Entwined

Chapter 9: Ripping Out Roots

Chapter 9: Ripping Out Roots

Juliet Rose

       I managed to hold my emotions at bay the entire car ride home.

       Home, look at me… putting down roots in a place where I’d never belong.       

       As Everett kissed me tenderly goodnight at the foot of my bedroom door, I couldn’t help but stack up countless walls between us to hide my inner turmoil. Luckily, I didn’t think he noticed.

       “Goodnight, Juliet,” Everett smiled, pulling me in close to kiss me tenderly. I reciprocated the movement, getting lost in his tenderness for a moment.

       “Goodnight,” I whispered against his lips. I was the first to pull away and push a small smile onto my face.

       Then, as quickly as I left this morning, I slipped back into my room and clicked the door closed behind me.

       I waited until Everett’s soft footsteps echoed all the way down the hall and stairs before I slid down to the floor and cried.

       I never cry; I mean, never. I haven’t shed a tear since my mother had left me eleven years ago in the basement alone. But now, the strong barriers I’d built up to withhold any emotions inside of me came crashing down. I broke down, utterly and completely.

       The more I thought about my life here at the Eastern Pack and Everett, the more I cried. I couldn’t stop the endless flow of tears streaming down my face and onto my expensive jacket.

       Arg, his stupid kind staff and stupid kind, concerning manners had bought me this jacket!

       I stood up and ripped it off hastily before throwing myself into bed. I already missed Everett so much, and he was only a floor away from me.

       Another broken sob escaped my lips and I buried my face into the soft comforters to muffle the heart-breaking sounds.

       He loved me; he loved the person I was pretending to be. He had no idea his mate is a ruthless, cold-hearted thief who is practically a murder.

       I wasn’t going to lie to myself, I watched Reid rip people to shreds over the years. I watched and I didn’t do a damn thing to stop it because that’s what rogues did; they did horrible things and let innocents die without a damn f’ing care in the world.

       I screamed into my pillow and cried harder, feeling disgusted and ashamed.

       I’ve made so many cruel mistakes and now someone so wonderful and kind such as Everett would have to live in regret. I was one sick joke of a mate. I had ruined every chance Everett ever had at falling in love with someone else and being happy. I knew how this sick concept worked, if I rejected him he’d break down and if I stayed with him, he would constantly be tortured by hatred.