#Chapter 2 Friendship

My pulse begins to race as I stare at Vedant’s hand poised over my phone. I can’t risk him finding out about Felix. I wrack my brain as I try to think of something, anything to say to stop him from reading my messages when Alice and her brother Simon appear out of nowhere.

I breathe a sigh of relief as Vedant turns to face them, lowering my phone in the process. I never thought I’d be grateful to see two of my worst tormentors, but I can’t deny that their timing has saved me.

Simon looks at Vedant with a quizzical look. “Looking forward to the new class?”  

Vedant smirks, shrugging his shoulders. “Should be interesting.”

“Oh, come on, spill,” Alice chimes in, placing on a hand on Vedant’s forearm. “Is it true that the top girl from the female training group will have a chance to become your Luna?”

“All I can say is that this training class is the chance for us to prove the New Moon pack’s rising power and that the top member from both groups will be rewarded generously.”

Alice grips Vedant’s arm tighter. “Well, if the female group’s reward is what I think it is I will have to make sure I work extra hard. Would you train with me?”

Vedant shoots Simon a look, frowning, but doesn’t say anything. I think his reaction is odd for a minute but brush it off as my mind begins to drift to the possibilities of the new training class.

The class could be the opportunity I need to prove myself to the pack once and for all. I’ve always wanted to be a warrior, but I’ve had to hide my strength. If I can become the front runner of the female training group, I can show the pack that I’m more than the weakling everyone sees me to be.

It won’t fix my reputation, but maybe it’ll make the rest of the pack think twice before they mess with me.

My gaze shifts to Vedant as I think about what Alice asked about the rewards. Vedant had only said that they would be generous. Surely, they wouldn’t actually make the prize a chance to be his mate before he had an opportunity to find his fated.

I hear a shrill laugh and snap back to reality as I realize that Alice is staring at me. I feel the blood rush to my face, and I quickly tear my gaze from Vedant. Alice trains her face into a mask of faux pity as she regards me.

“You weren’t thinking of trying to place first were you Chiara? Don’t tell me you want to be Vedant’s Luna.” She laughs again.

Beside her Simon scoffs, taking a step closer. “I see you’re still holding onto your little childhood crush.”

Alice laughs and Vedant looks away as he continues. “You’re nothing but a wolfless freak. Not to mention you’re also a disgusting murderer. You don’t stand a chance at being the top girl and even if you figure out some scheme to cheat your way to the top, I’m sure Vedant would rather be mateless forever than to attach himself to you.”

Vedant looks me up and down, his disgust evident as he regards me. “Even the Moon Goddess rejects you. A wolfless freak like you shouldn’t show up. You’ll only embarrass yourself.”

He looks back at my phone in his hand for a second before throwing it to the ground and walking away, telling the others to follow him to the training grounds.

I quickly stoop to pick it up, still thankful that he hadn’t read my messages. Before I can stand and collect myself a foot presses down onto my outstretched hand with a crunch.

A cry of pain escapes my lips as I look around for the perpetrator only to see Alice standing over me, barely containing a grin. “Oh my Goddess, I am so sorry Chiara. I didn’t see you.”

For a second my veins flash with anger, hot and bright, but I take a deep breath knowing there’s nothing I can do. Tears streak down my face and I look down, so Alice won’t see. They already think I’m weak but it would be stupid to give them another reason.

 I look away and a few seconds later I hear the sound of her footsteps clacking against the title floor as she trails after the boys. I use the back of my hand to wipe the tears staining my cheeks.

As I stand, Lynn, the only person other than Felix who has been kind to me, walks up.  “Chiara, I saw what happened. Are you okay?”

What remains of my anger dissipates as I look at Lynn’s concerned face.

“Yeah, Lynn. I’ll be okay.” I hold my injured hand out in front of me, flexing the muscles to check that everything moves correctly. “Nothing’s broken.”

Lynn lets out a sigh of relief. “I’m sorry I didn’t say anything. I know I should have, I just-“

I cut her off. “I know. It’s okay. Thank you for checking on me.”

Lynn is an Omega and has always been one of the most timid in our year. I don’t blame her for choosing not to put herself in the line of fire. I’m just happy that someone in the pack cares about me at all.

Lynn nods and then looks at me earnestly. “You would think our future Alpha wouldn’t be dumb enough to believe the rumors about you. What happened with Owen wasn’t your fault Chi. If he knew what really happened that day, he would regret treating you the way that he does.”

I sigh, giving her a pointed look before she can continue. “It’s over Lynn. What happened, happened. It’s in the past.

Lynn looks at me like she wants to say more but I continue. “I’ve given Vedant my side of the story. If he doesn’t want to believe that’s his choice. I no longer care about what he thinks.”

I take out my phone, doing a quick scan for damage before unlocking the screen. I dismiss the news notification that pops up telling myself that I’ll look at it later as I quickly open the message from Felix.

Heat rushes to my face as I realize what Felix has sent me. Staring up at me is a picture of Felix’s strong biceps. He made sure to crop out his face, but what he has shown leaves little to the imagination.

 I try to refocus on my conversation with Lynn, but I can’t bring myself to close the message. Instead, I look at it a few more times as I try to picture the face behind the muscle.

I go to sneak one last look at the photo when a sense of familiarity hits me out of nowhere. I quickly zoom in on the picture, wondering not for the first time if Felix could be someone I already know.

It takes me a moment, but after a few seconds I realize what was so familiar about the picture. My heart stutters in my chest at the realization.

The sleeves of Felix’s shirt match the shirt that Vedant had been wearing today.