by Silvia Rojas
That would’ve been the end of it, if Frake didn’t exist. Simone wasn’t a shifter yet, but her brother was, and while they weren’t close, it did affect him quite badly. Frake was one of the alphas of the pack that was near Remy’s, and when all of that happened, immediately Frake went mad, going crazy and killing Vinn and some of the others. This then started to throw the rest of the packs out of balance.
In all honesty, he knew that war was close. The packs did try to stop Frake, but Frake was now attacking their own, trying to incite trouble, and overall just being really rotten towards everyone. Frake is this close to threatening war with his pack, and being an alpha, this would mean that he was definitely close to even having a situation such as this which could prove to be bad for all of the packs.
War hasn’t happening in such a long time. It’s something that Remy honestly didn’t expect for him to have to worry about at this point. Most of the time, the general rule was that the packs would all live in peace, harmony, and work with one another despite being from different groups. This situation however has already started to make everyone feel on the edge, including Remy’s pack.
That’s why Remy sat there with his hands on the wheel, just about ready to get the hell out of here. He knew that he didn’t want to worry the packs, and while he liked Trish, he knew that it was dangerous for werewolves and humans to be together. It was mostly a general consensus that most shifters would mate with other shifters and that would be it. But, there were the cases of a mate being a human, and often, if they weren’t changed already, this brought about very dangerous circumstances.
This left Remy with many questions. He knows that he shouldn’t do this. He shouldn’t try to push Trish into this life. He didn’t think it was good for anyone to be a shifter, but he did really like her. She was smart, funny, independent, and he knew that if things did work out, they wouldn’t have to worry all that much. But, could they? Could a shifter and a human really work? He definitely didn’t want to hurt her.
That’s what scared her. He talked to Ember about this before he went out, sitting there and holding his head in his hands.
“I don’t know Ember. I really like her, but after the whole mess with Vinn and Simone, I feel scared. I mean, I don’t want to hurt others. It’s why I’ve never even bothered to try and find a human. I just…I want there to be peace between everyone. You’ve seen the skirmishes, the way everyone is simply on edge and unable to calm down. I don’t want anything worse to happen,” Remy admitted.
Ember sat there, smiling at him. “I get that. But, you like her don’t you? Do you think she’s got potential, and might join us?” he asked him.
“I think so. I mean, she did seem really interested in me, and while I did try to figure out a way to not get her involved, I just know that she will be, especially if she decides to join me,” he said.
“You worry far too much, you know,” Ember teased.
“You would too if you know that you’re putting a woman’s life at risk,” Remy spat out.
“Come on, I’m just teasing. You need to go. I’m serious, you should try to make this work. I believe in you Remy. You’re a good man and a strong leader. I mean, I know that it’s scary. I get that. Whenever I do end up finding that special person, I’ll probably have to worry about this as well, but you’re my best friend, and I know that ever since you met her, you’ve wanted nothing more than to show her the life that you have, and I know that it is scary, but trust me on this Remy, I believe in you,” he told him.
Remy nodded. “I’ll try,” he said. He didn’t think that he could. He feels like this is too damn risky. As he left the pack, he went to the car that they all shared, sitting there and holding his phone in his hands. He did have her number, but as his fingers graced over this, he sighed.
“I can’t just call to cancel. I know that’s what humans do, and women don’t like that. So what do I do?” he asked himself.
He could just run away. He can’t do that though. She’s too nice, and the last thing he wanted to do was to stand her up and make her feel worse. I might just be best to go there in person, to tell her the truth, that he’s scared of being in a relationship, and he started to head towards the place.
He waited there, and when he saw her car pull up, he got out of the car. Immediately, his eyes are fixated on her gorgeous body, the smile on her face, and the look in her eyes.
Shit. He couldn’t cancel on her.
“Hey there,” she said.
“Hi. Did you make it here okay?” he asked.
“Yeah. Traffic kinda sucked, and my sister is being a bitch, but I’m here now. I’m excited,” she told him.
Remy knew that this was it. He could go tell her right now that this was a bad idea, end this right then and there. It would be better, it would be easier, it would involve less emotions.
And yet, he couldn’t do it.
With a smile on his face, he holds the door for her, which surprises her, and soon, the two of them headed inside he would try to make the most of this, no matter what might happen. The only thing that he could do now, was to just hope for the best, expect the worst, and try to make it go right.
The waiter sat them both down, and when he got the menu out, he grimaced slightly.
“Ugh, too many veggies,” he said to himself.
“What, you don’t like them?” she teased.
