ALICE
I watch Alex’s broad shoulders as he walks back to the pack house, my vision blurring with hot tears that threaten to spill down my cheeks. A suffocating tightness grips my chest – I can’t believe Alex just spoke to me like that, with such cold finality in his deep voice. After our magical dates, I really thought I could convince him to be mine again, to rekindle the passionate love we once shared. But I was so wrong.
The painful memory of him refusing to even take me to the hospital once the three days were up flashes through my mind, sending a fresh wave of anguish washing over me. Could Alex truly no longer be mine? The devastating thought finally unleashes the tears, sending them cascading down my face in salty rivers.
I run past him, my feet carrying me blindly toward one of my mates’ rooms as sobs wrack my body. Bursting through Lorenzo’s door, I’m greeted by the warm, familiar smell of his scent. Soft light from the floor lamp in the corner casts a warm glow over the room, highlighting the framed abstract art prints on the walls. Lorenzo’s queen-sized bed is neatly made, with a plush white comforter and matching pillows. To my luck, Cameron is also here, lounging on the brown leather couch.
“Alice, what’s wrong?” Lorenzo asks, his brow creased with concern as he shoots up from his seat.
Unable to hold back, I pour out the whole story, my voice cracking with emotion.
Cameron moves closer, his green eyes filled with sympathy. “Alice, have you considered the possibility that your feelings for Alex might actually border on… obsession?”
“Obsession?” The word feels like poison on my tongue, sending a shudder through my body.
“Yes,” Cameron says gently, “and we are here for you to help you through it.
Tears blur my vision as Cameron’s words slice through me like a dagger. Obsession? How could he think that of the profound love I have for Alex? The love that once made my heart soar and the world around me shine brighter.
I shake my head vehemently, my voice trembling. “No, you’re wrong. What Alex and I had was real, beautiful.”
Lorenzo takes my hand, his touch comforting and warm. “We’re not denying that,” Lorenzo interjects, his voice firm yet gentle, “but right now, it seems that only you are holding onto that love, and you need to let go.”
“No!” I shout, yanking my hand from his grasp as anger and betrayal surge through my veins. “I’m not obsessed!”
“You are!” Cameron yells, his sudden outburst making me flinch. “And you need to accept that Alex is with Hannah now.”
“Alex has suffered a lot from your obsession… and maybe even Hannah too,” Lorenzo interjects, his tone somber yet resolute. Shock courses through me, numbing my senses. When did they turn against me?
“You don’t love me anymore, do you? That’s why you’re against me,” I choke out through my tears.
“Don’t say that, Alice. We love you. That’s why we’re looking out for you,” Cameron pleads, reaching for me. I stumble back.
“No! You’re lying. You don’t love me anymore.” The words taste bitter, mixing with the salt of my tears.
“Alice…” Lorenzo’s voice is soft with sympathy. It’s too much to bear.
“She’s taken you from me too. She’s taken you both.” Disbelief colors my words as I shake my head, backing towards the door.
Lorenzo tries to reach for me one last time, but I spin around and flee, an anguished cry tearing from my throat. Tears stream down my face in an uncontrollable torrent as I run, a simmering hatred for Hannah burning ever brighter in my broken heart.
HANNAH
The aroma of freshly baked bread and simmering sauces envelops me as I step into the cozy restaurant. I release a deep sigh, the weight of yesterday’s events still heavy on my mind. Finding an empty table by the window, I sink into the plush chair, grateful for a moment to collect my thoughts. Disbelief mingles with a flicker of pride as I reflect on how Alex managed to convince the shareholders of his competence as CEO despite the odds stacked against him. The memory of the ruse, the way he played his parts to perfection, brings a small, secret smile to my lips.
But the smile fades as quickly as it appears, replaced by a bittersweet ache as my thoughts drift to the fierce loyalty Luna showed me after that catastrophic family dinner. Her unwavering support, the fire in her eyes as she defended me against their cruel accusations, filled me with a warmth I only felt from Bee. The realization both thrills and terrifies me, the foreign sensation of having another ally in my corner after so long.
Alex and I didn’t continue our conversation after that, but I’m not sure there’s much left to say. My goal now is to maintain our contractual engagement, and cling to the faint hope that Alex will hold up his end of the bargain, that he won’t shatter this tentative truce we’ve established.
Pulling away from my reverie, I notice a familiar figure waving at me from across the room. It’s Bee, her warm smile instantly putting me at ease as she slides into the seat opposite me. “Hey babe, how’re you doing?” she asks, her voice laced with concern.
