The Dark Side Of Fate
63 The Best Thing To Do (Book 2)

~Susan~

Devin did not return to the bedroom until one in the morning. I wondered what he stayed up discussing with Leo. He also did not seem too happy when he entered the room, so I was concerned too.

I did not know if it were safe for me to ask him, so I remained silent.

He sat down on the bed and sighed heavily. Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ (ꜰind)ɴʘvel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"Is everything all right?" I asked him, and he sighed and then looked back at me.

"I hope you have been honest with me, Susan,” he stated, and my heart began to beat fast from confusion. That was a very odd question to ask me. His words made me sit up immediately.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked him, and he sighed.

"What you told me about your parents being missing and not knowing where they are: Is it true?" he asked. I did not understand why he would think I would lie about something that serious.

"I swear to you, Devin, I do not know where they are. I don't,” I said, not knowing if I needed to convince him.

"Where were you when we broke up?" he asked.

"I was hiding in Pridewood," I told him, and he sighed.

"Who were you staying with in Pridewood? I know your uncle's home was in Pridewood, the very Pridewood where the massacre occurred, the very night you came to Greenville," he said, and I became worried. Had someone set me up?

"Why are you asking this?" I asked him, and he looked at me. His eyes were teary.

"Because I feel it was odd you returned the very night Pridewood was destroyed. I then learn that your parents aren't missing but members of a cult that wants to help its leaders take over the south and east. I am not a fool, Susan. What is your real mission here?" he asked me, and I was utterly shocked.

I had just heard that my parents, who I believed were dead, were alive somewhere and did not bother to contact me. Then, at the same time, he was accusing me of treason.

"Are you accusing me of treason?" I asked him quietly, and he was silent.

"I know it is easy to believe that I am a bad person because of what my uncle and cousin did and maybe what you heard about my parents, but I swear to you, Devin, I am hearing of them for the first time.

What happened in Pridewood was a coincidence.

I did not know they would wipe out that place. I swear, Devin. I did not know. I know it looks like I came here to save myself from annihilation and maybe keep your trust, but I swear I did not know. I would have died there. I was just lucky," I said, tears streaming down my face because I knew I looked guilty.

It was weird that I left Pridewood the very night it was attacked and its residents killed by a cult my missing parents are now rumoured to be a part of. It looked suspicious.

I waited for Devin to say something, but he remained quiet, and I became scared. Had he discussed this with Leo, or had Leo told Sylvester? Was the council aware? Will I be tried for treason like Glenda and uncle Nickolas? Will I be hung in public like they did Glkenda and uncle Nikolas? Scenarios of what might happen played in my head.

I did not know what to do. I was afraid.

If there was an issue and my loyalty was questioned, and Devin did not trust me, I was genuinely fucked because he was all I had.

"I swear to you, Devin, I have no hand in the death of the people in Pridewood," I said in tears.

I was terrified. I did not want to die.

"Devin, tell me you believe me,” I said, and he was silent. His hands were shaking, and I knew he was conflicted.

"What will happen to me, Devin?" I asked quietly because I knew I was guilty in his eyes.

"It isn't a serious matter yet, but a fleeing member of the cult has confirmed that your folks were involved in the massacre in Pridewood, and to think you left there that very night seems suspicious. I do not know, Susan, but I will have it investigated..." he said, trailing off the rest of his words.

We had made love when we got to the east and promised each other so much. His words cut me deep. His inability to take my word for it broke my heart completely.

"You mean you do not believe me?" I asked him, and he sighed.

"It isn't about what I believe. It is about what I can prove. I am the head Alpha of the south, and that massacre happened under my watch. Your parent's involvement with the cult that perpetrated the crime casts a huge shadow of doubt on your person. The fact that you were there and left the place to my house the night the people were killed..." he said, and I did not need him to finish. I knew where it was heading.

"Everything says I have a hand in it..." I completed it for him.

"My family's track record also leaves little to be desired,” I added, and he was silent.

