Chapter 3: "I don't feel so good"
1699 Words
Chapter 3: "I don't feel so good"
Rain's POV
I slammed the book shut. The sound echoed through the empty classroom.
Finally. Silence.
The bell's shrill ring cut through the air, and I could've kissed whoever invented that beautiful sound.
I slumped back in my chair, staring at the ceiling. Two classes today. Two. Mr. Henderson was sick, so I had to cover for him. I got stuck with his rowdy bunch of pups on top of my own. They'd spent the entire period throwing paper balls and pretending they couldn't hear me when I called their names.
My throat felt like sandpaper.
I grabbed my bag and slung it over my shoulder, my heels clicking against the floor as I headed out.
It's been six weeks.
The thought slammed into me as I pushed through the door.
Six weeks since, I'd practically thrown myself at Lucian like some desperate, touch-starved mess. Three weeks since I'd begged, actually begged, him to f**k me.
My face burned. God, what had I been thinking?
I hadn't seen him much since then. Maybe that was for the best. Every time I spotted him in the distance, I'd suddenly remember something urgent in the opposite direction. Very urgent. Life or death urgent.
The morning after that night, I'd woken up tangled in sheets that smelled like him, pine and something dark and male, but the space beside me was cold. Empty. Like he'd never been there at all.
No note. No text. Nothing.
He'd disappeared like smoke.
Smart man, really. The Alpha King caught sleeping with a wolfless nobody? The pack would tear him apart. They'd call him weak, question his judgment, wonder if he'd lost his mind.
I didn't blame him for running.
I wanted to forget too.
Except my brain had other plans. The memories snuck up on me at the worst times, in the middle of teaching, while grocery shopping, right before falling asleep. His hands on my skin. His voice, rough and low in my ear. The way he'd made me fall apart over and over until I couldn't remember my own name.
Stop it, Rain. Not now. Not ever.
Home felt like a sanctuary. I kicked off my shoes the second I got through the door and reached for the buttons on my shirt.
My phone buzzed on the counter.
Pack Group Chat: REMINDER: Alpha Lucian's Birthday Party TONIGHT at 8 PM
My fingers froze mid-button.
Tonight?
No. No, no, no.
I grabbed my phone and opened the calendar app with shaking hands.
There it was. Marked in red three weeks ago. November 26th. Lucian's birthday.
How could I have forgotten?
I couldn't go. Absolutely not. What if he looked at me? What if people noticed? Or worse. What if he, talked to me?
But skipping would be worse. People would ask questions. Asher would ask questions.
Asher.
My stomach twisted.
I hadn't really talked to either of them since that night. The night I saw the video of him and Celeste.
Whenever Asher called, I picked up but kept it short. Lots of work. Talk later. Bye.
Celeste's calls went straight to voicemail.
I couldn't look at them without seeing that video. Without hearing her moans and his groans and—
Nope. Not gonna think about that.
Two hours later, I stood in front of my mirror wearing a blue dress that fit like a second skin.
Too much?
Definitely too much.
I tugged at the hem, trying to make it longer. It didn't budge.
Whatever. I wasn't going there to impress anyone. Just show face, grab some food, because that chocolate fountain looked amazing in the preview pics, and leave.
I swiped lipstick across my lips. Light pink. Nothing dramatic. My hand was steadier this time.
My black hair fell in waves down my back. I'd spent twenty minutes with the curling iron, which was nineteen minutes more than usual, but whatever. A girl could make an effort without it meaning anything.
Jewelry, simple silver necklace, matching bracelet, small hoop earrings. Done.
I checked my reflection one last time.
You can do this. Just a few hours. In and out. Easy.
My reflection didn't look convinced.
The Alpha's mansion glowed like something out of a fairy tale. String lights wrapped around every column, flowers spilled from giant vases, and the scent of expensive food hit me the moment I stepped through the door.
Music thumped through hidden speakers. People packed every corner, laughing, drinking, dancing. The energy buzzed like electricity.
On a normal day, I'd bee-line straight for the food table. That chocolate fountain wasn't going to enjoy itself.
Tonight, my stomach felt like I'd swallowed rocks.
I scanned the crowd, praying to the moon goddess, that Lucian was somewhere far away. Preferably in another country.
Then I saw them.
Asher and Celeste. Tucked in a corner booth, heads bent close together like they were sharing secrets.
To anyone else, it looked innocent. Friendly. Nothing to see here.
But I'd seen her naked on top of him. I'd heard her scream his name.
The image flashed through my mind, vivid and unwanted.
