Page 13 of His Bullied Fated Mate

He was quiet for a long moment. But his voice spoke up, and it came out threatening. “What the fuck are you doing?” I could hear he was holding onto the very last bit of restraint from charging over here and beating the shit out of me.

I scratched my neck. “Who told you?”

“Everyone is fucking talking about it, Riley. Jesus Christ, why didn’t you fucking tell me!? Was that the entire reason you came to the family dinner? So you could dig up information on my sisters' whereabouts? How low of a friend do you get?”

I frowned. “It sort of just happened. I didn't plan it this way, Troy.”

“It’s my sister!” His voice rose. “My sister! Didn’t you think you should call me and inform me that you are fucking bonding my sister? That you are living in the same house! Have you no respect for me and my parents? After everything we have done for you over the years?”

I understood his anger, but it wasn't like I had much pull in anything. The council told me I needed to get her here, so I did. “I didn’t have a choice in the matter, Troy. The council told me she was my mate and that I needed to bond with her to keep my anger under control. It wasn’t like I was jumping at the idea.”

I could hear him sigh. “You should have come to me. You should have told me! Instead, you went behind my back.”

I sighed. “Do you want to talk to her? Does she need to tell you she's safe for you to get off my back?”

“No, I’m going to talk to my sister in person. I’ll be coming down tomorrow.” He ended the line before I could say anything. I softly sighed and turned, heading up the stairs.

I pulled my hand up to knock on her door and give her a heads-up. Maybe fix what I’d done just a moment ago. But then I heard it. That soft sniffle and the sound of a whimper.

She was crying, and I was truly the same guy I was all those years ago.

Chapter 4 - Janella

I sat outside on the porch. It was quiet, and I felt numb. So much was changing, and I had no control over anything. I was forced to move here, and I didn’t want to. I couldn’t tell Scott what was going on because I was scared he’d fire me. I had no one to lean on, no one to tell my fears and anger to. So, I just sat on it. But now even my anger had started to subside, and I felt empty.

I wanted my parents, but I knew the minute that I saw them, I would break down. I’d cry, and they would ask what was wrong. I didn’t have many friends, and the few I did have wouldn’t understand. Everything was falling apart, and it was all his fault.

I wrapped my cardigan tightly around myself and pulled my legs up closer to me. The swing moved back and forth as the wind blew. I didn’t even know what time it was or how long I’d been out here.

I felt like I was slowly suffocating when I saw Riley. There were so many emotions that hit me. That anger from everything, the fear of losing it all again. Every time he spoke, my body would tense up waiting for him to say something that would hurt me. But how could he make this worse?

I heard the door open, and I looked to the side. Riley stepped out. He was wearing gray sweatpants and a workout shirt. He’d looked like he’d just crawled out of bed. His hair was a mess, but he still looked as handsome as ever.

His eyes landed on me, and he looked surprised. “What are you doing?”

I looked across the yard and shrugged. I didn’t have it in me to argue. I didn’t have anything in me at the moment.

I felt the swing move as he sat down next to me. “Janella.”

I shook my head, making him stop. “I don’t want to argue with you. Not today.” I bit onto my lower lip, feeling tears build up again. I’d cried last night after keeping it together. But hearing him snap those words that I’d never be free broke something in me.

I was clinging to the hope that I could go home. That once I did what they needed, I could leave. But something last night told me it wasn’t the simple. His words seemed truer than ever.

I could hear him sigh. “I’m sorry I yelled last night. I didn’t mean it. I…God… It’s part of the problem.”

I looked at him, and I could see how frustrated he was. “I meant it when I said we needed you. This bonding is affecting everyone. Including myself. I have a hard time controlling my emotions.”

I chewed on my lower lip, not sure what to say to him. But before I could, I heard a vehicle pull in front of the house. I scrunched my eyebrows together. “Who’s that?”

He smiled. “Someone who wanted to see you. I should probably put some distance between him and me.”

I didn’t understand. I watched the car door open, and a guy stepped out. My body froze as I realized it was Troy.

I hadn’t seen him in person in a long time. I felt my heart stop beating as he rounded the car, his eyes glued to me. I watched as he gave me a smile. “Hey, sis.”

I swallowed, staring at how much he’d changed. He was taller. Easily almost seven feet. Clearly, he took after Dad. He had Mom's soft blue eyes, though, and her soft smile. He’d gotten muscular. I could see how square his shoulders were.

He walked towards me, and I gave him a smile in return. I knew that it didn’t reach my eyes.”Hey.”