Melissa's POV
"It's all a pretense?" She asked, staring at me.
I nodded in affirmation, "Yeah, it is Anabelle, I later agreed to your brother's want just for the safety of the pack and nothing else, moreover, we made a deal on something and the only way for your brother to agree to this is for me following along with his pretense plan"
At first, Anabelle looked speechless, she shook her head blinking way more than expected.
"Yeah, I got to know about the pretense plan my brother brought forward to you but I never knew you later agreed to it. I thought all of the rumors going on is nothing but genuine…" a look of sorrow appeared in her eyes, she held my hands and caress it softly with her thumb, "I am very sorry about this"
Although I felt a bit bad, this is something I am used to already and I don't think it will hurt acknowledging this bitter truth.
"It's fine, you don't have to apologize for something you never caused. This is my gate kicking off and I am pretty much prepared for this, so it's nothing" I smiled shrugging my shoulders.
"Alright, if you say so but…" she paused, narrowing her gaze, "What is this request of yours you made with my brother?" She asked.
"I want to see my father, you know, it's been months already and maybe getting to see him might relieve most of the burden in my heart" I replied. I can't let Anabelle or anyone here in the pack get to know what's really going on and my reason for seeing my father.
"Did he agree to this…I mean my brother?" Anabelle asked, really surprised.
"Yes he did but under the condition of him accompanying me. I don't know if he thinks that I am going to run away, of course, I can't but he insisted and there is nothing I can do to change his mind"
With a sigh, she nodded, "I know my brother too well, I am not really surprised that he insists on accompanying you…" she paused scanning around, "Speaking of the devil, where is he?"
"Who?"
"Nelson of course" she replied and continued immediately with her words, "I passed the halls here and couldn't find him, did he tell you where he might hsht headed?"
I rolled my eyes, "You should know better Annabelle, who else will be be with and if not Viviana"
A frown appeared on her face.
"Viviana?"
I nodded.
"Damn! It's high time my brother stopped this madness of his. Come to think of it, you are his mate, I can't believe that he will keep on messing with that witch and letting you know at the same time , who the hell does this?" Anger shone in her eyes as she spoke.
As sad as the situation made me, I controlled my emotions to avoid Anabelle from seeing how hurt I was by it
"It's fine, if your brother wants her, he should have her. She has always been in his life from the start and I have no right to interfere"
"No!" She got on her feet shaking her head adamantly, "No way Melissa, it's high time you stop this and not let my brother continue having his way and treating you like a piece of shit. You deserve better and not this hurtful treatment you are getting from him. He is your mate and he should learn how to respect your feelings!"
I gazed up at her, seeing how much she cared for me. I couldn't help myself but felt more sorrow as I remembered my agreement with Conri.
"You shouldn't worry about me. Love is a feeling that can't be forced…it's fine" I paused, still staring at her, "Come to think of it, how is Jeremy doing?"
The anger in her face vanished and was quickly replaced with a smile.
"He is fine, we might see each other very soon" she responded, her face filled with smiles this time.
"Oh"
Suddenly, the look on her face vanished, "Is everything alright Melissa?"
I looked up at her as I bit my lower lip pretty hard. At that point, I didn't know how to voice my words out but I knew that I just had to.
"Anabelle, we need to talk"
Confused, she sat next to me, "Is everything alright?"
I shook my head, "No, everything isn't"
"What's wrong?" She inquired holding my hands again.
I let out a deep breath, "Anabelle…" the words got stuck in my throat making it hard for me to breathe well.
"Yes….." she gestured with deep curiosity.
"Anabelle, Conri knows about your relationship with Jeremy" I blurted out at once.
Immediately, the colors on her face drained, she got loosed of my hand, terror written on her face and tears welled up in her eyes at once.
"But…but, how?" She stammered, this time, a tear rolled down breaking my heart.
"Please stop Anabelle, don't cry" I tried to hold her hand but she prevented me.
"Did you tell him about my relationship with Jeremy?" She Implored staring so hard into my eyes.
"Of course not! I will never do such a thing! Never! Never will I stoop so low to ruin your happiness. You have always been good to me, I will never repay your kind heart with such evil" I quickly said feeling very guilty.
"Then how come? How did Conri get to know? Fine, he is my friend but I have never for once mentioned this to him. How did he find Melissa? How?" She stood up very hypertensive.
"You need to calm down Anabelle, please"
"No! No Melissa! I can't be calm. Can't you see?"
"You have to listen to Anabelle, Conri told me that he had been spying on you for weeks now. He caught you going into the woods one night, followed you and saw you with Jeremy. He is even so mad at me for helping you keep this secret because of the implications it might cause between both packs…" I paused as she stared at me with daggering eyes, "The truth is that Conri is scared for your safety, he thinks that Jeremy is using you or might betray you when his pack should find out of the love affair. He is scared that you might be used as a bait to get to Nelson"
"No!"
"You don't understand Melissa, none of you ever will!" Anabelle yelled in rage, more tears streaming down her eyes.
"Jeremy is different, Jeremy isn't like that. He loves me deep inside his heart, he will.never ever do such to me, he swore to always protect me and I know he will because Jeremy is a man of his word. I love him so much and I can't imagine living life without him!" She emphasized greatly, the pain in her eyes and voice was already tearing me apart.
"But Conri and your brother will never see it this way"
"Who cares about their feelings or opinions? Father has always been there to detect life for everyone and now that he is gone, do you think that I will let my brother do the same to me? Of course not! I and Jeremy loves each other and this is what matters"
At this point, I was lost of words, I didn't know what to say and I stared at her unable to pull up any word.
For some minutes, none of us said a word to each other, Anabelle continued pacing around as I watched her.
"So what did Conri tell you Melissa?" She implored breaking the silence.
At first, my mouth was so dry that I said, "Well…." I dragged my words, "He eats me to talk you out of the relationship or he will do so himself by telling your brother"
Anabelle's face was filled with great fear.
"My brother?"
"Yes, your brother"
At once, she fell to the ground helplessly, more tears rolled down her eyes and I ran to her scared that she might injure herself.
"Are you alright?"
Anabelle didn't reply, she just stared into space, more tears dripping down.
"But why?" She muttered faintly, "Why? Why will Conri do this to me? I am his friend, he shouldn't do this"
I sighed, "He thinks it's the best to protect you and the pack"
"To protect me?"
"How?"
"By inflicting more pain on me? By making me lose the only person who makes me happy after my mother died?"
Immediately, Nelson's words during the meeting concerning his mother's passing struck me. I wanted to say something about it but seeing how much agony Anabelle is at the moment, I didn't want to be a bearer of bad need and add salt to her injury.
"If Conri should ever betray me, I will never forgive him, I swear, I won't" . Saying this, she wiped her tears and got on her feet.
"Where are you heading to Anabelle?"
She turned to me with a smile, "I have to process this, I will be in my room"
Without waiting for me to utter a word, she walked out of the room and shut the door.
Deep guilt filled me, although I felt so bad for Anabelle, I couldn't help but ajso see reasons with Conri. Jeremy might be different but it will be so difficult to be sure.
Filled with thoughts, I walked closer to the window. Right now, I have to imagine what might be Anabelle's decision on this. I have to inform Conri about this, knowing that he will still be at the training ground, I packed my hair into a ponytail and got out of the chamber.