Cole pulled up in front of Amy's house. "Thank you," she said as she reached for the door. He placed his hand on hers, stopping her from leaving. She looked back at him and swallowed.
"Let me," he said and she slowly dropped her hands to her knees.
He got down from the car and went over to where she was seated. Opening the door, she stepped out.
"Thank you," she reiterated and turned to walk away, but he held her back, his fingers encircling her wrist.
She inhaled deeply and turned back with a little smile. "Forgetting anything?" She asked.
"Amy.." he was becoming weary and hurting. "I didn't know Shantel was going to be in town so soon and..."
"Cole," she interrupted him. "I'm not mad at you. I know what I signed up for, but maybe I don't really know what I'm getting into and.." she began to tear up unknowingly.
He pulled her into his arms, holding her close to himself. They stayed that way for a little while. It felt like he was trying to convince her while she held on to him for the strength she needed.
He pulled away a little and cupped her face. Her eyes, a shiny twin pool hazelnut staring into his green ones. "I just want you to know that you won't ever have to share me with anyone. I'm yours and yours only," he said.
Amy let out a sigh. She believed him, but she was scared. Scared of what was about to happen with the return of Shantel. Was she ready to risk it all? For Tris happiness and hers?
She closed her eyes briefly and opened them as she nodded.
"I love you, Amy," he said, kissing her forehead.
"I love you too," Amy replied, her arms still wrapped around his waist.
Unknown to them both, Shantel watched them from her car, her hands tightening around the wheels as her face hardened.
|||
Cole arrived home, feeling more at ease now that he had sorted out things with Amy. He had spent last night with her and Tris and was only returning to his house after he had dropped her off at work.
"Where have you been?"
Shantel's voice jolted Cole out of his thoughts as he walked into the living room. He took a step back, quite alarmed by the sudden voice.
"Are you planning on killing me?" He asked her as he noticed her well perched on the stool close to the winery.
She stared hard at him. "That doesn't answer my question," she fired.
He narrowed his eyes. "Last time I checked, I owed you no explanation concerning my whereabouts. How did you get in here?"
She chuckled bitterly as she picked up her glass of vodka. "I still have your keys, remember?"
"Isn't it too early to be drinking?" He questioned.
She chuckled as recalled how she had drove to his place in anger and waited all night for him, only for him to return this morning.
"The question should be why am I drinking," she said.
Cole took a deep breath. "Look, Shan, I thought we were over this. Way past this conversation,"
"It is so easy for you to say when you've found your mate and I haven't found mine!"
Cole stared at her without saying anything.
"You just want to dump me after using me all these years just to be with a lowlife omega!"
"Enough, Shantel!" Cole raised his voice, his eyes flashing his wolf's ones. "I will not tolerate you calling my mate names,"
She snickered.
"And did you talk about use?" He asked her. She had finally succeeded in getting on his nerves. "You've been using me for every penny I've got from the onset! We had our fun in high school and you had to tie me down with a baby when I was finally getting my life sorted out! You've been manipulating my father just to get your way with me!" He said and continued as he stared hard at her. "Don't talk about use, Shantel. We've been over even before we began,"
"Bullshit!" Shantel cursed as she stood up from the stool and walked closer to him. "You're saying all these because of her!"
"This has nothing to do with her. Do not blame others for your faults. For fuck sake, Shantel, you publicly denied me on national TV and it was live! You're doing all these now because you know you've lost me and you're one person that hates losing,"
"That's not it! I fucking love you, Cole!"
"I can't say the same. My heart belongs to someone else,"
"Your heart was once mine," she replied, staring dangerously at him.
"It was never yours to begin with," he said, staring at her in that same steadfast tenacity.
She poked his chest. "It was mine and always will be mine. I don't give a damn who the moon goddess has given to you as a mate. Amy will never have you,"
"This is the thing. It's always a competition to you. Everything has always been," Cole replied, brushing her hand away from his chest.
She poked him the more. "I don't care what you think of me. You're mine and no one else will have you,"
"Go home, Shantel. You're drunk," he said as her breath of alcohol hit him hard.
"Remember the threat I gave you when you wanted to go after her at your office?" She asked and Cole stared hard at her. "I mean it. Picture all blogs, magazines and TV shows talking about how you cheated on me several times all these years ago," she continued as she smiled saucily, wrapping her arms around his neck. Cole gritted his teeth as he stared at her in stoicism.
"Imagine how your father will feel. We both know he hates public disgrace especially when it's coming from his only son, the almighty alpha of the Dark Moon pack," she giggled.
Cole took her hands off him and pulled out his phone. He made a phone call to a guard outside.
"Come in," he said and hung up.
Shantel curved a malicious smile, hoping she had cornered him. She was about to hold him again when the guard walked in.
"Alpha," he called respectfully.
"Yes. Do escort Miss Jackson out of the estate and ensure she gets home safe," Cole said to him, his eyes fixed on her in a disgusted manner. Shantel stared at him, too stunned to speak.