I shake my head to push that thought away. I can't go there. I can't let the Stevensons get under my skin, not after the way they treated me today. And yet...
Stop it, Haylee!
I close my eyes and try to relax. The wind blows strong against the window’s glass. The night is dark and without stars, and I could swear I heard a wolf howl at some point. A shiver runs down my spine and another sigh escapes my lips. Two months, that's how long I have to resist. Two months, and then I'll be free.
The pounding knock on the door wakes me up.
"One minute," I shout in a voice still hoarse from sleep.
I get out of bed and go to the door, opening it to see who the hell it is at this time of morning.
Two big brown eyes are waiting for me beyond the door.
"What do you want?" I ask Jacob, crossing my arms around my chest and tapping my foot on the floor.
"You must come with us."
I snort. "Excuse me?"
"Our father wants us to take you to the lake with us."
“So you can do what? Drown me? "
He chuckles. "That is a really good idea, but unfortunately not." He sighs. "The old man wants us to behave."
"I don't think you're doing a great job," I mutter. "Anyway, I don't want to come to the lake with you."
"Too bad because you have no choice. Find yourself downstairs in five minutes." He turns to leave.
"What if I don't?" I challenge him.
He turns his head and looks at me over his shoulder. "I strongly advise you not to set yourself against me or my brothers, you stray. You wouldn't like the consequences."
And with that he leaves, leaving me speechless at the door of my room.
Fuck, these Stevenson brothers are so terrifying ... and sexy.
I sigh and run toward the bathroom. I will never be ready in five minutes.
Chapter Seven
HAYLEE
Six minutes, or maybe seven, that's how long it took me to take a shower and change, but apparently it was a couple of minutes too long.
The Stevenson brothers, however, were perfect gentlemen. They told me not to worry. They drove me outside and Ryan even opened the car door for me. But I had to know that it was just a farce. As soon as we got into the car and Gordon was no longer near, they took off their masks and went back to being their usual assholes.
When we get to the lake, I'm already sick of their presence and I have no intention of meeting their friends. Apparently, they are all local college kids. Definitely a place where I will never set foot.
They leave me to join a group of guys. Among them, I see Mya greeting them as I had seen her do the day before.
I don’t judge their relationship, although I admit it is strange to see one girl shared between three boys. But looking around, I notice that Mya isn’t the only one with a harem.
I wonder how it works between them. Not that I'm interested in a polyamorous relationship, but I'm still curious.
I’m so absorbed in my thoughts and so caught up in observing the environment that surrounds me, that I don’t notice the boy who approaches me.
"Hi," he greets me. “Have a drink.”
He has a paper cup in his hand, and as soon as I see it, I feel my throat dry up.
"Yes, sure, thanks."
He hands me the glass and from the smell I understand that it is alcohol.
"I'm underage," I whisper. I try to return the drink to him, but he shakes his head.
"Don't be silly, nobody cares how old you are here."
Well, if he puts it that way. I shake my shoulders and take a long sip. “Eww!”
He bursts out laughing. "You're not a big drinker, are you?"
“Nope.”
He smiles and reaches for me. "My name is Mark, anyway."
I shake his hand. "Haylee."
"It's nice to meet you, Haylee." The way he says my name makes me blush. Mark is a nice guy. He’s about four inches taller than me and his thin body suggests that he spent some time training. He has long, ash-blond hair that falls over his gray eyes. And yet, he doesn’t stand in comparison with the Stevenson brothers. Probably no one ever would.
I sigh and shake my head. I have to stop thinking about them that way.
"So, I saw you come with the Stevensons ..."
"Uh?”
"Yeah, well, I was wondering why I hadn't seen you before if you were their friend."
"Ah, sure! Long story short: Their father recently adopted me so now I’m stuck with them for the next two months."
“And then?”
I shrug. "I'll go to college if I get a scholarship or I'll look for work somewhere."
“Why leave? You don't like it here?”
I suppress a laugh. "Nope, definitely not."
"Are they so bad?"
"Who?"
"The Stevensons."
"They’re not bad, they're the worst. Although not Gordon. He’s nice, I think. "
"Nice?" This time it's him laughing. "I think you’re the first to say that the man is nice."
I don't know what to answer, so I bring the paper cup to my lips and take another sip. I don't like the taste of alcohol, but I have to admit that I'm starting to feel a little more relaxed.
"You're really very pretty," he says, reaching out and stroking my cheekbone with his thumb. "It would be a shame if you left."
Oh crap! What am I supposed to do? I don't have time to think about my next move before a wall of muscles interposes between me and Mark, interrupting his advances.
"What are you doing, Omega?" I'd recognize that voice everywhere.
"I didn't think she was yours, Alpha." He looks down at the floor.
"She is," growls Ryan. "Now get out of here."
"Wait! What?!” But neither of them seems to hear my blabbering. Mark runs away and only after he's gone far enough does Ryan turns to me.
His green eyes seem to want to burn me, or devour me, or cut me into small pieces.
I swallow.
"What the hell were you doing?" he thunders.
I frown. "None of your business."
He takes a step towards me. "You're wrong, it is my business." Our chests touch and I feel his breath on my face.
