Chapter 46
~ NYSSA
First came the shock.
My interaction with Henry happened barely two hours ago. How the fuck could she have heard it all the way in the palace?
I quickly remembered they had guards around our pack to help with the rogue problem.
Next came the embarrassment that someone had watched that happen, and I opened my mouth to defend myself when the anger hit. It came last, but it came strong, like a raging inferno.
It was ridiculous that after everything that happened, they’d believe that I was capable of hurting anyone in that way.
“Did you call to ask whether or not it’s true or did you call to try and talk me out of it p>
“I—I just she trailed off with a sigh. “I don’t know what to believe, Nyssa. I don’t think you’re capable but p>
“Then why didn’t you just fucking ask what happened?” I snapped and she immediately clamped her mouth shut. “In case you wanted to know, I didn’t give him any damn list, not that it’s any of your concern p>
“It’s my pack, Nyssa, of course it’s my concern p>
“You know what, Aria? You were right p>
“About what?” she asked, confusion lacing her tone.
“About being covered in piss. I’m so fucking tired of it. I’m done with this deal, I’m done getting between Henry and Rowan p>
“This isn’t about them p>
“Isn’t it?” I asked. “Are you telling me that Rowan isn’t in the room right now listening to my every word p>
She didn’t immediately deny it.
I scoffed, throwing my head back in a biter laugh. I guess I should have known that she wouldn’t call unprovoked.
“For a moment, I actually convinced myself that we could be friends. To be fair, the fault is on me because you warned me at first. You told me that he’s your brother and you’ll always support him p>
“I just had to be sure, I had to protect my pack p>
“And I don’t blame you for that,” I cut her off. “You can tell your brother that he doesn’t have to worry about anything regarding me. if he does encounter an issue with Henry, I assure you that it won’t be because of anything I did. I think they’re doing a good enough job of hating each other as it is p>
“Thank you, I p>
“I’m not done,” I stopped her. “I would like it very much if neither of you contacted me again from this point forward p>
“Nyssa p>
“I don’t like being pulled in multiple directions. I don’t like having to constantly prove myself and I really don’t have the energy for all the trouble that comes with the palace. I’ll keep to my end of signed contract unless your brother is willing to reject me right now p>
I trailed off, waiting for a response from Rowan.
There were crickets on the other end of the phone.
Rowan still hadn’t said a word, he hadn’t even acknowledged his presence, but I knew he could hear me.
I scoffed. “I should have known you’d be such a coward, Rowan. I’ll see you both in two weeks p>
Without waiting for a response, I hung up.
I stared at the phone, a part of me almost hoping that she’d call back, but she didn’t.
Seconds ticked into minutes, but my screen remained blank. With a sigh, I placed the phone on the dresser and slowly began the process of getting dressed.
I put on an old t-shirt that belonged to my father.
It was a light shade of grey and over the years, the material had begun to fray but I didn’t care. I pulled it over my head.
It had stopped smelling like him years ago, but it still brought me comfort because every time I put it on, I remembered seeing him walk through the corridors wearing it.
I’d just finished making a bowl of cereal when someone knocked on my door loudly.
I ignored it at first thinking it was Henry, but the knock came again, more persistent this time.
If it were Henry, he would’ve started screaming my name by now.
I opened it, cereal bowl in one hand and my mouth fell open when I saw Alisa standing there.
She hadn’t even bothered to clean herself up before coming here.
She ran her eyes down my body with a sneer. “You look like shit p>
I repeated her actions and settled her with a bored look. “And you look like a slut. What do you want p>
Her cheeks burned bright, her eyes wild with annoyance. “Consider this my last warning, Nyssa, Henry is mine, and I will not tolerate p>
I held up a hand to stop her. “I’m going to interrupt you right there. I don’t want your man. He spoke to you like trash today but that had nothing to do with me. Take it up with him. You can keep him p>
She scoffed. “You may pretend like you’re not interested, but I know you, Nyssa, and I see right through you. You’re threatened by me, and you’re jealous. He has done more with me in weeks than he did with you in years. He wouldn’t even touch you and yet, he’s fucking me on every surface p>
Her words were crude, but I’d be lying if I said they didn’t hurt.
Henry was adamant about not making our relationship physical.
I’d thought that it meant he loved me more, clearly I was wrong considering how quickly and easily he moved on with her.
I forced my face to remain calm and was proud of myself for how stable my voice was. “I don’t care what you both do p>
She laughed in disbelief. “You’re such a fake bitch p>
I rolled my eyes. “That’s rich, coming from the girl who stole my boyfriend. I don’t care about you anymore, Alisa. I moved on p>
“Then why are you back?” she goaded. “Even the King didn’t want you. If I were you, I’d look inward. How much of an ugly bitch do you have to be for both men to say p>
Her mistake was coming over before I had the chance to process the anger I already felt towards Rowan.
All the anger and humiliation bubbled up in one ugly volcano and erupted.
She wasn’t expecting it, that was the only thing that gave me the advantage.
I reared my hand back as far as it could go and punched her square in the nose.