Chapter 4 The Vow

By the time Void’s car stopped outside the pack house, the sun had already started to set, and the weight in my chest had slowly moved from heartbreak to anxiety laced with anticipation.

What if I ruin Void’s stainless reputation? What if I mess everything up, just like Jamie deared? What if I... what if I am ready not enough?

"You are thinking too loud, bestie."

I turned. Void was watching me, his eyes the same tender, knowing pools that I have only ever seen when he was looking at me.

"I... what if..."

"Stop," he said, leaning forward, his hand resting on mine that was resting on my thigh. "You know how much I hate losing. I will understand, just for today, that you can't trust yourself today. But you should trust me. I have never failed. I don't intend to fail now."

I nodded hard, tears stinging the back of my eyes. "I will repay you, Void. I will do everything to make sure you do not regret this."

"This is what friends do, Yvonne. But if you want to repay me so bad, sneak me one of those candies you know I like. We will have our first practice session tomorrow."

I broke into a laugh and nodded. "I will sneak a lot."

"You better," he said, laughing a little. "I will pick you up for practice. I will make sure the new pairing list comes out tomorrow so we can have a headstart. Is that okay?"

"More than okay. I will probably spend all night dusting out those skates."

He smiled. "You should. Go get some rest. I will come by tomorrow."

I nodded, then leaned forward, opening my arms for a brief second before I pulled away, a blush rising up my cheeks.

"I just..."

Void laughed, then leaned forward and gently hugged me, his hand running up and down my back in that friendly way I have felt only very rarely.

"Make sure you sleep. I won't give us any breaks tomorrow."

I nodded, then leaned away. "Take care, okay?"

"I will. I will watch you go in."

I nodded again and stepped out of the car, then turned to wave. He waved back, his smile soft, his eyes tender.

I turned and walked to the door, then turned back to the car again. He was still watching me, and I waved again.

He waved back. I turned and walked away, closing the door behind me.

The packhouse open area was dim, a few lingring around, paying games, taking care of the pups, laughing over different things. I kept my head down and walked forward, to the stairs that led to the attic, and then up till I got to my room.

I opened the door, and Bonnie was already standing up, her eyes big with surprise and anticipation.

"Bonnie," I said, laughing at her obvious eagerness. "You are still here."

"Where else would I be?" She asked, moving away from the bed. "Come here. Sit. Then tell me every single thing. Now."

I broke into a laugh. "Won't you let me even wind down?"

"No. You never told me you and..." she took in a deep breath. "His Highness, THE Void were friends. You made it seem like you only knew him the way the rest of us did, and all of a sudden, your stupid ex does something foolish and he is carting you away in that car like it is nothing? You cunning fox!"

I broke into a laugh, my chest heaving. "He has been my best friend for close to twelve years. I saved his life, you know. Your friend is not all that useless. "

"You were never useless. Jamie is just a fool. "

I gave a small sigh and leaned on her shoulder. "I think I would have broken for real if you and Void weren't here?"

She brought her hands around me. "I wish I could do more. Tell me. Will Void really dance with you? I mean... the pairing list is already out, and he is a very well-known soloist. Would it really work?"

I leaned away, then gave a small sigh. "I am really hoping it does. He... we went to the pack affairs office and... he asked to dance with me. They agreed to release a new pairing list."

She gasped, her eyes wide, her hand covering her mouth. "They... they would really do that?"

I nodded slowly. "I can barely believe it too. I shoild clean out my skates. I should practise. The last person I want to disappoint is Void. I... when we were coming back, all I could see was the way he stood in that office, insisting my name be put right there with his. My best friend did that for me. Even the man I dated for so long easily pushed me away, and yet..."

"Hey," Bonnie said, leaning up. "What Jamie did was a reflection of his character, not yours. Void is used to beauty, to quality. To perfection. That is why he went to that length for you. Because he knows exactly how to find potential, even before it is polished. Trust me on this."

I nodded slowly, breaking into a wet laugh. "You sound so convincing. Just like him."

"Because we are not lying, Yvonne. I will be rooting for you. Just so you know."

I nodded again, and she pulled me in, her hand tightening around my back, her fingers gently playing with my hair.

I closed my eyes, my heart settling into a silent vow. I will not let Void or Bonnie down.