The Beta's Salvation

THIRTEEN

SKY’S POV

Falling into step with the female pack member my brother had been dating when I left, I eyed her with a mix of curiosity and intrigue. This wasn't the Lucy I remembered. When I had left, she was loud, confident, and absolutely fearless—the kind of girl who commanded attention just by strutting into a room. But the girl beside me now was a shadow of her former self: meek, nervous, and so jumpy it was as if she expected the ground to swallow her up any second.

"What happened to you?" I asked, my eyes locking onto hers as I tried to decipher the changes in her demeanour.

"The same thing that happened to you," she laughed, but it was hollow, without joy. She picked up her pace, almost as if she was trying to escape from her own words. Confused and a bit alarmed, I tried to follow her through the crowd, calling out to her like a dumbass.

"Lucy, wait!" But she didn't stop.There was something big here, something I was missing, and it nagged at me, tugging at the edges of my consciousness. It felt like a secret everyone knew except me, and I hated being left in the dark. My gut twisted with the unease of it all, and I wasn't one to ignore my instincts.

"Give her space, Sky. She's in pain; can't you feel it?" Evie, always the voice of reason, came forward in my mind.

I could sense Lucy's pain, and it wasn't just from heartbreak or a bad breakup. It was deeper, more profound—like she was carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. She was hurting more than a girl her age should, something I understood all too well. Pain recognized pain, and hers was screaming silently for anyone who cared to listen.

"But I need answers," I protested silently with a huff as I continued through the crowd. I knew Evie was right, but it still sucked.

Patience was never my strong suit, especially when secrets were involved. Rules and decorum weren't exactly my thing; I preferred to live life on my own terms, consequences be damned. But maybe this once, I could hold back—just a little.

"And you'll get them, but not by pushing. You need to tread carefully here," Evie admitted, growing frustrated.

Reluctantly, I slowed my pace and let Lucy have her distance. I fell into step beside my shirtless guy, who offered me a smile and nodded towards the clearing ahead.

"So, you've been here before?" he asked his voice light, trying to ease the tension.

I glanced over, taking in the way his muscles flexed with each step, his tanned skin glowing under the fading sunlight. His eyes held a mischievous spark, and his easy confidence was intoxicating. Definitely my kind of distraction.

"Yeah, a few times," I replied with a coy smile, my gaze lifting to the scene before us as we emerged from the trees. The sun was setting over the treetops, casting everything in a twilight glow. A handcrafted fire pit sat in the centre of a wooden and stone circle, where many others had already gathered. Beers in hand, laughter floating through the air, music playing—a stark contrast to the dark corners of my day.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" he commented, gesturing towards the fire pit where sparks danced into the sky.

I hadn't realised how much I missed this—not home, but the wild, untamed beauty of it all. The freedom, the recklessness, the way the forest seemed to come alive at night. This was where I belonged, not chained by expectations or stifled by rules.

"It really is," I agreed, allowing myself a moment to just enjoy the beauty of it all. This was the kind of night I needed, surrounded by the carefree joy of the pack, far away from the complicated emotions of my family drama.

As we approached the group, someone handed me a beer, and I took it, the cold bottle feeling good in my hand. The lively chatter and occasional burst of laughter around the fire helped to lighten the air, making it easy to slip into the joy of the moment. Yet, despite the lively atmosphere, Zeke's presence lingered in my mind, shadowing my thoughts. We had sneaked to many gatherings like this in the past, revelling under cover of darkness, away from my brother's scrutinising eyes. Those memories of shared secrets and laughter made my heart ache a bit, especially now, knowing things had changed so drastically.

"So you are THE Sky," a voice broke through my reverie. I turned to see a tall, rugged-looking male with sandy hair that fell in a careless, windswept style. His eyes, a clear blue reminiscent of the summer sky, sparkled with curiosity and a hint of amusement.

"In the flesh..." I responded with a dramatic bow, rising with a wide grin.

"And you are..." I questioned, arching a brow.

"Interested," he stated with confidence. I found more than a little sexy, even if I knew Mr. Interested was definitely as much a bad boy as he was bad news.

He had that dangerous allure, the kind that promised adventure and a fair share of trouble. Exactly my type, and exactly why I should probably steer clear—but when had I ever done what I was supposed to?

I took another swig of my beer, feeling the cool liquid calm my fluttering thoughts. His gaze held mine, clearly intrigued and eager to delve deeper into conversation.

"I don't bite," I added with a smirk, "at least not unless you ask very nicely or get me more of these." My wink was playful, hinting at a lightness of spirit I desperately needed to reclaim tonight. The tension from earlier in the shower hadn't fully dissipated, and this handsome distraction seemed just the right remedy.

"Welcome, beautiful." He chuckled, a deep, resonant sound that seemed to vibrate through the air.

"So, is it true what they say about you? That you got kicked out of school for showing up drunk and dancing on the table in your underwear?" His question was bold, laced with a mix of disbelief and admiration.

"Kinda..." I admitted, opting to keep the full story to myself for now. The real tale was that I had intervened on behalf of a bullied classmate, redirecting the cruel taunts aimed at her by stripping down myself. It had sparked a movement of sorts, with girls of all shapes and sizes joining in to support the cause. It wasn't just about defying authority—it was about standing up for those who felt powerless.

"Why do I sense there is more to you than a pretty face..." he grinned, stepping closer, his fingers lingering on my skin. I pursed my lips, toying with a cocky comeback or two, but our conversation was interrupted as someone called out,

"Come on, Sky, show us you still got those moves!" The crowd parted, forming a makeshift dance floor near the fire. Setting down my beer, I stepped into the circle, the firelight casting playful shadows around us.

"You asked for it," I replied, a surge of adrenaline fueling my confidence. As the music picked up, I let the rhythm take over, my body moving freely, each step shaking off the burdens of the day.

Dancing there, with the fire crackling in the background and the stars watching silently from above, I felt a momentary escape from the complexities of my return home. Here, I was just Sky—the girl who could dance away her sorrows and charm the moon. The night air, filled with the scent of pine and the occasional pop and hiss of the fire, seemed to cleanse the weight of earlier revelations. Under the vast, starlit sky, I could breathe, laugh, and, for a brief moment, hope that maybe everything could still turn out alright. Here, it was just me, the music, and the night—exactly where I needed to be to find myself again.

"Here..." Mr. Interested's husky voice cut through the music, handing me a shot of something green that smelled of apples. Eyeing it with a grin, I nodded to the little shot and then to the handsome male.

"I was always told never to take a drink from a stranger..." I mused playfully.

"And I'm sure you were told not to dance on the table in your panties... yet I hear you did that." He grinned, pushing the drink closer to me, his hands entwining in my hair and tugging my head back a little rougher than he probably should.

"Drink," he commanded dangerously.

So drink I did.