Page 14 of Tainted Romance

“Easier?” Really, because I think having two personalities would be harder.

“If we talk, or if we get on, people are going to ask questions.” He cringed. “And, well, you know, we are going to have to give answers which means we are going to have to lie. So, it’s easier if we just…. you know, keep it, um, normal.”

He was embarrassed about me. He hadn’t said it, but I felt it, and it rocked me to the core. Maybe if I weren't the hermit freak, he would be proud to openly be friends with me.

“Ok then.” I was suddenly glaring at the TV. I hated this. I never asked him to be my mate. I never wanted this but having him openly say he didn’t want people to know we were even friends hurt.

“Don’t be like that, Allie,” he groaned, with regret in his tone. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

I kept silent. Times like these called for silence.

“Allie, you are barely a meter away from me, I can feel you’re, um… hurt by what I said.”

My lips formed a tight line, and anger consumed me. For once the beast within me wasn’t making excuses for him, she was just as mad as I was. We were both hurt by his open rejection.

“Look, Allie.” His hand touched my stiff back, and I flinched away from his touch.

“Don’t touch me,” I snapped, moving further away from him.

Hurt flashed across his eyes before he took control of his emotions. “Well, don’t be all moody then,” he snapped. All the care that was on his face a moment ago was gone. “Look, Allie, you said you didn’t want to be my mate. I thought we were on the same page with this.”

“You said we should be friends,” I reminded him. “I didn’t know your version of friends with me meant closet friends.”

“I…” He groaned, running his hand over his head. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Don’t say anything.” I sat up, crossing my legs under me. “I get it you know.” I shrugged my shoulders. “I’m not a high-profile catch.”

“It’s not about that,” he snapped at me, looking angrier by the second. “You don’t get it. If anyone, ANYONE, finds out about you being my mate, that’s it, everything is over.”

I swallowed sharply. The fierceness in his voice made me realize he wasn’t joking.

“Are you ready to be looked at as the next pack leader, because that is what you will become, Allie. Your life won’t be your own anymore.”

Was now the time to tell him that I wasn’t planning on staying here? Oh God, what was I thinking? We can’t be friends. “No,” I said bluntly. I didn’t want to get stuck here and having any type of relationship with him could cause that to happen. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

He looked disappointed. “Well, there we have it. You and I just have to keep things on the down low.”

I nodded my head. One day I would have to make a choice, him or freedom but, right now, we could just prolong that day.

“It sucks.” Zane sighed. “Not being able to talk to you at school. I don’t like it.” He wasn’t lying; the seriousness and honesty on his face told me that. “That’s why I’ve been in your head a lot.”

“Which is really annoying,” I piped up. “Seriously, Zane, do you know how many times I have nearly died out of fright hearing your voice in my head! Then people look at me funny, because of the faces I pull while talking back to you.”

“I know.” He smirked. “You always looked so focused.”

“You know staring is a sign of stalking,” I teased, smirking back at him.

“Well, I guess that means I’m your personal stalker then.”

He hadn’t meant it sexually, but for some reason, it drove my hormonal levels up.

“Stop that look.” He pointed at me. “I have control over my wolf, but not that much.”

I look away from him quickly, blushing. “Sorry.”

“No, I’m the one who is sorry. Sorry I can’t do anything about it.”

That made me blush more, and I was sure my cheeks were bright red. “So, we should, um, watch this.” I pointed pathetically to the TV.

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