CHAPTER FIVE

“Still time to back out now,” I whisper to myself.

Heather’s house is within view and I’m nervous. I can’t help but wonder if it’s a trap. In fact, I’m sure it’s a trap.

I think of Troy, and I feel even more nervous.

What if he rejects me again?

What if he doesn’t though?

The hope that he might not reject me gives me the strength to open the door.

Her house is hot and crowded. I never thought Heather would be the person I was looking for. But I look around for Heather, though I can’t find her. I look around for a friendly face, but don’t see a single one.

There are so many people here. It’s a huge house and it's packed. Music is blaring and I can barely hear myself think.

I’m wondering if I made a mistake by coming here.

“There you are!” Heather says, coming over to me and hugging like we’re best friends. She’s drinking a glass of red punch—everyone is—and puts one in my hand.

“Drink!” she yells over the music.

Nervous, I take a big sip just so I can fit in.

She smiles.

“I’ll be back!” she yells and then hurries away.

I don’t know what to make of all of this. But I’m starting to feel good from the punch. And I’m really excited to see Troy.

A hand touches my arm, and I jump.

“I’m sorry,” a voice says. “I didn’t mean to scare you."

"It’s okay," I say. “I’m just out of my element here. I…

I look up and see Troy.

I’m shocked and overjoyed at the same time.

“You’re here," I say. “I’m so happy to see you.”

Then, I question myself. Should I have said that? Does it sound dumb?

“I’m happy to see you too,” he smiles. “How are you doing?"

I’m so nervous, so anxious, so overwhelmed.

I want to grab him by his shirt and kiss him.

I want to pull him in, but I can’t. And I can’t figure out why I’m feeling this way about him.

He’s just so handsome, so intriguing, so compelling.

“I can’t stop thinking about you,” he says out of the blue.

I freeze.

Is this a dream? It can’t be true. Troy is the Alpha. A handsome Alpha who already has a girlfriend. There’s no way he’s interested in me.

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“I’m drawn to you,” he admits. “I’ve been trying to fight it, but even Heather sees it. I’m drawn to you and I don’t know what to do about that.”

I turn away from him, my head spinning.

I feel like I’m going to faint.

He puts his arm around me.

I’m so happy to have him close to me, but then I worry that Heather might see us.

“Are you okay?” Troy asks. “You look like you’re about to pass out.

I’m so happy to be with Troy, but my heart is racing too fast.

“I don’t know," I say. “This is all a lot.”

“You need some air," he says, sounding concerned.

“Let’s go outside,” I suggest.

We walk outside and get some fresh air.

“I guess I feel the same way about you,” I admit. “I guess that’s why this is so overwhelming.

“Because I feel this connection too, but I know you’ll never want to be with someone like me. I know we’ll never work.”

“What are you talking about?” Troy says. "You look stunning. You’re wonderful. And I’m drawn to you in this way I’ve never experienced with anyone else."

"Thank you," I whisper.

I breathe in the smell of his cologne.

I feel a shiver of excitement.

He is so close to me.

I wonder what he would do if I just kissed him.

I wonder what would happen if I just took his hand and led him away from this party.

I can't do that, though. I have to have a little class. I have to have a little dignity. He’s still with Heather as far as I know. I can’t do this.

I’m not feeling any better.

In fact, I feel worse.

My head is spinning and I feel nauseous.

“Are you okay?” Troy asks.

“I don’t feel good," I say. "I don’t feel good at all. I feel really…”

Suddenly, it happens. I feel so nauseous, so sick. My stomach is doing somersaults.

"Keira?" Troy asks. "Are you okay? I’m really worried about you."

"No," I mumble. "I need to sit down."

"Let me help you," he says, taking my arm.

"I'll help her," says a voice.

I look over and Heather.

Before I know it, she takes my arm and leads me back into the hot house.

"Not inside," I mumble, feeling too sick to resist.

"Troy, come, too," Heather says to him. "Take her other arm. She needs you."

Heather leads us both into the center of the room.

She turns down the music.

"Hey everyone!" she calls out. "Let's welcome this Omega to the party!"

And then it happens.

I throw up.

All over the place. All over Troy.

I can see it in Heather's eyes. She knew. She spiked my drink.

She planned all of this.

Everyone laughs at me hysterically.

I have never been so humiliated.

Tears fall from my eyes.

Even Troy backs away, covered in my throw up, looking revolted.

"I'm so sorry," I say to Troy. "I'm so sorry."

My voice is shaking.

It's over.

I've lost him to Heather just as she planned.

She smiles wide. Victorious.

"I hate you," I say to Heather.

"Bitch," she replies. “He’s mine. You better remember that this time.”

I try to steady myself in the spinning room as everyone continues laughing at me.

"Still here?" Heather says. "You should have left long ago. Go somewhere else. You're ruining my party."

I grab my purse and run out the door.

The air hits me and I take a deep breath.

I sit in my car, start the engine, and turn on the radio.

And then I start to sob.

I sob because I've been betrayed.

I sob because I know I'll never see Troy again.

I sob because my chances with him are over and I’m alone once again.

What was I thinking?

Why did I trust her?

Will Troy ever look at me again?