Chapter 5

This is why she left. She didn’t leave to travel the world; she left because she was mated to her best friend's boyfriend, and he clearly wasn’t planning on giving me up.

How long did he think this could go on? How long did he plan on using my best friend as a side piece? And how long would it have taken for the roles to be reversed? How long until I was the woman he was sneaking to his bed?

“Young love isn’t built to last.” The Shadow Alpha whispers beside me as we make our way down the stairs, and he leads me to the patio. The fresh air hits my skin and I finally feel awake. I finally realize this really is not a dream.

I reach for the railing, and lean my body over it, looking out at the pristine garden. I glance back at him for a moment, then look back at the soft flowers. “I didn’t think we were forever… But I wasn’t prepared for… That.” I whisper, and he comes to stand closer to me.

His elbow brushes mine and I suck in a breath as electricity shoots through my arm, and I pull away slightly.

He turns his head towards me, “You’ll find someone better. I’m sure of it.”

My eyebrows knit, and I turn away from him. He chuckles, “What?” He asks, and I shake my head. “It’s nothing. I’ve just heard… You’re nicer than they say.” I tell him, and he laughs, “I’m not nice, Sweetheart. It’d just be a shame to lose a potential recruit to heartbreak.”

I stand up straight and look at him, “You think there’s a chance I could be recruited?” I ask him, shock evident on my face. He nods, “I think you need to work on the savage part of the race, because the Lupa Elite champions won’t let you get away with just avoiding it like you did here, but yeah, there’s a chance.”

The doors to the patio open and my father walks through them. His eyes slide to the Shadow Alpha and ignoring him completely he looks back at me, “Sam’s looking for you.” He tells me, and I swallow.

“I’m ready to go home.” I tell him instead, his eyebrows knit, “They haven’t announced the winners yet.” I shrug, “I’m ready to go home.” I tell him and he gives me a slow nod, “Okay.”

“Thanks, Dad. I’ll meet you inside in a moment.” I tell him and he glances at the shadow Alpha once more before nodding and heading inside.

“Dad?” He asks once the doors close, my head tilts, “Foster, but closest thing to family I have.” I tell him, and his jaw ticks.

I look at him skeptically, then shake my head. “It was nice meeting you.” I tell him, and he nods, “You too, Thea. Can’t wait to catch up at the competition. Better bring your A-game.”

I smile turning away from him and walking towards the doors, I stop at the threshold, just before opening them, and turn my head back towards him. “You don’t need to worry about my heart; it’s not easily broken. I’ll be at the competition.” I start to turn around, but I stop turning to smirk at him, “And I’ll win.”

I see the smirk rising on the side of his lip before I turn around and walk back inside the pack house.

I walk straight to my father as he talks to the Alpha, nodding a hello to him and giving him as much of a smile as I can manage at the moment.

“We need to speak.” He tells me, and I sigh, then nod.

My father and I follow him all the way into his office, and as soon as we walk inside, Sam stands up and heads towards me.

My teeth clench and I step away from him. I’m not sure why this is the Alphas problem, but I think I’m about to find out.