Chapter 1

Laura

Running away from your wedding—I guess I can check that off my bucket list now. 

I take another bite from my sandwich and dry the excess sauce on the back of my hand. There is a vodka bottle in the seat next to mine and a sleeping bag in the trunk.

This parking lot will be my home tonight.

More tears roll down my face as I spy on people walking past my car. They stare through the window, probably wondering why I'm sitting behind the wheel wearing a wedding dress.

The truth? 

I ran. 

At this moment, I should stand before the altar, marrying the man my family picked for me—Alpha Roger.

My mother had described him as a respectable werewolf husband, while my father had been proud of his power.

But in my eyes? 

Not true love. 

Alpha Roger is not my mate, and I don't want that.

So here I am, the runaway werewolf bride who chose to find her own destiny rather than marry a stranger. My family won't probably speak to me anymore, so I better get used to being alone. Hence the crocodile tears and my second bottle of alcohol.

I'm a trainwreck. 

A few hours ago, running away from home and abandoning the wedding felt like such a bright idea. But now? Fuck, what if I won't ever find true love or even a boyfriend?

It is technically possible.

I'm not the most beautiful catch, and Alpha Roger looked relatively handsome and fit in the picture. Lord knows I'm not. I'm curvy and soft, not the kind that often gets asked out. So why couldn't I just settle with money and still get to have a ripped husband?

Because I'm a silly goose who believes in the mate-bond, that's why...

I drink more vodka and choke a whimper. I'm having a pity party inside my worn-down car, but I don't even care. Misery is all around. What if I'm bound to be single forever? The only guy I've ever liked was my best friend in kindergarten. 

Fuck that guy.

Over the years, Caleb Harrington has haunted my dreams and memories, but I'm too much of a coward to look him up.

Well, until now. 

I'm getting drunker, and my determination is growing. 

Caleb and I used to be best friends, but he ditched me in high school. He didn't have time for his geeky childhood friend once he shot up like a beanstalk, and every girl in school started to notice him.

No wonder. 

Caleb was on the football team. He paraded around and showed off his abs at every frat party with a pool. 

He became popular, and I'm not sure what he is doing today. I imagine he is already happily married, has five children, and doesn't have to worry about money.

I'm also willing to bet my few cents that Caleb never thinks of me. I'm obsessed with him and can't figure out why he is always on my mind. He is probably satisfied with his life, while I haven't been happy since he left.

His success is a reflection of my failure…

Oh, and did I mention Caleb is also the alpha of his pack? 

Caleb and I come from two different packs. He was the son of the Rivermoon's alpha. So I assume my childhood friend is barking orders while I sit here with smudged mascara. 

But despite being a hot mess, I imagine I'm not that ugly. But of course, it could be the alcohol talking.

I have dark blonde hair, grey eyes like my mother and... I guess I'm curvy despite my short height of five feet.

Anyway, the one thing I know for sure is that Caleb wouldn't recognize me if we came across each other. I'm no longer fat. I have a belly pouch, but not big enough to be constantly picked on. 

Not that Caleb was ever mean to me—he simply forgot me. The girl he used to call Teacup because, let's face it, I'm a miniature girl.

When Caleb started growing taller than me, he used to bully me by placing his chin on the top of my head. I remember him saying, "Ah, you're such a nice headrest, Teacup. If I grow taller, you will soon be pocket-sized compared to me."

I got irritated with him back then, but now I miss him. I know it's stupid, though. Caleb moved away when I was sixteen, I'm twenty-three now, and my heart still longs for him.

Groaning, I pick up my phone and look up his number. I'm unsure if it's him popping up on my search engine. Yet I dial the number either way and tap my colored nails against the wheel in anticipation.

BEEEEEEEP

BEEEEEEEP

A deep, husky voice picks up the phone. "Hello?"

Shit, is this him with that sexy voice?

Who cares!

I straighten my back. "Is this Caleb Harrington who used to live in a red house down in Werewolf Valley?"

There is a long silence.

"Who am I speaking to?"

"That doesn't matter! What matters is that you're a swine who only thinks about yourself! Why did you never call me?!"

"Excuse me?!"

Tears are crawling out through my eyes. "I thought we were friends, but you broke my heart! How could you just ditch me for Veronica Petersen? She wasn't even a werewolf!"

"What the fuck..." Caleb audibly inhales and exhales. "Who the heck am I talking with?"

I sob loudly in my car. "You don't even remember me?"

"Uh, I'm sorry, but—"

"Doesn't matter! I guess I was too quiet and shy to be remembered by someone like you! I was a nobody in the past. But let me tell you, I never forgot about you! You were my idol, Caleb! Before you moved away from our hometown, I was still hoping for you to call me and ask me to hang out with you. God, I know it's pathetic, but I used to ride my bike in front of your house. I prayed you would pick up the mail to see me and realize what a grave mistake you had made by ditching me. Even now, I keep the little good luck charm you made from seashells in my wallet. But I bet you have no memory of who I am! And in case you are wondering, my life has sucked since you left! Everything spiraled down to hell after I lost the only friend I ever had!"

Caleb isn't given a chance to say anything. I'm drunk out of my mind and hysterically crying. I end the phone call and can barely see through the ocean of tears running down my face.

Everything feels terrible. My heart is in shambles, and I lean back in the car seat with quivering lips.

What the hell did I just do?

After like seven years, I called Caleb?

Holy shit.

I cover my face with my hands, peering through a crack between my fingers. My phone is vibrating in my lap.

Do I answer it?

No.

I shouldn't answer. I've already humiliated myself enough for today, and I know it's Caleb calling me back. 

When the vibrating stops, I slump my shoulders in relief. 

Unfortunately, the calm barely lasts three seconds until the phone rings again.

"Persistent bastard..."

I ignore Caleb's calls for about seven minutes until I cave in and finally pick up the damn phone. "Hello?"

I'm met with silence, not even given a greeting. Caleb sucks oxygen into his lungs, and anxiety fills my chest like air. 

Moments pass with us only breathing into the phone like serial killers. I'm already drenched in a cold sweat, about to bite my fingernails in anticipation.

I'm sitting on pins and needs until Caleb finally speaks. "Teacup?"