In Her Shadow

A Line Crossed

Chapter Nine:



Chloe’s POV

Skyler blinked, clearly caught off guard. He stepped back slightly, and the space between us felt like a chasm.

“Um…” He rubbed the back of his neck, his gaze dropping to the ground. “I think… I think she could be my fated. It’s just… the day I kissed her at the Christmas party, it felt different, you know?”

I swallowed hard, my heart cracking at his words.

He glanced back at me, his eyes lingering on my lips for a moment before shifting away. “But what do I know? We’re not even at the age to tell for sure yet.”

He laughed, a dry, humorless sound, and ran a hand through his hair. “Anyway, forget I said anything. I should probably get going.”

I nodded, unable to find my voice.

As he turned and walked away, I pressed a hand to my chest, trying to steady the ache that threatened to consume me.

It wasn’t just the distance between us that hurt—it was the knowledge that no matter how much I loved him, I would always come second.

----

The packhouse was buzzing with activity as we prepared for the Charity Event Couple’s Game Show. This year, our pack was hosting, and wolves from neighboring territories had arrived, bringing with them an air of excitement and competition. It was a tradition to broadcast the event on a wolf-exclusive TV channel, raising money for charities that supported orphaned pups and elderly wolves in need.

I stood at the edge of the staging area, arms crossed, watching as Gianna twirled in front of a mirror. She wore a dress of shimmering gold, her hair cascading down her back in perfect waves. The makeup team had gone all out, making her look like the picture-perfect Luna.

“Do I look amazing or what?” Gianna asked, turning to me with a dazzling smile.

“You look great,” I said, forcing the words out.

“Thanks for helping me prep,” she said, checking her reflection again. “There’s no way I could’ve answered all those questions about Skyler without you.”

My chest tightened, but I kept my face neutral. “Glad to help.”

She didn’t hear the bitterness in my voice—or didn’t care.

The stage was set with twinkling lights and an enormous banner that read Couples’ Game Show Charity Event. The audience, made up of pack members and guests, filled the seats, their chatter a low hum of excitement.

Skyler stood with the other male contestants, looking effortlessly handsome in a tailored suit. My heart ached just looking at him, knowing he wasn’t mine. Gianna joined the lineup of female contestants, her confidence radiating as she waved to the crowd.

I hovered backstage, clutching my clipboard and trying to stay invisible. My job was simple: keep feeding Gianna answers and make sure she didn’t embarrass herself—or Skyler.

I stood near the edge of the crowd, keeping my distance as wolves milled about, chatting and laughing. The air was thick with anticipation, but all I felt was dread.

“Can you believe this?” Gianna’s voice rang out beside me, bright and sharp. She flipped her golden hair over her shoulder, her lips curved into a triumphant smirk. “Skyler and I competing as one of the top couples? It’s like we’re already a power duo.”

I bit the inside of my cheek, trying to ignore the ache in my chest.

“And you’re going to help me, right?” she added, turning to me with an expectant look.

“Do I have a choice?” I muttered, keeping my voice low.

Gianna grinned, taking my sarcasm as agreement. “That’s what I thought.”

The game show kicked off with a burst of energy, the host—a charismatic Gamma from another pack—welcoming the audience with a wide smile.

“Welcome to this year’s Charity Event Couple’s Game Show!” he boomed, his voice echoing through the speakers. “Tonight, we’ll see which of these couples knows each other best, and all proceeds will go to our pack’s education fund!”

Cheers erupted from the crowd, but I barely heard them. My focus was on Gianna and Skyler, standing on the stage with the other couples. Skyler looked effortlessly confident, his blue eyes scanning the audience with a relaxed smile. Gianna, of course, played her part perfectly, clinging to his arm like they were the picture of love.

The first round was a series of questions for the girls. The host asked each one something about their partner—favorite food, hobbies, childhood memories—and the boys had to confirm if the answers were correct.

“Gianna,” the host said, turning to her. “What is Skyler’s favorite way to relax after a long day?”

Gianna’s gaze flicked to me, and I felt the familiar tug of her mind link.

“What do I say?” she demanded, her tone sharp in my mind.

“Gaming,” I replied reluctantly. “Specifically, racing games.”

Gianna repeated the answer, flashing the host a dazzling smile.

“Correct!” the host announced, and the crowd erupted into applause.

I stood in the shadows, my hands clenched into fists as I fed Gianna answer after answer. Each time she got one right, the crowd cheered louder, and Skyler’s smile grew wider. But every word felt like a dagger in my chest, a reminder of everything I’d given up for her charade.

The final round was the blindfolded challenge. Each boy would be blindfolded and tasked with identifying their partner from a lineup based on a series of clues.

“This is it,” the host said dramatically. “Let’s see how well these couples really know each other!”

My heart pounded as I watched Skyler put on the blindfold, his confidence never wavering. Gianna took her place in the lineup, her golden hair gleaming under the lights.

“Alright, Skyler,” the host said. “Your first clue: What is your partner’s favorite flower?”

My breath caught. Skyler didn’t hesitate.

“Black dahlias,” he said, his voice steady.

My chest tightened. That was my favorite flower, not Gianna’s. She hated flowers. She was allergic to most of them.

“Correct!” the host declared, and the crowd erupted into cheers.

I bit the inside of my cheek, the taste of iron grounding me as I fought to keep my emotions in check.

“Next clue,” the host continued. “What is your partner’s favorite ice cream flavor?”

“Sherbet,” Skyler said immediately.

“Correct again!”

I could barely breathe. Every clue he gave, every answer he got right, was a piece of me—not her. The way he described her, the details he used, weren’t Gianna’s—they were mine. And yet, he picked her out of the lineup like she was the only one who could fit the description.

When Skyler finally removed the blindfold and wrapped his arms around Gianna, the crowd cheered louder than ever. Gianna beamed, soaking up the attention like it was her birthright. Skyler looked at her like she was his whole world, and I felt like I was crumbling.

The show ended with Skyler and Gianna crowned the winners, their smiles plastered across every screen as they accepted their trophy.

I slipped away before anyone could notice, my chest tight as I made my way back to the packhouse. The cheers and laughter faded into the background as I shut the door to my room, collapsing onto the bed.

Tears burned behind my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.

This was what I’d signed up for, wasn’t it? Helping Gianna, making Skyler happy—even if it meant tearing myself apart in the process.

But as I lay there in the dark, the weight of it all pressing down on me, I couldn’t help but wonder how much longer I could keep pretending.