4

Ebony

When I open my eyes, I find myself in the middle of our pack. I look around, feeling dazed and confused. When did I get here? I could have sworn that I went to bed.

I look up as I hear a commotion just ahead. Curious, I walk over, putting my hands in my hoodie pockets. What's going on? Everyone sounds excited and cheerful.

"Congratulations, Skylar! I'm so happy for you!"

I freeze at the sudden voice and look up. The woman speaking and hugging my childhood friend is his mother and the current Luna of the pack, Daisy.

"Thank you, Mom. I couldn't be happier right now." A handsome smile graces Skylar's face. "I can't believe I have such a wonderful woman as my mate."

My heart hammers painfully in my chest. Skylar found his mate? Since when? I put a hand over my heart, wondering why it hurts so much. Is it because he didn't tell me first?

"It truly is wonderful, my boy." Aiden, the Alpha, smiles proudly as he stands next to his Luna. "You'll be ready to step up in no time! Now maybe that girl can stop being like a parasite all the time."

Skylar chuckles and nods. "Yes, that will be wonderful indeed." He notices me standing behind the crowd, and his expression changes, making me tense in fear.

Why is he looking at me like that? Why does he look so disgusted? The Alpha's words play back in my mind. Am I... the parasite he's happy to be rid of?

Skylar wraps his arm around the girl next to him and glares at me. She's so beautiful that I can't stop looking at her. With vibrant blonde hair and a killer body, I know I can't compete with her. But why can't I make out her face?

"Get back to work, Ebony." Skylar's icy tone makes me flinch. "We have no time to play like a couple of children. Aren't you sick of this facade by now?"

It's so hard to breathe right now, especially with so many eyes on me. Skylar knows I don't do well with this much attention. Why is he doing this to me now?

"I-I don't know... what you..." I trail off, unable to find the words to speak. People around me snicker, and suddenly I feel as small and insignificant as a mouse. Tears well up in my eyes, and all I can do is stare at the ground.

Skylar clicks his tongue and groans in annoyance. "You really are pathetic, aren't you?" I flinch at his coldness. "Did you think we were that close? Sure, you helped find me, and I'm grateful and all, but... isn't it about time you stop being a leech in my life?"

Pain stabs my heart even more, and I look up, feeling offended by all this. "I-I never once did that! W-we're friends, Skylar! So why...?" My hands tremble at my sides as I glare back. "W-why didn't you just... tell me all this before...?"

Skylar scoffs and shakes his head. "How could I look down on my so-called 'savior'?" he says, almost thoughtfully. "At first, it was nice to have you around. We were friends, after all... then you changed."

I clench my fists and frown. "W-what are you...?" I don't understand any of this. Why does this feel like all my worst fears have been realized?

"Well, your appearance, for one," Skylar says, making me flinch. "You were so cute back then, and now? Have you even looked at yourself? Why would I want something as hideous as you around me anymore?"

My self-conscious thoughts come back to me, and I hug myself tightly. This is exactly why I hide this disgusting body of mine.

Ever since I hit puberty, nothing's been going right, so I hide it all under these baggy clothes. It's another reason why I barely eat, and when I have to, it all comes back up in the end. Nothing about me is pretty or amazing. I hate myself more than anything.

"Your personality is another thing. You have no backbone at all! I have to walk on eggshells, afraid you'll shatter at any moment." Skylar then smirks wickedly. "Like you are now, I suppose. Ahh, it feels so nice getting this all out there."

I start to breathe so heavily that I'm getting lightheaded. Everyone around us continues to whisper mockingly, eating this up like it's tasty gossip. I back away and flinch at Skylar's mocking gaze, his once handsome face twisted into that of a monster.

"Stay out of sight. You'll make a great warrior for the pack. A few scars might just make that face of yours something to look at."

Skylar's words aren't what make me finally break down. Instead, it's when he turns to his mate and kisses her right in front of me.

Tears run down my face as Skylar starts making out with her. Around me, the laughter of my packmates rings in my ears. I even spot Mom looking so disappointed in me, like she wishes she had never given birth to something like me.

As I fall to my knees and cry out in despair, everyone continues getting more animated and cruel, though also more distant and faint. The world around me falls apart, just like my heart and soul.

I wish I could just disappear forever. Only then would everyone be happier.

***

My eyes snap open, and I sit up, panting heavily. I'm covered in sweat, and as I look around, I piece together that it had all been a horrible dream.

Regardless, tears continue to run down my face as I bring my knees to my chest. No... all my fears and insecurities surfaced and led me into the worst possibilities running through my mind.

'You're finally awake!' Cierra exclaims in my mind, making me wince. 'I couldn't reach you, even through your dreams! What happened? Why are you crying?'

I tremble and finally speak my true feelings. "...I love him, Cierra." I close my eyes tightly. "I love him so much that it hurts to know he'll never be mine. Everything... it's falling apart, and I don't know what to do..."

This stupid crush of mine only continued to grow over the years. I could never put it into words until we became teenagers, but it all makes sense to me now. I kept denying it and pushing away my own feelings, just happy to be his friend.

But what will happen tomorrow? He will more than likely find his mate and leave me behind. What will I do then? How can I possibly stand back and watch him be happy? The thought of it makes me want to die.

'Ebony, calm down,' Cierra says in a firm, soothing tone. 'Just breathe for me, please. We don't know what tomorrow will bring. Nothing is set in stone, but I know this much: Skylar and Jaden will never abandon or hate us.'

I close my eyes tightly and shake my head. How can I believe that? Tomorrow, I could very well lose Skylar forever. And if that happens... what else do I have?