She makes her way over to my table, her steps light and purposeful, and slides into the seat opposite me with an easy grace. “Hey babe, how’re you doing?” she asks, her voice laced with genuine concern and affection.
I manage a small smile in return, grateful for her presence and the normalcy it represents. “Good, you?” I reply, taking a sip of the cool, refreshing water and signaling for a waiter to come take our orders.
“I’m doing alright, thanks for asking,” Bee replies, her brow furrowing slightly as she studies my face. “But enough about me, I want to hear about you. How did everything go yesterday? Were you able to resolve the issues caused by the article?”
Just as I open my mouth to respond, the waiter approaches our table, a friendly smile on his face. “Good afternoon, ladies. Are you ready to order, or do you need a few more minutes?”
Bee and I exchange a glance, realizing we haven’t even glanced at the menu yet. “Could you give us a couple of minutes?” I ask apologetically.
“Of course, take your time,” the waiter replies, handing us each a menu before stepping away.
We quickly scan the options, our stomachs growling as we take in the mouthwatering descriptions. “Ooh, the grilled salmon with asparagus and quinoa sounds amazing,” Bee muses, her eyes lighting up.
I nod in agreement, my own gaze landing on the spinach and feta stuffed chicken breast. “I think I’m going to go with that,” I decide, closing the menu.
The waiter returns a few moments later, and we place our orders, along with a request for a basket of warm, crusty bread to nibble on while we wait.
As he departs, Bee turns her attention back to me, her expression serious. “Alright, spill. I want to hear everything about yesterday.”
I take a deep breath, gathering my thoughts before responding. “Yeah, it was a wild ride, but we managed to pull it off,” I begin, my voice tinged with a mix of exhaustion and relief.
I recount the whirlwind of events from the previous day, the words tumbling from my lips in a cathartic rush. Bee listens intently, her eyes widening in disbelief as I describe the lengths Alice went to in her attempt to sabotage me.
“Wow, I can’t believe that bitch tried to pin it all on you,” she exclaims, her voice tinged with righteous anger on my behalf. “After everything you’ve been through, the nerve of her!”
I nod in agreement, a wry smile tugging at my lips.
Across the table, she extends her arm and takes my hand, giving it a gentle, comforting squeeze. Her eyes meet mine as she says, “It must have been nice to have someone else supporting you last night besides me.”
I nod, swallowing past the lump that suddenly forms in my throat. “It did.”
We sit in comfortable silence for a moment, each lost in our own thoughts. Finally, Bee breaks the quiet, her voice filled with concern. “And what about Alex? Did you two have a chance to talk things out after everything that happened?”
I open my mouth to respond, but my gaze is drawn to a tall, handsome figure striding through the entrance. “Jason!” I call out, waving to catch his attention.
He spins around, his brow furrowed in confusion for a moment before his gaze lands on me. A bright, genuine smile stretches across his face, and he makes his way over to our table.
“Who’s that?” Bee whispers, her eyes widening appreciatively as she takes in Jason’s chiseled features and muscular frame. “Girl, you better introduce me,” she adds, adjusting her hair and putting on her most dazzling smile.
I can’t help but chuckle at her sudden interest, remembering how, just a day ago, she was decrying all men as horrible after hearing about my initial encounters with Alpha Collins and Alex accusing me of cheating. But I can hardly blame her – Jason carried an undeniable charm, his rugged features, and warm smile enchanting any woman’s gaze. Even in a committed relationship, one would feel flattered by his attentions.
“Hey Hannah, fancy seeing you here,” Jason greets me warmly, pulling me into a brief, friendly hug that I return with equal affection.
“Just having lunch with my best friend,” I reply, gesturing to Bee as I introduce them to one another. “Bee, this is Jason. Jason, meet Bee, my ride-or-die.”
But as Jason turns to face Bee, the words that fall from his lips are nothing short of shocking. “Mate,” he breathes, his eyes flashing a brilliant, otherworldly gold as he stares at her with an intensity that sends shivers down my spine.
To my utter amazement, Bee’s eyes mirror his, her own gaze locked onto his with a fierce, primal recognition that transcends mere words. In that moment, I realize that I am witnessing something truly extraordinary – the beginning of a bond that will change both of their lives forever.
Sensing their need for privacy, I quickly excuse myself, stepping out of the restaurant to give them the space to explore this newfound connection. As a human, Bee will undoubtedly have countless questions and concerns, and I know that Jason will need time to explain the intricacies of the mate bond and all that it entails, even if she already has some knowledge about it. This is different.
As I step out into the bright sunlight, I can’t help but marvel at the strange twists and turns life takes, the way fate seems to intervene when we least expect it.