Chapter 9: Disoriented

ELENA PETERS

The fresh air that met my skin was chill and soothing.

A dark contrast to how I felt on my inside.

I was rested in the hammock. Looking at the beautiful sky. While my mind raced with thoughts of how my life had been.

I slurped on the orange juice the maid had brought me a while ago.

I did miss staying here. The fresh air. The beautiful maid service.

Everything was perfect—the life of a princess.

Living with Trent was also like living the princess's life. Except my mental health had taken a new stance.

I was always alone and lonely because he was barely at home. And now, my insides are chaotic knowing he's cheating on me with Tracy.

Compared to when I was at my father's house. I didn’t have to worry about anything.

I just lived. And I was genuinely happy.

“Elena?” My stepmother's voice brought me from my thoughts.

She stood at the entrance of the terrace. I sat up immediately.

“Mother.”

She gave a warm smile.

“I see you must be bored to death. Seeing as you're staring blankly at nothing.”

I let out a small smile.

“I’m truly sorry for not keeping you company. I had been busy with the pack affairs.”

“It’s okay. I understand. The fresh air and sweet drink are enough company.” That sounded even more pathetic and lonely than I had intended.

“Well, I’m glad you can enjoy the silence. Not many of us can do that.”

Well, if your life is filled with so many problems, silence becomes one’s best friend. But yeah, I forced another smile.

Not wanting her to think I was sad or moody. Or mostly... heartbroken.

“How is Trent doing? And why didn’t he come with you?”

“He had to go to his father’s house.”

She nodded her head in understanding.

“Well, I’m sorry about not coming out to welcome you. Tracy would have done it. But she isn’t home.”

“It’s okay, Mother. Really.”

I was glad that Tracy didn’t come out to welcome me. The sound of her name made me boil with rage.

I still felt so angry at her betrayal. And she wasn't home? God knows where she'd gone. To Trent?

“You do know you can always come visit. I’m sure I would be able to welcome you then properly.”

“It’s fine, Mother. Besides, I like it here more. I don’t wish to go home and soon.”

And I meant it. Staying at home was quite depressing. Trent was hardly ever at home. And so it was mostly just me at home, alone in that big mansion.

Left with my thoughts. And then I'm tempted to think of Vince.

His proposal- it was genuinely torturing. Hating to think of him, but unable to stop.

Today marked the third day since the offer he made. I knew my answer was an absolute no. I was just scared about how to tell him that.

And scared of how he would react to it. All those thoughts drove me up the wall.

It was why I was happy that I could come to my father's house and find temporary solace.

When I’m here, I don’t have to think of why Trent wasn’t home or wondering if he is out with Tracy.

The change of environment sure felt breathtaking.

“You shouldn’t say that. Your home should be with your mate. Forever.” Mother chided me softly.

I wonder if the same goes for cheating partners. I asked what she would think about it. Would she even believe me?

And if she did, wouldn’t I just be burdening her? There was no need to force all that darkness on her. Or on father. I should deal with it on my own.

I forced another smile, unable to reply to her.

Her eyes squinted in worry. “Are you alright, darling?”

“I am fine, mother.” That was a lie. But she didn’t have to know.

She gave me a skeptical look. A look that said she wished to press more on the matter. I didn’t want that. And so I had to turn the subject.

“How is your relationship with father?”

She gave me a more suspicious look.

“Fine.”

Well, that didn’t work. I let out a frustrated sigh. Maybe I couldn’t tell her. But I could stylishly ask for advice.

“I have a question, mother.”

“What is it, darling?”

“Have you and father ever had issues? Has he ever done anything to hurt you?”

“Of course, sweetness. All couples fight and have their ups and downs. But we always sort it out. That is why your father and I are still together to date.”

“Hm,” I said, nodding my head.

“During the times you had problems, did you ever go to someone else for comfort?” I asked again.

She furrowed her eyebrows. “No. Your father has always been my source of comfort. I haven’t seen the need to go to someone else for it. Even during trying times.”

Lucky her, then. I wish I could go to Trent for comfort. But even when we had little quarrels. I always end up going to Vince for the needed comfort. Back then, I still pictured him as my father-in-law.

And now that Trent cheated and I had that one-night stand with Vince, my whole body and sense were calling out for him. Not as my father-in-law. But as a man...

