Love, After Dark

Chapter 26

BRICE

I was still shaken when Wynter looped her arm through mine, laughing at something Courtney said. My heart was pounding so hard I was sure she could hear it. I forced a smile, nodded where it felt appropriate, then peeled away the first chance I got, muttering something about needing the restroom. I didn’t stop walking until I was inside, the door swinging shut behind me.

The moment I was alone, I gripped the edge of the sink like it was the only thing keeping me upright. My reflection stared back at me, eyes too bright, chest rising and falling like I’d just run miles instead of a hallway. Still struggling to catch my breath. The air felt charged, thick. My skin prickled as if electricity were still crawling over it, tiny sparks dancing just beneath the surface. Goosebumps broke out along my arms as her face flashed through my mind. Wide eyes, startled breath, the way the world had seemed to narrow until there was only her.

Never did I imagine I’d meet my mate. And a human? The thought alone made my jaw tighten. This ruined everything. I’d had a plan. A perfect one. I’d just turned eighteen, old enough to step fully into my role, old enough to prepare to take over my pack. I was meant to lead! Strong, controlled, respected. Wynter and I were supposed to marry after graduation. She would be my Luna. Together, we’d unite our packs. Her pack was one of the strongest in the region, second only to mine. It was strategic. Powerful. Inevitable. We’d even talked about it- about true mates. They were rare now, almost myths whispered about with more hope than belief. We agreed, calmly and rationally, that if either of us ever found one, we would simply reject them. Quickly. Cleanly. We would choose each other instead.

I never truly believed I’d find mine. And yet, here she was. Beautiful. Shockingly so. But human. I scrunched my nose, frustration twisting in my chest. Why would the Moon Goddess do this? Why would she choose one of the strongest Alphas in existence to bind to a human girl who didn’t even know what she was? It made no sense. It felt like a mistake. A cruel one. I shook my head and turned on the faucet, splashing cold water onto my face. The chill helped to ground me.

I straightened, staring at my reflection until my breathing evened out and the chaos in my head dulled to a low, angry hum. No. I would not let a human ruin my legacy. I would reject her. End it before it began. Put it all behind me. For just a moment, a flicker of doubt slipped in. I wondered what an Alpha’s rejection would do to a human. Would she feel it, if it would hurt her, if I could get her to accept without even knowing what she was agreeing to.

I pushed the thought away. Not my problem. I squared my shoulders, fixed my expression, and walked out of the bathroom with my usual confident stride. Alpha mask firmly back in place. But no matter how steady my steps were, I couldn’t shake the truth settling heavy in my chest. My life had just become a lot more complicated.