“I’m more of a carnivore myself,” he said with a teasing smile.
Both of them laughed, and Remy realized that she was so easy to talk to.
“So, you got here a bit early. Everything okay?” she asked him.
“Yeah. Just have a lot on my mind. I’m honestly kind of nervous. What about you, it sounds like you’ve got an interesting sister,” he pointed out.
“Yeah. Unfortunately, she believes that things are bad all the time, and she definitely doesn’t always consider my feelings. I love her a lot, but man, she could be overbearing like no other,” she said.
“I get that. I mean, she probably just wants to protect you,” he said to her. In all honesty, that’s what he wanted to do to her. He wanted to protect Trish, and that’s why he struggled to actually go through with this.
“Don’t worry, I’m going to be honest with you Remy, I actually can take care of myself. I get told all the time that I need to be protected, coddled, treated like I’m in some glass house or something. But I don’t need to. I mean, I know that this isn’t easy for people to understand, but I’m willing to experience danger, since often it’s something that I enjoy,” she told him.
Remy looked at her with shock in his eyes. He wanted to tell her this was a mistake, that she needed to be smarter, but at the same time, she seemed so confident, so full of assurance that this was the right thing to do.
“I see. I liked that about you a lot. You’re very confident,” he said.
“Thanks. I do appreciate that you’re not scared of that. I mean, I was worried, you know? I haven’t really thought about dating or even the right guy, but there is just something that I really like about you. Something I honestly can’t put my fingers on, and in truth, I kind of like it,” she told him.
He sat there, trying to process if he should tell her or not. Was I the right time? He didn’t believe so, but at this point, maybe he should just volunteer and take the risk.
“Well, there I something different about me. I just don’t want to tell you about it yet. Let’s just have a good night. I mean, it sounds like you’ve got a lot going for yourself. With the restaurant and all,” he said.
He could see the slight suspicion in her eyes, but he needed to play it off. The last thing he needed was for her to find out the truth.
“Yeah, I do have a lot going for me. That restaurant is my baby, and I’ve been a manager there for a couple years. It’s fun though. I’m surprised that you found me,” she said.
“I just kind of walked in. My best friend told me it was good,” he said. He heard
from Ember that the best meat was out there, and he was right. That was honestly one of the best meals he’s had in a long time.
“Well I’m glad that I made you happy. I think I’ll be able to continue to do that as well,” she said with a teasing smile.
He looked at her, the way she seemed so happy, so ready to get to know him, that it made him feel scared. He wanted to tell her, so very badly, but he was scared. He felt fear when he thought about the fact that if she did know, it could end up ruining everything.
“You make me quite happy as well,” he said in a soft, yet honest voice.
The two of them ate their meal, which was delightful and Remy had to admit, this was one of the best dates he’s ever been on. He never dated, but he did go out with another shifter once. However, that didn’t end very well, since she was more interested in Ember than him. But, when he looked at this woman, he saw that she did want to understand, that she wasn’t scared.
He wanted to tell her so badly that he was a shifter, to explain everything, but he knew that this wouldn’t last. He didn’t think that he could tell her like this. He knew that if they did stay together, he would need to come forward, to tell her that he was a shifter. If that was the case though, it would scare her away, and that’s not what he wanted to do. He wanted to tell her, so badly, but the fear of the situation, the fact that this could all fall flat on his face, endangering both him and her, might end up making everything worse, and that’s why Remy went quiet after all of that, hoping to figure out what to do eventually.
Chapter 3
Trish knew this date would be fun, but she didn’t expect to have such a good connection with Remy. He seemed a bit nervous or something. She wondered why he was acting this way. Was he just shy? She didn’t really know, but at the same time, she wished he would just tell her what’s going on.
At the end of the date, Trish and Remy stood near the front of the restaurant. She looked at him, blushing slightly.
“I had a lot of fun,” she told him.
“Good,” he said.
“So uh, do you want to go on another date?” she asked him.
Immediately, she saw the nervousness on his face. Did she do something wrong?
“That is, if you’re alright with it. you don’t have to,” she told him.
“No it’s fine. I want to. Sure, I’ll do it,” he said.
He seemed almost against it, trying his best to avoid eye contact with her.
“Is there something wrong?” she asked.
“No. I’m just…thinking about things. Where do you want to go?” he inquired.
“How about the beach? There’s a nice one on the edge of town,” she offered.
The two of them work together, planning a beach date together at the end of next week. Trish couldn’t wait. She definitely was excited to have fun with him again, and maybe he’ll open up a little bit.
