Everyone continues to eat in silence. Once dinner is over, we all retire to our rooms where I find Albert waiting for me.2
“Do you want us to leave so that you and Elizabeth can talk in private?” Lance asks him.
“No. I want you guys to be here too,” Albert says. Steve closes the door.
Albert looks at me and questions, “Why is Roslyn being nice to you?”
“What do you mean?” I ask back with confusion.
“I’ve killed her uncle and cousin and she knows that I’m your mate. Then why is she treating you like you’re her new best friend?”
“Then how about you? Let’s come to think of it logically, Albert. For Roslyn, she might have lost her uncle and her cousin. But for you, Albert, you have lost your father and your brother! If she is a threat to me, then you must be a bigger one. Am I right?”
“No, Elise… We are different.” Albert says as he turns to look away.
“How?”
“Because we’ve cut off all connections with my father’s family ever since we escaped from our original pack. And Elise, I have to remind you.” Albert clears his throat and continues to say, “As far as I can recall, Roslyn was pretty close to my father and Alexander when I was young. She admired my father at that time.”
“But listen, Albert. Roslyn knows that her uncle and cousin were wrong. She’s one of those people who won’t side with wrong just because her uncle and cousin decided to walk on the wrong path.”1
He lifts his eyebrow. “You’ve just met her thrice and you think you know her?”34
“Sometimes it takes years to know someone and sometimes it takes just a day,” I say in my defense. “You weren’t there when Roslyn was pouring her heart out to me in front of Alexander’s grave.”
“Maybe that was just an act?” Albert challenges. “Maybe she wants to gain your trust so that she can hurt you when you least expect it?”10
“Albert, you’re over thinking. Roslyn’s feelings were genuine. You would agree with me if you were at Alexander’s funeral.”
“Elizabeth, Albert has a point,” Lance interrupts. “Roslyn has reasons to hurt you. She being nice to you isn’t sitting well with me. Maybe she’s planning for revenge.”
“Exactly!” Albert exclaims. “And that’s why you need to stay away from her.”
“Your suspicion is so much more than what a suspense movie has,” I sarcastically state.
“So my concern is a joke to you?” He asks, a little hurt.
I sigh. “Look, it’s not that. Roslyn seems to be such a nice person. I don’t think that she’s out for revenge.”3
“I find it hard to believe if you look at the history of my father and brother,” he argues.
“Well, it’s not necessary that she would turn out to be just like them!”
“What if she does? What if she hurts you? I saw you dying once and I can’t see you dying again!” He leaves the room and slams the door behind him. He’s clearly angry with me because I don’t believe him. How can I believe him when Roslyn has been nothing but kind to me?21
Lance sits beside me and explains, “You need to understand that you cannot trust Roslyn so easily. You don’t know her. You don’t know what her intentions are. And that’s why Albert wants you to stay away from her. But if you want to continue your friendship with her then you can. I won’t stop you. But I want you to be careful.”1
After a while, I say, “I will.”
The next day after Socials, we all head back to our respective packs. I find Mom, Victoria and Jolene waiting for me in front of the pack house. I swear whenever these three are together, infinite questions surely follow. They all give me bright smiles and take me to my home.3
Once we are home, they make me sit and start asking questions as usual.
“How was the Socials?” Jolene eagerly asks.
“Everything went well. Except for Albert,” I say.
“What happened?” Mom inquires with concern filled eyes.
I tell them the whole story. By the end, they have looks of disbelief over their faces except Victoria who is busy playing with her toys.2
“Elise, you need to remember that Roslyn is Alexander’s family. What if she wants to avenge her cousin’s death? What if she wants to get back at Albert by hurting you?” Jolene questions.4
“Why does everyone think that Roslyn will hurt me?” I ask to no one in particular. I’m frustrated by getting frequently asked the same questions!26
“Because you are Albert’s mate and Albert killed her families,” she says with firm grip on my shoulders. “Just answer this question; what if someone kills your mother and sister? Won’t you avenge their deaths?”
“But this is different for Roslyn.”
“How?” She crosses her arms.
“Because she didn’t lose her mother or sister. And, she knows that her cousin was wrong and she won’t take the side of evil.”
“She’s trying to deceive you.”1
“I’m not someone who easily gets deceived,” I say with confidence.56
“But you are getting deceived by Roslyn! That girl is bad news and you need to realize that! Please, listen to us. We don’t want to see you get hurt again. We want you to be safe. And for that you need to stay away from Roslyn.”7
“Look Jolene, I’m going to be honest with you. I can’t promise that I would stay away from Roslyn for something that might not even be true. But I promise to you that I’ll be careful.”2
She sighs and says, “I’ll take whatever you can give me.”
There’s a moment of silence before my Mom speaks up. “Elizabeth, I’ve noticed that there is always a communication gap between you and Albert. If you guys want to work on your relationship then you both need to talk and share your opinions. You both should try to understand each other. And understanding won’t come overnight. I know you guys are busy with your duties and pack but you both should also try to spend some time together. That’s how you’ll come to know each other and that’s how your understanding will grow.”12
I think upon her words and make a decision. I go to my pack house and get my car keys. Then I head to Albert’s pack house. Herbert opens the door with a “Hi.”4
“Is Albert inside?” I ask.
“Yeah.”
I pass him by and make my way to the living room where I find Albert and Edward engaged in a serious conversation. They look at me and before anyone can say anything, I turn to Albert and say, “Let’s go for a drive.”