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CHAPTER ONE

 

BAMBI -- POINT OF VIEW

 

“I’m going to get James a car,” I announce to Calla as her driver drives us to the restaurant.

 

She glances at me, stunned, “A car? Isn’t that a bit extreme? No offence, babe, but cars are very expensive.”

 

Calla and I have been best friends for over a decade now. Most people do not understand why she’s friends with me.

 

She’s the Alpha’s only daughter. The Pack’s princess, and I am an orphaned Omega, the runt of the litter. They don’t understand what she wants from me, but Calla has never cared what people think. She doesn’t even care whenever one of those Bimbos proposition her. It’s always funny to watch. They’re always ready to ride her hard just for a chance to be her friend.

 

Oddly enough, Calla and I are friends because we grew up together and are made from the same core. I never cared about her parents’ money or influence. She’s not the Pack’s Princess to me. She’s just my best friend, Calla. We have been girls together, and even now, at twenty-three, we’ll always be girls together.

 

My cheeks burn, and I nod, “Yeah, maybe a little extreme, but the bank gave me a huge loan a few days ago. His birthday is coming up, and I want to make him happy.”

 

She shakes her head, displeased, “Nope. That makes no sense, Bambi. Which grown man waits for his woman to toil away for him? James is a thief, a leech, and you need to lose him yesterday.”

 

I sign and roll down the window, “I know you don’t like him, but don’t you think you’re being a little extreme? He doesn’t ask for any of these. I just do it because I love him. We’ve been together for almost a year now.”

 

“And what has he done for you in the past year? Nothing. He gives you nothing and just uses you. You know how I feel about him. He’s an empty barrel for him. I don’t care if he’s a Beta’s son, he’s still slimy.” She packs her beautiful hair in a bun.

 

I exhale and try to convince.

 

“Hear me out, Calla, and do not call me childish. You know me, you know I prefer to map out my life. Some call it a bit psychotic, but I don’t care. I prefer to know what’s going to happen and prepare myself for it. I’ve worked on my relationship with James, and I know how it’s going to play out -- he’s going to ask me to marry him soon, at most, in the next year, and I’m going to pretend to be surprised. We’ll move into his beach house. I won’t be a waitress anymore, and will finally have enough money to get my diploma and teach in a school. By then, he would have climbed up the ladder at his father’s auto shop, and we’ll be fine.” I gush, cheeks burning as I explain the life I want to her.

 

She doesn’t respond. She looks away from me before speaking.

 

“In the past year, you’ve collected four loans from the bank, from a small amount to this major amount now. You want to buy a car for that asshole? Wake up, Bambi. His father owns multiple auto shops, and he can get whatever car he wants. Since you have the loan already, why not give it to yourself? Invest in you, Bambi. Take a bet on you. Go back to school, and in two years, you’ll have finished, then you can finally be a high school teacher like you want.” She says passionately, but my mind is made up.

 

She doesn’t know what it’s like to be me. I’m used to this life, yes, but that doesn’t mean it hurts less when people look down on me. James loves me. He sees me beyond the mask, and he gives me everything I want. He takes care of me. He loves me. I do not have the luxury of a support system as she does. Her father is the Alpha, a CEO, and her mom owns all the local hospitals around. She was born into generational wealth. Her older brother, the infamous Jarek, will arrive any day now and take over the position made for him. I don’t have the luxury they do, but I don’t say that.

 

I nod, “I’ll think about it.”

 

She checks her handbag and curses, “I forgot my phone on your dresser. You don’t mind if we go back, do you?”

 

“Of course, not.” I lean forward and tap Finn's driver’s shoulder, “Can we go back? Calla forgot her phone.”

 

“Alright, ma’am.” He nods and carefully turns the car around.

 

Calla nudges my shoulder and smiles, “You know I love you, right?”

 

I roll my eyes, “You know I love you more.”

 

“I can tolerate James for you, and when you do get married, I’ll be by your side. You’re my best girl, Bambi.” She kisses my cheeks, and I hug her.

 

Finn pulls over in front of my parents’ home. A nice bungalow. The last thing I have from my parents.

 

“Thank you, Finn. We won’t be long.” She taps his shoulder, and we get out of the car.

 

I reach for my key but frown when I find it unlocked.

 

James has a key, so he’s probably back.

 

“Why won’t he let you know that he’s back? Shouldn’t he still be out of town?” Calla speaks out my thoughts.

 

I don’t say anything, but dread coils in my belly as if it’s trying to prepare me for the horror ahead. I’m a Wolf. An Omega, or not. I’m still a Wolf, and Wolves sense when something is wrong.

 

I let my leg carry me to my parents’ old bedroom. No one is supposed to be here, and he knows that.

 

I find James there, but he’s not alone.

 

He has a younger woman on his lap, kissing her.

 

My blood runs cold.