While both of us were staring dead into each other’s eyes while fighting the brewing tension, the sound of my phone notification snapped us out of our wild thoughts, and I moved to a corner to check what the message was about.

“You need to get here immediately.” The message read, leaving me completely speechless.

I signalled Liana about leaving, and she rolled her eyes before leaving with me. I couldn’t stop thinking about what could need my urgent attention. Even though I know Caleb can be really annoying, I chose to believe him and see what it’s about.

“You chickened out.” I was about to enter the car when I heard what she said.

“You don’t mean that, right?”

“Stop pretending like you don’t know what I’m talking about.” She replied to me and hopped into the car. This time she took the driver’s seat.

“I’m driving us back; don’t even think of doing it.” I said to her angrily.

“I am not as patient as you think. Who knows, you might find your way back alone; after all, you’re not new here.” I can’t believe we’re about to start another back-and-forth. I checked the time, and it was getting dark already; if I don’t get in, it’ll be very hard for me to return home without the car.

I looked at her face again, and from what I can see, she’s not giving up anytime soon.

“You’re so annoying.” I whispered before entering the car. “Are you a good driver?” I asked to confirm very well first.

“Well, you have to watch and learn.” Her confidence is what annoyed me even more.

******

We’ve been on the road for almost two hours, and she keeps apologizing to every driver because of her horrible driving skill.

I stopped the car angrily when I couldn’t take it anymore.

“Get out.” Without hesitating, both of us changed seats, and I drove us to the house in less than thirty minutes. When we got home I looked at her face, and I could tell she was embarrassed, just as she should be.

Both of us didn’t say anything to each other till we headed inside the house. I remembered the message Caleb sent to me, and judging from outside, there’s nothing going on, so why did he send such a message to me? Just when I was thinking about it, Caleb rushed outside.

Liana turned to look at both of us like she was waiting for us to go in together.

“Man, what was that message about? She thought I chickened out.” I lowered my voice as both of us turned to look at Liana.

“She looks upset. Did you two have a misunderstanding?” Caleb asked curiously.

“Why are you concerned about her? You sent a disturbing message about returning home immediately.”

“You need to come in first; just prepare your kind for a big surprise.” I looked at his face with a clouded mind; I was trying to figure out what the surprise could be, but I couldn’t think of anything at all.

Three of us walked into the house and my legs suddenly felt numb just by seeing his bank view. Caleb and I looked at each other immediately.

I blinked several times because never in my wildest dream did I think a moment like this would come.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, and he turned back to look at me with a bright smile on his face.

“Jace!” He yelled, sounding very excited.

“You haven’t answered my question, Ezra. Why are you here?” My dad and Celeste stood up when they heard my tone.

“Don’t be like that, Jace; both of you used to be best friends. You should be happy to see him again.”

“Are you serious? Have you forgotten what he did? He said he would never return, and he went as far as denouncing himself from this pack, and you are welcoming him? As for you, Celeste, you have no right to speak because you don’t know anything that has happened here before you came with your daughter.”

“Jace!” Damon yelled my name angrily.

Ezra smiled like he was happy to see the ruckus I was creating because of his presence. He stood up and walked up to me with a smile on his face.

“I know that you’re still upset with me because of the way I handled the situation back then. I felt wronged, which is why I did what I did, but now I’m back.” I know that every word that came out of his mouth was a lie. Damon knows nothing about Ezra and what he’s capable of doing, which is why he is accepting him back with an open heart.

Caleb, Ezra, and I used to be best friends until greed took over Ezra, and he started feeling like he has the right to become the next Alpha just because the position used to belong to his family until his grandfather made a terrible mistake and it was moved to my grandfather.

“I would advise you to return to where you’re coming from because I’m never going to accept you here.” I said angrily and walked away.

“Jace, come back here.” Damon tried to call me back, but Ezra stopped him, claiming that I’m still in denial and soon I’ll come around. I could clearly hear my dad tell Martha to show Ezra to his room.

I can’t believe that I’ll have to live with two people I don’t like. First it was Liana, and now Ezra. Ezra's own is worse because we have scores to settle, and I’m not ready to go back to that side with him yet.

I slammed the door angrily the moment I got into the room. While I was trying to stay calm, I heard a knock on the door. I angrily stood up to open the door, and surprisingly it was Ezra that knocked on the door.

“My room is a mess, so I was thinking of spending little time with you until the maids are done working there.” I couldn’t believe my ears.

“It’s just both of us, so drop the act.” I said angrily, and just as I thought, his facial expression changed.

“I just knew it was all an act.”

“Get ready to see more.” He said with a mischievous smile on his face.