Chapter 9
My work on the next day became chaotic. Gone were the days of a perfect work streak.
A newly hired nurse bumped me as I opened a door, spilling a dozen iced coffees all over me. My hair, my face, my white uniform, even my feet were all freezing and smelling like almond macchiato. His apologies were genuine even when he was stuttering but I simply waved an idle hand off and told him to be careful next time.
Even when it’s me who should be careful.
I know Lucien‘ s late–night visit always has negative impact on my life–whether at work or in person. Well, now it seemed he managed to check both.
Although it still flashed in my mind the raw sadness in his eyes, the pure guilt. What if…what if he’s really now accepting the truth that he’s been the one at fault in our
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relationship?
I shook my head. I should never think about him again.
My lunch break came and I heard two females gossiping behind me.
“I think they’re dating!” one said cheerfully.
“Nah. Charmaine is just clingy towards Alpha Lucien. They‘ re not dating; they haven’t even confirmed it.”
“Wasn‘ t Alpha Lucien also like that with his previous girlfriend?”
The one who squealed earlier just flipped her hair. “Whatever. Official or not, they’re cute together!”
My eyes rolled, my mood turning sour and my sandwich tastes like ash in my mouth at the gossip I just heard. It seems as long as I’m in the Brightheart Pack, I can‘ t really escape them after all. I have to accept that.
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“They are finally getting together, trust me. I think Charmaine and Alpha Lucien are more sweet and cute than when Charmaine was dating Beta Thomas!”
My heart skipped a beat at that last
sentence.
“Isn’t that just a rumor?”
I pretended I was busy with my phone. when in reality, I was waiting for the other girl‘ s reply.
“It’s a secret. My brother is one of Beta Thomas‘ s bodyguards. He told me Charmaine and the Beta often spend time dating in private restaurants and hotels!”
I stood. I have heard enough.
The two girls‘ gossips faded to a whisper then to nothing as I left the cafeteria, unable to finish my sandwich so I just kept it for later.
My hunch is true. There’s something sort of a love triangle between the three.
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And Charmaine might have broken up with Thomas because Alpha Lucien is more of a bigshot. Charm really thinks like a gold digger–always go for the gold and just set aside the silver.
Beta Thomas: the cheerful, carefree, and easygoing. Charmaine is the silent type of girl who’s always straightforward and observing everyone else..Complete opposites.
Though I wonder if Alpha Lucien knew about them ‘cause my ex–boyfriend never mentioned that there was something between the two.
The incident at the Starmoon Restaurant flashed in my mind–how Beta Thomas easily stepped in front of Charmaine and shields her.
It seemed those three close–at-heart bestfriends are harboring secrets of their
own.
Whatever it is, I’m glad I’m now gone.
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from their toxic little circle.
As if my thoughts conjured him, Beta Thomas called me when I was just grabbing.
***
“Why are you calling, Beta? Your
responsibility now includes seeing how the Alpha‘ s ex–girlfriend is doing after a breakup too?”
There was a brief silence. No cheerfulness nor a jolly voice shattered my ears.
“Vesta, it‘ s Lucien,” he whispered. “Please, come see him now.”
I snorted, “So now he’s using you as a messenger when he can‘ t even force me to face him in my apartment‘ s parking lot. Cool.”
“Vesta, he’s in the hospital right now…” Thomas trailed off, his voice barely above a whisper.
I shrugged. “So…what does it have to do
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with me now?”
“He was rushed to the hospital just this three in the morning. He vomited and collapsed. Vesta, he…he won‘ t rest or eat or even take a break. Charm and I both tried to get through him, but he never listened. Our efforts–nothing worked.”
Amusement died in my eyes. My shoulders slackened. I inhaled a deep breath and I let Thomas hear it.
“Sounds like it’s not my problem.”
I was about to put down the phone when I looked up and realized Beta Thomas is just across from me in the hallway.
He was here. Physically here.
Shock surged through my veins. I was frozen as he approached, my mouth gaping like a fish out of water.
But the Beta didn’t just stand before me- he knelt down as he squeezed my hand. He looked like a knight swearing allegiance to
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his new queen. “Please, Ves. I think you’re the only one he listens to. You‘ re the one he needs the most right now.”
But I just hissed at the Beta. “Thomas, get up from there!”
I glanced around, realizing that people who just had their lunch were now walking past
- us.
Panic made me pushed him to the interior of an empty pantry.
“Are you crazy? I’m working here, please stop bothering me, okay? If Lu is sick then he probably just needs to be taken care of by the two people he loved the most. Those are you and Charmaine,” I turned away from him as I added, “I was never important to him and I know that.”
“Vesta…Vesta he’s getting worse each hour. He–he could‘ ve died!” He blurted and both of our eyes widened.
“Let me remind you, Beta Thomas, that I no longer have obligations with him since I
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already severed our bond. Can’t you see?” I waved my hand around. “I’m not fit to be a Lamna. A lowly she wolf like me deserves to just work and study and then work again. I could never lead a pack.”
Tears rolled down my cheeks.
Beta Thomas flinched. He is obviously guilty as it is what he said during that incident in the Starmoon restaurant.
“I’m sorry for what I said back then. I didn’t think we didn’t really think that Lucien was that serious about you. But after you broke up with him, I saw how much your words and actions caused him to break down. He genuinely loves you with all his heart.”
“Stop,” I commanded firmly, a wicked laugh almost making out of my lips. “I m not going to believe any lies from both of you. All three of you are masters of manipulation.”
Silence stretched between us, his gaze lowering to the floor.
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I don’t know if all of this is true or just part of their scheming.
“The Alpha beat me up after the Starmoon Restaurant incident. He figured out that it was my careless mouth that made you see red.”
So now he’s blindly confessing to me? I studied the Beta‘ s exquisite face. I knew
se
there was something wrong. Those faint bruises weren’t just eyeshadows. Those were the evidence that the Alpha could really beat any of his Betas if he‘ s pissed off. Even if it’s his bestfriend.
“You like Charmaine, don‘ t you?”
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