Chapter 27

Aliyah's POV

I sat on the edge of the bed in the guest room in Tyler's condo, staring at the bandage on my wrist. The burn still throbbed, a constant reminder of Skylar's pain echoing through whatever twisted bond we had left. Tyler had insisted I come here after my discharge–no arguments, were his exact words, just a firm hand on my back as he guided me out of the hospital.

"You need protection," he'd said, his voice was tight. "And rest. No more bullshit from school or anyone else." I felt exhausted, hollowed out from the suicide attempt, the bullying, everything. But at least I was alive. Barely.

A knock echoed through the hallway, pulling me out of my thoughts. I stood up slowly, my legs feeling shaky, and made my way to the door. When I opened it, Becca barreled in, wrapping her arms around me before I could even say hi.

"Ali! Oh goddess, sorry I wasn't there for your discharge. You look like crap, but you're still standing." She pulled back, her eyes scanning me head to toe, worry etched in every line of her face.

I managed a weak smile, hugging her back. "Yeah, it's fine, Becca, you have done enough already. And Tyler was there, he dragged me here. Said his house is safer than anywhere else right now."

Becca nodded, stepping inside fully, and that's when I saw Kelly lingering in the doorway. She looked smaller than usual, her chocolate brown hair tucked behind her ears, her brown eyes were downcast. That bold and confident Kelly was nowhere to be found, she just stood there with fidgeting hands and a hesitant step forward.

"Kelly?" I blinked, surprise mixing with a flicker of old hurt. She'd abandoned me during the worst of it– the rumors, the bullying, all that crap. But seeing her now, shoulders slumped, made something soften in me.

"Hey, Aliyah," she said softly, not meeting my eyes at first. "Can I... come in?"

Becca shot me a quick glance, like she was gauging if I was ready for this. I nodded, stepping aside. "Yeah, sure. Come on."

We moved to the living room– me sinking into the couch, Becca plopping down next to me, and Kelly perching on the arm of a chair like she might bolt any second. The air felt thick, charged with unspoken words.

Kelly took a deep breath, finally looking up. Her eyes were red-rimmed, like she'd been crying. "Aliyah, I... I don't even know where to start. I'm so sorry. For everything. For ditching you when the rumors started, for not standing up when, uhm....I... tried to... it was not.... fuck, I'm messing this up." She rubbed her face, her voice cracking. "When all that shit with those and the pictures hit, I bailed. I was scared– my dad threatened to cut me off, the cheer squad, everything. But that's no excuse. You needed me, and I wasn't there. Especially after the rogue attack, the expulsion... and now this. Hearing you tried to... end it? It gutted me. I should've been better. A real friend."

I watched her, the way her hands twisted in her lap, her lower lip trembling. She wasn't faking it– this was raw, real regret. My chest tightened, a mix of lingering anger and relief bubbling up. I'd felt so alone, but here she was, owning it.

"Kelly, I..." I started, my voice wobbling. Tears pricked my eyes. "It hurt. A lot. You were my roommate, my friend. When everyone turned on me, I thought you'd have my back. But yeah, I get it. Life's messy. Your dad's the chairman– and he's still your father, you had to listen to him."

She shook her head, tears spilling over. "No, don't make excuses for me. I was selfish. Scared of losing my spot, my leverage. But seeing you in that hospital bed? Becca called, told me everything. I couldn't sleep, Aliyah. I kept replaying all the times I could've stepped in. Please, if you can forgive me... I want to make it right."

Becca reached over, squeezing my knee. "She's been a mess, Ali. Bugging me non-stop to come see you. We both have."

I looked between them, the weight in my heart lifting a little. Forgiveness wasn't easy, but holding onto the grudge? That was killing me more. "Okay," I said, nodding. "I forgive you, Kelly. We all screw up. Just... don't bail again, alright? I need my friends."

Kelly's face lit up, relief flooding her features. She lunged forward, pulling me into a hug. "Thank you, thank you. I won't, I swear. We're in this together now."

