Chapter 3 A Night At Father's

• ELENA PETERS
• Hearing my phone buzz had me frozen in a spot. But my heart dropped when I checked the caller ID and it wasn't the man I wanted it to be.
• It's been a week since the night we shared. It was certainly alcohol speaking when I told him I wouldn't regret what happened between us.
• Because I came home the next day and I bawled my eyes out. I never thought I'd do something as dirty as sleeping with another man aside from my mate. And worse, his father. The fact that I did made me feel so horrible.
• I hated him instantly and didn't wanna talk to him anymore. But that hate watered down into a burning longing and craving a few days later.
• I get endlessly tempted to call him, but when I pick up my phone, I lose the courage to. And he hasn't called me. We haven't seen each other either. That part left me more unsettled.
• Had me thinking he was either ignoring me or what we had didn't mean enough for him to keep in touch with me.
• Maybe to him, it was just a one-night stand; just some random sex. Nothing more. And while I should be thrilled about it, a part of me was hurting really bad.
• Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't he make me promise that I wouldn't pretend that it didn't happen? So why was he doing exactly that?
• Did he not mean those words when he said them? Were they just said to spice up the moment? Was he regretting it as much as I was?
• Maybe to him, it meant nothing. And it was supposed to mean nothing to me too. But my lonely heart seemed to be craving him in a way that couldn't be helped.
• Staring at his number again, I shook my head, deciding not to call him. I dried the tears in my eyes and went downstairs for breakfast.
• Trent was already seated and was on his phone. But he quickly put it down when he saw me.
• Why? Was he talking with Tracy? It was hard for me to confront him about it. So I couldn't. Especially knowing I'm just as dirty as he is, having gotten involved with his father.
• “Hey, baby,” he stood and aimed to kiss my lips. I subtly evaded the kiss, and it landed on my cheek.
• I haven't let him kiss me or fuck me since I found out. His touch repulses me now. And knowing he was sticking his cock into Tracy certainly made him less appealing to me.
• I might not confront him about it but I was certainly not gonna share a cock with my sister. It'd kill whatever shred of pride I had going.
• He pulled out a seat for me and I slid in. Ever a gentleman. That's why I can't ever understand how he could cheat on me. Like how?
• “Your father's dinner party is tonight.” He reminded me.
• Yeah, Father was the Alpha of Moonflakes Pack. While Trent's father was the Alpha of Crimson Hills Pack. Until he retired early and passed the position to Trent.
• Father and Trent's father, Vince, were childhood friends and the friendship grew with them. That's why they seemed very ecstatic when I became Trent's mate.
• “Yes,” I replied blandly, trying to eat even though I had no appetite.
• “I have work later tonight. So I'm just gonna drop you off there and go attend to it. But I'm certainly gonna be at the party tomorrow.”
• I nodded again. I had nothing to say. He was lying. A lie that wasn't worth any replies. If anything, it was trying to make me bawl my eyes out again.
• “I'm not hungry,” I stood and hurried back to my bedroom. I stayed locked in until evening.
• Trent drove me to Father's Pack. We got inside the compound and Father was waiting at the front porch.
• I alighted the car and rushed into his arms.
• “Easy, baby,” he chuckled, running a hand over my back.
• “Sorry.” But I needed a hug. Desperately.
• Trent drove off after greeting Father. Watching him leave made me feel more depressed.
• Father and I went inside and there was Tracy with her mother, my stepmother.
• “Hi, Mother,” I hugged her. She might never fill in the gap my mother left in my heart when I was four. But she certainly was very kind to me and that meant a lot.
• “Hey, big sister,” Tracy flashed her usual, cheeky smile. A very bright smile that brightens up the gloomiest of hearts.
• How could anyone with such smiles be so evil? And I love her so much that I don't know how to confront her either.
• So I was forced to bottle in all my emotions, and it was suffocating the fuck out of me. And right now, I have to be nice to her. Even though it's killing me.
• “Hey, Tracy,” my smile only stayed for seconds and it disappeared. Good thing no one noticed and Father took us to the dining table.
• It was just us though. There was no other invitee. Not even…Vince. Coming here, I had my heart in my mouth thinking I'd see him here. But seeing he wasn't here was both disappointing and relieving.
