“Girls, hold up! I just need to grab my phone!” I call out from upstairs to Ashlee and Lea, who are waiting in the living room. True to their word, they’ve planned a bachelorette party for me, a week before the wedding ceremony.
I’m not opposed to it this time. Any event that could help me unwind is welcome.
The dress is ready, mom has everything under control, and I’ve agreed to move there two days before the ceremony to ensure everything is in order.
It’s not that I’m thrilled about it, but there’s not much I can do.
Running away would only complicate things, and as it stands, if it weren’t me, it would be another Alpha’s daughter. I’m the sacrificial lamb. The one who’s giving up her freedom for the greater good.
“Hurry up and get your ass moving!” Lea bangs on the door impatiently. I take one last look in the mirror. The black floral dress looks pretty good on me.
I’ve straightened my hair this time, making it look longer than usual. I quickly open the door, narrowly avoiding a collision with my sister.
“Finally! What took you so long?” She laughs.
“Hey! But at least you look good. Come on, we’re all waiting for you.” She gives me a once-over.
“All? I thought it was just going to be you, me, and Ashlee?” I ask, puzzled.
A smile instantly lights up her face.
“Yep, that’s true, but I also invited Meg and Carmen. I thought about texting Emma too, but I remembered she’s been hooking up with Ashlee’s ex-boyfriend, and that could get awkward.”
“Definitely.” I nod in agreement. Meg and Carmen are like our cousins. Their father is the pack’s Beta, and we’ve known each other forever. I really like them.
They’re not as close to me as Ashlee, but they’re good company, and the more, the merrier.
“Look who’s here!” The girls start cheering.
“I got us glitter champagne!” Ashlee waves a bottle in the air.
“Thumbs up for you, sister!”
We pile into the limo the girls rented and head to the Maxim Club, one of the most popular spots in town, known for its mix of club and house music.
“Who can open champagne without causing any damage?” Ashlee grins, twirling the bottle opener around her finger.
“Not you, you still owe me a mirror.” Lea takes the bottle and starts to unscrew the cork.
Suddenly, the familiar pop of a champagne cork echoes around the car. Lea pours the bubbly liquid into our glasses.
“If I can make a quick toast, please!” Lea raises her glass.
“Honey, I know this isn’t what any of us want, especially you, but I appreciate what you’ve done for me, and I’ll always be there for you. Let’s just make the most of tonight and have fun.
“I love you, my little sister.” She blows me a kiss. I fight back tears, quickly wiping away a stray one before hugging her tightly.
“I love you too.” I kiss her cheek.
“And just to make this party official…” Ashlee pulls out bride and bride squad sashes.
“You really are a brave one,” Meg whispers to me.
“I mean we all know he’s dangerously hot and all, but he’s also from the rival pack and he’s an Alpha, not to mention all this mating stuff.”
“Jeez, I nearly forgot about that.” I take a sip of my drink just as we pull up to the club.
“Okay, enough of this moping. Let’s partyyyy!” Ashlee jumps out of the car, brimming with excitement.
We breeze through the entrance check and make our way to our reserved table. The girls can’t decide what to order, but after a lengthy discussion, we all agree on a large bottle of vodka and some mixers.
The music is loud, and the dance floor is already packed, despite the early hour.
I feel a vibration in my purse. I pull out my phone to see a text message from an unknown number. I tap twice to read it.
“He has to be kidding me.” At first, I think it’s a joke. He really has the nerve to text me such things. “Wait a minute, where the hell did he get my number?!” I start to panic slightly.
“Mia, are you okay?” Ashlee approaches me.
“Yeah, why?” I pretend that nothing’s wrong. I don’t want them to know. They’ll get excited and want to call him. Too much alcohol, so that’s not a good idea. Not tonight.
“I don’t know. You seem distant.” She looks at me suspiciously.
“No, not at all, I just received a congratulatory text from a coworker.” I lie smoothly.
We down another round of drinks then hit the dance floor. I start to dance, drink, and have fun, almost forgetting about the text until I receive another one.
“No freaking way!” Is he going to keep texting me all night?!
“I’m screwed.” This time, I can’t just ignore him.
