The Ignored Wolf

Invisible to Him

Louise

The rain comes down hard. Fat drops drum against the convenience store's windowpane, blurring the street view outside. I stare at the digital clock by the register. Seven more minutes then my shift will end.

Even though the Moon Goddess rarely answers my prayers, I still wish with all my might that no new customers walk in during the next seven minutes. I don't live far from here, just about a half-hour walk. If all goes smoothly, I can be showered and curled up in my warm bed with a romance novel in an hour.

My father hates me reading those novels. He always wants me to get realistic, so he can marry me off to a powerful Alpha to strengthen the Blackclaw Pack's influence.

The problem is, I never consider myself part of the pack. That's why I leave as soon as I come of age, choosing to work my way through college and pay off loans rather than go back to my pack. Even as the Alpha's daughter, I find no sense of belonging there.

I used to be an obedient, well-behaved girl, until my stepmother, my half-sister, and even my own father broke my heart.

Ten o'clock. I breathe a sigh of relief and clock out. I change my clothes and grab my phone, only to see the missed call from Charlie.

My body goes stiff, and my heart races at the fact that my crush called me. I take a deep breath and call back. "Hey, Charlie, sorry, I was at work, my phone was on mute—"

"Is this Louise Blake?" An unfamiliar male voice cuts me off. Through the line I can hear the background noise buzzing with loud, thumping music.

"Yes. Who is this? Why do you have Charlie's phone?" I ask.

"I'm the bartender at MoonShadow. I am afraid your friend has had a bit too much to drink and is currently unconscious. You're listed as his emergency contact, so I call. Can you come pick him up? "

"Oh, of course! I'll be right there!" I say.

Taxis seem impossible to find in this relentless rain. I wait forever before finally snagging one. The convenience store's automatic doors swoosh closed behind me, and the downpour immediately swallows me whole. Each icy raindrop seeps through my hair and clothes, making me shiver uncontrollably. I hold my canvas bag over my head, dashing through the torrent to the waiting taxi, relief washing over me as I slam the door shut.

I know this may turn out to be a huge mistake. Because I have a hunch that not long after Charlie sees me, he'll start rambling about his shitty on-again. off again romance with Cassandra, my half-sister. Their first month is all sweetness, but after that, some horrifying cycle of breakups and makeups begins.

You might say, just don't go. That's what I tell myself too. But I can't. It isn't just because Charlie is a friend from childhood. More importantly, when everyone else mocks me for being a wolf who can't shift, he doesn't. So, naturally, I developed a crush on him.

I hate to confess it, but each time Charlie and Cassandra split, there's a small, hopeful part of my heart that wonders if maybe, just maybe, he'll consider me after breaking up with her. But the result is always the same: shortly after venting to me, he crawls right back into Cassandra's bed. I am tired of being his emotional safety net, yet every time he calls, his voice breaking, begging for help, I melt. Like now. I should have an excuse on the tip of my tongue—work in the morning, errands to run. But as his emergency contact, there’s a flutter in my heart I can’t ignore.

Pathetic, isn't it? I hate this sentimental side of me. Maybe I do deserve this never-ending loop of heartache.

Twenty minutes later, I arrive at MoonShadow. The interior is warm and dim, smelling of expensive whiskey and cigars. A few well-dressed men and women in a corner booth glance at me with curiosity. I shrink into myself, feeling like a grey mouse that has wandered into a jewelry store.

"You're here for Mr. Landa?" The bartender is a tall man who glances at me the very moment I step inside.

"Yes," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. "Where is he?"

The bartender tilts his head towards the VIP booth at the corner. Charlie is slumped over a table, his golden hair messy over his forehead. He wears a black shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows, revealing toned forearms. I walk over and gently shake his shoulder. "Charlie. Wake up. Time to go home."

No response.

I shake him harder. "Charlie!"

He groans, slowly lifting his head. His usually sharp, bright blue eyes are hazy and unfocused. It takes him a moment to recognize me.

"Louise?" he slurs, then frowns. "Why are you all wet?"

"It's pouring outside," I say shortly. "Can you stand? We need to go."

Charlie tries to get up but stumbles. I quickly catch him, his weight almost knocking me over. "I know you would come and pick me up, Louise," Charlie says, his breath warm and heavy with alcohol against my ear, making me blush.

