrington, the queen of awkward situations.

"I'm sorry." I mumbled stupidly as I struggled to move off. Another amused chuckle sounded and I slipped and my head jerked nearer to his face. "O-oh-I-" I cut myself off as Kingston's gaze was snagged onto my lips once more.

His face inched closer to mine and my heart thundered furiously. Without thinking, I leaned my face closer to his and my gaze caught onto his lips. They were nicely shaped and they were getting closer to mine as each second passed.

His lips were just millimetres away from mine when the door burst open. "Sydney! I swear I-Oh! Oh my god! Sorry!" Sarah shouted before squeaking as she slammed the door shut.

Immediately, the spell was broken and I pulled away from his magnetic allure. "I-uh. I better get back to my painting, the paint is gonna dry up soon." I mumbled and quickly scrambled off him. Even though I wasn't touching him anymore, I still could feel the heat of his body on mine.

Kingston cleared his throat and got off the chair and went towards me. "I would see you for dinner?"

Was it me or did Kingston's voice turned huskier? Sure his voice was low and rough but was it rougher from the encounter we shared?

I nodded and looked up at him to see that his gleaming silver eyes were bright. "Yeah. I'll see you later." I offered a smile and Kingston nodded and gave me back a small smile in return before leaving.

The door shut gently and I placed my brushes and the paint sets back on the table and exhaled deeply. Unconsciously, my hands touched my lips as I wondered how would Kingston's lips feel against mine.

***

A/N: Hello! Sorry for the slightly late update. Sigh. Also! Happy New Year!  AHAHA I hope that you all will like this chapter because this baby is the longest in this book so far. Ahaha 3000+ lmao. Anyway, please tell me what you guys think by commenting and voting because this is the first chapter in 2016! I know you guys will be like "DAMN! That was so close! UGH." AHAHAHA well, all I can say is that all good things come to those who wait. Lmao.

Anyway, do you guys think that Ben Hill is a suitable person to play Kingston? I still can't find that perfect person. And I really do thank all of you for your suggestions! But they guys you suggested didn't make me immediately think of Kingston. Sigh, anyway let me know what you think!

Anyway, thanks so much for reading and I'll see you lovely people in the next chapter. :) <3