Lauren.
I heard the commotion from my room, a cacophony of angry voices slicing through the otherwise quiet evening. Curiosity piqued, I left the comfort of my solitude and ventured out into the source of the disturbance. As I rounded the corner, I saw Natalie, her usually serene demeanor shattered, replaced by a storm of rage.
"You," Natalie spat, her eyes blazing with fury as she fixed her gaze on me. "So, you're really here. Happy that Arya's missing, are we? Trying to take her place now she's not here?"
I blinked, taken aback by the accusation. "Natalie, I really have no idea what you're talking about," I said, my voice tinged with confusion as I tried to maintain my composure.
"Of course you don't!" Natalie's voice rose, the anger palpable in the air as she took a menacing step closer to me. "What the fuck did you do to Arya?"
I feigned shock at the accusation, the mere thought that she was so close to the truth sent a shiver down my spine, stirring a maelstrom of emotions within me. Does she know something?
"You heard what happened, Natalie," I replied, my tone cold and measured despite the turmoil raging inside me. "I know you don't believe it, so I won't try to convince you otherwise."
Natalie's eyes bore into mine, searching for any hint of guilt or fear. But I met her gaze head-on, refusing to let her see the fear churning within me. I couldn't give her the impression that she was right about anything.
"You think you're so clever, don't you?" Natalie's voice was laced with venom as she took another step forward, her words dripping with accusation. "But I see through your lies, bitch! I know what you're capable of."
"Lies?" I replied coldly. "You think I'd let wolves beat me up for the fun of it? Go to hell, Natalie."
But before I could finish my sentence, Natalie cut me off with a bitter laugh, the sound echoing hollowly in the empty space between us.
"Save it, Lauren," she spat, her eyes flashing with contempt. "I've heard enough of your lies. I wouldn't be surprised if you actually planned this."
Panic bubbled up within me, threatening to consume me whole. I couldn't let Natalie's suspicions gain any traction. I had to shut her down, to make her see reason before it was too late.
"P-planned it?" I stammered, my voice betraying the fear that churned within me. "You can't honestly believe that, Natalie. I-I'm shocked. I can't believe you would even suggest such a thing."
But even as the words left my lips, I knew they sounded hollow, devoid of the conviction I desperately needed them to convey. Natalie saw through me, saw the fear that lurked behind my carefully crafted mask of indifference. And I knew I had to do something, anything, to regain control of the situation.
So I did what any desperate person would do in that moment—I cried. Hot tears spilled down my cheeks, their salty bitterness mingling with the taste of my own fear. I let myself be vulnerable, I couldn't let Natalie see the fear that lay beneath the surface of my carefully constructed facade.
"I-I can't sleep," I confessed, my voice barely a whisper. "Not since it happened. Every time I close my eyes, I see their faces, hear their voices. I-I can't escape it, Natalie. And now you have the gall to accuse me of planning my own attack?"
The words tumbled out of me in a torrent of emotion, each syllable a painful reminder that everything might fall apart if I made the wrong move. I couldn't let her insults get to me. I watched as Natalie's expression hardened, a flicker of doubt crossing her features. Was she buying it?
"I know you think you've managed to deceive everybody about Arya's disappearance," Natalie said, her voice like ice. "But you should think again if you think I'm one of them."
Before I could respond, Tyler's voice cut through the tension like a knife. "That's enough, Natalie," he said firmly, his eyes flashing with anger. I turned away, unable to bear the sight of her accusing stare any longer.
I choked a fake sob as I stumbled towards the door, leaving them alone in the room. But I couldn't leave—not yet. Not when there were still words left unsaid. I needed to know if Tyler actually believed her. So I lingered in the shadows, hidden from view but still acutely aware of their conversation.
Tyler's response was calm, measured. "Natalie, calm down. You know what happened to Lauren. She's been through a lot. She's scared, confused..."
Scared and confused. His words echoed in my mind. Tyler believed me, saw through the facade I presented to the pack. But did Natalie?
I pressed myself further into the shadows, needing to hear every word, every nuance of their conversation.
"Don't give me that," Natalie snapped, her words slicing through the tension like a knife. "You can't just let her stay here, Tyler. What if she's the reason Arya's gone? Why would you let her stay at your place? After everything she's done?"
"She had nothing to do with Arya's disappearance. She was badly hurt, Natalie. I saw it myself. Tyler replied calmly. "Natalie, listen to me. I know you're worried, but we can't jump to conclusions. Lauren needs our support right now. And you know I'm doing everything I can to find Arya."
Natalie's eyes flashed with defiance, her jaw set in a stubborn line. "I don't care," she retorted sharply, her words cutting through the air like a knife. "She shouldn't be here. Not after what happened."
"I understand your concerns, Natalie," Tyler began, his tone gentle yet firm. "But sending Lauren away won't solve anything. I can't just send her out. Besides I won't forgive myself if anything happens to her again."
His words were my lifeline, at least he wasn't suspicious of me, my acting skills were still good.
Natalie's anger seemed to wane, replaced by a sense of resignation. "Fine," she muttered, her tone defeated. "But don't expect me to trust her. Especially since Arya's disappearance. You know I said this. I told Arya not to go. I warned her." Natalie said, her voice breaking into her sob.
"I miss her too, Natalie. I know you do too," Tyler confessed, his voice heavy with emotion. "I miss her so much it's driving me crazy."
His admission sent a pang of jealousy within me, a reminder of the fact that my plan to get him to come to my room might not work tonight.
As Tyler enveloped Natalie in a comforting embrace, I couldn't help but feel a pang of envy. Their bond was strong, while I remained on the outside looking in. One thing was sure now—only Natalie suspected me.
Patience, I reminded myself. I wiped my fake tears as I walked back to my room. Time will bring Tyler to me. Hopefully, Arya would stay missing or even better, dead.