When Gadreel and I entered the house, I wondered if he would stay here. I bit my lower lip, and before he could speak, he said:
"I won't stay here if that's what you're asking."
I smiled.
"No, it's okay. You can stay for as long as you want." I sat on the sofa. "This house is filled with memories, both for me and for Scott and whoever lived here before."
"Scott?"
"Yes, a guy who lived here before me... he died at the hands of a wolf." I swallowed hard because that wolf had been Kayler. But it was all an accident. I don't think Kayler Brown will ever be able to forgive himself for it.
"That's unfortunate. Wolves are creatures that act on instinct without thinking, excuse me for saying it, but they're beasts, animals that can't control their instinct: and their instinct is to kill. That will never change."
I remembered what I went through when I entered the university and the hell I went through. I wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemy.
"Yes, I know that better than anyone."
"You have to think it through carefully, Carolina, because once you get rid of your wolf half, you'll become human again forever. You won't have that strength, that speed, that bravery anymore. And the best part is that you won't have Kayler anymore."
I felt a pain in my heart.
"How is that possible?" I looked at him.
"What binds you to Kayler Brown is that you are mates. Inside of me, you had an inner wolf that always wanted to be close to Kayler. You came to love him, but by killing that inner wolf, those feelings will fade away. You'll be able to live without him normally."
I don't want to, I really can't do that. Everything I went through with Kayler, when I met him, the times he protected me with his life, when he betrayed his own kind to be with me. Despite all the bad things, Kayler has been with me every step of the way. I see how desperate he gets when something happens to me, when I need something. I see how much he misses me when we're apart. It's something that can't be erased overnight. Even though Kayler abandoned me the first time because he thought being with him was hurting me, even though he didn't believe me when I was violated because jealousy blinded him, and now he has a daughter. So many mistakes, secrets, and mistrust... it makes me doubt, yes, but I'm not perfect. I've made mistakes, kept secrets, and had my share of mistrust too. Would I have believed him if they showed me pictures of him in bed with another girl? Of course not, I would have left just like he did. It's so complicated.
"I don't want to keep talking about that," I said. "No! I left the bags in the car. I'll go get them." I rushed outside and opened the trunk of the car, grabbed the bags, and hurried back into the house. But something caught my attention before I entered: there was movement at Kayler's house, there was a party going on.
Well, Kayler is up to his old tricks again. Many people were arriving, and I felt a sense of déjà vu in that moment, from those times. I shook my head and went back inside.
"Make yourself comfortable, Gadreel. I'll prepare your room," I said, and he followed me to the kitchen.
"I don't think Kayler would appreciate me staying here," he said.
"It doesn't matter, Kayler isn't my boyfriend," I replied.
"But he's your mate."
"So what?"
"It's like he's some kind of owner of yours."
I frowned. "That's an exaggeration."
"It's the truth. You don't have the freedom to be with someone else. I wouldn't be surprised if the party is just a distraction and Kayler is lurking around here."
I considered that possibility but dismissed it. "No, I saw him engrossed with his friends."
Deep down, I have the desire to go to that party and find out what he's doing and if he's with other girls.
"I don't think so," he said. "He's probably doing it to make you jealous."
"That's possible," I said, finishing putting things in the fridge and turning to him.
"Admit it, you want to go to that party and find out what he's up to."
"Hmm..."
"Accept it."
"Okay, I accept it."
"Let's go, I'll accompany you."
I looked at him questioningly because I couldn't believe he was going along with this. Is he joking?
"Are you serious?" I asked.
"Of course, that way you can make sure if Kayler is truly sorry or if he's still up to his old tricks."
Now I hesitated about whether to go or not because I don't want to see or hear something that will hurt me again. Although it might be good to be able to make a decision regarding this situation.
"Alright, let's go," I nodded. We left the house and got into the car. Gadreel said he would drive, so I let him. He drove down that road that brought back so many memories and parked a little far from the house. The music was loud. Gadreel and I walked carefully, trying not to be seen, until we entered. And to think that I was here this morning. There were many people, and I didn't even know what they were celebrating. I noticed some of them were from high school. It all brought back both good and bad memories.
"Do you want something to drink?" he asked me, as if we were just out for a stroll.
"No, Gadreel," I said.
Gadreel came to a sudden stop and pointed at something. I followed his finger and saw Kayler Brown surrounded by girls. I pressed my lips together and resisted the urge to go there. But there were also other guys I didn't know, they were talking calmly and even laughing. It's clear he's suffering without me.
"Do you see?" Gadreel sighed deeply and I nodded.
Someone pushed me, causing me to move closer to Gadreel.
"Well, well, look who we have here," it was Piper. Great, the only thing I was missing.
I rolled my eyes and ignored her.
"What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?" she raised an eyebrow, taunting me.
"Don't bother, Piper," I snapped, "I'm not in the mood to deal with you."
"But you're in the mood to come to your ex-boyfriend's party with your other ex-boyfriend. You surprise me, Carolina," she smiled mockingly, "Does Kayler know you're here? Should I call him for you?"
"No, thanks. You need more attention than I do. Where's your daughter? Did you leave her alone?" I felt something unpleasant when I mentioned the child. I still can't get used to the fact that she's Kayler's daughter and not ours.
"Don't mention Kylie, Carolina. She has nothing to do with this," she warned.
"Of course," I retorted.
"I'm serious," she approached me in a threatening manner. Suddenly, it felt like I was talking to Paige; they're the same, even in character—troublemakers. But I won't let her.
"So am I. Let's go, Gadreel. It's not worth being here," I took his hand, but Piper was eager to continue the fight.
"Wait a moment. Let me tell you one thing: leave Kayler alone. He's had enough of you. Let him be happy with me and our daughter. You can't offer him anything anymore."
I wanted to cry when she mentioned "our daughter," but I held back.
"Don't worry about me, Piper. I won't go back to Kayler Brown. I'll disappear from his life, yours, and this town very soon. You can have him all to yourself. You've always been accustomed to leftovers," I was about to turn around, but Piper grabbed my hair.
Great, the fight had begun.