Chapter 8
1302 Words
"Last night, after she fell asleep, you left. She woke up in the middle of the night and didn't see you. She cried her eyes out, asking why, even with a dad now, she still can't live with you like she did in the other packs."
"Alpha Sean, Lily's had it rough these past five years, following me through all that hardship. I was just so heartbroken for her, I acted impulsively this morning…"
"No more of that. I'll take care of you and your pup from now on," Alpha Sean said, his voice softening.
"Alpha Sean, I'm sorry. I won't do it again. I know you're worried about Eleanor's health, and I'll wait patiently. I'll also work hard to win first place in this fashion design competition, to earn your father's approval."
"Hm."
Alpha Sean's low grunt was all she got—no promise, no reassurance.
Claire's fists tightened.
Maple Grove Haven felt emptier than usual when I stepped through the door.
I bypassed the kitchen, the living room—any space that might hold echoes of Alpha Sean's presence—and went straight to the side room.
Ellie's urn sat on the mahogany dresser, its smooth surface cool under my fingertips.
I traced the intricate carvings, my gaze falling to the photo beside it.
There she was: pigtails askew, a lopsided grin, and those big, trusting eyes that had always looked at me like I held the moon. My perfect pup, frozen in time at five years old.
"Hey, sweetheart," my voice cracked, raw from the tears I'd swallowed all day.
"Mommy's going to try so hard."
I leaned down, pressing a kiss to the cold ceramic.
"I'll win that prize money. You'll get the best plot, with moonlight streaming down every night—just like you wanted."
I wanted her to rest easy, to be reborn into a pack where she'd never know hunger, never feel ignored, never bear the weight of her mother's broken bonds.
The thought of her suffering any longer made my chest ache, but I forced the pain down. Focus. Design. Win.
I'd barely made the competition deadline, snagging the last entry slot like a lifeline.
All night, I'd hunched over my sketchbook, charcoal smudging my fingers as I translated grief into silver and moonstone.
The design was a locket: two wolves howling at a cracked moon, their forms intertwined yet separate—just like us.
The next day, the call came: "Come to Skyspire Tower at 1 p.m. for the final round."
That afternoon, I took the subway, wary of traffic and eager to avoid any chance encounter.
But as I emerged from the station, the sleek black Rolls-Royce parked at the tower's entrance made my stomach drop.
Alpha Sean stepped out first, his tailored suit fitting him like a second skin.
He moved to the back seat, bending down to lift Lillian into his arms.
The little girl clung to his neck, her smile bright as sunshine.
"Thank you, Daddy! I love you the most!"
Claire sidled up to them, feigning a pout. "
The most? What about Mommy?"
"Of course I love Mommy too!"
Lillian chirped, puckering her lips without leaning in.
Claire closed the distance, stepping so close to Alpha Sean that her shoulder brushed his arm.
Her cheeks flush as she stole a shy glance at him.
They drew stares—him in his tailored suit, her in designer lace, the child in their arms a perfect accessory.
No one recognized him as the Jovia alpha, but his presence screamed power.
And Claire preened under the envy, her smile sharpening when she caught my eye.
I'd hoped to slip past unnoticed, but her gaze locked onto the rolled-up design drafts in my hand.
The color drained from her face as she registered the truth: I was here for the competition.
She'd checked the roster yesterday—only 8 finalists, none of them me.
Years ago, she'd trailed behind me in design school, and that gap had never closed.
With me in the running, her million-dollar prize was suddenly at risk.
Her fists balled at her sides, but she forced a smile as Alpha Sean followed her stare.
"Olivia," he called, voice rough. "What are you doing here? Where's Ellie?"
I kept walking, my boots clicking on the marble floor.
"What kind of mother leaves a girl alone?" he demanded, stepping toward me.
I stopped, finally turning to face him.
"Ellie is where she needs to be," I said, my voice surprisingly steady.
Alpha Sean stood there, stunned into silence.
Before I could respond, Claire jumped in, her voice sickly sweet with false understanding.
“Olivia, how can you speak to Alpha Sean like that? Unlike you, lazing around at home, he’s buried in work. It’s only natural he hasn’t spent as much time with Ellie. You should be more supportive instead of throwing baseless accusations.”
She paused, her tone turning sharp.
“Besides, Alpha Sean adores children. Why would he neglect Ellie? Maybe you should reflect on your own actions.” Her words were a calculated move, aiming to curry favor with Alpha Sean while subtly suggesting that I was poisoning Ellie against him.
I shot her a withering look.
“Claire, this doesn’t concern you. Stay out of it.”
In an instant, her eyes welled up with crocodile tears.
She sidled closer to Alpha Sean. “Olivia, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to interfere. I just can’t stand seeing you misunderstand and blame Alpha Sean like this!”
Disgust churned in my stomach.
“Claire, what kind of dumpster fire are you? Your nonsense is truly unbelievable.”
“Olivia!” Alpha Sean’s handsome, chiseled features turned icy, his eyes narrowing into a cold, cutting glare at my insult.
“Alpha Sean, it’s alright. Don’t be angry with Olivia because of me,” Claire said, tugging gently at his sleeve, her voice sickeningly sweet and conciliatory.
Today was too important to waste time on their theatrics.
I didn’t have the patience for this charade.
Without another word, I turned on my heel and headed inside.
If Alpha Sean hadn’t brought up Ellie, I wouldn’t have spared them a single syllable.
In the restroom, I checked the time.
Ten minutes until the competition.
Running on just a few hours of sleep, I desperately needed a cup of coffee to stay sharp.
I made my way to the break room, only to feel a wave of annoyance when I saw Claire follow me in as soon as we were alone.
“Olivia,” she greeted casually.
I ignored her, striding straight to the cabinet to grab a cup.
I reached for my freshly brewed Americano, the steam rising in tendrils.
Out of nowhere, Claire’s arm shot across the counter, her finger jabbing the hot water button with a malicious intent.
Scalding water erupted like a geyser.
My heart slammed against my ribs.
I knew—one drop on my right hand, and my chances at today’s competition would go up in smoke.
Worse, it could end my career as a designer.
Claire’s lips twitched into a cruel smirk, her eyes glinting with triumph.
But that expression evaporated in an instant.
I jerked my hand back with a speed I didn’t know I had. Only a few droplets landed on my skin, stinging like tiny needles.
Claire, not expecting my reflexes, lunged forward to grab my arm. I sidestepped, my shoulder bumping hers.
Caught off balance, she stumbled, her arms flailing.
In a panicked attempt to steady herself, her hand hit the hot water button again.
The coffee cup toppled, sending boiling water splashing onto her right hand.
A shrill scream pierced the air.
“Ah!”
- Writer
