AllFreeNovel
Share Us
This is the second person who’s referred to their group as a family. Those are the same words that Tucker’s best buddy Dan used the other day.
“What I mean,” Yeleen continues, “is that from now on, if you have a concern, it will be the concern of the whole Pack. If you screw up, we’re all responsible. If you need help, we all act to save your ass. I can see your skepticism—you’re probably wondering what I’m talking about—but this is very serious. You’re new, so you may not understand, but it’s very important to us. With the boys, when we created the Pack, at the beginning, it was just a joke. We were best buds and we wanted to throw big parties…and then the group started to grow, and it took a little bit of a different turn, more focused on cohesion and helping each other.”
She stares at Sarah as she says this, and I understand that their bonds are much deeper than I thought, much stronger than the simple “party bonds” that bind members of college groups.
“Just know one thing: you are bonded to us now, you are in our family, and that is a sacred thing that is going to have to come first.”
“I think there is a mistake,” I cut her off. “I already have a sister, and yes, for her, I’m ready to do anything. I don’t need a second family.”
“You won the third trial, it’s a little too late,” Sarah mutters reluctantly.
Damn Tucker and his screwed-up plans. I don’t want to be tied to people I don’t know, supporting them and doing everything for them. I’d rather play it solo, like I’ve been doing for the past few months. I once relied on someone, but that person was taken away from me. And when I lost him, I was even more broken. I’m not ready to do that again. It’s too painful to rely on someone, to give them the power to destroy me.
Unfortunately, I have a feeling I won’t be able to escape Tucker’s gang.
“How many of you are there?” I ask anyway.
Purely out of curiosity.
“There are really nine of us,” Yeleen answers, while Sanchez is hanging onto every words. “Among the nine, you have Dan, whom you’ve already met—although he’s not in school anymore this year—Tucker, of course, TJ, Sarah, me, the two of you now, Sam—I think you saw him because he was the one who was taking you to the third trial—and Anya, who’s currently traveling.”
So that asshole’s name was Sam. Such a jerk.
“What about Trey, isn’t he one of them?”
Sarah looks disdainful, as if she’s hiding some kind of resentment.
“Trey doesn’t get along with everyone. We’re buddies, but he never wanted to join us.”
Her answer reminds me that I don’t want to be one of them either! So why am I here asking them questions about their damn pack? I stand up and take out the first thing that comes to my mind, “I’m going to get mayonnaise.”
Sarah looks outraged just hearing words coming out of my mouth, but I ignore her and go to the counter on our right. I take a deep breath, grab some packets of mayo, and turn back to the table, praying that only my stuff is left and the others are gone.
However, the situation is even worse because, walking towards them, I discover that two more heads have been added.
A blond with green eyes…and a tall dark-haired guy.
I walk towards them, noticing that Sanchez is no longer sitting in front of me but at the other end of the table. And the one who has taken his place…it’s Tucker. I try to ignore his different colored eyes but it’s complicated.
“My best friend!” exclaims TJ, noticing me.
He isn’t even paying attention to me, instead leering at my fries. I stop behind my chair, and my gaze finally meets Tucker’s. He locks me in, refusing to let go. I take a deep breath. Should I grab my stuff again and move in front of Sanchez? No, that would mean Tucker won.
“It’s amazing how much you’ve changed in a few minutes, Sanchez,” I reply, sitting down across from Tucker.
He crosses his arms but says nothing. He doesn’t seem at all embarrassed. Did he just ask Sanchez to get off his ass and take his place? That would be just like him.
“I think someone is having her period,” TJ suggests, poking me with a fry.
I slap his hand away, furious.
“Someone is angry because a lot of people are very stupid,” I growl.
“Ooh la la,” he laughs as he gets up. “The nerves are too tense here. I’m going to go and have a look at the first years who are waiting to lose their virginity. Shall we go?” he asks Yeleen and Sarah, who hasten to follow him.
Yeleen winks at me as she collects her things, as if trying to send me strength. That leaves Tucker and me, who stare at each other without flinching, and Sanchez, who watches us silently from the end of the table.
“Move,” Tucker orders through his teeth.
