In Her Shadow

A Love Stolen

Chapter Eight:

Chloe’s POV

The Moon Festival had come and gone in a blur of music, dancing, and glowing lanterns. For the pack, it was a celebration of unity, tradition, and love. For me, it was the night I lost Skyler to Gianna.

I’d watched from the sidelines as they danced together, his hand on her waist, her head tilted up toward him with that practiced smile she wore so well. She’d played her part perfectly, every laugh, every word calculated to keep his attention. And it worked.

By the end of the night, he’d asked her to the annual couples' game show charity event, a beloved tradition held every February to raise money for the pack’s nonprofits. Gianna was ecstatic, parading around like she’d won the lottery while I tried to keep myself from falling apart.

Now, weeks later, the sting hadn’t faded.

I sat on the edge of my bed, staring blankly at my open diary. The words blurred together, my thoughts too scattered to focus. It was late January, and the charity event was only days away, but Gianna was still using me to perfect her charade.

“You’re the only one who really knows him,” she’d said with that fake sweet tone she used when she wanted something. “Just give me a few more tips, and I promise I’ll leave you alone.”

But I knew better. Gianna never stopped until she got everything she wanted.

I flipped to a blank page, the pen trembling in my hand as I tried to write. But instead of pouring my heart onto the paper like I usually did, I sat frozen, my mind replaying the night Skyler asked Gianna to be his girlfriend.

I’d been in the hallway, tucked behind the corner where they couldn’t see me. I hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but their voices carried, and once I heard his name, I couldn’t bring myself to leave.

“So, Gia,” Skyler had said, his voice soft but steady. “I like you, but in order for me to take this relationship to the next level, I need to know you’re the right girl for me.”

I peeked around the corner, my heart in my throat. He stood there, one hand in his pocket and the other combing nervously through his hair—something he always did when he was uncertain.

Gianna tilted her head, her golden hair shining under the warm hallway lights. “Sky…” she began, her voice laced with emotion.

I knew what was coming before she even said the words.

“I’ve loved you since we were pups. I love the way you stand up for things no matter how small, the way your eyes light up at the mention of things you love to do. I love that you hate vanilla ice cream but love sherbet, and the way your forehead cringes when you’re…” She hesitated, her gaze flicking upward as though searching for inspiration. “...thinking. I love everything about you. We were made for each other, Sky.”

I froze, my chest tightening as the words echoed in my mind.

They weren’t hers.

Every single thing she’d just said was ripped straight from my diary. The details, the sentiment—those were my feelings, my words, stolen and twisted into a lie.

“Wow,” Skyler said, his voice filled with awe. “Gia, I can’t believe you’ve been into me this whole time… and how well you know me.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a single flower, a black dahlia. My heart sank further.

It was my favorite flower. He and I had spent countless hours debating over it, me insisting it was elegant and mysterious, him teasing me for liking something so unusual. He thought giving flowers was a romantic gesture, something essential in a relationship. I didn’t, and neither did Gianna—or so I thought.

But there she was, pretending like it was her favorite too, her expression wide-eyed and innocent as she accepted the bloom.

“Gianna Ashley Brentwood,” Skyler said, dropping to one knee. “Would you do me the honor of being my girlfriend?”

Gianna gasped, glancing around nervously before gesturing for him to stand. “Get up! That’s so corny,” she whispered, though she quickly added, “I mean, I don’t want you to ruin your clothes.”

He chuckled, rising to his feet and pulling her into his arms. “Right,” he said, and then he kissed her.

I died inside.

The memory made my chest ache, and I clutched the edges of my diary, my knuckles white. Gianna had taken everything—my words, my feelings, my hope—and twisted them into a façade.

I’d spent years convincing myself that I didn’t need Skyler to love me back, that I could be content just being his friend. But seeing him with Gianna, knowing she’d built their relationship on lies, was too much to bear.

Tears blurred my vision as I slammed the diary shut and tossed it onto the desk. I buried my face in my hands, the sobs I’d been holding back finally breaking free.

The next morning, Gianna breezed into my room like she owned the place, her phone in hand and a bright smile on her face.

“Chloe, you won’t believe it!” she exclaimed, flopping onto my bed.

“What now?” I asked, my voice flat.

“Skyler and I are going to be the stars of the couples' game show!” she said, showing me the text thread where Skyler had confirmed their participation. “Isn’t that amazing?”