I swear there's something between us right now. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was going to kiss. I'd do it if I wasn't so scared of him.
But just when I'm about to move my lips closer, a little squeaky voice calls Ryan's name.
His chest rises and falls. His jaw is clenched and his fists are tight at his sides. He stays still to look at me for a moment before shaking his head and turning around.
He leaves me alone, gasping near the lake.
Chapter Eight
HAYLEE
Everything got worse after that day at the lake. And I didn't even think it was possible. The Stevenson brothers invent a way to torture me every day.
Two days ago, they asked me to wash their car. I didn't see anything wrong with it, so I said I would do it. Of course, I should have known something was wrong. As I opened the water, I realized the pipe was blocked. I peeked inside to see what the problem was and noticed a ball of mud that prevented the water from leaking out. I decided to look for something to remove the obstacle, but while I was thinking of a solution, the water pressure increased, clearing the pipe and hitting me in the face. I still have a very red eye.
However, as I tried desperately to close the water, I stumbled and fell, and then I heard snickers and giggles coming from behind me.
"She's like a wet dog now," Mya cried, chuckling.
"What are you two?" I clenched my fists at my sides and tried in vain to hold back my tears.
The Stevenson brothers looked at me with a hint of regret. Maybe, I thought, they would stop bothering me eventually.
I know they hate me. I really tried to be understanding. I let them treat me like their personal servant. I’ve made them breakfast, lunch and dinner every day for the past two weeks. I washed
their clothes, tidied up their rooms, and even ran errands for them, like going to the drug store to buy packs of condoms. Damn condoms, for fuck's sake! And the worst thing was that every time, I felt a pain in my gut, because, yeah, I was fucking jealous even though I didn't want to admit it. There was something, everything, about them that was so damn wrong and yet attracted me like a moth to a flame. And as hard as I try not to think of them that way, I found myself every damned night so wet that my clit throbs beneath my touch, wanting me to touch it more.
But today is the day when everything will change. Today I will take back my life.
I go out to buy the usual box of XL condoms, and in the meantime, I ask if anyone hires. I'm not lucky, but I plan to try again tomorrow. I need a job to leave the Stevenson home as soon as possible.
I don't know why, but everyone here seems to worship my adoptive father and those assholes I call my new siblings. Sometimes it seems that they’re all part of some strange cult and Gordon is the leader, but I shake my head and push away the thought. That's ridiculous! Gordon’s really a good person, and if it wasn't for him, I'm sure that living with his three sons would have been far worse.
I sigh as I walk home. It takes twenty minutes to walk to the town, even if it takes only five driving. Jacob, Ryan and Noah are too cruel to let me borrow one of their expensive and brand-new cars, though.
I hate them. I hate them. I...
By the front door, I can't believe my ears.
"Yes, darling, like this," groans an all-too-familiar female voice.
I've heard them having sex dozens of times now, yet each time it's a new blow to the heart.
I hate them.
I throw the condoms on the table at the entrance and run to my room. I slam the door behind me and let myself fall on the bed.
I hate them ... yet I don't know why I feel this strange pang and have a tremendous desire to cry whenever I realize they aren’t mine.
Chapter Nine
HAYLEE
Someone knocks on the door. I could ignore whoever it is, but instead I get out of bed and drag myself to the door, grunting the whole time.
"What do you want?" I fold my arms around my chest and wait for Jacob to answer my question with his usual rude and cocky tone.
"There's a party at Mya's house tonight and you're coming with us."
I open my mouth to reply, to tell him to go fuck himself, but he has already left.
"Aargh!" I bang the door and go back to bed. They always do this. They needle me, they make me feel insignificant, they trample me like I’m trash, and then they let me go out with them, follow them to parties or events organized by their friends.
And every time, I find myself alone in a corner, because not only do they ignore me all evening, but they also prevent others from approaching me.
All right, if they want war, then it’s war.
I open the wardrobe and take out the only sexy dress I own. It’s not expensive or branded, but it’s black, short and tight. Gordon told me several times to buy anything I wanted, but I owe the man too much already.
I also have a pair of red heels, and with a little makeup and ironed hair, I know I look sexy.
When I'm finally ready, I go down the stairs and find the Stevenson brothers in the hallway. I stand and stare at them, just to look down at the floor and blush as soon as their eyes rest on me.
I can never make out their eyes. It’s as if they want to devour me, and not always in a bad way.
I swallow and look up, trying to appear confident.
"Shall we go?" I ask boldly.
Ryan frowns. "Why the hell are you dressed like that?"
I shrug. "We’re going to a party, aren’t we?"
I see him shake his head and breathe slowly. Jacob and Noah look at me with the same intensity.
No one says even one word for the whole drive, and as soon as we arrive at Mya's house - which is a huge Victorian style villa where you need a map to avoid getting lost - I slip away from the Stevenson brothers. I know they’ll be too busy with their stupid girlfriend to notice my absence. At least that's what I hope.
I spot Mark and a group of boys chatting in a corner. I walk over to them.
"Hi." I greet them with a wave of my hand.
