Chapter 58: Silence
Chapter 58: Silence
“I have. I always thought that it was weird. Oh, no!” I cover my eyes with my palms. “I told Asclepius that I was in love with Leo.”
“I know,” he says quietly, his poker face revealing nothing.
The silence in the room stretches into an eternity, and when I realize that he doesn’t have any intention of saying anything more, my heart races.
“You must have thought I was crazy, but there’s no need to feel guilty for not loving me back.” I swallow. “That was before I found out about...”
“I know,” his lips presses into a thin line.
“I can’t believe you made me come to campus with Asclepius.” I manage a grin, desperate to steer the conversation in a different direction. “You put me through all that when you could’ve just shifted? Wow!” I chuckle nervously.
“I’m sorry,” he breathes.
Then, silence.
“When Professor Malino said she was going to take Asclepius to stay somewhere, where was she going to take you?”
“She was going to take me to Clearwater and then I would take a plane back, her alpha already agreed to let me visit their pack.”
“All the way to Idaho?” My jaw drops.
“She thought about you, she was worried that you wouldn’t agree.”
“I was going to get upset, and I was going to worry, but I wasn’t going to disagree. It’s far from Carkeek Park, and that means it would’ve been safer.”
“You are considerate,” he leans back, sinking into the bean back and then he gazes at me.
I feel my cheeks flush, and I break eye contact. “Don’t look at me like that. You are doing this on purpose, to make me uncomfortable.”
“Why would I want to make you uncomfortable?” The corners of his mouth slightly curl up. “I’m just impressed.”
“I’m not a saint. I’m going to thank Professor Malino, I haven’t been really friendly lately. Speaking of which, why are you all scientists?”
“It’s a sort of law. Every werewolf should be drawn to science because we are connected to nature.” He rolls his eyes.
“What if I want to be an actress?”
“That’s fine. As long as you take a science course, like your boyfriend, Jeremy.”
I titter and I throw a pillow at him, which he catches with ease. “What if I want to do it full-time?”
He gasps playfully, “That’s the same as committing treason!”
“Really?” My eyes widen.
“The werewolves are planning world domination and we need scientists to cause chaos.” He says wryly.
“I figured,” I nod, trying to prevent myself from smiling. “How does this pack thing work? Where do you stay? Do you meet at Carkeek Park for social events?”
“Carkeek Park is larger than people are made to believe. There are towns, many buildings, and almost everything.”
“Is it pretty?” I ask curiously.
“Very. Why are you smiling?”
“Your face lights up as if you are talking about a magical place.”
“Well, it is magical, literally. I’ll be right back.” He gets up and comes back with a bottle of water.
I mumble my thank you, and he nods. “You need to eat.”
“Later. Why do people think it’s cursed?”
He shakes his head. “You are going to eat, even if it means I have to force you.”
“I haven’t forgotten about you forcing me to take the herbs. I’m plotting my revenge.”
A ghost of a smile crosses his lips. “I have a better idea. I’m going to get food and I will answer your questions when I’m satisfied.”
“That won’t be necessary, I will eat when Chloe gets here. Please tell me.”
He sighs. “It’s a myth invented to keep people away. The forest is protected by a magical seal. I was surprised when I saw you, but I think you could bypass it because of your mate.”
“So, I will never be able to go ever again?”
“I’m not sure. But why would you want to go there? They would kill you for sure this time.”
“Was that scary wolf your dad?”
“Unfortunately,” he says with an exhale.
“When are you going to go back to him?”
“To do what?” He asks flatly, but I notice his body going rigid.
“To apologize.”
“For what?” The tightness in his voice makes me grimace.
“Willow, I’m sorry. I, my father...” Liam winces lightly before scrunching up his nose.
“What’s wrong?”
“Someone...” Almost immediately, the loud bang on the door makes my head pound. “That is what’s wrong,” he says with a sigh. He lazily gets up and heads to the door.
“What the hell do you want?” Leo roars as the door swings open. “I could smell your stench from miles away.”
“Why am I not surprised? You told her to reject me, didn’t you? You told her our pack secrets!”
Liam!? Oh, no! I thought I had a week to prepare myself to face him.
I get out of bed, and I tip-toe to the source of the noise.
“This bitch moved on so fast, or the two of you were already fucking!” He continues.
“If you call her that again, I will rip you to shreds,” Leo growls. “What do you want?”
I stop walking the moment I hear growls, roars and something else that sounds like things are thrown around. I take a deep breath to brace myself to run and get between them.
‘Stop it! Do you want to turn my dorm into a crime scene?’ I picture myself saying that. But then, I picture them not seeing me on time and throwing me against a wall.
I stand behind a wall that separates my small kitchen from my bedroom, and I take a peep. A small smile crosses my lips when I see both 6-foot figures standing near the door. With Leo’s back facing me. His hand is around Liam’s throat, his eyes wide as he struggles to breathe. Leo lets him go, and Liam places a hand on his throat, glaring at Leo and coughing.
“I’m a bigger person, so I’ll forgive you.” Liam exhales.
“Leave!” Leo utters a low, threatening growl that I also find myself shaking.
“I’m going to sue that sorry excuse of a police station, and I’m going to kill you. As for Willow...” His gaze shifts from Leo and to the wall I’m standing behind. “Oh! Here you are, babe.” His smile, which I used to love, makes my stomach churn. “I got out, babe, and thank you for the medication you gave me when the police took me. I knew you loved me, don’t let Leo come between us.”
I blink in confusion, and I walk towards them.
“Babe, I forgive you for everything. We can start over, I will divorce Lucy.” He walks towards me and Leo follows behind, his sharp gaze on him and his fists clenched. If looks could kill.