Chapter 5

Radek’s Pov

A message popped up the moment I picked up my phone; 

“Please take care of Monique while I’m gone. You know she can’t handle herself out there.”

I smiled.

I said it out loud too, low enough for no one else to hear.

“Just me and you now, cute face.”

I packed light. Not for myself—this wasn’t a trip. It was a setup. I knew the kinds of things she skipped in the morning when she was rushing. I also knew what snacks she liked pretending not to like. I threw a few into a side bag. The kind of simple things you only do when you know someone enough to not ask questions anymore.

My father noticed. The man barely looked up from his cup these days, but he saw me smiling to myself and cleared his throat.

“What’s going on with you?” he asked.

“Nothing,” I said, not meaning it.

He raised an eyebrow. “You’re smiling like someone handed you the Alpha seat.”

“Not yet.”

He leaned back in his chair. “Keep your head straight. A distracted Alpha is a dead one.”

“I’m not Alpha yet.”

He looked at me. “And you’re not dead yet, either.”

I waited a beat. Then asked him anyway. “Can I host a party? At the pack house.”

His face didn’t move at first. Then, finally: “Unless you’re inviting anyone from Ravenmont, I don’t care.”

“I’m not,” I said. “I know you’re not on good terms with Moonvale... and I don’t ask why. I stand by you.”

He watched me a little too long before nodding. “You’ll make a good Alpha someday.”

Not someday, I thought. Soon.

I texted Daren before I slept:

**“She’s in safe hands.”**

He replied:

**“Just tolerate her bickering and don’t let her kill anyone. Or you.”**

---

By morning, the bus ride to school was the same as always—noisy, humid, and full of people who didn’t know how to breathe quietly.

Monique was the last one off. No Daren in sight. Just her. That made it easy.

I’d made sure the space around me was clear before she arrived. Other girls knew better than to hang around—especially after what happened last time someone touched me in front of her. I didn’t say anything then. I didn’t have to. The look on her face said everything.

Now, she walked past like she didn’t see me. Of course, I followed.

“Still pretending you don’t like company?” I asked, walking beside her.

“Still pretending you’re not annoying?” she replied, not looking at me.

“I have clearance, you know.” I tapped my phone. “Straight from your brother. I'm your personal babysitter this week.”

She stopped. “Show me.”

I handed her the phone, and she read the message. Then scoffed. “This doesn’t mean you get to follow me around like some desperate groupie.”

“You think I’m desperate?”

“I think you’re bored.”

She turned and kept walking. I followed anyway.

In class, she sat three rows ahead. I let her. Didn’t need to breathe down her neck to stay in her orbit.

Then she walked in. Not Monique. The other one.

Tall, wide smile, and a memory I hadn’t deleted yet.

She wrapped her arms around me without asking. I didn’t stop her.

I hugged her back.

A second later, I looked up—and saw Monique watching.

She didn’t say anything. Just stood. Then walked out.

I waited three beats. Then followed.

---

I found her near the bathroom, just outside the exit door.

I didn’t say anything. Just listened.

She was mumbling to herself, voice low but sharp.

“He acts like he cares. He acts like he’s changed. Then he hugs someone else like I’m invisible?”

Jealousy. That wasn’t anger. That was personal.

I smiled to myself. So she *was* watching.

I took a slow step forward and let the door creak.

She turned around too fast and lost her balance. She stumbled. I caught her.

Her hands gripped my shoulders. My arm slipped around her waist.

She looked up. Her lips parted.

I didn’t think. I kissed her.

Soft. Quick. Leaving no room for regret.