Promised To The Alpha Twins
Chapter 33

Despite the intuition brewing within me, I swallowed my bile and prepared myself for school. School was the last place I wanted to be, but somehow I knew I would never escape if Axel took me to his ‘pack’. It was just one day. One day, and I could run to work to pick up my paycheck, leaving this town just a few hours later. I texted Aly that night, letting her know she could pick me up for school.

Gea questioned every one of my moves, using every opportunity to sow doubts in my mind.

“And what if Axel is telling the truth?” she said, frustrated after spending an hour arguing with me in vain.

“He’s not,” I shook my head. “I don’t believe it, it’s just not real.”

“You know it deep down, Sussan,” Gea sighed. “You always knew that a part of you was missing. This is that piece. That’s why you’re so strong. You were born to rule.”

“I wasn’t even supposed to be born,” I rolled my eyes, ignoring Gea’s words. I didn’t like how sincere they sounded. Part of me wanted to believe I was destined for something great, but that would mean living with people who had never wanted me in the first place.

Was it worth living with Axel, Stacy, Annabeth, Chloe, Vera, Lia, and even with Dub? It didn’t seem so to me. I gathered my completed homework, stuffing it into my backpack in frustration. I had no idea why I bothered with the homework. At the end of the day, I would be a deserter, running away from my own family, if they could even be called that.

I spent the night refining my plan, working on the smallest details. I headed to school dressed in a striking outfit, changing before leaving during the night. I would keep my face away from any cameras and take a bus to the nearest airport. I had been smart enough to withdraw most of my money from my debit card, keeping it securely locked in a box under my new bed. I would leave behind the two mobile phones and take a flight as far away as possible. All I had to do was get through my last day of classes.

The morning passed too quickly. I should have been worried about Chloe, concerned about the twins. I couldn’t explain why, but I wasn’t. The prospect of this being my last day with any of them really put things into perspective. I put on the only other dress I had, something I had only worn in public once or twice. It was simply too flashy for my taste. A sweetheart neckline accentuated my ample chest, and the dress flared out against my thighs. The dress was a light blue shade with short sleeves. I had always loved this dress, but I hated the attention it drew.

I put on my usual white sneakers and slung my backpack over my shoulder. I waited until the last minute to leave my room. Somehow, I found my way downstairs easily. I tiptoed into the kitchen, grateful that Maggie was out of sight. I rummaged through one of the many cabinets, wrapping my hand around a plain bagel. I shoved a piece into my mouth and dashed out the door.

The road to school was quiet, and I had forgotten what today really meant to me. If I pretended hard enough, today was like any other day. I headed to school with Aly, another day trying to figure out the confusing twins. Gea’s voice snapped me out of that fantasy, reminding me of my crazy plan.

“My mom wants to know when you’ll come again,” Aly chuckled under her breath, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “She’s been pestering me about you, non-stop.”

My heart almost stopped, guilt flooding my veins. What kind of friend was I? With a shake of my head, I straightened up. I couldn’t think that way. I couldn’t force myself to stay to spare someone’s feelings. I had dealt with abuse long enough. I deserved an out, I owed it to myself.

“Sometimes,” I nodded absentmindedly, “I just need to figure things out with Axel and all that.”

“You know you can talk to me, right?” She smiled gently, her gaze sending another sharp pang. “I can’t even imagine what it’s like for you, but I can try.”

“I know.” I forced a smile in return. “I just need some time. Everything is confusing, and I’m not really sure what I want. He’s trying to act like my dad, but he’s not. He never has been.”

Aly did what she said she would, she tried to understand. She didn’t tell me to give him a chance, to forget the past. She simply told me to do what felt right. I hoped she would forgive me someday, even if I wasn’t around to witness it.