However, things soon went wrong.
Trish went to the beach, texting Remy and telling him where she was, asking if he was alright. However, there wasn’t a response. She sat there, waiting for him to come along. She looked around, seeing everyone but her. That’s when the cruel reality of the moment hit her.
He stood her up.
Tears began to fall from her eyes as she waited another hour or so, but still nothing. She packed up, heading straight home, and when she got there, Megan immediately saw her there.
“Are you okay?” she asked her.
“No. I’m not,” Trish said, wiping the tears that fell.
“Come here,” Megan said.
Trish hugged her sister, holding her there. She cried for a minute, but then she looked at her sister, her eyes still red.
“I hate to say that you were right, but you were right,” she told her.
“About what?” Megan asked.
“About Remy. He stood me up. I can’t believe it. I thought that he liked me. He’s the one who wanted to go on another date too. I thought that he wanted to see me again, but obviously that’s not happening,” she told her.
“Screw him. If he’s going to play with your heart, you don’t have to deal with that,” Megan said.
“You’re right. I need a drink and some time to forget about him,” Megan said.
She had a glass of wine with her sister, both of them sitting down and watching some movies. At the end of the day, Megan turned to her, smiling.
“Hey, I’m going to go to bed. Are you going to be okay?” she asked her.
“I’ll try to be,” Trish said.
“I’ll be here for you. and I mean, just do what your heart feels is right. He’s a bad influence, and I know you don’t like me telling you what to do, but sometimes I’m right on the money with this,” she told her.
“Yeah, I know,” she said.
Trish went up to her room, trying to get her mind off Remy. But she couldn’t. She was so angry. He seemed so interested in her, but then during that date he was kind of distant. What did she do wrong? However, there was a small sound at her window. She looked around, and that’s when she saw it.
Someone was throwing rocks at her window. She walked over to there, ready to cuss out the kids that were probably doing it, but then, she saw him.
It was Remy.
What the hell was he doing here? She almost closed the window the moment she saw him, but then, he put his hands up.
“Hey, I want to talk to you,” he said.
“Oh yeah, and stand me up again?” she snapped back.
“I wanted to apologize for the way I acted. I’m…going through a lot, okay,” he said.
“Bullshit. So you think it’s okay to just stand a girl up, huh,” she said.
“I’m serious Trish, I want to explain it to you,” he said.
She knew her sister slept like the dead. She wouldn’t be woken up by this. She then turned to Remy and shook her head.
“If you don’t leave, I’m calling the police,” she said.
“Come on Trish, I’m serious. I need you to hear me out. Listen…I know what I did was really bad, and it hurt you, but please, just let me explain it to you,” he implored to her.
She looked into his eyes, seeing the serious nature of this. He wasn’t lying. She then sighed.
“Fine. You’ve got five minutes,” she told him.
“Actually, I want to show you something. Come outside, meet me along the little forest at the side of the house. I want to show you this before we continue further,” he said.
She rolled her eyes. What could he possibly show her that would make her change her mind? He stood her up. He’s a bastard. She thought that he liked her, but then he pulled that. Why did he think that this would all just blow over after a few minutes? But then again, maybe he did have something important to tell her. She walked outside, closing the door in a slight manner, making sure that she didn’t lock herself out, but also she didn’t want to wake her sister up either. Even though she was a super deep sleeper, she wasn’t taking any chances. Her sister already had her opinions of Remy, and unless he decided to change her own, it would be a mutual one.
As she walked outside, he then motioned for her to go towards the forest. She did so, and soon, they were in a small clearing. It wasn’t too far from the house, but private enough that nobody could see them.
“Okay, what is it that you want me to see?” she asked.
“Let me stand here,” he told her.
He did this, and she thought that he was just messing with her. But then, as the moonlight hit, his skin began to change. He looked totally different, and before she knew it, she saw that he changed into something.
His face got longer, with a snout and a nose. His hands and feet became four legs, long and lanky. His body was soon covered in thick, brown fur, and his ears went from being those of a human’s, to that of a wolf’s. She looked at the whole thing, and that’s when she started to put it all together.
Remy was a werewolf.
Fear. Terror, the shock of it all, it hit her like she was practically kicked in the face. In truth, she didn’t know what to do about this. She was expecting some sort of deep, dark secret, but not this. However, as she looked at him, she realized she didn’t want to look away.
As scared as she was, she didn’t want to run. She wanted to know more. She then watched as Remy stepped forward. Would he hurt her? She didn’t think so. He then shifted back, and soon, he was back in his human form.