Plot Twist

Chapter 4

He peeled out of the parking lot so fast I was really starting to wonder if he should drop the whole Alpha thing and just pursue a career as a NASCAR driver instead. I wasn't about to make any kind of comment though, seeing as smoke was practically pouring out of his ears.

Calm down, Peeta. You'll get your bread soon.

The next five minutes were spent in unbearable silence. The atmosphere was extremely tense and I was afraid that if things didn't lighten up a little, I'd either a) make a Hunger Games joke or b) start blurting out random facts about my future husband - Harry Styles.

I don't think pretend brother would appreciate either, so I did the next best thing - attempt to turn on the radio. I say attempt because before my hand could touch the button, Jackson reached up and slapped it away, growling as he did so.

No music? This is absolute torture.

I took a deep breath and tried to not think about the incredibly awkwardness in the car or let my mouth get the best of me.

Come on, Cal, you can do this. Just relax. This car ride will be over soon.

No.

Oh, God. It's worse! It's all I can think about.

This is torture!

Must. Relieve. Tension. In. Car.

Fuck. It's happening - oh God, I'm about to say something stupid - HELP!

"HARRY EDWARD STYLES WAS BORN ON FEBRUA -"

I was cut off by a loud growl echoing through the car.

"Don't fucking talk. Do you know how pissed I am at you right now?" Jackson finally spoke, gritting his teeth and gripping the steering wheel tightly.

I gulped. He was pissed at me? Why? Shouldn't he be pissed at Ryder for rejecting Skylar?

"Uh, no," I answered lamely, scratching the back of my head.

"Well I am. Do you know why I'm so upset, Calypso?" Jackson said, his voice low and dangerous. It reminded me of my real father when I did something stupid and he got mad at me and would use my full name. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of homesickness, but brushed it off. I was in the car with an angry werewolf - I needed to be focused.

"Is it because I yelled at Ryder?" I squeaked, trying not to make him any more upset.

"Yeah, it is. Do you know how irresponsible that was? Not only blatantly disrespecting an Alpha werewolf, but in front of his pack and ours! I was in the back parking lot with a, uh, friend at the time all this shit went down, but that doesn't mean I didn't hear plenty of gossip about it later on! I cannot believe you did something like that! Do you realize that if Ryder were to ever get you alone he probably wouldn't hesitate to kill you? Tell me, Calypso Gray, what in the actual hell were you fucking thinking?" Jackson lectured.

Deep down inside - way, way deep down inside - I knew pretend brother was right. Disrespecting Ryder like that wasn't the smartest choice, considering I had no way to defend myself if he ever decided to wolf-out or actually, just fight me in general. He probably would've killed me then had those guys not dragged him off.

But still.

How was I supposed to let him sit by and humiliate fake-twin like that in front of all those people? Who would have defended her? She looked like she was about to burst into tears and crawl into the fetal position after his dumb-ass speech. At least I was able to save some of her dignity.