Becca joined in, turning it into a group hug that had us all laughing through tears. "Alright, enough mush. We're not turning this into a sob fest," Becca said, pulling back with a grin. "Ali, you need food. Tyler's kitchen is stocked, right? Let's raid it."

We migrated to the kitchen, me leaning against the counter while Becca rummaged through cabinets. Kelly grabbed some chips, popping one in her mouth. "So, how is life in Tyler's house? Spill. Tyler treating you like a princess or what?"

I snorted, grabbing a soda. "More like a prisoner. He's all 'stay put, rest up.' But yeah, it's nice. Quiet. No one calling me names here."

Becca found some sandwiches in the fridge– Tyler must've prepped them–and handed one to me. "Eat. You look like a ghost. And hey, at least you're out of that hospital. That burn still bugging you?"

I flexed my wrist, wincing. "Yeah, it throbs like hell. But whatever. Linked to Skylar or not, I'll deal."

Kelly's eyes widened as she munched. "Linked how? Becca mentioned something, but..."

I sighed, taking a bite. "Long story. When I... took those pills, Skylar collapsed too. He almost died. Couldn’t find the cause, the doctor said. Then he burns his wrist with hot water, and bam– same burn on me. It also won't heal normal."

Becca whistled low. "Mate bond bullshit. Even after rejection? That's intense."

"Yeah," I muttered, frustration bubbling. "Hurts like fire, but reminds me he's out there, suffering too. Part of me hates it, part... doesn't."

Kelly nodded, her expression serious. "Bonds are weird. My mom always said omegas feel them deeper. But you? Zeen wolf? That's next level."

"Dahlia's been trash-talking you non-stop," Becca said, rolling her eyes. "Called you a 'professor chaser' in the cafeteria. I almost decked her."

I laughed, it was genuine this time. "Let her talk. I'm done caring."

I leaned back, warmth spreading through me– not from the burn, but from this. My friends. The laughter. It felt normal, like before everything went to shit. "You guys... thanks for coming. Really. I missed this."

Kelly reached over, clinking her soda against mine. "Missed you too. No more solo missions, okay? We're a team."

Becca nodded. "Damn right. Now, what's the plan? Back to school? Or hiding out here forever?"

I shrugged, uncertainty gnawing at me. "Tyler's pushing for an appeal on the expulsion. But with the rumors and the pictures? It's a mess."

Kelly's face darkened a bit. "Those pictures... they were Jude's handiwork, I bet. Slimy bastard."

"Yeah," I agreed, anger flaring inside me. "But whatever. One problem at a time."

We shifted topics, gossiping about random stuff– Chase and his hockey team, Leah's weird absences. Becca vented about her family, how they still favored her brother. "They still called me last week, asking why I haven't found a 'proper' mate yet. Like, screw off."

I squeezed her hand. "They're idiots. You're badass."

Kelly chimed in. "Totally. And hey, my dad's no prize either. He already thinks I'm nothing but his secret daughter. He acts like I'm a freaking liability."

We bonded over crappy family drama, laughing at the absurdity. It felt healing, piecing back the friendship we'd lost in the chaos. Hours slipped by– we ate more and more snacks that I felt we were starting to ride on the high of the lots of sugar.

Then Kelly leaned forward, her expression suddenly turning serious. "Ali, there's something I need to tell you. About the rogue wolf attack."

My heart skipped. "What? You found something?"

She nodded, glancing at Becca, who gave an encouraging nod. "Yeah. I... used my dad's connections. Pulled some strings, dug into records, security cams around the area. I was sorry, like really sorry, and I wanted to make it up. I figured if I could nail who sent that rogue..."

I leaned in, hope and nerves twisting in my gut. "It was Leah, right. We have always suspected her after that slip up."

Kelly shook her head slowly. "No, it's not Leah. I checked her alibis, movements– she was nowhere near. But I found something else. Evidence points to someone else pulling the strings."

"Who?" Becca pressed, her eyes were wide.

Kelly met my gaze, her voice dropping. "It was Dahlia Anderson."

I froze, shock slamming into me. "Dahlia? What the–"