Chapter 013

“I'm thinking white. I hear it's virgins’ favorite color.”

He paused for a second before the realization of what I said hit him, and I dodged the playful punch heading my way. “I kissed Kira for your information. Even though her tongue tasted like tarp.”

“I'm aware,” I chuckled. “But you did tell me how you chickened out of sleeping with Renée because you were so hard and were afraid you'd wound her during coitus due to her cute little frame-”

“Shut the fuck up,” he said in a serious tone, but the next minute we both erupted into laughter.

He sobered up before me, however, and sighed. “I know the circumstances surrounding the beginning of our friendship were tragic, but I'm really glad we're friends. I hope you know that.”

I grinned. “I do. And I'm glad we are too. You've called me out on my shit more times than I can count, but you're also the only one I'd be proud to have as my best buddy and best man.”

“I'm not wearing white.”

“We'll make it cream then.”

He swore again, and I chuckled. “I swear, if I ever have a wedding, I'd make you the ringbearer.”

“Fall in love first. Then we'd discuss the wedding.”

Another playful punch was thrown in my direction, and I was about to send one of my own back when my phone rang, revealing Tanya's name as the contact calling.

I promptly answered, a smile on my face when I heard her voice. “Hey, gorgeous.”

“Hey Roman,” I heard her say. “How are you?”

“Alright, thanks. You sound well too.”

“Oh, I am. I'm getting married in less than two weeks, so yes. I’m beyond wonderful.” She giggled.

She had a nice laugh.

‘I wonder if her sister has a similar laugh.’

I stilled at the thought, and Julian must have noticed my change in expression, because he gave me a questioning look.

“I'm glad,” I forced out. “Um…so, why did you call? Not that I'm complaining, I just-”

“Oh, right! I'm sorry for not going straight to the point. I'd be going to the mall tomorrow, and I wanted to ask if you'd be willing to accompany me. It always feels like less time has been spent when there's company.”

Julian overheard that and imitated preferring to have a knife slash his throat instead. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, focusing on the call instead.

“Mm, that’s dicey…I'll check my schedule and get back to you. Is that okay?”

“Of course it is. Please, don't stress yourself on my account. If you wouldn't be available, it's fine.”

I chuckled. “You're my fiancée, Tanya. It's perfectly fine.”

“...okay, Roman.”

I was about to say goodbye when a dubious thought entered my mind, and I grinned evilly at Julian, who gave me a puzzled look.

He realized a little too late when he heard the question I asked next.

“Of course he can come!” Tanya's voice was full of joy, while my best friend's face was full of the promise of death. “It'd be wonderful! You know what? I'd bring my sister along. That way it can be a double date!”

And just like that, my growing happiness at Julian's helpless state deflated into nothing. “Of course,” I ground out. “That’d be wonderful.”

She most likely hadn't heard the change in my tone, because she said goodnight the next minute and ended the call, not knowing the turmoil she'd placed my mind into with just a single sentence.

A low chuckle left Julian’s mouth as I dropped the phone on the desk, one edge of his mouth curled to form a smirk. “One good turn deserves another, right?”

“Shut the fuck up.”

♠︎♠︎♠︎♠︎♠︎

Audrey POV:

The day began with a promising outlook. I hadn't had any nightmares, I'd woken up on the right side of the bed, I'd had a beautiful hot shower, I wasn't gloomy as usual- it was going very nicely.

But I'd underestimated goddess Luna once again, because when a satisfied smile had just begun playing on my lips, my stepsister appeared out of nowhere, dressed to the nines, with a horrific proposal.

One I immediately rejected, of course. And would have continued to if my stepmother had not raised a brow when Tanya wasn't looking.

I was pretty sure my heart dropped into my stomach at that look.

Tanya pulled me into her room the moment I agreed, seemingly ignorant of the expression her mother had given me. I chose to not say a word, because no matter what, my stepsister would pick her mother over me. She was her mother, for crying out loud.

“Roman just texted. They're on their way,” she squealed as I tried a pair of pants that she'd offered me. Normally, her waistline was smaller than mine, but I was shocked that I'd been able to zip up easily.

“You've slimmed down that much, huh?” I said drily to myself, watching as she beamed while her hands flew over her phone keyboard. I guessed who she was talking to, and my heartbeat rate increased at the thought.

I had to get it together. So what if I'd kissed the Alpha's wolf and had let him circle my waist-

Hold on a flipping moment.

I hadn't remembered that part for a while.

My eyes widened when I recalled the wolf's action of bringing me closer with its paw, and how it had…oh, Luna.

Apart from being a tradition breaker, was he also a cheat?

My chest squeezed as I looked over at Tanya, who was obviously oblivious to my feelings, her hands still flying over the keyboard while she giggled. She soon stopped, however, and glanced at me.

“Aw. You look so cute! Here, let me do your hair!”

“We're just going to the mall,” I began, then gave up when Diane's face flashed through my mind.

She was faster at hair styling than I remembered, and she soon shooed me out of her room while she retouched her makeup, saying she wanted me to man the front door in case she finished up late.

Essentially, that meant she wanted to finish late.

Dejected, I sat on the couch, almost cursing as Diane stepped out of her room.

“Very good,” she said, looking at my fit. “My daughter is talented.”

I said nothing, focusing on the blank TV.

“You'd do well to serve your purpose, yes?”

I whirled around to see her face, unsure I'd heard her correctly. “Serve my purpose?”

“Well of course, darling.” There was a hint of a sneer on her face.