chapter 5

Linda pov.

"I hope my sister hasn't done something foolish," I whispered, filled with apprehension, pacing around the room, consumed by fear.

Why did I let her go alone to meet Dean? I didn't want her to make the already terrible situation worse.

After what seemed like an eternity of waiting, the loud slam of a door echoed through the air. I turned towards the sound, seeing Lisa's angry expression as she stormed towards me, passing by and collapsing onto the couch.

Confusion enveloped me as I wondered what had caused her sudden volatile behavior. I cautiously approached her, sitting closer with a mix of bewilderment and concern evident on my face. "What happened?" I asked.

She glared at me, rising from her seat, intensifying my unease as she paced around the room before abruptly stopping.

"He said he can never choose you as his Luna, no matter what you do. He even insulted me and made me look foolish," Lisa exclaimed.

Hearing those words shattered my heart into pieces. He truly didn't want me as his Luna.

Overwhelmed with sorrow, I collapsed to the floor, tears streaming down my face. Lisa approached me, trying to comfort me by placing her hands on my shoulders, but I instinctively shrugged her touch away. I stood up, facing her.

"I should have ended her life the day she entered the castle. I should have gotten rid of her, and by now, I would have been the one chosen as the Luna," I seethed.

An intense anger consumed me as I stormed towards the flower vase on the table, releasing all my fury upon it with a forceful strike, causing it to shatter into countless pieces.

"I won't let Dean marry her. I simply won't!"

With a blazing rage burning inside me, my sister positioned herself directly in front of me, observing me with a mixture of astonishment and approval.

"Well, it seems like my sister has finally regained her sanity, and I quite like it," she remarked.

Turning away from her, I retreated to the sanctuary of my room, closing the door behind me. Slowly, I made my way to the bed, collapsing onto it, my grip on the pillow tightening as tears streamed down my face.

The sound of my cries reverberated with such intensity that they echoed throughout the entire neighborhood, traversing the vast expanse of our pack's territory.

After what felt like an eternity immersed in my own sorrow, I mustered the strength to compose myself. With a heavy heart, I reached for my car keys and trudged out of the desolation of my room, descending the stairs. Just as I approached the threshold, my sister's voice intercepted my path.

"Where do you think you're going? Can't you see it's already night?" she scolded.

Silently, I brushed past her and closed the door behind me. The cold night air enveloped me as I made my way to the car. Entering the vehicle, a wave of exhaustion washed over me, but I brushed it aside, resolute in my decision to head to the familiar refuge of the bustling bar.

As I entered the bar, all eyes turned in my direction, curiosity evident in their glances as they assessed my disheveled state. Whispers reached my ears this time, their words tinged with judgment.

"Look at her, still struggling to bear the weight of being the Luna," remarked one girl.

"She deserves the pain she's going through," chimed in another voice.

Embarrassment colored my cheeks as I sought solace at the bar table. Sinking into the chair, I felt the worn edges beneath my fingertips, and I called for a strong drink that promised to whisk me away into a haze of intoxication.

Soon enough, the drink was placed before me, its contents brimming with liquid courage. I lifted it to my lips, taking a sip as tears welled in my eyes. Why did he choose her over me? The anguish became unbearable, driving me to pour another drink, and then another, repeating the cycle until darkness beckoned.

Suddenly, a voice whispered, jolting me from my foggy stupor. I raised my gaze, only to find a familiar face before me.

Determined to avoid any conversation, I looked away, refusing to engage. But I felt the seat beside me shift, and when I reluctantly turned, there he was, sitting close.

"What, again? Can't you see I'm busy?" I snapped, my anger seeping through, though his smile remained unchanged.

"By the way, I didn't introduce myself when you accidentally spilled your drink on me. I'm Drake. Mind telling me why you keep coming here, drowning your sorrows in alcohol?"

His question fueled my anger. I looked away, hoping my silence would make him leave.

"Hello," he persisted, but I kept drinking, deliberately avoiding eye contact.

"You're the quiet type," he observed, undeterred. "But since you don't feel like exchanging pleasantries, I have one question for you: what happened between you and the Alpha?"

His words caught my attention, and I turned to face him as the glass in my hand shattered.

"What did you say?" I demanded, raising my voice. He met my gaze, his smile widening. "What did you say?" This time, I stood up, shouting so loudly that an eerie silence fell upon the bar, with everyone's eyes fixed on me.

He stood too, his smile unwavering as he approached, his voice barely above a whisper near my ear.

"I know the Alpha has chosen another bride, and you're suffering because of it. Why don't you come with me? I can help you win him back, and he'll be completely yours."

His audacity enraged me. I struck him with force, leaving onlookers gasping, their eyes glued to the unfolding scene. I grabbed my keys and rushed out of the bar, trying to calm my breathing.

"How dare he!" I exclaimed as I got into my car, consumed by anger, driving recklessly.

I honked the horn whenever a vehicle blocked my path. The realization that I had become a source of mockery overwhelmed me, causing immense pain—all because of that girl.

Still somewhat drunk, my vision blurred as I continued driving.

Speeding excessively, my eyes grew heavy, and drowsiness engulfed me.

Fighting to stay awake, I succumbed to sleepiness. Before I knew it, my head slumped onto the car horn, plunging everything into darkness.