Chapter 1

Xavier hesitated for a second, then stepped in front of Vivian.

"Don't take this out on Vivian.

"It's so dry out West. She'd never adjust. None of us wanted her working somewhere like that.

"You're a werewolf. You'll be fine out there."

I didn't want to cry. But my heart hurt so much.

"And Vivian isn't a werewolf?"

Xavier shot back right away, "She's not like you. She's been frail since she was a kid. Don't make a scene."

I took a deep breath and forced back the tears.

"So the whole thing was an act? You set me up just to take my offer away from me, so Vivian could stay?"

Silas frowned.

"Don't pin all this on Vivian. You're the one who chose to give up the offer."

Caspian jumped in too, "The three of us planned this whole thing from start to finish. If you want to blame someone, fine, but leave Vivian out of it."

I stared blankly at their wary, accusing faces. It took me a long time to find my voice again.

Silas and Caspian had grown up with me. Yet here they were, standing against me like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"Fine. I won't blame her.

"I just want to ask you, Xavier. When you said we'd become mates, were you lying to me?"

Xavier hesitated, just for a moment.

"I know lying about your feelings is an insult to a werewolf.

"But if I hadn't done it, you never would've given the job up for Vivian."

My heart, my job, even my pride as a werewolf. To him, none of it came close to Vivian.

I was about to demand to know what gave him the right, but before I could, Vivian burst into tears.

"I'm sorry, Flora. This is all my fault. I never should have taken your job.

"Don't blame them. I'll quit and give the job back to you!"

Xavier pulled her into his arms without thinking and spoke to her gently, "Don't cry. The job's yours now.

"Flora's a strong, healthy werewolf. Somewhere remote like that won't bother her."

Silas pulled out a tissue and wiped Vivian's tears. He sounded like it hurt him to see her cry. "He's right. Just take the job and don't worry about it. You're frail, and this one's easy and pays well. It's perfect for you."

Caspian shot me a sour look. He was talking to Vivian, but the dig was clearly aimed at me. "As long as we're here, nobody gets to push you around."

Vivian buried her face in Xavier's chest, weeping prettily.

As Xavier looked at me, the sympathy in his eyes slowly gave way to indifference.

"Flora, haven't you always said you loved the scenery out West? That you wanted to live there for a while?

"Now you get to work out there. We're basically making your dream come true. There's no need to make such an ugly scene."

So he did remember that I loved the scenery out West.

But over the years, we'd gone on seven trips together, and every single one had been to wherever Vivian wanted to go.

They said we should vote on where to go and let the majority decide.

Every time, it came out four votes to one.

I was always that one lonely vote.

I never argued with the results, because I wanted to go with them.

I wanted everyone to be happy. I didn't want to ruin the fun.

But looking back now, maybe I should have stopped trying to hold this friendship together a long time ago.

Watching how close the four of them were, I slowly took a step back.

"Fine. I'm done making a scene."

When I turned to go, Xavier reached for my hand without thinking.

"Wait. What's that supposed to mean?"

I kept my voice calm. "You got what you wanted. So this is where it ends.

"And our promise to become mates? Let's just act like it never existed."

Xavier was quiet for a moment.

"I can be your mate, as long as you stop making a scene."

When he said that, my heart skipped a beat.

Xavier knew perfectly well that I'd loved him for ten years.

He didn't love me. But he was offering to be my mate as if it were charity.

All for Vivian.

I bit down hard on my lower lip. My voice came out hoarse. "Don't bother. From now on, I have nothing to do with you. With any of you."

With that, I turned and walked away.

A few steps later, I could still just make out Xavier comforting Vivian. "Don't worry. Give it a few days, and she'll get over it on her own."

Every time I'd had a falling-out with them before, I'd gotten over it on my own within a few days. No one else ever tried to make me feel better.

But I was done putting myself last.