• “You didn't invite anyone else?” I asked Father as I sat next to him. Tracy sat next to her mother.
• “I invited only Vince,” he replied, grabbing his cutlery.
• I froze but quickly covered it up. “Why…” my voice was croaky so I cleared it up. “...why didn't he come?”
• “I don't know. He said something came up. Something he couldn't leave unattended.” Father sounded kinda disappointed.
• I ate silently, feeling a train of guilt wrecking me apart. What if Vince declined because he knew I'd be here?
• What if the man was feeling bad about himself because of what happened? Something that happened only because I'd been tipsy and audacious and spiteful.
• Maybe Vince was feeling bad. Because, after all, I was his best friend's daughter. And his son's mate. He must be hating himself right now.
• And I shouldn't easily forget that I was the one who initiated what we had. It was me.
• “It's alright, honey. He'll definitely be here for the party tomorrow.” Mother consoled him. But Father couldn't hide his sadness.
• I felt so terrible that I barely ate.
• Finally, I was in my room, staring at my phone again.
• My actions that night might ruin his friendship with my father and further ruin my relationship with Trent if I don't fix this. I need to take responsibility for my actions. I need to apologize and put his mind at rest.
• It was all my fault. I shouldn't have thrown myself at him. And I should apologize for that.
• With a deep breath, I dialed his number. What shocked me was the fact that he picked the first ring.
• “Took you long enough,” he gruffed.
• “I'm sorry,” I said calmly, trying to control my speeding heart.
• “It's…”
• “I shouldn't have thrown myself at you.” I continued, cutting him off. “ I'm sorry if you feel guilty. But you don't have to. It's just a random one-night stand. Let's… let's just pretend it never happened. Please.”
• There was an icy silence between us. And I was tempted to think he had ended the call.
• “Is that what you called to tell me?” There was an edge to his voice. A frightening edge. It sent ripples through my spine.
• “Ye-yes..” I stuttered, gripping my phone harder. “Isn't…isn't that what you wanna hear?”
• “You got no fucking idea.” He hissed, and the line got caught off.
• I was pale for a whole minute. My face was flushed at the intensity of the three-minute call with a man who was supposed to be the most decent and laid-back.
• He didn't sound any bit of that on the phone. If anything, he sounded kinda beastly, unhinged like he was the night when he was pounding into me.
• What's going on? Why does it feel like there's more to him than meets the eye? What…what's really going on? Because I feel like I just upset a beehive with the phone call when all I was trying to do was soothe him.
• “Is there a problem?” Father's voice startled me. I spun around quickly, replacing my pale expression with a smile.
• “None, father.” If only I could ask him exactly what kind of a man his best friend was. Because I'm getting deadly chills from him. Wasn't he supposed to be the warm and friendly Vince?
• Who is this Vince that I slept with and just got off the phone with? They seem totally different from the Vince we've all known over the years.
• “I came to say goodnight.” Father came closer, hugging me briefly. “Thank you for coming to spend the night with me on my birthday eve.”
• “It's my pleasure, Father.” I kept my smile but dear goddess, my heart was heating with guilt. How disappointed he's gonna be if he ever finds out.
• “Get some rest. I'm sorry you won't be having any fun night with your sister.”
• Fun night…well, usually, on nights when I drop by the house like this, Tracy and I would stay up and watch horror movies and scream our hearts out.
• But tonight I certainly wasn't gonna do that with her. I can't even look at her for a whole minute, so how can I share a room with her or laugh with her?
• “No, father. I'm exhausted. I need to get some rest.”
• “Nah, it's fine. Tracy isn't here anyway. She left. Said she had to meet a friend.”
• “What?” But all I got as my reply was the soft sound of the door shutting. Father was already gone.
• Tracy…wasn't here? I didn't wanna start imagining things. I shouldn't torture myself like that. Maybe it wasn't what I was thinking.
• Maybe…
• My phone beeped. Quickly, I clicked on the text. Another set of pictures from Mr. Anonymous.
• Trent was butt naked and Tracy was on top of him, having the time of her life.
• And the text read.
• -Your lovely mate, Trent.-
• My heart bled.