Plot Twist

Chapter 21

Okay, wow, I knew I was a shitty liar, but I was kind of hoping he wouldn't notice.

You know, how sometimes you like someone and you might not notice their flaws?

Except, can being bad at lying really be a flaw?

Okay, Cal, come on--focus!

I highly doubt Mason is going to be super happy if I tell him Harry refers to Harry Styles--the guy I've idolized for years.

Who also happens to look exactly like him.

I didn't have any more time to think before Mason began to fill in the blanks himself. "Is he a...boyfriend?" He asked, practically spitting the word out, "Because I'm not sure I'd do well with competition." The phrase didn't come out like he was afraid he wouldn't measure up, but more like he would handle the competition.

"No, no, he's not!" I quickly blurted out before things got even more out of hand, "He's just this guy I've, uh, known for a really long time. Actually, I wouldn't even say I knew him, per say, it was really like I knew he was. Anyway, the point is, he wasn't a boyfriend or anything. The reason I called you that was because you sort of reminded me of him. Like, you've both got green eyes, and this sort of similar...spirit about you. That's it. Just a simple reminder--you don't have any kind of competition to worry about."

God, did that sound as suspicious and awkward as I thought it did?

I held my breath as he searched my face for a lie. I'd been pretty careful to keep any kind of direct lie out of my phrasing. After all, they did both have green eyes and 'similar spirits', I suppose.

Along with some other similarities as well.

Eventually, he seemed to find what he was looking for, and he nodded with a slight smile, "I understand. I just really hope my face isn't quite so forgettable."

Okay, I can actually mean it when I say 'crisis averted' this time.

And forgettable? Puh-lease. It's not like I haven't been drooling at the sight of his face for the past couple of years or anything.

There wasn't more time to say anything more on the subject because a knock sounded through the door. "Yes?" Mason called out.

"Sir, one of the prisoners--the newest one, the Alpha--is requesting to speak with the Queen," Hulk's unsure voice filtered through.

Hmm, newest one? Alpha? I wonder who that could be.

Geez, it couldn't possibly be Ryder, right?

Seriously though, why does he want to speak with me?

I mean, I know I've been sort of fucking up all of his plans, but it's not like he's wanted to have an actual conversation before.

Mostly he just wanted to maul me.

"I see," Mason's eyes seemed to harden at Hulk's words before he turned to me, "I'll leave the choice up to you. I understand that this situation is very delicate for your family. Just know that if you do choose to go, I am not leaving anything to chance. I will have Samson and Marcus accompany you."

If I'd been a dumb female lead--cough cough--I probably would've insisted on going by myself with some overused, girl-power speech where I ranted on and on about how I could protect myself. But, the truth was, I'd been way too close to being on the receiving end of Ryder's claws too many times to delude myself into thinking I could win a physical confrontation with ass-mate.