CHAPTER 4

CLAIRE FISCHER

LATER AT NIGHT, as I lay down on my bed, I decided that I was going to get married to Bruce, and I wanted to tell him so. I slid out of bed and sneaked down the stairs. Everyone was sleeping, so I did not meet anyone as I hurried to Bruce's cabin. I went around the house and knocked on his window as quietly as I could.

I heard him grunt and mutter something inaudible as he opened the window. “Claire?” he asked sleepily. “What are you doing here?”

“Can I come in?” I asked.

“Yes, sure,” he rubbed his neck. “Let me just go and open the -” I climbed in the window. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to tell you, yes!” I said in excitement.

“Yes… to what?” He frowned.

“I know this is not a good time,” I said, keeping my breaths steady. “But yes. Yes, I will marry you.”

His eyes widened in surprise. “You do?”

I nodded. “I do.”

He grinned and stepped closer to me. “You do?” he asked, slipping his arms around me and pulling me closer.

“I do,” I nodded, giggling.

He kissed me softly and gently, leading me towards the bed. When my leg came in contact with the edge of the bed, I placed a hand on his chest, and he pulled away from the kiss and looked down at me. “We will take things slow,” he said. “Okay?”

I nodded.

He kissed me again and lowered me on the bed, but then he stopped and smiled. “We will be getting married,” he chuckled.

It sounded unreal to my ears. “Does Logan know?” I asked.

He shrugged. “It does not matter.” He turned and stared at me. “All that matters is you. But he, as well as the rest of the pack, would know as soon as possible.” He sighed. “Do you know why you have not seen me getting serious with any girl since we have known each other?”

I shook my head.

“It’s because I have not liked anyone the way I have feelings for you,” he said. “Even when you were with Logan, I was conflicted because I wanted you for myself, but I did not want Logan to break up and hurt you. I never want to hurt you, Claire.”

That sounded perfect. I grinned and straddled him, kissing him deeply as his hand roamed my body, and we made out all through the night.

WHEN I FINALLY woke up the following morning, I ran my hand across the bed, but it was empty. I smiled as I remembered the events of last night. I sat up, adjusting my nightgown before I stood up from the bed.

I went to his bathroom to wash my face. As I stared at my reflection in the mirror, I remembered I would be getting married, and I smiled. I knew Bruce was going to treat me well. He was a very decent person, allowing me to go at my own pace. And he was handsome too. He was also the best warrior in the kingdom. It was not the same as being married to the future alpha, but I believed I would grow to love him.

A bright smile was plastered on my face as I left his cabin and went to the pack house. I headed to my room and passed by the alpha's office. It used to be my father's, but now it was Logan's, and his voice could be heard coming from within. I was going to pass by and ignore it, but I heard Bruce's voice too. My smile widened, and I put my ear to the door.

“What did she say?” Logan was asking.

I heard Bruce scoff. “What did you expect?”

“So you are getting married,” Logan laughed. “The dumb bitch.”

My smile froze as my brain processed what I was hearing.

“You hurt her, Logan,” Bruce said in a low voice. I smiled again; he was defending me.

“She does not know what is in store,” Logan muttered. “I have already told all of the pack that you both are getting married.”

“Is it not too soon for that?” Bruce asked.

“But is it not too soon for her to spend the night in your bed?”

“I told you; we did not do anything,” Bruce replied.

“But I know you. Only your words can make her wet. I am sure she wanted it…” Logan said, laughing.

Slowly, Bruce joined in the laughter. “She straddled me all night.”

My smile faded away as they continued talking.

“I am only doing this for you, Logan,” Bruce was saying. “I have no feelings whatsoever for her.”

“I owe you one,” Logan replied.

I could not believe my ears. I could not believe that I had believed Bruce; he had been so convincing.

With my heart in my throat and tears brimming my eyes, I turned and ran out of the house. Their betrayal hurt me more than I could ever imagine. The morning sun scorched my head as I walked to the end of the border.

“I, Claire Fischer, cut every bond I have with this pack,” I said, surprised at the wave of pain that washed through my entire being, and I fell to the floor. If only I had a wolf spirit, shifting would have helped, but I didn’t. I writhed in pain, but I endured.

After a while, I crossed the boundary without knowing what awaited me on the other side except ravaging rogues and potential death.