Chapter 7
But then, it happened again.
Marissa had been minding her own business in the packhouse‘ s common area, scrolling through a series of maps. she’d been asked to review. It was routine work, a task she normally found calming, but today, her concentration was fractured. Her thoughts kept drifting to the impending Mateship Ceremony, to the strange Alpha she’d soon be bound to, and, inevitably, to the distant friendships she’d left behind.
The low hum of conversation outside the room barely registered until she heard a familiar voice, a saccharine whimper that made her wolf bristle.
“It’s just… she looked at me with so much anger,” Ivy‘ s voice trembled, her words barely contained by the thin walls.
“I don‘ t know what I did wrong.”
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What the fuck is she saying? Is it because I declined her offer to bring me to a coffee shop earlier? Now, this bitch is talking behind my back.
Hunter’s voice followed, gentle, coaxing. “Hey, Ivy, it’s alright. Marissa’s just… going through something. It’s not your fault.”
“No, it’s my fault,” Ivy whispered, a note of guilt curling around each word.
“I… I must‘ ve done something to upset her. Maybe it’s because I’m… because I’m just a weak and abandoned omega.
Marissa clenched her fists. She could practically see the expression Ivy must be wearing–her wide eyes and lowered head, hands clasped as if in prayer, as if she were some helpless lamb in need of saving. Her wolf snarled within her, clawing to be heard. How could they fall for it every time?
Unable to hold back any longer, Marissa pushed open the door and stepped into the
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hallway. Ivy was there, flanked on either side by Hunter and Caleb, their protective stances so familiar it stung.
“Ivy,” Marissa said, her voice calm but steely, “if you have something to say, say it to me. Don’t make up stories and talk to me behind my back.
Ivy’s head snapped up, her doe–like eyes widening as if Marissa had caught her mid- act. “I didn‘ t… I wasn‘ t trying to make you upset.” She bit her lip, her gaze darting to the floor as though terrified of making eye contact.
Hunter stepped forward, his brow furrowed in concern. “Marissa, this isn’t necessary. Ivy didn’t do anything.”
Marissa’s wolf growled within her, but she forced herself to keep her tone even.
“I wasn‘ t accusing her of anything, Hunter. I just wanted her to be honest.”
Ivy flinched, as if Marissa’s words had struck her physically. She pressed her
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fingers to her lips, her shoulders hunching as if to shield herself from Marissa’s supposed cruelty. “I… I’m sorry. I got scared because you glared at me earlier. I’ve only tried to bond with you.
Caleb placed a hand on Ivy’s shoulder, his gaze hard as he turned to Marissa. “Is it really necessary to make her feel like this, Marissa? She’s only ever been nice to you.”
Marissa almost laughed. Nice? Ivy‘ s idea of kindness was subtly undermining her at every turn, wrapping Hunter and Caleb around her finger with each fabricated slight and teary–eyed story. And yet, here they were, unable to see beyond the façade Ivy had so carefully constructed.
“This is ridiculous,” she muttered, eyeing them with disgust.
Hunter’s voice was a low, controlled growl. “Marissa, you‘ re being unfair. Ivy’s done nothing to deserve this.”
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Marissa met his gaze, feeling the weight of
his accusation settle into her chest like a
stone. “And what have I done, Hunter? Tell me.”
He faltered, glancing at Ivy, who seemed to shrink under Marissa‘ s piercing gaze.
“You… you’ve been distant,” he said finally.
Ivy’s voice trembled as she interjected,
“It’s my fault, isn’t it? Ever since I joined, things have been different between us. I don’t want to be the cause of a rift. I can… I can leave if it‘ s what Marissa wants.”
She sniffled, a lone tear slipping down her cheek, and Marissa felt her wolf snarl with fury. Ivy was laying it on thick, playing the innocent victim as if Marissa had
personally driven her to the brink.
“No one’s asking you to leave,” Caleb said, his tone gentle as he pulled her closer. “You belong here, Ivy. We won’t let anyone make you feel otherwise.”
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Ivy nodded, casting a pleading glance in Marissa’s direction. “I just want things to be better between us, Marissa. I want us to be friends.”
The absurdity of it nearly made Marissa laugh. Friends? As if Ivy hadn’t wormed her way between them, taking every opportunity to make Marissa look like the villain in her own story. Now, she was asking for friendship?
It made her crease her eyebrows. “Funny, Ivy, I don‘ t recall friends twisting the truth at every turn.”
Ivy gasped, pressing a hand to her chest, her wide eyes brimming with tears. “I‘ ve done no such thing!” she cried, her voice quivering. “I… I would never. I don‘ t understand why you think so badly of me.”
Hunter’s gaze turned icy, his eyes flashing as he stepped between Marissa and Ivy. “Enough. She doesn’t deserve this.”
