Chapter 7: Bridezilla

Michael’s POV

I sat on the couch opposite my mother and Havana watching the two indulge in playful banter. It was as if they were long-lost friends catching up on the time they had missed apart. The sight made me smile.

I had never met a woman special enough for me to introduce to my mother, but after seeing Havana's face I knew I had to. Whether she chose to admit it to me or not I knew how those bruises got there. I spent the majority of my childhood cleaning up my mother’s. I figured if Havana couldn't talk to me then maybe talking to another survivor would help.

I longed to be present and in the moment with them, but I couldn't. My mind was focused on the weight in my pocket. What had Jane's message said? Should I excuse myself to read it? Does Havana feel comfortable enough to be alone with my mother? "Michael, are you alright. You're looking a bit pale," my mother said. Her voice broke me out of my trance about the message.

"I have to handle some business," I simply explain.

"Go, I'll keep Havana company." My eyes dart between the two women. The uneasiness settled inside of me. Havana was my guest; I couldn't just abandon her.

"Go ahead. I'm fine here with Emily," Havana reassures.

My mother's name sounded natural from her lips as if spoken a thousand times before. I nod. I trust that she wouldn't lie about her comfortability and now the two could talk privately about Havana's facial mishap.

Leaving the room, I held my breath as I unlocked my phone. There were several things I expected from Jane, and none were pleasant. I had left her alone in my office with only my jacket as a piece of comfort. A natural reaction from anyone would be anger especially if the man that left you was your soon-to-be husband.

Reading the message, I was in shock. It was nothing at all like I expected. Each word had been chosen precisely. To an innocent, the text was just that but to someone who knew Jane, it was a threat.

My brain was overcome with thoughts and questions, but I only needed the answer to one. How had she known? As much as I wanted the answer at this moment, it didn't matter. I had to get Havana as far away from me as possible.

Re-entering the room, Havana and my mother was locked in an embrace. "Am I interrupting something?" I asked, raising a brow at the scene in front of me.

The two retract and look at each other before laughing. Their laughter filled the room and soothed my soul, but the nagging feeling remained in my gut from Jane's message. Somehow she knew that I had left her for Havana last night. I had nothing to hide. I was a friend helping a friend. Despite how true or untrue it was, the thought of Havana and Jane ever crossing paths again made my stomach bubble with anxiety.

"Just girl talk," my mom says with a smile.

"We should get going. The pack is getting restless." The desire to stay was evident from everyone, but I had an insane fiancée to deal with.

"It was such a pleasant visit from both of you. He's never brought a woman to meet me before. He must be smitten with you, so I hope he brings you back." My face drops at her choice of words. Could this get any more embarrassing?

"We're just friends, Emily. Even if I weren't with my boyfriend, Michael has his fiancée,” Havana clarifies innocently. My mother rolls her eyes -- she wasn't fond of the idea of me marrying a stranger.

I shake my head at my mother's obvious eye roll. Wait, did Havana just admit to wanting to be with me if she weren't with that a**hole? Or was I overthinking...again?

"The two of you haven't met yet!” Havana shrieks. Though I hadn't brought Jane to meet my mother I also felt no need to. My mother would never approve.

"With that being said, we are leaving." Now was not the time to hash out family issues regarding my personal love life.

In the car, Havana sat in silence. Her face was empty of emotions, but a sense of calm filled the air. My eyes frequently went to her and back to the road. I wanted to start a conversation, but I didn’t know what to say. She seemed so content with the silence I didn't want to disturb her.

“Thank you for introducing us," Havana says as the car comes to a stop. I look from the entrance of the forest in front of me back to her.

"I had a feeling you two would get along," I admit honestly.

"Is it because we've both been abused? She told me about your father."

I laugh. What happened between my parents was no secret. It was one of the contributing factors to me getting the Alpha position earlier than expected. It was a unanimous decision to get him out of the Alpha office.

"What happened with them is no secret. I saw the similarities, but that's not why I thought you two would get along. You're both strong and beautiful women who are more powerful than you think," I say honestly.

My mother was the bravest woman I know. She left my father when she had nothing all because she knew she deserved better than anything he could offer her. I want Havana to learn the same.

"Thank you," she whispered and kissed my cheek softly.

I didn't need to say more. At this moment everything was understood between the two of us. I got out of the car and waited for Havana to get in the driver’s seat and pull off.

Watching her car retreat, I turned to walk back to the manor. The woods offered a welcoming feeling as if I had been gone for months.

"Welcome back," the familiar voice greeted. Despite the welcoming words I didn't feel welcomed. I knew sooner or later I would have to face her, but I was hoping it was later.

I smile lightly as the figure got closer and her features because clearer. “Jane, how'd you sleep?" I asked instantly regretting the question as soon as it left my mouth. "Sorry,” I quickly apologize. Jane laughs, the sound more cynical than sweet.

"Just tell me who she is," Jane says. A confused expression crossed my face. I had assumed that since Jane’s message talked about me being with a girl she knew it was Havana.

"She's just a friend. She was going through something so I went to keep her company."

That was the truth or at least that's what she and Havana would believe. No one needed to know that I was secretly falling in love with Havana with each second I spent with her.

“She doesn't have any non-engaged friends?" Jane's arms folded over her chest.

I couldn’t deny that she had a point and if this were a normal marriage in which I proposed to her for love, then I wouldn’t have any argument for that. Unfortunately, this was an arranged marriage with no love only loyalty to our pack.

"You saw first hand what Havana has to go through. I have to be there for her." I mentally curse myself for revealing Havana's identity to Jane. I wanted to keep that part secret, but I also couldn't allow Jane to bad mouth Havana either.

"Havana. That's fine, but from now on you’re mine. Remember we have a wedding to plan, honey." Jane took my arm dragging me with her.

That was easier than I thought it would be. Jane pulled out her phone and began texting furiously as we walked. My assumption is she had started the wedding planning without me.

"I want this wedding to be perfect. It's my day and I need my groom to make sure nothing goes wrong."

I shake my head in disbelief. I almost criticized myself for judging her too harshly, but then the Jane who only cared for herself resurfaced.

"Shouldn't this be our wedding?" I asked. She laughs, but there was no joke in my sentence.

"If you care about our wedding then turn your phone off." Her words spat out like venom ready to take its victim.

After the stunt I pulled with Havana I did owe Jane my time. I pull the phone out of my pocket, and it vibrates softly as Havana's name appears on the screen. “Don't answer that. This is our wedding, Michael. If you want this alliance for your pack then turn it off."

Under any other circumstances I would have answered without a second thought, but just as Havana was important to me so was my pack. It was unfair to have me choose between the two, but my pack depended on me and this alliance.

Against every bone in my body, I press the power button to shut the phone off. I promise Havana, the first chance I get I'm returning your call.