2. Juliette #2
The feud between our families is a long and bitter one, with the two elder members caught in the crossfire.
My beautiful, albeit slightly airheaded mother had fallen in love with my stern, overbearing father.
She softened his harsher edges, and it was only with her that he ever smiled.
Unfortunately, his best friend had been in love with my mother for years and had attempted to court her on more than one occasion.
Her falling for my father was the straw that broke the camel's back. The two men became bitter rivals through much of their young adulthood until Jack Ford couldn’t stand to see the two of them together any longer and finally picked up and moved to Texas where he established a pack.
Then along came Kash, followed by me two years later.
Two little kids who got to spend summers together, growing up and running free, sharing everything and anything while bouncing between our grandparents’ estates.
At least until my father saw how close we were becoming and put a halt to that in the only way he knew how.
He decided it was time I started preparing for my debut, which meant less free time and only approved activities.
As the only heir of the Callahan family, I would be groomed to eventually be the perfect Omega for the perfect pack.
Together, we’d take over my family’s legacy.
Whatever agreement Rose Callahan had with Hudson Ford—written on a cheap paper napkin and signed when I was just a baby—would be ignored entirely.
For the last six years, I’ve been forced to be the dutiful daughter my father expected me to be. Pensive. Demure. Boring. And by doing so, I became despised by my best friend. In the rare occasions I’ve run into him around town, the glares and cutting remarks have been enough to rip my heart out.
Heading down the path that leads to the barn, I catch my name amidst the low murmur of voices when I draw closer. Hiding behind a tree near the corner, I plaster myself against the wall to do the most unladylike thing there is…eavesdrop.
“Isn’t there some sort of pack agreement between your families?” an unfamiliar voice asks.
“That will never happen. She thinks herself above the likes of the Fords, throwing her nose up any time she sees me like I smell worse than horseshit on the bottom of her shoe. What she doesn’t realize is that I never wanted her in the first place.
She’s shallow and superficial…just like her mother. ”
The knife that sinks deeper into my heart in the rare times I’ve recently crossed paths with Kash Ford twists painfully even as said heart beats rapidly just from hearing his deep voice.
“Dude, your grandfather isn’t going to let it go. You know that.”
“Don’t worry, my father will make sure I never have to deal with her after tonight. He’s setting up a job for me in the family business which will keep me busy and away from Darling.”
“I thought you hated your father?”
“At this point, he’s the lesser of two evils. He even said he’s got potential Omegas lining up for the chance to join with the prestigious Ford family heir.”
That pompous, pretentious jerk. Lesser of two evils, my ass.
Stepping out from behind the tree, I’m rounding the corner before I can think better of it and stalking right up to my ex-best-friend, letting fury guide the way.
His eyes widen when he realizes it’s me, his scorching glance nearly decimating me as his nostrils flare. Then his expression shutters completely.
“You’ve got one thing right, Kash Ford. I wouldn’t bond you if you were the last Alpha on Earth. I suggest you leave before I shove the toe of my pointy shoe right where the sun don’t shine.”
One corner of his lips quirk up, his scent a stronger espresso than usual, and the combination does funny things to my belly that I’ll work out later. “Tsk tsk, Juliette. That’s not very proper, now is it?”
Mindful of the hidden eyes and ears that seem to follow me everywhere these days, I straighten my shoulders and grip my hands in front of me at the waist as I take in a deep breath and exhale, praying it will be enough to hold myself together until I can make it up to my room.
“You’re right. But it’s hard to retain my composure around an immature, selfish, cold-hearted boy like you.
I really should thank you for the reminder that the young packs already vying for my attention deserve my time more than someone who is so much like his father, he’s already too big for his britches even though he’s barely growin’ facial hair.
” I sigh dramatically. “Guess the apple really doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Now I understand why Mama left him for my daddy. ”
I watch with utter satisfaction as the smug grin disappears from his face while his hands fist at his side.
“Dude, don’t. She’s not worth it,” his buddy murmurs.
Determined to have the last word, I smile widely. “Enjoy the rest of your evenin’, boys . I know I will.”
Without waiting for a response, I turn and head back to the house. I make it through the doors and up the stairs, closing myself in my room before I break down. My back hits the wall, and I slide down to the floor, my dress poofing around me as I sob my broken heart out.
Even after all these years, the memory makes my heart ache.
I had vowed to keep my distance from Kash after that night, and I’ve done a bang-up job of it…
until now. But no worries. Seeing him again can only solidify my resolve to accept Pack Latham’s courtship and move on with my life, leaving him right where he’s meant to be. In the past.