Inevitable // Chapter 6

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Haille Calista

I wake up feeling light-headed. The first thing I take notice was a familiar pair of brown eyes when my own finally adjusted to my surroundings. The same eyes I wanted to stab out as I slowly remembered what he had done to me; that put me in this very situation.

I glare at him as he pokes and prods my face. "What are you doing?".

"Making sure you don't have any bruises." He says in a 'duh' tone. "Wouldn't want your dad to kill me." He says, and almost instantly seemingly to regretting his choice of words when his eyes snapped to mine, then looked away silently cursing himself.

"How do you know my dad?" I ask skeptically, sitting up slowly with narrowed eyes. Despite my strong suspicions, a deep part of me was dancing with joy at the mention of my father. He may still be alive. After all of the time, he spent away fighting for our country he never once visited home.

He scratches the back of his head looking everywhere but me. "Uh–we're old friends."

"Old friends?" He slowly nods. "How in the world did you manage to become 'old friends' with my father if I have yet to meet him," I asked walking towards him until we are a few inches apart—face to face.

"Unless..." Realization came crashing down hard when I realized that my father being away 'fighting for our country' could have also been a lie. "What else are you hiding from me? Tell me everything and I swear to god if you give me that 'it's not my place' bull" I say glaring straight into his eyes waiting for him to break contact first or show any sign of intimidation.

"I'm not telling you." He retorts boldly, crossing his arms like a child. Luck seemed to be on his side as he was able to avoid my oncoming wrath as Zoe came limping into the house, both of her parents carrying her weight on their shoulders.

I sent a look saying 'this isn't over', before turning to approach my best friend–If she was even my friend in the first place seeing as my whole life is a lie.

"What happened?" Was the first thing I asked before I noticed someone was missing. "And where's Mom?"

Guilt and sorrow washed over all three of their faces which instantaneously had me panicking. "What?" I asked my eyes glued to the backyard waiting for mom to tumble in.

Zoe unravels herself from her parent balancing on her unhurt leg. "Mom, dad, can we talk alone?" They nod and walk out of the living room leaving us and Tony who was leaning against a wall, hands tucked into his pockets.

"Alone." Zoe deadpan staring expectantly at Tony.

He chuckled, making himself comfortable on the living room couch before finally responding "Don't mind me"

Zoe's jaw was clenched tightly, I could almost hear her teeth grinding. Her body was tense as if she was planning to attack Tony at any given second. As much as I'd like to see that I stand in between them with my arms folded. "Where is Mom?" I ask again. No answer. "Zoe."

My throat starts to tighten as she lowers her head for a minute. "Hai-"

"Pause. Stop right there." Tony interrupts Zoe "Unless you want her to go all apeshit on you, I'd strongly suggest you refrain from calling her Haille."

As annoying as Tony has been, he actually managed to be useful today. I found myself thankful that he stopped Zoe from calling me "Haille" because honestly, I'm not sure if I would have stopped myself from reacting the same way as I did towards Tony. Best friend or not, because after all, she did lie to me.

She hesitates but nods nonetheless, "Delilah" she corrects "The rogues have taken Cara."

Just as I thought my day couldn't get any worse.

Before I could react, Tony was already out of his seat stalking his way towards Zoe and I. "You're joking right?" he laughs a little, looking towards the back door as if mom would walk in any second. When she didn't come through those doors his head snapped back towards Zoe. "How in the world did you guys manage to let rogues take Cara!" he hollered.

"It not like they were tiny, inexperienced lone wolves. They fought as if they were trained... trained fighters" she defended, her face contorting into one of thought. "Call me crazy but I think they were set on a mission or something. As if they were just baiting us like they knew we were going to call for Cara because when she finally did show up, they all went for her, and fled once they'd captured her."

He lets out a little snort. "Congratulations, you've figured out their plan. But that still doesn't fix the fact that you've not only let them capture her guardian" he jutted his thumb towards me "but you've left her vulnerable to whoever may be out to get her." He scoffs. "Some fighters your parents are."

"What the hell are you talking about?" I ask looking between the two. "What do you mean 'whoever is out to get me'? And I am not vulnerable."

Zoe growls at Tony, "She isn't vulnerable because we are going to protect her, Tony." I roll my eyes as she repeats my same words which they failed to hear. "And we were outnumbered."

"Oh great, drag me into this. This should be a lot of fun." He says lackadaisically "But tell me, Zoe, what exactly happens when her father finds out?"

Zoe visibly tenses. "How do you guys know my father?" I asked through clenched teeth becoming irritated as they continue to ignore me.

"Nothing will happen because he won't find out." She answers "Mom and dad will find Cara before the news even reaches the pack territory."

"Yeah, sure." Tony rolls his eyes. "When the shit hits the roof, don't expect me to stick around."

"Reaches where?" I ask confusedly. "And how do you know my father?"

"Of course, because that's what you're good at. Running away from your problems."

They once again ignore me as Tony turns to face Zoe, crossing his arms. "If you say so."

"Yes, I do say–"

"Hey!" I yell cutting Zoe off. "You both have some audacity. Speaking about, lord knows what, as if I'm not even standing in this room."

They both are quiet. Staring guiltily at me as I continue. "I want to know what's going on, and I want answers now!"

I stare dumbfounded as they both lowered their heads, it wasn't as if they were lowering their heads out of guilt or anything. No, they both bowed their heads at the same time as if they were submitting to or honoring something.

"Please, I just want to know the truth," The moment those words left my mouth I heard movement by the stair, catching my attention. Zoe and Tony soon turned towards the stairs as well staring at Mr. and Mrs. Venera.

"I think she deserves some answer." Mr. Venera says pulling Zara closer to his side. "Besides, she is the daughter of Alpha Bates after all."