Through His Eyes: An Institute Series Novella (The Institute Series Book 4) Read Online Free Page A

to take their eyes off each other.
    Shilah began to get teary as he choked on his words. “I never thought this was going to be me, standing in front of the person I love, giving my heart completely and fully. Before you, I never dreamed of this possibility for me. I planned to spend my entire life hiding away from the world because of who I was, but you showed me how to be proud of who I am. I fall in love with you more every day, and I promise myself to you forever.”
    Married at eighteen. I shook my head. I was happy for them, sure, but part of me couldn’t stop thinking how crazy they were being. Although, Tate was twenty-five, so there was that. I guess I shouldn’t have been too hard on them, since I had every intention of marrying the girl I was standing next to. You know, before I died.

THE INCIDENT
    Allira escaped the wedding reception early, using William as an excuse to leave.
    Drew offered to drive them in Allira’s parents’ car, which had Will’s car seat, and then return to the reception so her parents still had a way to get home.
    When they got back to the apartment, she asked Drew in for coffee.
    I knew it was a mistake as soon as she suggested it, but could she hear me telling her that?
    Drew made coffee while Allira put William down to sleep.
    “You need to tell him to leave. You know I don’t like him,” I pleaded.
    She walked out of her room and into the kitchen, still wearing her long red bridesmaid’s dress. Her hair was unpinned and flowed down her back in loose curls.
    Damn, she looked sexy. But that wasn’t a good thing with him being around.
    She smiled warmly at him, but it didn’t reach her eyes.
    Good. She’s totally faking being happy that he’s here.
    “Coffee?” he asked, holding out a freshly brewed cup. He surprisingly didn’t ogle her when she approached him.
    “Oh my god, I love you,” she replied, snatching it out of his hand greedily.
    He chuckled. Actually freaking chuckled. Ugh .
    They made their way to the couch in the living room, where they sat close to each other but not touching.
    “So, how are you? Really?” he asked.
    She threw her head backwards, resting it on the back of couch. “Fan-freaking-tastic,” she said sarcastically.
    “I know today was hard for you. I’m just making sure you’re okay.” His hand moved to her knee in a reassuring gesture, but all it did was make me see red.
    “He’s not good enough for you, Allira!” I yelled.
    “My brother got married today. I’m happy for him.” She took a sip of her coffee.
    “You don’t sound too convincing,” he said in reply, finally removing his hand from her leg. The five seconds it was there was five seconds way too long.
    She pursed her lips in thought. “Yeah, okay, I’m a little bitter. But I truly am happy they have each other. Anyone’s lucky to have that.”
    “Do you really think if they’d put the wedding off you’d feel differently?”
    She let out a loud sigh. “I guess not.” She leaned forward and put her barely touched drink on the coffee table in front of them. He followed her lead.
    Uh oh.
    She moved closer to him and lay back, putting her head on his chest. “It’s just … it still hurts. So much,” she whispered.
    He was awkward at first, not really knowing where to place his hands. I was pretty sure I could see the Adam’s apple in his throat bobbing as he swallowed hard. He finally wrapped his arm around her and pulled her in tight. “I know it does,” he whispered back.
    They sat there for a while. She cried her heart out, and he just held her, rubbing her back in a soothing manner.
    When she pulled away, sitting upright, she was wiping tears from her eyes. “I’m sorry I just dumped that on you. Maybe you should go.”
    Good girl.
    “Hey,” he said gently. He moved in closer, his hand reaching up to cup her face.
    “Don’t you dare touch her like that!” I yelled. He continued to do it. “Shit!” My hands went to my hair, trying to pull out