In Her Shadow

Beneath the Surface

Chapter One:

Chloe’s POV



The kitchen was quiet except for the steady hum of the coffee maker and the occasional sizzle from the bacon frying on the stovetop. I liked it this way—quiet, simple, easy. Mornings were my favorite time of day because they felt like mine. Before the world woke up, before Gianna decided to take center stage, and before the weight of being Chloe Ivory Brentwood, Alpha heir, settled onto my shoulders.

I leaned against the counter, stirring cream into my coffee as the warmth from the mug seeped into my fingers. The smell of coffee was always comforting, though I couldn’t drink it black like Riley or Skyler. No, I needed it sweet, creamy, with just a hint of cinnamon.

Sky. My heart twisted painfully at the thought of him.

That night played over and over in my mind like a dream I couldn’t escape. The way he’d kissed me under the mistletoe—soft at first, almost hesitant, as though he was afraid I might pull away. The way his arms had held me close, his hand firm on my waist as if he knew my knees were about to give out. The way my wolf had howled in my chest, not in pain, but in longing, joy, hope.

And then the words that shattered it all.

“Merry Christmas, Gianna.”

I gripped the counter, my stomach twisting into knots. He thought I was her. Of course, he did. I’d been wearing her stupid sparkly red dress because she’d spilled juice on it and demanded we trade. It hadn’t been a big deal—a tiny stain, barely noticeable—but Gianna Ashley Brentwood didn’t do imperfections.

“Come on, Chloe,” she’d said, waving her perfectly manicured hand as if the dress were hers to take. “You look better in red anyway. Besides, Skyler’s bound to notice me tonight.”

She’d been so confident. So sure. And me? I’d just handed her the dress, too tired to argue.

Now I hated myself for it.

The sound of heels clicking against the tile snapped me back to the present. I didn’t need to look up to know who it was. Gianna had an unmistakable presence—bold, commanding, and just a little too loud for this early in the morning.

“Good morning, little sister,” Gianna chirped, though we were the same age. Technically, she was older by three minutes, but she acted like it was three years.

“Morning,” I mumbled, keeping my eyes on my coffee.

“Still sulking, huh?” She plucked an apple from the fruit bowl, her golden hair cascading over her shoulder like it was styled that way on purpose. “You’ve been moody ever since the party. What’s up with you?”

“Nothing,” I said quickly. Too quickly.

Gianna narrowed her eyes, the sharp blue of her gaze cutting through me. “Please. You’re like an open book, Chloe. Is this about him?”

My heart stopped. “Who?”

“Skyler, duh.” She leaned against the counter, biting into the apple with a loud crunch. “Honestly, it’s embarrassing how obvious you are. Everyone knows you’re obsessed with him, except for him.”

“I’m not obsessed,” I said, heat rising to my cheeks.

Gianna smirked, a gleam of satisfaction in her eyes. “Sure, you’re not. But, newsflash, he’s not into you. He’s into me.”

I clenched my jaw, willing myself to stay calm. This was Gianna’s game. She loved pushing my buttons, loved watching me squirm. And most of the time, I let her. Because no matter how much she antagonized, still my sister. My twin.

“I don’t care,” I said quietly, turning my back to her.

“Oh, you care,” Gianna said, her voice laced with amusement. She stepped closer, her heels clicking against the tile, and lowered her voice. “And why wouldn’t you? I mean, he’s practically perfect. Those eyes, that smile… that *body*. I saw the way he was looking at me last night.”

I froze, my grip tightening on the mug. She didn’t know. She couldn’t know.

“You should just give up,” she continued, circling me like a predator. “It’s pathetic, Chloe. You’re sweet and nice and... boring. Skyler wants someone exciting. Someone like me.”

Her words cut deeper than I wanted to admit, but I swallowed the lump in my throat and forced myself to breathe. I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of seeing me break.

“Are you done?” I asked, my voice steady.

Gianna blinked, surprised by the edge in my tone, but her smirk quickly returned. “For now.”

She grabbed her apple and flounced out of the kitchen, her golden waves bouncing behind her. As soon as she was gone, I sagged against the counter, my body trembling from the effort of holding myself together.

I hated this. I hated that she always had the upper hand, that she always knew exactly how to twist the knife. And I hated that, deep down, part of me believed her.

