HIRAM'S POV:
Breakfast with my family and Alex's parents does not go as I expect. Everywhere feels lively, and they chat away their lives as though we do not have impending doom about to consume the pack.
"Are they genuinely happy, or is my humor box broken?" I whisper to Alex, who is sitting close to me.
"I think they are just trying to get by. The Lycans haven't made a request yet; they only tried to show their presence. To be honest, we are in the wrong, so you cannot really blame them. Other packs are refusing to form an alliance with ours to go to war with the Lycans, which is a smart move because the bloodshed will be crazy."
Politics. One reason I hate my position as an alpha prince. I will do anything to escape the politics and dynamics of the packs.
"That's enough werewolf politics for a day," I say, flashing her a smile while I focus on my meal.
"About my problems with June. She keeps having flashbacks of that incident in my house, and I do not know why," I say to Alex, who stops chewing at once.
"What kind?"
"Winston chasing her in his wolf form."
She pauses briefly, as though contemplating something.
"It should be the mate bond you both share. You marked her and had sex with her, so she has a little of you in her system, but that isn't something I cannot fix. I will give you something for that when we get back."
"Thanks," I mutter, then I glance up to see my mother staring at us. "Forget it, Mum," I say to her, then she rolls her eyes, continuing with her meal.
After breakfast, Alex and I bid my family goodbye before we return home, arriving in utmost darkness. It is nighttime.
**
The buzz from my doorbell jolts me awake. Still groggy, I fumble for my robe and make my way downstairs. Alex? I hope. But when I swing the door open, it's Nala.
She stands there in a sleek black dress, a small white box in her hands. Her eyes meet mine, and she hesitates, shifting her weight slightly from one foot to the other.
"Hey," she says softly, flashing me a faint smile.
I give her a little wave.
"I, um…" She glances at the box, then back at me. "Alex said you needed this. And…" She bites her bottom lip, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I wanted to use the opportunity to see you."
"Oh, uh, thanks." I open the door properly. "Come in," I say to her, and she walks into the lobby. I shut the door behind her.
She makes her way into the living room while I follow behind. She stops by the couch in front of the fireplace. First, she places the box on the couch before taking a seat. I walk to the minibar in the corner and take out two glasses, pouring a drink into both of them. Walking up to her, I hand her one glass, her fingers slightly brushing against mine, causing me to glance at her momentarily.
"Thanks," she mutters in a small voice, and I shoot her a smile before sitting opposite her.
We both sip from our glasses, and the burning sensation doesn't soothe my throat. I realize I should wait a little longer for my body to wake up before surprising it with alcohol.
Nala clears her throat.
"I heard about your father," she begins, and I stare into space, saying nothing. "I am truly sorry, and I hope he gets better."
"I hope so too," I say immediately, giving a sharp inhale before bringing the glass to my lips.
The room remains silent for a moment, then she sets her glass down on the table, breaking the silence with the clink of the glass against the surface.
"I know what is in the box, Hiram." My brows crease slightly when she says this. "It is not like I am trying to interfere with your love life, but I think you deserve someone who understands you. She knows nothing about you."
I hate when people talk about June as though they know her better than I do, but for some reason, I sit here listening to Nala. Maybe it is because I still feel guilty about how things went down between us.
"How long do you intend to keep up with the lie? It is unhealthy for both of you, Hiram. And you, of all people, should know that this will be a recipe for disaster. It is already built on lies."
Already built on lies. That one gets to me, but it doesn't bite deep enough for me to react.
"She is twenty, and she is human. Like I said, I do not believe in your deity, and she doesn't either. So do you see how contrasted your lives are? There is almost no future between the two of you." She keeps yapping, taking a jab at my chest with each word. "Do you even love her? Because if you do, then you should set the poor girl free. It is going to have to go beyond sex someday, and…"
"Enough!" My jaw tightens, and I glare at her.
