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“Sure. Give me a sec.” I heard a shuffling sound that must have been the sheets as she got out of bed. Then I heard a door open and close just before she came back. “Okay, I’m outside. What’s wrong?”
“Roland is not who you think he is,” I blurted before I chickened out.
There was silence on the other end of the phone, and I thought I’d lost her. “What do you mean by that?”
“He’s not your mate.” I told her what Shane said and held my breath while I waited for her response.
“Yeah. Roland warned me I might hear that story. He told me his former Alpha’s daughter hit on him and he turned her down, so Shane kicked him out of the pack. Shane told everyone that story about the fated mate rejecting him to cover up his daughter’s embarrassment.”
I shook my head even though she couldn’t see me. It was all bullshit, and she seemed to believe it. “No, Stella. He’s not your mate. The story you told me about the night you found out, that’s not how it happens.”
She scoffed. It was vulgar and ugly coming from her. “You’re just jealous because I found my mate before you did. You’ve always gotten any guy you wanted. Even with the curse, guys were willing to overlook it to get in your pants. And you let them.”
She was right about that. I’d had a lot of fun in high school, in between the fights but a lot of those were fun too. Kicking the ass of the person who tries to kick yours first has a certain mood-boosting effect.
“Isaac has been drooling after you since your boobs came in.” Her voice hitched a little. “If he’d ever looked at me like that, I’d have been happy to never find my mate.”
“Is that what this is about? Are you settling for Roland because I slept with Isaac back then? I never knew you had feelings for him. I’d have never touched a hair on his body if I’d known that.”
“I am not settling! He is my mate. We are connected in a way I never imagined.” There was real heat behind her words, I just wasn’t sure how much she believed them. “And of course the fantastic Ember Steele had no clue I was in love with Isaac. You never took a second to look outside of your own life.”
That time the truth was there in her words, plain as day. “Wow,” I breathed. “How long have you wanted to say that to me?”
“I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean to say it. What your dad did to you wasn’t your fault. Your mark isn’t your fault either. It’s just you have that amazing body, Isaac wrapped around your finger, and you got your dad’s power, but you were never happy. What did I have? I’m too skinny, too nice, and Isaac looked at me like I was his puppy dog. I practically had to beg him to get him to sleep with me.”
She was right. I’d never paid attention. I only saw what I wanted to. My adorable, perfectly put together friend with the perfect family.
“Stella, you had two amazing parents who loved you more than anything. I’d have killed to have just one.”
“Doug and Sheila Johnson amazing parents? HA! You don’t know what I went through in that house. They expected perfection. If I slipped up even a little… Let’s just say your dad was a picnic compared to them.”
My stomach clenched, and I doubled over. Liam knew me well enough to keep an eye on me but not to approach. “Stella, why haven’t you ever told me any of this? Or Isaac? He’s our Alpha. He could have helped you.”
“Tell you? You were going through your own hell. And Isaac? He was obsessed with helping you through all your shit. He didn’t need another female to take care of.”
Isaac had never taken care of me. Sure, he’d tried, but he was really there to hold me or comfort me if I needed it. He taught me to fight off my attackers. But I’d always made damn sure I took care of myself.
Something told me Stella wouldn’t appreciate me saying that though.
“Doug and Sheila deserve an Oscar for their performances as parents of the century. But from your reaction to all of this, I guess best actress goes to me. At least I did one thing well,” she said. She sounded defeated. “Now, I do other things well too. I can’t tell you about them. Not just yet.”
I heard her gasp and squeak just before the phone went dead.