Asher's head lifted. His eyes found mine across the room.
Run. Just turn around and run.
But my feet betrayed me. They started walking toward them.
He waved, grinning like he hadn't just destroyed everything. Celeste looked up and smiled, that perfect, practiced smile she'd been using since we were kids playing with dolls.
If I hadn't seen the proof with my own eyes, I'd never believe it. She was my best friend. My best friend. We'd shared everything, secrets, clothes, dreams about our future mates.
Apparently, she'd decided to share my boyfriend too.
"Hey, Rain!" Celeste's voice was bright. Cheerful. Fake as her smile.
I waved back, not trusting my voice yet.
"Damn." Asher's eyes dragged down my body, slow, deliberate, hungry. "You look gorgeous, babe."
Babe. Like he had any right to call me that.
Yeah, but not as gorgeous as Celeste, right? Not gorgeous enough to keep you faithful.
"Thanks," I managed, forcing my lips into something resembling a smile.
His gaze was still glued to my chest. My waist. My hips.
Celeste's smile tightened. Her eyes flashed with something dark as she shot him a look that screamed stop staring at her like that.
They were so bad at this. So painfully, obviously bad at hiding it.
"I'm gonna grab a drink." The words tumbled out fast. I didn't wait for a response.
I pushed through the crowd, weaving between groups of wolves until I reached the drinks table.
From here, I could still see them. Safe distance. Observer mode.
Asher leaned closer to Celeste, whispering something in her ear. She giggled, that high-pitched, fake giggle she used when she wanted something.
Then his hand moved under the table.
Celeste grabbed it immediately, threading her fingers through his. Her eyes darted around the room nervously.
Looking for me.
I shifted behind the crowd, out of her line of sight.
My chest burned, but not with heartbreak this time. This was pure, simmering anger. How many times had she sat across from me, listening to me vent about Asher, all while knowing exactly how he tasted? How he sounded when he came?
I grabbed a glass of something pink and fruity from the table. Not alcohol, I'd learned my lesson about drinking after what happened at the bar the other day.
I downed half of it in one go.
The room exploded with noise.
Screams. Cheers. Everyone turning toward the entrance like someone had announced free money.
Then I saw why.
Lucian walked in, and the entire atmosphere shifted.
He wore a black suit that looked custom-made, fitted perfectly to his broad shoulders and lean waist. Dark hair styled but still soft-looking, I knew exactly how soft because I'd run my fingers through it while he moved inside me.
Stop thinking about that.
Every eye in the room followed him. Women whispered and giggled. Men straightened up, suddenly aware of their posture.
He moved through the crowd like water, smooth and effortless. Shaking hands. Nodding. Smiling that perfect, calculated smile.
Don't look at him. Just drink your juice and look literally anywhere else.
My eyes refused to cooperate.
He turned, scanning the room.
Then his gaze locked onto mine.
The air left my lungs in a rush.
Those eyes. Dark and intense and seeing way too much.
Look. Away.
But I was frozen. Trapped in his stare like a deer in headlights.
His gaze dropped. Slowly. Deliberately. Down my neck. Over my chest. My waist. My hips. My legs.
Then back up.
Was he—? Did he just—?
Oh my God, he was checking me out. In public. At his own birthday party. With everyone around.
Heat exploded across my cheeks. My whole body felt like it was on fire.
I tore my eyes away and raised the glass to my lips, draining the rest in desperate gulps.
But I could still feel him. His stare burning into my skin like a physical touch.
My head swam. The room tilted slightly to the left, then the right.
Wait. What?
I blinked hard. The lights seemed brighter. The music too loud. Everything slightly off balance.
That drink wasn't alcohol. I'd checked. So why did I feel like—?
I don't feel so good.
I set the glass down. Or tried to. It slipped from my fingers and clattered against the table.
People nearby glanced over.
I needed air or water. Or a bathroom. Somewhere quiet where the room would stop spinning.
My feet moved on autopilot, pushing through the crowd. Bodies pressed too close. Someone's elbow jabbed my ribs. Another person stepped on my foot.
"Sorry," I mumbled. "Excuse me. Sorry."
The hallway stretched ahead like a tunnel. Had it always been this long?
My legs felt weird. Heavy and light at the same time. Each step took concentration.
The bathroom door appeared in my vision. Finally.
Almost there.
Just a few more steps.
I reached for the handle.
My knees buckled.
I collapsed to the ground, cold tile, harsh lights, and then—
Nothing.
Everything went black.
- Writer