"Oh, hey, Haylee." Mark has a smile drawn on his lips, but his eyes keep scanning the room.
I frown. “Is there a problem?”
"No, Haylee, of course not. It’s just that ...”
"It's just that he has the order - like everyone else here - not to talk to you, not to come close to you and not even look at you."
Mark widens his eyes hearing the voice. "Sorry, Alpha, I ..."
"Go away, Omega," he says, and as Mark scampers away from us, Ryan grabs my elbow and drags me out of the house.
I see with the corner of my eyes that Jacob and Noah are following us.
I plant my feet on the ground and pull my arm away from Ryan's grip. "Stop!" Tears pinch my eyes. "You don’t want to have anything to do with me? Fine! But stop preventing others from being my friends! Fuck, what’s your problem, assholes?"
Jacob grabs me from behind, forcing me to turn. "You," he growls. "You're our problem." And before I can reply, his lips crash into mine.
I feel the muscles of his chest twitch against mine as his hard cock presses on my belly. I'm wet. My panties are soaked.
Another pair of hands stop on my hips and a mouth falls on my neck, sucking the skin under my ear.
"Since you came into our lives, we’re no longer in control of ourselves," Noah whispers. "You're fucking our minds."
Jacob pulls his lips away from mine, allowing me to turn my head slightly so that Noah can claim my mouth. I have dreamed of this moment for so long, but reality is even better. He bites my lower lip. I moan, and as soon as my mouth opens, he penetrates me with his tongue, making me cry with pleasure once again.
It's too much and yet it's still not enough. As soon as the thought touches my mind, Ryan grabs my elbow, stealing me away from his brothers.
"I don't know what makes you different, but I assure you that no one but us will ever touch you." He kisses my neck. "No one will ever even be able to look at you without me ripping their eyes out of their sockets." And so saying, he claims my mouth eventually. Our tongues dance and fight for a few minutes. His hands move hungrily along my body. His cock presses hard against me and all I want to do is unbutton his pants and ...
"Where are you guys?"
Ryan freezes hearing Mya's voice. He takes a step back, his hands let go of my body and his eyes stare at me for a few moments before looking away. I cannot understand what he’s really feeling right now, but it doesn't matter because he goes to his brothers and, without saying a word, they all walk away toward the house.
And so, I’m once again alone and in tears.
Chapter Ten
HAYLEE
It is night and, for some time now, I cannot sleep.
Something has changed since the party. The Stevenson brothers no longer torment me, or, at least, not as they used to. The silent treatment is a much worse torture, though. I hardly saw them for the next week, and on the rare occasions when we ran into each other, they pretended I didn't even exist.
I don't know if I prefer this new relationship between us. Nope, definitely not.
I sigh and leave my room, dragging myself toward the stairs. When I pass Ryan's door, however, I suddenly stop.
I hear voices coming from within.
"I’m your mate!" Mya shouts with her annoying, high-pitched voice.
"Yes, you are," Noah answers, giving me a pang in my heart. "We're just saying that between the courses at the university and everything else, maybe it's better to postpone our marriage ..."
Marriage?!
"Only a year or two," adds Jacob quickly.
"Why?" Mya insists.
"We told you, dear." This time it's Ryan talking. "We just think it's better to wait until we finish our studies so we can have more
time for you."
"Bullshit!" the girl bursts. "I know it's because of that bitch!"
"Who? Haylee?” Ryan laughs. "It's not what you think. She means nothing to us. She's just a stray dog that our father brought home. She will never be one of us."
His words punch me in the gut. Tears run down my face as I go down the stairs and out the kitchen door.
I tighten my fists, clench my jaw. My eyes are clouded with tears and I don't know where I'm going. I only know that I have to run as far as possible.
Have I really been so naive? Did I really believe, had I really hoped, there was something between me and the Stevenson brothers? I'm a fool.
I run across the back garden and zigzag through the trees.
I begin to feel lightheaded, my legs give way and I fall, sobbing and crying.
"You're so pathetic." The voice comes from behind me.
"What do you want, Mya?"
I hear the branches break under her feet as she approaches, standing in front of me.
"Do you really think you can be enough for them, stray? Do you really think they can ever feel anything beyond hatred for you? You are nothing.” Her voice suddenly becomes lower. "I won't let you get between me and them."
"Mya, it's just a misunderstanding ..."
“Shut up, you bitch! I know you were with them the night of the party! I could smell your stench on them."
Wait, what?
"And I also know you were eavesdropping before," she continues, her voice’s a low growl now.
I raise my eyes to her and a shiver of terror runs down my back when I notice her irises glowing. Suddenly, she starts shaking. Her fingers lengthen and sharp claws replace her nails. A thick coat grows across her arms and face. She opens her mouth and let out a cry. I can hear her bones breaking. She falls on all fours. Her fingers grasp the earth. Her back arches.
I crawl back like a crab, unable to take my eyes off that odd scene.
And then, her cries of pain cease and a large gray wolf is in her place, just in front of me. She watches me, waits for me to make a move. And I don't know, but all I can think of is: shit, I'm really in shit.
Tormented: A Bully Romance Anthology Page 16