CHAPTER 3: Promise

Kylie

I sobbed into his shoulders like a bullied child, which I never did when I was a kid. I let no one see me cry because I believe that's a signal of weakness and surrender.

"I'm sorry," he whispered in between my sobs before I felt his face sniffing my hair.

Within a second, he lifted me into thin air while I kept my face buried in his shoulder. The next thing I knew, he was gently putting me down on his bed.

"What was happening? Why are you getting married to another woman? You didn't tell me any of this, Logan. Why—" I was caught off guard as his lips made their way to mine, claiming every corner of it.

"Hush." He was smiling from ear to ear.

"Stop that," I murmured, averting my eyes from his.

His laughs feel like a sweet melody through my ears. I wish we'd just stayed like this for tonight, but I knew I had to confront him about what was happening.

"I hate the way you held her a while ago," I began.

Logan seemed to notice despair in my voice as he held my chin, forcing me to look at him.

"You even said that you wanted the marriage to happen as soon as possible! Would you mind explaining 'cause it is killing me inside, Logan?"

Taking a deep breath, his hands slid down my waist and effortlessly lifted me, sitting me on his lap. His head made its way to my neck, resting his chin on my shoulder.

"It's all part of my plan, Kylie. And I'm sorry that it needs to hurt you this way."

What Lucas had told me a while ago started to make sense. Indeed, the Pack was in a huge crisis after our former Luna, Logan's mother, died many years ago, causing our former Alpha to lose a lot of money, including the Pack's money and wealth from gambling and uncontrollable drinking.

"The Pack will fall if I don't do anything to save it."

And knowing Logan, I knew how much he cared and treasured the Pack. I was there, and I witnessed everything he had done for it.

"But there must be another way than this arranged marriage. Does Lucas even agree with this?"

"The Autumn Pack was the only Pack who agreed to this arranged marriage because everyone knew how badly we were falling. Plus, their Pack can really help us in every aspect. And for Lucas, why would you care about him, huh?"

I almost burst out laughing at the tone of his voice, saying the last part.

"You sound like a jealous boyfriend," I giggled.

"I am, Kylie. I am jealous."

While laughing out loud, I heard him clicking his tongue before he pushed me out of his lap, only to pin me down to the mattress as he remained on top of me.

I could feel his breath on my lips before he got up, kissing me on the forehead. "I should bring you back home before my wolf and I lose our senses."

He extended his hands to reach for my arms and helped me get up before we made our way out of the Packhouse. We were holding each other's hands until we reached his car to drive me back home.

It was only a minute's drive to reach our house.

"Bye," I lastly said before hopping out of his car.

I went in through the gates and was about to open the knob of the front door when Logan spoke behind me.

"You're still upset, aren't you?"

Well, I am, but I think it's so selfish of me to stop him from saving the Pack, right? As the Beta, it's also my duty to do something for the Pack.

Slowly turning back, I quickly shook my head, my lips pursed.

"Just in case you forgot, I can read your thoughts."

"Don't worry, Logan. I'll get to understand it. Just give me more time."

He nodded. "You know both Lucas and I came up with this plan as our last resort. We've done everything we thought could save the Pack. But looking for the long term, we knew the Pack would be eradicated at some point. And so this is our last plan to execute."

"I understand." I am trying to sound as hopeful as possible, but Logan appears to still read my real thoughts.

"I am not supposed to tell anyone this plan, Kylie. I promised Lucas I wouldn't tell you either, but seeing you that miserable, I just knew it would be easier if you knew. But it looks like I've made a wrong—"

I didn't wait for him to finish and stepped closer to him to cup his face. "Hey, no. You made the right decision to tell me this plan. I get it. I understand everything, Logan. You… you don't need to worry about me."

He forced a smile, encroaching his arms on my waist.

"I can promise you one thing," he whispered, pushing his face closer to mine. With our foreheads touching, he mutters under his breath, "I will never touch Hanna. I'm not gonna even look at her with kindness, I promise."

We both laughed.

"Well, that's good."

"But can you also promise that you'll support and stay with me until this plan ends, no matter what happens?"

The smile on my face quickly vanished. I was taken aback and couldn't respond right away.

"Will you promise me, Kylie?"

But can I really do that? But he also said the marriage thing would only last for a few months. Eventually, he and Lucas will divorce the twin Luna of Autumn Pack after a couple of months.

"Y-y-yes, of course. I… I will support you no matter what."

I stayed awake the whole night, thinking about everything. I badly wanted to scream about how much I was hurt because of the situation, but I couldn't because I would only feel bad about myself.

It's like choosing between our own happiness or the Pack's future sake. And what hurts the most is that we both knew what to put first.

I was awake until tomorrow morning arrived. I stayed inside my room, thinking of any possible way to make this all feel right.

As the moon starts to replace the sun, the urge to see Logan builds up inside me. I shouldn't, but only he can make me feel heard and understood. And perhaps I should enjoy every minute we've left before he actually marries Hanna.

Not even minding how terrible I looked with messy hair and a plain shirt, I walked and sneaked into the Packhouse.

Tiptoeing, I made my way upstairs to where his room was. I didn't think twice nor wasted any second and pushed the door open.

However, the scene that welcomed me broke me apart more than I could ever expect. It broke me to the point that no tears came out of my eyes and all I could feel was anger.

"N...No."