Her lips seal at once, and she sinks back into the seat, looking small. I get to my feet at once, walking to the bar, then I place my glass on it, gripping the edge of the counter. I try to steady my breath because I do not want to get angry.
People wonder why I try to remain calm in various situations, but the answer is straightforward. My temper is terrible, and if I let it get the best of me, I will do things without thinking. But then there is June, who has been keeping it in check. It's like whenever I see her, my world becomes butterflies and flowers.
"Hiram, I am sorry. I didn't mean to… I…"
"It's okay," I say to Nala, raising a hand, then I shut my eyes against the counter.
I try to keep a clear mind because I do not want to think about how everything is slipping out of my control. If I lose her, I will probably lose my mind.
"Hiram."
My eyes widen as I hear my name. Not from Nala, but from June.
I turn around at once and see her standing by the door in a white miniskirt with a pink jacket. My instincts kick in, and my legs move before I can stop them. Before I know it, I am at the door, pulling her into my arms.
She hesitates at first, but then her arms wrap around me, and I press her deeper into my chest.
"I'm sorry I left without a word, and…"
"It's okay. I understand." Her voice comes out shaky, causing me to pull away from her.
Nala stands up at once, walking up to us.
"I have to get to work, Hiram. Thanks for having me," she says, and I nod briefly.
"June," she calls out, planting a smile on her face, which June returns before Nala walks away.
As soon as she is gone, June faces me, inhaling deeply.
"I know your father is sick, and I wish you told me. I would have come with you, I swear."
Winston walks through the door at that moment, and I glare at him.
"Do not blame him. I forced it out of his mouth and threatened to leave the apartment if he didn't tell me." My gaze snaps back to her at once.
Winston leaves the room at once.
"But I wish you told me. We do not have to be always happy. I have told you about my life, Hiram, but I know nothing about you, really. You do not want to have a family, kids, and I know that. So do not introduce me as a prospect. I do not even want that, because I am very young too. But at least I am your girlfriend, and I deserve to know to a certain degree when you are hurting." Her voice cracks at this point.
"It's like you are some kind of savior, always around to swallow my darkness. But me…" She pauses, exhaling deeply.
"I am just here to draw you into my darkness. Always taking from you and giving nothing in return. I might not have the finances, but I have enough love to give, please." Her hands reach for my face, and I lower it, burying it into her neck.
"I love you," I mutter, and she runs her hands through my hair, caressing it gently.
"I love you too, and I want to know," she says. "Even if you do not tell me, I want to be here with you. Please do not deprive me of that."
Her words are comforting, but the fear in my chest is much stronger. I do not need comfort from her. I should comfort her and not the other way around, because that will only make me weak.
"It is unfair that you tell Nala things about you, but not me."
I pull away from her, then I take her hand, walking her to a couch. I sit down and pull her onto my lap.
I tuck the loose strands of her hair behind her ear.
"I didn't tell Nala about my problem. Alex did. And I never want you to feel anyone is more important than you in my life, because that would be a lie." I bring the back of her hand to my lips. "You are the best thing that has ever happened to me, June, and I mean every single thing I say."
She leans into my shoulder.
"It doesn't seem like that sometimes," she says in a small voice.
"How about we have a getaway?" I ask, and she pulls away briefly to meet my eyes. "Just you and me. In a different city. Maybe Miami."
Her brows crease slightly.
"Then what happens to school? It is a Tuesday, Hiram, and we have to be in school because…"
"It is seventy-five percent attendance. You are a good student, plus you won't be absent from my classes, if you know what I mean. So what do you say?" I ask, and a smile forms on her lips. "I'm guessing that is a yes?"
She gives a small nod, and I help her up.
"Winston will drive you back to your apartment to get your things ready, and I will meet you there so we can go," I say to her, and she nods.
I grab the box of cookies Alex baked to help wipe June's memory, then I walk to the kitchen, tossing it into the trash.