Chapter 14
REBECCAN POV
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“Mixx Moore? Did you just say you saw a werewolf dragging a dead body down by the ravine?” Officer Lennox asked. He had this look on his face like he was staring at a hmatic who had escaped from the psych ward. His eyes roamed my face like he expected me to grow horns and a third eye.
Topened my mouth, then shut it. My lips felt dry, like they were made out of sandpaper.
Answer him, Miss Moore,” Officer Brown snapped. He stepped forward, placing his hands firmly on his hips and shaking his head. “And to think we were just about to get a search warrant for this place. If I hadn’t dropped my damn keys and turned back, I wouldn’t have overheard you spouting this nonsense. A werewolf? Are you doing drugs Miss Moore?” He was clearly pissed off
“No. Of course not”
“But you hinted earlier that your stepfather might have killed someone and tossed them in the ravine, and now you’re just straight saying a werewolf did it” His voice rose. “If that’s not because of drugs, then you need to get your head checked out.”
“Officers
“Look, young lady,” Lennox cut me off, waving his hand like I was wasting his oxygen. “I get that moving to a new place, especially with a new family, can be overwhelming. But take a look around you. This place is huge. Your stepfather seems like a generous provider. Just be thankful and enjoy the ride. You don’t know how lucky you are. There are so many kids your age living out on the streets because they have no one else. Count your Jucky stars”
I swallowed hard, my cheeks burning.
“We should go now, Officer Brown added, shooting me one last dirty look before turning on his heel
“Sorry for all this, officers,” Drew stepped in smoothly, flashing them a charming smile, ‘T’ll see you guys out
He escorted them to the door and he waved as their patrol car pulled out of the driveway and disappeared down the hill. When the front door closed, he sighed deeply
“Well, that turned out great, he said sarcastically
“They dunk I’m insane, I sighed. “You believe me, don’t
Hestidict respond right away. His phone rang, and he picked it up
“Hey man, what’s up? I’m gond, he said, running his fingers through his tousled hair. His tone was casual easy, but his eyes flicked to me while he talked. “That’s tonight? Vial. Fll be there
He paused and then he grinned at ime
And I’ll be bringing someone with me
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Chapter 14
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His gaze burned into mine as he said it. Then he hung up.
I crossed my arms. “So I guess I’ll go check on my mom.….….. see if she’s okay”
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“Becca, I know you’re not happy with the way things have been going around here,” he said, stepping a little closer, his voice softer now, “but it’ll get easier with time. I promise.”
I shrugged. “If you say so.”
“I mean it,” he insisted. “You probably feel trapped here. Like you’re being swallowed by the walls.”
He wasn’t wrong.
“You should come to a party with me tonight.”
I gave him a look. “A party? With you? I don’t think so.
“Come on,” he grinned. “It’ll be fun.”
“Will there be drinking?”
“Totally.”
“Smoking?”
“Oh, yeah.”
“Sex?”
He smirked. “Most definitely.”
“Then it’s a hell no.”
“What? Why?”
“One, I’m sixteen. So, I legally can’t drink. Two, even if I was a hundred, I wouldn’t be caught dead with a cigarette, much less weed. Smoking gives you wrinkles.”
“If you were a hundred, your skin would already be all wrinkles. Smoking wouldn’t make a difference.”
“That’s not the point.” I shot him a glare. “And lastly, I’m not having sex until-
“Until you’re married. Yeah, I know.”
“I was going to say until I find the right person,” I corrected him, lifting my chin.
His grin softened and my eyes watched as his tongue darted out of his mouth and swiped over his lips. Drew’s gaze lingered on my face just a moment too long. His eyes dropped to my lips, then slowly drifted back up to meet my eyes.
God, he was hot. He didn’t even seem real.
13:09 Thu, Sep 4
Chapter 14
“So, you really won’t come with me?”
“No.” I tried to sound firm. “I wouldn’t even know what to do at a party.”
“You’ve never been to one?” He looked shocked.
I shook my head.
“Not even as a kid? Like a birthday party or something?”
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“No. The other moms didn’t like my mom. They thought she was too fast, so they didn’t care to have me around. And the other kids bullied me.”
His face darkened.
“I didn’t have nice clothes like them, plus I wore thick glasses and they just found me weird. I learned how to be invisible and I buried myself in books.”
He stared at me for a long moment. Then he said softly, “That’s the saddest fucking thing I’ve ever heard.”
I laughed awkwardly.
“Now you have to come with me,” he said. “And I won’t take no for an answer.”
“You don’t have to accept it, but it’s still my answer. No.”
I turned to walk off, but he stepped in front of me, blocking my path.
“Come on,” he said, pouting like a spoiled kid. “Come with me.”
1 folded my arms. “No.”
“You really gonna say no to this face?” he pointed to himself, raising a brow like he thought that face of his was a gift from God himself.
It kind of was.
When I didn’t budge, he growled playfully and reached out, zapping the side of my waist with his finger.
“Say yes,” he said, tickling my side.
“Stop it!” I giggled, trying to swat his hand away, but he kept poking, laughing as I squirmed.
I tried to dart past him, but he grabbed my wrist and pulled me toward him. My chest bumped into his, and I gasped. His hand slid around to my side, tickling again.
“No! Stop! Drew!” 1 shrieked between fits of laughter
And then–1 snorted.
He froze and I covered my face in horror, wanting so badly to just disappear.
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Chapter 14
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“You even laugh like a nerd,” he said with a teasing smirk. “Now I’m convinced that your mom and clothes weren’t the reasons you weren’t invited to the parties. It’s that laugh of yours.”
I peeked through my fingers and caught his grin.
“I’m so embarrassed.”
“Don’t be. I think your laugh is cute,” he pulled my hands from my eyes. “Just please come with me tonight. Just for a little while. The moment you’re uncomfortable, I’ll take you home. I swear.”
I sighed. “Fine. But I get to drive.”
“Do you even have a license?”
“No.”
He grinned wider. “Doesn’t matter. You won’t need one.”
“Why?”
“You’ll see,” he said mysteriously. “I’ll come get you around 10 p.m.”
“That’s late!”
“No. That’s early.”
Before I could argue, a voice interrupted.
“Pardon me, Miss Rebecca,” said a maid as she approached.
“Yes?”
“Your mother is doing fine. She had an elevated pressure level, but she’s resting now. She said not to disturb her for the rest of the day.”
“Okay, I said quietly, my mood sinking. My mother was still upset with me. That knot of guilt tightened in my stomach.
“Don’t worry, Becca. She’ll come around, Drew stated.
I didn’t answer. I didn’t trust myself to.
I’m going out for a jog. 131 see you later?
“Wait! What should I weart”
“Something sexy, he teased, backing away slowly with that infuriating smirk.
“I don’t have anything remotely sexified, I called after him.
“I know,” he winked. “But I don’t care what you wear as long as it’s not pink.”
13:00 Thu, Sep 4
Chapter 13
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