I don’t have to wait long for a response. Another ping comes a minute later.
“Oh God.” He’s really lost it.
“What are you doing?!” The girls have returned to the table. The vodka bottle is empty, so this time, Meg heads to the bar to get another one.
We’d polished off two bottles of liquor last night, and I honestly can’t recall how I made it home. The shrill sound of a text message woke me from my stupor this morning.
Is this going to be a regular occurrence? Is he going to keep texting me? At least he isn’t calling. I don’t think I could handle hearing his voice. It’s so deep, it’s unnerving.
I quickly shower, dress, and head downstairs for a glass of water. My head feels like it’s about to split open. Mom is already in the kitchen, whipping up breakfast.
“Hungry? I’m making pancakes and bacon,” she offers, expertly flipping a pancake in the pan.
“No, just water. If I eat anything, I think my stomach will revolt.” I grab a bottle of water and take a long gulp. Then, a thought strikes me.
“Mom, did you give Liam Boyle my number by any chance?” Her guilty expression and evasive gaze answer my question before she does.
“Was that wrong? He called and asked for your number. I couldn’t think of a reason not to give it to him. You’re getting married in a few days, after all. Why? Did he text you?”
Oh, Mom, you’re so innocent.
I can’t help but wonder why he wanted my number. Probably to keep tabs on me. All Alphas are control freaks. Just look at my dad. I feel so trapped.
“Yes, he did. He was wishing me a good time yesterday,” I reply, my voice dripping with sarcasm. But, of course, she doesn’t pick up on it.
The first meal I manage to stomach is dinner. I couldn’t bring myself to eat anything earlier. After that, I start packing my things. I don’t have much, but I don’t want to leave it until the last minute.
“Did you book me a hotel, or should I do it myself?” I ask Dad in his office. He’s preparing for a meeting with the Betas, as usual.
“Liam will have you in his house. Apparently, Anna is preparing a room for you.” He doesn’t even look up from his work. Is he serious?!
“Um, I think not. I’ll just book a room myself then.” I’m about to leave when Dad stops me.
“There are no vacancies in the nearby hotels. Your mom and Liam have booked everything for the wedding.”
“I’ll find something. I can rent a car to get to his place.”
“Amelia, don’t be stubborn. The pre-wedding dinner is on Friday, and we’ll arrive with Mom and the rest of the pack that day.
“You’ll need to make sure everything is okay, and it’ll be more convenient if you stay at his house.” He pauses and smiles. “Soon to be your house as well.”
I take a deep breath. They’ve got to be kidding me! As I leave Dad’s office, I pass all the Betas who’ve come for the pack meeting.
They all notice my anger, but no one dares to say anything. This guy is in for a rude awakening. He’s not going to have an easy, carefree marriage, that’s for sure! I pull out my phone and start typing.
I storm into my room and finish packing. From my laptop, the voice of the Imagine Dragons’ lead singer fills the room. I crank up the volume, trying to drown out the anger in my head.
Suddenly, my phone vibrates again.
I can’t stand this guy! I scream and hurl my phone onto the bed. I don’t care. I’d rather sleep with the dogs than share a room with him.
A soft knock interrupts my thoughts.
“Come in!” I know it’s Lea. Mom is downstairs and Dad is in his office. Her room is next to mine, so despite the loud music, she probably heard my outburst.
“Are you okay?” she asks, settling into my armchair.
“I’m fine, just tired of all this!” I gesture to the mess I’ve made while packing.
“Are you sure that’s all it is?” She looks genuinely concerned. I know she feels guilty, just like Mom, but what’s done is done. It was my decision.
On the other hand, she’s my sister and my best friend. I need her support, and if our roles were reversed, I’d want to know what was going on.
I grab my phone, open the recent messages, and hand it to her. As she reads, her eyes widen in shock.
“Is this a joke?” She looks up at me, disbelief etched on her face.
“I wish! He’s an idiot!”
“It seems like he’s trying to assert his control over the situation.”
We spend the rest of the night chatting and laughing, not just about Liam Boyle, but about everything. It’s bittersweet, knowing that soon we’ll be living apart.