"So, will I be arrested and detained pending the investigation?" I asked him with a breathy voice, and he shook his head.

"If it comes to that, I won't let that happen, Susan, but I need you to be honest with me," he said, looking at me.

"I will go against everyone for your sake, but I need you to be honest with me," he said, and I believed that was too much to ask of him. Going against everyone meant him losing his status and good name, and maybe his life. I could not have that.

I shook my head.

"No need to go against anyone Devin. I can't ask that of you," I said, and he was silent.

" assure you I have no hand in this, and I do not know anything about my folks," I said, but there was still doubt in his eyes.

He was evaluating whether he should trust me or not.

If Devin doubted me, I wondered what would happen if I was brought before the council. I was a Sullivan; I wouldn't stand a chance before the council.

I sat back on the bed quietly, raking my mind for what to do that would not put Devin in a tight spot. I thought I had returned to his life permanently with bliss, but as things are, I might have to run away and go into hiding because I wasn't going to allow the council to waste my life and existence over something I had no hand in.

I sat on the bed and looked at him, trying to memorise his features, knowing I might never see him again. Maybe I was destined to be alone because something kept happening that would force me to run away. This will be the second time I would have to run away from love to save my life.

"I will speak to Leo about it in the morning, And then we will figure out what to do from there. When they start investigating the Pridewood incident, your name will come up, and your movements that night will cause huge doubt.

I wish I could bury it right now, but Sylvester is already coming, and Leo has reported the Pridewiood incident to him. I have also filed it in, and there is a cult member who can attest that your parents were involved and they had an informant in Pridewood, " He said, and I understood his plight and what I must do.

"Thank you, Devin. Thank you for trying," I told him, and he looked at me and caressed my cheek with his palm.

"Please do not lie to me, Susan. Do not lead me astray. I saw what it did to Leo when Amanda deceived him. I do not want to be in that situation. I love you dearly," he said, pleading with me to be honest with him, but what was the point of being honest when my honesty would be seen as falsehood?

"I have never lied to you, Devin, and I won't start that now. Do what you must. I will hold no grudge against you. You have been there for me through my difficult times, and I appreciate you for it," I said, fighting my tears because I knew I would be gone from the place in the morning. I needed to go into hiding. I wouldn't take much with me to avert suspicion, but I must find a way to survive alone.

I pulled Devin for a kiss, and I knew it was weird to do, judging by what we had discussed, but I had to say goodbye properly because there was no winning this for me.

If all he said were true, then I would be found guilty.

I had no friends or alibi. I had no one.

Had I not left Pridewood that night, I would have died there, but no one would see it that way since my parents were in the cult.

They would believe that I was tipped off and decided to run away.

They will believe that I worked as an informant.

The list of what I would be found guilty of based on circumstances was unending.

I did not know what was going on in our world, but I refused to be a casualty.

Yes, I would lose my heart's desire and the man I love, but I will be alive and still have hope.

Devin returned the kiss, and he was gentle.

"Make love to me,” I whispered, and he stared at me for a bit before obliging.

Devin fell asleep after, and I used that opportunity to pack a tiny bag and write him a note.

I ensured I was light on my feet and did not make sounds that would trouble his sleep. I folded the letter and left it on the table. Then headed for the door.

"Where are you going?" Devin asked, sounding sleepy.

"I need a glass of milk. Go back to sleep,” I said gently with a fake giggle, and he returned to sleep. I left the room and closed the door.

I found my way out of the packhouse.

I walked until I got to a forest; I did not know where it would lead, but I would start from there.

I removed my clothes and placed them in the small bag, shifted into Cleo, held the bag with my jaws and ran.

Tears streamed down my eyes, but it was necessary. I did not want Devin in a tight corner and did not want him to lose his good name because of me.

I also could not stick around for the wicked council to use me as a scapegoat over a crime I did not commit.

This was for the best.

As heart-wrenching as it was, it was for the best.

I hoped he would forgive me for this.

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