But I'm holding them back so I can't go to him for comfort like old times. Because right now, things are different.

I wonder why I found comfort with Vince. And not with my mate. Wasn’t that just weird?

Or did the comfort stem from the fact that I loved him? That I've always felt a low-key, unexplainable attraction to him?

“Darling. If you start craving the comfort of someone else in your relationship, then either you don’t love your partner. Or something wrong is happening in your relationship. You should never let it get to that point.”

I nodded my head. Forcing a smile. “I understand, Mother.”

I wish I could tell her that it was already too late because I had gotten to that point. If not past the point, because I didn't just get comfort. I also got his dick!

One of the maids came in and whispered some words into my stepmother's ears.

“Excuse me, darling. I’m afraid I have to leave you. I have to tend to some issues.”

“I understand, mother. Go ahead.”

She smiled and kissed me on my forehead before walking away.

As if on cue. My phone started ringing.

I ignored it as it was an unknown number. I wasn’t in any mood to talk to anyone.

However, the phone rang again. I groaned out, frustrated, and decided to pick it.

The main aim was to ask the person not to disturb me.

“Hello?”

“Hello, baby.” I froze up at the sound of his voice.

Vince. I hadn’t realized how much I missed hearing his voice. Or how much his voice affected me.

I could feel my body heating up again. I was glad he wasn’t here to see my reactions to him.

“What do you want?” but damn, I sounded too needy.

“Come on, baby, that isn’t how to greet your lover.”

“We are not lovers.”

“We would have been if you had called earlier and gave a reply. But not to worry. I called. And I want my reply. A positive one.”

I scoffed. “A big flat no is my reply.”

I didn’t know where or how I got the confidence. But I was pretty sure it was because I wasn’t in front of him. So his physical effect on me couldn’t hold out my mouth.

“Come on, baby. Don’t be stubborn. Besides, I wanted to see you. I thought Trent relayed the message to you.”

“I am not seeing you. Plus, I had to come visit my father.”

“That means I was right.”

Confusion filled me. “About what?”

“You still being with Trent. I thought you had ended things with him. He cheated on you. So why would you be in bed with him in the morning?”

“Firstly, He is my mate. And secondly, I can’t just leave him. Thirdly, this doesn’t concern you.”

The long pause told me that he hadn’t liked my reply. Except I didn’t care about that.

“It concerns me, love, and if you have it in your best interest, you would come to see me.”

“I’m not one of your men that you order around.”

“If you wish me to beg you. Then fine. Just see me. Please." His husky voice was making it harder to keep my bravado.

I groaned out in frustration. “Why can’t you get it? What we had was a one-time thing. There is no furthering it. There is no being your lover. Just accept it.”

“I’m sorry, darling. But I don’t do one-time things. If I fucked you, It’s because I want you.”

“You fuck your wife too. Want her, have her. But please leave me.”

“Not going to happen, darling. And if you wish me to leave Vanessa, I would. Just say that word.”

Unbelievable. He had to be crazy. That is the only word that fits this situation.

“The earlier you accept that we can’t be together, the better.” I snapped, but again, my voice quivered. How could he not when he had a mad effect on my nerves?

There was a very long pause. And at a point, I thought he hung up. That would have been a big, momentary relief.

“So you are saying no, huh?” His voice came through again.

“Yes.” Maybe he was going to accept it after all.

“Well, let me get this into your nutted, sexy brain. I love you. I want you. You belong to me. And I shall have you even if I have to go against all the order of the universe to have you. I am not ever going to leave you. Or accept your rejection. So it is you who needs to accept this. The earlier, the better.”

I froze up. Fear gripped me from his statement. However, it didn’t stop the wetness that pooled around my thighs.

“I am never going to accept it.” My voice shook as I said it.

“It seems I have been talking too much. I’m just going to claim you instead. I gave you a chance to choose. But you ruined it. I don’t think you should blame me for anything unruly that happens. Who knows...maybe I would do something really crazy, just to lure you into my arms again. But you're gonna come to me, baby. I promise you that."

Fear ran through my body. But the w

etness that pooled around my leg was more than the fear.

I was going crazy. Because there was no way his words would get me more wet instead of more scared.

The call eventually ended. Leaving me disoriented.