The Three Who Chose Me
Chapter 24: A Step of Hope

Chapter 24: A Step of Hope

Josie

I felt a vibration through my body for the millionth time since I asked Thorne out of my room, his words sinking in the pit of my stomach and fluttering around like tiny bubbles.

Ticklish. Surprisingly-feel-good.

These words he’d spilled...they weren’t right. How could he order me around like some puppet?

But that wasn’t the problem. The problem was the way my body reacted to those words. My whole freaking body.

The way it hummed under his fierce, green gaze.

I’ve been thinking the whole time since that stupid order, and I wasn’t sure what to do about the so-called party.

What kind of party was it? Why must he take me along?

And why did he feel he could order me around?

The shrill ringtone from my phone blasted through my thoughts, and I glanced down to see Marcy’s name glowing across the screen.

I answered with a deep sigh, leaning a side of my face into my palm. "What do you want?"

"I’m sorry, Josie," she blurted immediately, her tone strained with agony and—was that guilt?

At least she had it in her to feel guilty.

"You left me there, Marcy," I bit out, my tone icy. "You practically left me for dead."

"I swear Josie, it’s not what you think—"

"Do you even think of me as a friend, huh? Leaving me there like that, when you knew you could help me. Face off my father."

"Josie—"

"You have Alpha blood in you, Marcy! You could have easily overpowered him if you wanted to." I paused, lowering my voice to a whisper. "You could have helped me if you wanted to."

"Just hear me out, okay?!"

I paused, my heart thudding with rage.

"First off, I want you to know that your father isn’t himself anymore.." she paused, the silence eating at me.

"What do you mean?" I queried, although I somewhat agreed deep down.

"He’s turning into something...scary," she continued in a shaky voice.

I grew quiet, my thoughts straying back to that dilapidated, eerie house. Where my father had almost clawed me to my death.

Marcy could be right, after all.

I know my father hated me already. Was disgusted by me.

But that look in his eyes...that insane bloodlust and malice when he’d charged at me.

It was unrecognizable. Almost not-my-father-ish.

"I couldn’t face him myself, Josie," Marcy’s voice pressed into my thoughts. "When I saw..." the words trailed off in her mouth. "I immediately ran off to get help, and that’s when I saw Thorne storming into the house."

She let out a deep sigh, her breath ragged. "You needed to see the way he asked me to get out, Josie. I was scared to my bones, the look he gave me was...scalding. Threatening. So I had no choice but to scram. And I was certain he wouldn’t let any harm come to you, also, so..."

The rage that had boiled in my veins slowly dissipated, replaced with a slice of guilt.

Maybe I’d been a bit too hard on her...

I exhaled shakily, running a hand over my face. "I’m sorry, Marcy. I didn’t mean to lash out that way."

"It’s fine. I just wanted you to understand that we’ve been friends for years, and I’d never do anything to ruin our friendship."

"I know," I murmured, biting my lower lip as I considered telling her about the party Thorne had ordered me to follow him to.

"Marcy..." I started, clearing my throat, "there’s this party.."

"What party?"

"Thorne asked me to go to this party with him. I don’t know—"

"He did?!" she shrieked, cutting the words from my mouth. "Thorne?"

"Yes, Marcy."

"Holy smokes, Josie! This is huge! So, is this like an official date or something?"

"What, no! Marcy—"

"Did you say yes already?" she squealed. "Please tell me you did. Pleaseee."

"Cut it out, Marcy," I replied, my tone dry. "You really thought I’d agree to go with him? Thorne is super annoying and suffocating with his do’s and don’t’s already, and it makes things super difficult between us. I can’t deal with such possessiveness and lack of control over my own actions!"

I was panting in rage by the time I was done ranting, and the silence on the other end told me Marcy was just as stunned as I was over this little outburst.

"Well," she cleared her throat, "that was a lot," she added in a murmur. "But you know," her tone brightened, a bit of life creeping in, "you really don’t have to give it much thought. Personally, I believe it’s just in Thorne’s nature to behave the way he does. And yeah, I know you’re not cool with it."

"But you’ve gotta give him time, Josie. He can’t change overnight, and I see that he’s trying."

"How do you know he is?"

"At least he invited you out to party? Hello? He wouldn’t have if he doesn’t care."

I let out a deep sigh as I considered her words, chewing my lower lip.

It wouldn’t kill me if I just went with him...so why not?

Plus I knew that Thorne wouldn’t get off my neck.

"So, what do you say?" Marcy’s voice penetrated my thoughts, and I was forced to make a decision in milliseconds.

"I’ll go with him, but listen, Marcy. It’s not a date."

*************

Several minutes later, I stood in front of the mirror, observing my reflection.

I was casually dressed, to the best of my knowledge.

Pastel-blue button-down shirt, belted at the waist. My nipples puckering through the fabric.

I didn’t think much of it.

With a deep sigh, I turned on my heels and started towards the door.

There were two mean-faced men mounted just outside my doors. Guards that were being paid to make sure I stay in my fucking room.

I tried to get past, but of course, they stopped me.

"The Alpha has instructed us to make sure you don’t step out of your room."

"I’m very much aware of that," I shot back, glaring from one to the other, "but I actually don’t give two shits. You need to take me to him. Right now."

They were both a little taken aback by the note of finality in my tone.

But my death glare was what prompted them to action.

After a million seconds of silence.

"Alright, this way."

They led me to the courtyard surrounded with glass walls and sliding doors.

The deckings were made of wood, a mix of sunlight and shadow filtering in from the windows.

The sunlight caught my eyes, blurring my vision for a bit.

But that was not all my eyes caught.

From my peripheral vision, I saw Thorne, and there was an instant thrill in my chest.

He sat there, in his full 6ft-something, towering over a group of people, conversing.

And slowly, my eyes trailed to his hand.

Was that a... wow.

A teacup.

Thorne Whistle-down, drinking tea?

That was very much...unlike him.

I expected whiskey or some other spirit of sorts.

A flush of heat creeped into my cheeks at the thought and the sight, and just then, Thorne lifted his eyes and stared at me.

More like, stared through me. His green eyes burning and all. His jaw clenched, something flickering in the sea of green.

The flush of heat tripled, my legs suddenly wobbly.

Holy smokes.

Did he know I was watching him all this time?