Tasting

444–The Ones For Me

Nora:

Hours ago:

“My wife is so quiet tonight,” Brody reached out to massage the back of my neck as we sat on the rooftop of a five–star hotel, celebrating Silas and Clara’s union.

Silas was reclining in his chair, looking imposing with one arm stretched out on the table and the other draped over the empty chair to his left. His eyes remained fixed on me, and when he saw Brody touch me, he closed his eyes and stretched his neck.

“I think we should head home. I’m really tired,” I muttered, my hands clenched in my lap, still tormented by thoughts of Janet and Brody’s fixation on Roman. It had been eating at me, driving me mad.

“Why? We’re all having fun. Sometimes you have to think about others, you know,” Janet said, her smile not wavering.

“Does she ever let anyone else share their opinion?” Silas grumbled about Janet, making her expression falter. He kept rubbing his neck and groaning, not looking at anyone in particular.

He seemed exhausted–or maybe just irritated by Janet.

“Actually, she’s very considerate of everyone’s feelings. She can’t help but speak up when someone tries to spoil the night,” Brody quickly defended Janet. Silas straightened in his seat, shifting his gaze from Janet to Brody as Janet beamed at Brody for standing up for her.

Meanwhile, Clara kept trying to catch Silas‘ attention, but he purposely avoided her gaze.

“How generous of her,” Silas finally remarked, his voice dripping with sarcasm, “especially after she ruined someone’s home. But I suppose she has her own way of contributing to everyone’s happiness.” He stood up after that, and the way Janet glanced at Brody after being implicitly called a homewrecker was almost sweet. They deserved it–not for being married, but for what they were doing to me.

“Anyway, we shouldn’t stay too long. I’m exhausted, and I just want to rest,” Silas grabbed the glass in front of me and drank it down in one gulp, everyone watching as he drained the glass I’d left lipstick stains on.

When he finished, he gestured toward me with two fingers, signaling for me to stand. I did, and so did Clara, who quickly fell into step behind him, creating a distance between us.

We all walked silently to our cars. I sat with Brody, while Clara joined Silas in the other car.

“He’s up to something,” Brody muttered to Janet, who was driving. I sat in the back, as Janet had made it clear that she would not allow herself to be seen as second–best compared to me.

“He’s acting weird,” Janet agreed, stretching her pale arm up to adjust the rearview mirror so she could see me.

“Did you do something?” she accused, her eyes narrowing at me through the mirror.

“If I had told him anything, he wouldn’t be attending celebratory dinners. And Brody wouldn’t be able to hold a steering wheel right now,” I said, my words drawing a grunt from Silas.

“Don’t think too highly of Silas–the same man who proposed to Clara? He’s only here for her. Just wait; he’ll forget about you and go home soon,” Brody remarked, making me silently clench my fists.

“Huh, she’s forgettable though. And replaceable too,” Janet snickered, her hand landing on Brody’s arm, a small gasp escaping her lips.

“Oh my, I love how bulging your muscles are.” I couldn’t understand why she was still busy convincing him of his attractiveness. Hadn’t he already made his choice? Why overdo it?

“Just because one person forgot their promises doesn’t mean everyone else will forget about me,” I muttered under my breath. That’s when Brody adjusted the mirror for his own view.

“I haven’t forgotten. But some people are stubborn. They don’t bend until their backs are broken,” Brody’s words felt more like a threat. I simply nodded, not wanting to argue further.

When we arrived at the mansion, the first thing I noticed was three people standing out front. My heart flipped in my chest, sending a chill through my body.

“Is that the–Alpha King brothers?” Janet turned to Brody, fear and shock clear in her voice.

“They are,” Brody responded, his jaw clenched, his fingers gripping the steering wheel tightly.

I was just as surprised, certain that they were here because Silas had told them something. The way Silas quickly jumped out of the car and went to talk with them was strange. It wasn’t just me who noticed either.

“Hmm, don’t think too much of this. They’re probably here to celebrate Silas choosing a mate,” Brody said, glancing at me before finally stepping out of the car. I followed, but the moment the brothers locked eyes with me, I knew they weren’t here for any celebration. Silas had told me that this entire engagement was just a cover for them to come and rescue me.

‘Our mates are here, Nora. Everything will be fine now,‘ Akira’s voice echoed in my mind, filled with excitement and hope. I wanted to believe her, but Brody had become too dangerous. I was terrified.