I brace against him, trying to steer him out, when an Alpha from a nearby table whistles. "Hey, little wolf. How much for services like yours?"

Laughter erupts and my cheeks burn. "It's not a service," I clarify. "I'm his friend."

"And how much for a gorgeous friend like you?" the Alpha smirks, not letting go of the topic.

"I'm not for sale!" I snap, which only makes the Alpha and his friends laugh louder.

I feel offended, but Charlie seems to think it's a joke and he chuckles along with them. I roll my eyes and turn around. They’re Alphas and the last thing I want is to create more troubles.

As I try to pull Charlie away, the bartender stops me. "Uh, miss, he hasn't settled his tab," he says.

"Can you cover it for me, Louise? "

"What happened, rich boy?"I raise a brow at him.

"Mum freezes my cards," Charlie groans.

"Luna Naomi must have her reasons," I sigh, pulling out my wallet.

"Don’t you side with her, Louise. Mum’s a control freak, just like Father," Charlie mumbles. "My brother couldn’t tolerate their arrangements and left the pack, they now try to meddle in my affairs…Fuck! I won’t let them arrange a Luna for me. I will never let them."

The bartender watches us with interest. I am pretty sure we may be on tomorrow’s front page if I let Charlie keep leaking his pack’s affairs. "Enough talking, Charlie." I hiss at him before turning to the bartender. "How much should I pay?"

"Here," he says, showing the bill to me.

For the moon's sake! My eyes widen at the receipt. He spent f*****g 3,000 USD in one night?! My heart sinks as I stare at the figure.

"Thanks, Louise," Charlie says. He has the audacity to grin at me.

I sigh and pay the bill with my credit card. I use one arm to support him, the other holding the umbrella, stumbling out of the bar.

"Where's my car?" he grumbles.

"You're in no state to drive," I say. "I called a ride. It'll be here soon."

"What kind of ride?" He squints at my phone screen and scoffs. "A taxi? Louise, can't you get something better? You know I hate those rundown things. They smell awful."

Anger flares inside me, but I force it down. Arguing with a drunken man is pointless. "It's all I can afford, Charlie. The money you spent tonight costs a month's salary of mine," I say.

"Oh, that." Charlie waves his hand dismissively. "Don’t worry. I'll pay you back soon." He leans against the wall, raindrops trickling down his face. After a moment of quiet, he adds, "You take forever to get here. I waited for you for so long."

"Sorry to keep you waiting, but the buses have stopped…"

"You could take a taxi," he interrupts me.

"I did take a taxi here," I tell him. "It wasn’t easy to get one. The rain’s so heavy…"

"Then why don't you just order one for me?" Charlie interrupts me again. "You don't have to come yourself, you know."

"What? But I'm worried about you—" I start.

"Well, thanks for the concern," he cuts me off, his tone laced with sarcasm. "I can hardly feel it, though. I'm sure someone who truly cares for me doesn’t guilt-trip me about money when I need help."

"I'm not guilt-tripping you," I retort, irritated by his accusation.

"Then why did you mention my cost on drinks equals your month’s salary? Trying to make me feel bad for you? Congrats, I do feel bad for you, Louise. A convenience store? Holy the Moon, only omegas work those kinds of jobs." He mutters, "But you ending up like this isn't my fault. You could have lived a better life. If you'd just go back and apologise to Uncle Calvin. He's your father. He'd take you back."

"I don't want to go back and I won’t apologise to my Father because I didn't do anything wrong. Don't you lecture me, Charlie," I retort, shoving him in annoyance. He staggers backward, and I have to grab him before he falls.

"Louise, my dear Louise. Stubborn as ever," he chuckles softly, his cool lips brushing gently against my forehead.

I freeze, all my anger evaporating at that moment.

"Sorry," I blurt out. I don't even know what I'm apologizing for.

Peace settles between us, and I'm relieved. However, after a brief silence, Charlie speaks again. "I wish it were Cassandra rather than you."

Wait, what?

Before I can fully understand what he’s talking about, he continues to mutter to himself. "If it were Cassandra who got the call, she would have ordered me a limo with a professional driver. She always knows how to do things properly."

His words sting, like a knife stabbing right into my heart.

I can no longer suppress my fury and I spit out at him."Then why don’t you just call Cassandra to pick you up?"