“Yeah,” I said, forcing a smile. “Amazing.”

She didn’t notice the sarcasm—or didn’t care. Instead, she launched into a detailed explanation of how they were going to crush the competition.

“And you’re going to help us win,” she said, her tone making it clear she wasn’t asking.

“Gianna, I can’t keep doing this,” I said, my voice trembling. “You don’t need me. You have Skyler now.”

She frowned, tilting her head. “What’s gotten into you?”

“Nothing,” I said quickly, looking away. “I just… I need a break.”

She rolled her eyes, standing up and brushing off her jeans. “Fine. Take your little break. But don’t forget who holds all the cards here.”

As she left, slamming the door behind her, I felt the weight of her threat settle over me once more.

I picked up my diary, running my fingers over the worn cover. It was my sanctuary, where I could be honest with myself. But now, it felt like a weapon in Gianna’s hands, one she wouldn’t hesitate to use against me.

I opened it to a blank page, the pen trembling in my hand as I wrote the only words I could think of:

I’m not sure how much more of this I can take.

Skyler found me outside the packhouse, leaning against the railing of the back porch as I stared out at the forest. The Moon Festival had passed, and I’d done everything I could to avoid him for days. But now, under the quiet of the moonless sky, there was nowhere to hide.

“Hey, Chlo,” he said, his voice soft and familiar, sending a pang through my chest.

I glanced at him briefly before looking away. “Hey, Sky.”

He stepped closer, his movements easy and unhurried, but there was a weight behind his eyes that I couldn’t ignore.

“I missed you at the Moon Festival,” he said, stopping just a few feet away. “Where were you? It’s not like you to miss one, even though we both know you hate events like that… homebody.”

He chuckled, and the sound made me ache in ways I didn’t want to acknowledge.

“Just didn’t feel like going,” I said, keeping my voice steady.

“Really?” he asked, taking another step closer until the warmth of his presence wrapped around me. “That doesn’t sound like you.”

Before I could think of a reply, he reached out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. His fingers brushed my skin, and the spark of his touch set every nerve alight. My breath hitched, and I fought the urge to lean into him.

“Earth to Chloe?” he said, tilting his head as he studied my face. “Okay, seriously, what’s with you? We don’t talk anymore, and—” He paused, hesitating like he wasn’t sure if he wanted to go there. “And when I come near you, you act like you can’t stand to be around me.”

“I… I… do not,” I stammered, my words tripping over each other as I struggled to keep my composure.

He raised an eyebrow, his hand cupping my cheek gently as he tilted my face to meet his gaze. “Then what’s going on?” he asked, his voice soft but insistent.

I stared into his blue eyes, feeling like I was drowning. How was I supposed to explain the chaos inside me? That being near him made it impossible to breathe, but being away from him was worse?

“Nothing,” I said, my voice barely a whisper.

“Nothing?” he echoed, his tone skeptical.

“It’s just…” I faltered, stepping back to put some distance between us. “You’ve been too busy chasing after Gianna to notice anything else.”

The words spilled out before I could stop them, and I clapped a hand over my mouth, horrified.

Skyler’s brow furrowed as he took a step toward me. “There it is,” he said, his voice low. “You see? You barely say two words to me, and when you do, it’s this… this wall. Did I do something wrong? Did I tick you off somehow?”

I shook my head, stepping back further until my shoulders met the wall of the packhouse. “I can’t do this,” I whispered under my breath.

“Do what?” he asked, his tone sharper now.

Everything, I thought, my chest tightening. It’s bad enough I can’t breathe when I’m around you. I fall apart when you’re not here, but I can’t tell you that. I can’t tell you anything.

“Chloe,” Skyler said softly, his voice pulling me back. I looked up to find him closer than I’d realized, his body pressed lightly against mine, his hands braced on either side of me. His heart was pounding, and I wondered if it was for me—if it could ever be for me.

“We can’t solve anything if you won’t talk to me,” he said, his eyes searching mine. “I’m not a mind reader. Unless…” His voice softened, and the corner of his mouth twitched in a small, hopeful smile. “Unless you want to link me in.”

My heart fluttered at the suggestion, and I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. What could I say? That I loved him? That I couldn’t bear to watch him fall for Gianna? I was too afraid of what his answers might be.

Instead, I asked the question that had been haunting me for weeks. “Do you love her?”