Part 60

/Abels POV/

I had never in our years of friendship seen Edward so serious. The Alpha wore a look on his face that said he was one minute away from pouncing on me. I quietly followed him to the sitting space, nerves alight. As I stared at his tight-set jaw and the fierceness in those eyes, it reminded me of Emma. They were so alike. 

Starting an arrangement with Emma was both the best and worst thing I could have done. I thought that sleeping together would have gotten the desire out of my system. Every encounter made it harder and harder for me to remain unaffected, especially not when I knew every single side of the omega better than I knew himself.

"W-What got you so serious Ed?" I tried to chuckle, but the question fell flat in the living room, he simply turned around. 

Nose twitching as Edward crossed his arms, I tried not to think of how things ended between me and his sister. I willed away the memories of the things said from both ends and how I wished I could take them all back. When I pondered over my reaction, I did not blame Emma for being mad, or for blocking my number. It doesn't make the tinge of hurt lessen but I understood her.

"Are you seriously asking me this?" His nostrils flared. "Give me one good reason why I should not be breaking your face."

My stomach twisted at the intensity of his gaze, body frozen in spot. He knows. I thought as dread filled inside me. Of course, he does. There was no way he would be speaking in such a tone or threatening me with violence if he didn't. But how? The last thing Emma would do is involve her dear brother in this mess and overcomplicate everything. 

"Because we are best friends?" 

"Abel you asshole! That's my sister and...moons help me I want to put my fist through your face." He let out a frustrated groan, tugging on the roots of his hair before plopping on the seat. 

I stuttered out a "H-how did you -"

"You looked miserable," He let out an exhale, shaking his head and refusing to meet my eyes. "There were so many signs but I chose to ignore all because I thought my best friend would never betray me like this..."

"Edward..."

"Not let me finish!" He snapped at me. "I knew I was walking into something messy from the start I picked up my sister's scent on you multiple times. You two aren't slick. I kept telling myself it must be because you two are always in class together. What a fool I was!"

"I thought of confronting you multiple times over this but I did not want to hurt you with baseless allegations..." He sucked a sharp breath, rubbing his hands together, all while staring at the carpeted floor. "My sister seemed happier than she was back home so I figured I would stay quiet for the sake of it. Then something shifted between you two. You've got dark bags under your eyes from lack of sleep, you keep pacing in your room. Emma refuses to come over or speak to me for more than a minute. I don't know what is it that went down between you two but she is devastated. And you are hurt." 

"I-I..."

"And the worst part about all this is you are set to marry Allie. Does my sister know about this?”

Colour drained my face as I let his words wash over me, dread filling in the pit of my stomach. How did he know about all of this? Panic seeped in my ribs, a lump forming in my throat as I tried to answer him. My lips parted, and for a long minute, I couldn't process the information, mind blank.

“How did you know about Allie?”

He rolled his eyes, meeting my eyes. “How do you think dumbass?”

Then the realisation hit me in full force, making me hold my breath. Allie said she was holding onto someone, her reluctance to go ahead with the engagement, Edwards's sudden appearance and him staying over for so long, their shared glances and awkward behaviour around each other. I opened and closed my mouth, resisting the urge to slap myself. All this while I could have made this so easy. 

“You are her mate?” That's all I managed to form, blinking at him. 

“Yes.” He sighed. “When she cried calling me about her engagement I had to assure her in person and also talk to you about it. Then again there’s too much going on with you to broach the topic.”

“You…two…how long has it been going for?”

“Not too long. We always had feelings for each other but never acted upon them because of Emma. She is very important to us but the bond was too hard to resist. We officially started going out a few months ago”.

“Wow.”

“Is that all you have to say?” He huffed. 

“No. I am seriously impressed because I could not have seen it coming. You two hid it well.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“Edward…” I started, hands sitting in front of him. “I love Emma…I haven’t told her this yet and you are the first person to hear this but I love your sister and there is nothing that can stop me from doing that. Like you said we tried to not get involved too but the bond was too strong to resist. You have known me more than anyone will ever do. I have had flings but it’s all in the past. Emma is it for me. I promise you that I will be a good Alpha to her and make sure she is happy. Trust me.”

Edward fell silent. “If I say no will you let her go?”

“No,” I sharply said, startling both of us in the process. There isn't a world where, knowing what I know now, I wouldn't have Emma as the love of my life or just have her in my life. The thought made my stomach turn. “I won’t give up. I will do whatever you want but let her go. Please.”

He shook his head, shoulders slumped. “Thought so. I won’t ask that of you. The last thing I want is to see my sister even more heartbroken than she is…” Edward licked his lips, his stare turning menacing. “Know this you make her cry again and I won’t hesitate to break your face. Friend or not.”

I chuckled, finally letting myself relax against the couch. “I won’t stop you!”

***

The marker screeched as it glided across the board. Lines over lines. As I turned around I met the eager students scattering around the classroom with their hands raised, chasing that extra credit for class participation.

“Yes, Ms. Briana.” I gestured to the student, a permission to share her answer. I should've been listening, should've been focusing on her words. If anything I was playing the part, with neutral expression and occasional nodding. What they didn’t know was how I choked the markers in my fist, jaw clenching and mind going haywire as I caught the sight of Emma. 

After the chat with Edward yesterday which lasted for more than an hour, I was aware apologising to Emma was my priority. Her brother made sure of it too. Unfortunately, I could not catch in the evening and did not want to bother her late at night.

I never thought I would see Emma back in my class again. It felt like everything was in my favour for once. 

It took me a moment to snap out of thought when Briana finished her talk, motioning her to sit down. I cleared my throat, forefinger pushing my glasses a little upwards.

I faced the class, calm and composed like I had been since the very beginning. Yet as I passed a look to Emma– the mere second my sharp eyes met her cold ones, I gulped and shivered as my veins buzzed in fear, excitement, and anticipation. The thought of talking and getting to hold her without any fear or worry thrilled me.

Edward did promise me that even though Allie knew about the ordeal between Emma and me she would stay clueless until everything was resolved between us. 

Taking a glance at my watch, I clapped to get students' attention. “Anyone who missed the last two lessons please check your teams for the overview and make sure you include those notes in your next assignment.”

Groans echoed from all sides of the room, gradually disappearing as students left one by one. I didn’t bother to look anywhere but at Emma who was busy teasing her friend about something. For once, Avon was not stuck to her side. 

“Oh, and Miss Emma? Do you have time to spare? I have something to discuss with you regarding your academic performance."

She stilled in her spot, gaping at me like a fish caught out of water before dumbly nodding. I noticed her gripping the strap of the tote bag nervously. “Uh…sure.”

***