What chance did I have against Gianna? She was everything I wasn’t—confident, bold, beautiful in a way that turned heads the moment she walked into a room. I, on the other hand, was quiet and reserved, more comfortable in jeans and a sweatshirt than the designer dresses Gianna favored. I didn’t mind blending into the background; it was safer there.

But blending in meant being invisible. Especially to Skyler.

I sighed and pushed myself away from the counter, grabbing my coffee and heading upstairs to get dressed. Riley had called a training session for this morning, and I wasn’t about to give him a reason to lecture me for being late.

---

The training field was already buzzing with activity when I arrived. Wolves of all ranks sparred in the crisp morning air, their breaths visible in the cold. Riley stood in the center, barking orders like the Alpha-in-training he was. His dark brown hair was ruffled by the wind, and his broad shoulders seemed even broader in his fitted jacket.

“Finally,” he said when he saw me. “Took you long enough.”

“Good morning to you too, Riley,” I said, giving him a small smile.

He rolled his eyes but smirked back. Riley Shane Brentwood wasn’t exactly warm and fuzzy, but he was my brother, and he had my back. Most of the time.

“Gianna’s late,” he muttered, scanning the field.

“Shocking,” I said dryly, earning a laugh from him.

“Chloe, you’re with Skyler,” Riley called out, his voice carrying over the noise of the field.

My heart skipped a beat, and I turned to see Skyler jogging toward me. His dark blonde hair was slightly messy, as if he hadn’t bothered to brush it after rolling out of bed, and his easy grin made my stomach do flips.

“Hey, Chloe,” he said, stopping in front of me.

“Sky,” I said softly, the nickname slipping out before I could stop it.

His grin widened. I was the only one who called him that, and I liked to think it meant something.

“You ready to get your butt kicked?” he teased, a playful glint in his blue eyes.

I rolled my eyes, grateful for the distraction. “You wish.”

We squared off, circling each other as the other wolves sparred around us. Skyler was fast, his movements fluid and controlled, but I knew his tells. The way his weight shifted before he lunged, the slight hesitation in his step when he was deciding his next move.

“Come on, Chloe, show me what you’ve got,” he said, darting forward.

I dodged his attack, spinning to the side and aiming a light jab at his ribs. He caught my wrist, grinning down at me as he twisted it just enough to unbalance me.

“Nice try,” he said, his voice low.

My wolf stirred at his closeness, and I tried to ignore the way his hand lingered on my wrist.

“Don’t get cocky,” I shot back, using my free hand to shove his shoulder and break free.

He laughed, the sound warm and rich, and for a moment, I forgot about Gianna, about last night, about everything. It was just Sky and me, like it used to be.

But the moment didn’t last.

“Skyler!” Gianna’s voice rang out across the field, sharp and commanding.

We both turned to see her striding toward us, her long blonde hair gleaming in the sunlight. She was dressed in sleek black leggings and a fitted jacket that looked more like a fashion statement than training gear.

“Looks like someone’s here to steal your thunder,” Skyler joked, but his gaze lingered on Gianna as she approached.

My chest tightened, and I forced myself to smile. “Wouldn’t be the first time.”

Gianna sauntered up to us, her smile bright and confident. “Am I interrupting?”

“Not at all,” Skyler said, his grin softening in a way that made my stomach twist.

“Good,” she said, sliding her arm through his. “I was hoping you’d help me with my footwork. You know how bad I am at it.”

My wolf growled, low and quiet, but I ignored it.

Skyler glanced at me, as if asking for permission, and I waved him off. “Go ahead. I’ll find someone else to spar with.”

“Thanks, Chloe,” he said, giving me an apologetic smile before letting Gianna pull him away.

I watched them go, my heart sinking lower with each step. Gianna looked back at me once, her smirk saying everything she didn’t need to say out loud.

This was her game, and she was winning.

I clenched my fists, the ache in my chest spreading as my wolf whimpered in the back of my mind.

“Come on, Chloe,” I whispered to myself. “You’re stronger than this.”

But in that moment, I didn’t feel strong at all. I felt invisible. And no matter how hard I tried to ignore it, the sting of last night’s kiss and Skyler’s lingering gaze on Gianna refused to fade.

And the worst part? I wasn’t sure it ever would.