AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Me: Sorry, it's late, and I'm going to bed.. so sleepy..
Avery: Fine. Maria’s at 11! We can get drunk on those good-ass mimosas, and you can spill whatever this big news is that you're torturing me with by making me wait to hear.
Avery: Fyi, if you're taking me to brunch to tell me you're leaving town, I'm going to kick your ass.
Me: If I were leaving, I would already be gone. Besides, who said I would even tell you?
She responded with six middle finger emojis because, obviously, one wasn't enough.
Avery knows a little more about my life over the last few years than Julian does because I was feeling vulnerable when we met. I had just moved to Braxton Falls a few days before and was in the alley outside the restaurant she worked at, bawling my eyes out. It was another miserable birthday, thinking about the past.
We were strangers, but she waltzed right over to me, scooped me into a big hug, and asked if I was okay. Something about her just felt so safe and comfortable that the words flowed right out of me. I told her that I spent the last few birthdays grieving thedeaths of my mother and Maxton, and now I was hiding from the man who killed them.
She doesn't know that man is my father or that there is also an entire secret society I am hiding from. This was all before I met Julian, and my plans to leave this town changed. It was also before she became one of the most important people in my life, my best friend.
It was like our souls recognized each other and knew we were meant to meet each other. We joke now about how maybe in a past life, we were sisters or something. We have since made a pact that we will never leave each other dry unless it's a life-or-death situation. Even then, we promised to always find a way to check-in.
I send her a few heart emojis and place my phone on the nightstand. I want to be the big spoon tonight, so I roll over to Julian, wrap my arm around his waist, and snuggle my face right into his back until I fall asleep.
Chapter 4
Callie
Iwake up alone and feel slightly disappointed when I run my hand over Julian's side of the bed. It feels cold. Where did he manage to run off to this early in the morning? He doesn't usually wake up before nine on Sundays because we like to spend that time together. I roll over to grab my phone off the nightstand and catch a glimpse of the ring on my finger. Extending my hand in front of my face, I turn it from side to side so that the diamonds can catch the light, admiring its beauty. The man really picked a beautiful ring. I cannot believe that actually happened last night. It all just feels surreal.
After losing Maxton, I never thought something like this could ever happen. This whole year has been a strange series of positivity and luck for me. Finding Avery, Julian, and now the possibility of really settling down. I could have a real family, one that chooses me, unlike my father. Thoughts continue to race through my mind, and I'm hit with the harsh reminder that it’s only a matter of time before Rogue catches up with me.
They have people from all over the world, which is one of the many reasons I have never stayed in one place longer than a few months. I always made sure my job was under the table, eitherwaitressing or bartending, and never made any connections deeper than surface-level friendships with coworkers.
A few times, I caught a glimpse of a raven, and it was enough to scare me into immediately packing up and leaving. All Rogue members have a raven brand somewhere on their body. The stupid society has it as its symbol. It's supposed to represent all the changes they are going to make in the world. Mine is on my ankle.
Normally, you aren't branded until you’re 18, and it's a choice. My father thought it would be a fun exercise when I defied him once as a teenager. He wanted me to feel the pain and remember what my future was. I don't even recall what I did that made him so mad. Reaching down, I run my finger along the raised skin, remembering the day he gave it to me.
He pulled me down to the basement by my hair and shoved me in a seat similar to a dentist’s chair. I was so confused with what was happening that I didn’t fight him when he leaned it back and strapped me in.
"I told you there would be consequences if you embarrassed me." He always had hatred in his eyes for me. I was so scared, but I couldn't show that. If I showed fear, that would make the punishment worse. I lay there, not saying a word. I just watched as he grabbed a metal stick from the corner of the room and made his way to the table sitting next to it. My eyes widened when he picked up a torch gun and started heating the metal.
"Let me remind you of your future."
I tried to wiggle in the chair, butthe straps were too tight. After a few minutes, he held the bright orange metal in front of me, and I could feel the heat radiating off it.
"Please, Father. I didn't mean to. I will be better, I promise."
"You are always making promises you don't keep, Callie. Always a disappointment. Let this be a reminder of that. You have duties. You have no choice but to be better."
Before I could say anything else to him, the metal was pushed onto my ankle, and I let out a gut-wrenching scream. He didn't numb the area or give me any warning. I could smell my burning flesh and started to get dizzy from the pain. He pushed it harder into me, and tears streamed down my face.
"Tears are weakness, Callie." Those are the only words he said to me before pulling back the metal and tossing it over his shoulder.
He left me lying there for hours. By the time he allowed my mother to come down and unstrap me, I had fallen asleep, unable to handle the throbbing pain any longer. She pulled me in and held me while I sobbed. My sweet mother was the only other person who understood what living in that household was like.
I shake my head and try to clear my thoughts of the painful memories. I have to tell Julian about my father and Rogue soon. He needs to know what our future could potentially look like. For all I know, he may not want to marry me after he finds out.
Whether or not I want it, I am the future leader of the society. My father will not live forever. When he passes, it will be my birthright. They have to be looking for me. The man I grew up with wouldstop at nothing to get me back and use me for his own gain.
My phone pings, and I see a text from Julian telling me that he woke up early to go workout. It seems a bit odd. He never goes to the gym this early. Typically, he goes in the evenings. Maybe he went early today so we could have the entire evening together since he’s leaving for his trip soon. He should be home by the time I get back from brunch, so we can cuddle up on the couch.
It's time to pull myself out of bed and get the coffee going so I can get my day started. On my way to the kitchen, I grab my book from the spare room to read a few chapters this morning. As I continue down the hallway, I spot Julian's home office, and an idea pops into my head. I'm still only wearing his t-shirt that I threw on after sex last night. It is not very often that I feel brave like this, so why not send my new fiancé a nice picture to look at while he showers after his workout? It'll be another special thank you to him for wanting to be with me forever. I'll sprawl myself right over his desk so he can think of me every time he goes in there to work.
