Chapter Five – Twenty Dollar Bet
838 Words
Iris
The party in the woods was full swing when Jenny, Mia, and I arrived. Wolves dancing, some drink surrounding the bonfire. The scent of smoke mixed with wolfsbane wine made my head spin a little.
"Are you sure about this?" Mia asked, squeezing my hand. "We could still go back to the dorm, have a movie night instead."
I shook my head, watching pack members mingle around the fires. "I need to show them I'm not afraid."
"Girl, after that cheerleading showdown? They should be afraid of you," Jenny grinned, but her eyes stayed alert. "Just... stay close, okay?"
But of course, that's not how it worked out. Jenny got dragged away by her dance team friends, and Mia spotted her coding project partner by the drinks. I assured them I'd be fine—I was Luna-to-be, after all. What could Sofia possibly do to me now?
I spotted Blake with his basketball teammates, telling some story that had them all laughing. Our bond hummed warmly when his eyes met mine across the clearing. He started to move toward me, but his friends pulled him back into their conversation.
"Well, well. If it isn't our temporary Luna."
Sofia's voice dripped with fake sweetness. She stood with her usual court of followers, all of them wearing identical smirks.
I straightened my spine. "There's nothing temporary about it, Sofia."
"Hmm." She circled me slowly. "You know what I see? A little omega playing dress-up. Jenny did a good job with the makeover, but underneath? Still just a nerdy nobody who got lucky."
"Better than a mean girl whose only power comes from daddy's money," I shot back, surprising myself with my boldness.
Sofia's eyes narrowed, but her smile stayed fixed. "Enjoy it while it lasts, *Luna*. The real surprise is coming, and you better be prepared." She flounced away with her group, leaving me unsettled.
Needing a moment alone, I walked toward the edge of the party. That's when I heard them—Marcus and Sofia, arguing behind a large oak tree.
"You promised!" Marcus's voice was raw with anger. "You said if I rejected her publicly, you'd date me. Said your father would make me team captain!"
"Oh, grow up." Sofia's laugh was cruel. "Did you really think I'd date a beta? I needed Iris humiliated and mateless. You were just convenient."
My hand flew to my mouth. All that pain, that public rejection... it was Sofia's plan all along?
"You manipulative b***h," Marcus growled. "I lost my true mate for your games!"
"Please. Like you ever wanted her anyway. Now run along—I have a Luna to destroy."
I backed away, my head spinning. I needed air, needed to think. I turned toward the cabin where people had been storing their bags.
"Leaving so soon?"
I jumped. Sofia leaned against the cabin door, examining her perfect nails.
"Interesting conversation, wasn't it?" she asked sweetly. "Though it wasn't meant for your ears."
"Why?" I demanded. "Why go through all this just to hurt me?"
"Oh honey." She patted my cheek condescendingly. "This was never about you. This was about Blake. And speaking of..." Her eyes focused on something behind me. "Perfect timing."
I turned to see Blake approaching, his face concerned. "Everything okay here?"
"Actually," Sofia's smile turned vicious, "I was just about to share something with our dear Luna. Come on, everyone! Gather round for the surprise!"
People began crowding around us. My stomach churned as Sofia pulled out her phone.
"A little recording I think you'll find interesting," she said, pressing play.
Blake's voice filled the clearing: "Yeah, I saw her today. Hidden behind the bleachers like always, practically drooling."
My blood ran cold.
Another voice: "No way you could bag the nerdy-assed Iris. She's too pure, too good for the great Blake Stone."
Laughter. Then Blake again: "Twenty bucks says I can. Girl's been drawing me for weeks. Probably dreams about me already."
More voices, more cruel jokes. And Blake's laughter, joining in.
"Better be worth the twenty bucks, Stone!"
"Maybe she can draw you a thank-you picture after!"
The recording stopped. I couldn't breathe. Couldn't think. Blake stood frozen, his face pale.
"Iris," he started, reaching for me. "That's not—"
"Not what?" Sofia cut in. "Not what it sounds like? But we're all so curious..." She turned to me, her voice carrying across the silent clearing. "So tell us, nerdy-assed Iris. Has our dearest Blake already f****d his twenty-dollar p***y?"
The words hit like physical blows. Memories of last night—his touches, his promises, the way he'd made me feel precious—turned to ash in my mouth.
"Iris, please," Blake moved toward me. "Let me explain—"
But I was already backing away, tears blurring my vision. Our bond, that beautiful connection I'd trusted, felt like a knife in my chest.
Everything had been a lie.
I was worth exactly twenty dollars to Blake Stone.
And I'd given him everything. Why?
Was I really a bet to him?
- Writer
