Chapter 44

We both sat there just taking in the moment.

“I am not going to stand in the way for him to finally fill the hole he’s been missing.” She said which really surprised me. I mean is this what mature looks like?

“Marcy, it’s more complicated than that. If I tell you something, can you promise to keep it between us?”

She paused but nodded in agreement.

“Two years ago, I rescued someone from the same position that you found me. I got romantically involved with him to find out he was the missing Alpha King.”

She darted up completely stunned at me.

“There’s more.” She scratches her head while I continue.

“I fell for him, and I was the ticket to saving his throne. Then I found my mate who happened to be his Beta. I fucked things up but with the humans who would do everything to hurt everyone. So, I went willingly to protect everyone. What I am saying is I have a lot of growing up to do and I am not emotionally stable to allow anyone in. This is going to be more drama if they find me because I can almost guarantee they will.”

She stood there in complete shock trying to process the handful of information.

“I freaking knew it! I knew there was something about you and why he had come searching for a woman and I understand well I think I do at least. I am not going to stand in the way of it. He is really the best person I know, and he is my best friend. We may have years on you but it’s very grown-up of you to admit that. And don’t worry your secret's safe with me unless problems arise, and I hope you can understand that.”

I smiled and just nodded because I wouldn’t expect anything less of her.

“You’re okay. Your loyalty is what matters. Also, my real name is Ryleigh, but don’t call me that please.”

We both stood up and parted ways making me feel just a little better. But this conversation led to more than I was expecting.

I stayed in my room the rest of the night just thinking of what could go wrong if I did pursue it. Like if they ever found me would I be able to resist Jax while with Anthony? Is it a risk I was going to take when everything falls downhill? My wolf was something else. I don’t know why she is so pushy and why she has men falling at her feet and maybe one day I will find out. But the point of starting a new life is moving on from the people who caused me so much pain and misery and I don’t think holding on to the past will make it any better. The clock showed that it was late but that didn’t matter. I wouldn’t sleep if I didn’t say anything now.

I grabbed some clothes and went towards his office, and it was weird he was in there so late. I knocked, waiting for a reply. The door opened and there was Marcy.

“Hey girl, I was just leaving. I will let you both talk.”

She walked and I stayed there in the doorway just staring at him staring at me.

“I am young, which means I like to do things differently at my own pace. This is me asking you to take me on a date so we can get to know each other.”

He walked closer to me.

“I am not saying that this is anything final because I have my walls so far up and my insecurities are so high, but we owe that to ourselves to find out. That’s only if you want to.”

A smile appeared on his face as he made his way over to me.

“I am a lot to handle, and I am very immature. Some would say selfish—”

He planted his lips on me, shutting me up. It was a nice way of him telling me to shut up. And when it ended, he rested his forehead on mine.

“How about tomorrow I take you on a very unusual date?” He asked. “I’ve never been on a date, so I have nothing to judge it on, but I am up for it.”

He placed a short and sweet kiss on my lips before I took my leave.

And he wasn’t wrong. I was woken up at the crack of dawn and told to put up on certain clothes by Marcy. She wouldn’t give me any information but just smiled the entire way. She brought me to a weird field. People were putting on gear and it looked like we were going to battle. Anthony ran up to me.

“Are you ready for our weird date?” He asked.

Eyebrows raised because I still had no idea what was going on.

“What are we doing?” But he didn’t answer, just laughed.

“Have you ever been paintballing?” Oh, beautiful I was about to be hit by them.

“Don’t worry, you’re on my team.”

He grabbed my hand and led me to a table and helped put my helmet and bodysuit looking thing on. There were a lot of people who were already ready.

“Alright, you guys, today we are going to focus on reflexes. Don’t get hit or you’re out,” he yelled, and everyone nodded.

He brought me over to the middle and there were others on the other side and a referee. “Dodge and try to shoot other people. One gets them out,” he said.

The ref had put up his arm and everyone got into positions.

“Focus on your wolf instincts. Be visual of your surroundings and dodge. Don’t get too risky,” he continued.

“Find a good place to hide but don’t turn your back. But remember I have your back.”

The ref had put his hand down and everyone scrambled to find a good place to hide. I felt my hand being dragged and it was Anthony.