2.Bad Decisions I
958 Words
Calista
12 Hours Before Banishment
My nose was stuffed, my eyes a bit watery, the scent of "Feral Seduction", an overpriced perfume that some omega had sworn would drive my mate wild, choking me. Desperate, I had bought it.
Tonight, it was one of the two weapons in my arsenal. The other was the silk strapless dress hugging every curve of my body, leaving nothing to the imagination. I had an enemy who not even my daily prayers to the Moon Goddess were powerful enough to defeat and I needed to change tactics.
I stood outside the door to Marcus’s house, hand frozen on the doorknob. Through the slight crack, I saw him, standing too close to Rose. His arm was draped around her shoulders, like it was the most natural thing in the world. Her laugh rang out, making my stomach twist painfully as Marcus’s smile mirrored it.
That was my boyfriend.
The future alpha of our pack.
My Marcus.
And she was wrapped around him like she had every right to be.
I had spent hours preparing for tonight. This wasn’t just my birthday party; it was our night. I had spent hours waxing, moisturizing and curling my hair exactly the way Marcus liked it. Tonight was supposed to be about saving our five-year relationship, reminding him I was the woman he had chosen.
I was the future Luna of GreyHound Pack.
But now, watching them, doubt crept in. Marcus's eyes lit up when Rose spoke. The easy way they moved around each other made my heart sink. It was as if I was the third wheel in my own relationship.
I hesitated. Maybe once I walked in, everything would change. He would see me the way he used to, before Rose came into the picture three months ago. He said she was just helping him through his rut, that it meant nothing. I believed him—God, I convinced myself it was the right thing to do as his loving girlfriend.
Cheating on a potential mate was punishable by pack law. But if I gave him permission… that changed things. He had convinced me it was for the best, and I—foolishly—agreed.
This was exhibit number one of why my decision making skills were questionable. I was a fool. A selfless naive fool.
But I hadn’t expected this. I hadn’t expected them to bond, to grow into something that felt so permanent.
I should have known better. Letting her get close was a mistake.
Marcus and I were meant to be together. We were set to be mates in the whole pack's eyes.
Some of my pack mates even called me their future Luna! Dammit!!
Now I was grasping at straws, desperate to remind him of us.
I took a deep breath, steadying myself. Tonight was my chance to make him remember. I turned the doorknob and stepped inside.
The room was packed, people chatting, laughing, the warm buzz of conversation filling the space. My eyes locked on Marcus. For a brief second, he caught my gaze. His eyes flicked over me, widening. I felt hope flutter in my chest. Maybe tonight would work after all.
Calista 1: Rose 0.
But then, just as quickly, he turned back to Rose, laughing at something she said, his arm tightening around her.
I faltered, the moment slipping through my fingers like sand. My heart clenched as Rose’s eyes met mine, a gleam of triumph there, as if she had already won.
That witch!
“Happy Birthday, Girlfriend!” Daniella’s shrill voice broke through the noise, and before I knew it, my best friend was engulfing me in a hug.
“You look so hot!” she whistled, pulling back and forcing me to twirl. I barely managed a smile, feeling the weight of Rose’s presence behind me.
“Thanks, Danny,” I murmured, the smile not quite reaching my eyes. Daniella noticed her eyes narrowing, but she didn’t comment. Instead, she grabbed my hand, tugging me toward Marcus.
My stomach twisted tighter with each step. I had no idea what to expect; indifference, or worse, rejection.
When we reached him, I took a breath. “Hey, Marcus,” I said softly, forcing my voice to stay steady.
He barely spared me a glance. “Hey,” he muttered, still focused on Rose. His casual dismissal hit me like a slap.
“Can we talk?” I tried again. I swallowed the lump that was beginning to form in my chest.
“Later,” he said, not even turning to face me.
“Can you not see I am busy entertaining our guests?” He ran a hand through his hair, looking irritated, as I had barely moved away having ignored the dismissal.
I could feel the walls closing in, the truth I had been avoiding finally crashing down around me. Marcus did not love me anymore, and he was looking for ways to tell me so.
Daniella looked between us, wide-eyed, as Marcus’s friends shifted awkwardly, clearly sensing the tension. I did not want to cause a scene so I forced a nod, biting back the tears burning in my eyes.
This wasn’t how tonight was supposed to go.
I had come here ready to fight for us, ready to remind him who we were together. Hell, I was willing to give him the one thing I had held back throughout our entire relationship. My virginity. Anything, everything, to make him remember what we had.
But as I walked away, cheeks flushed, heart in pieces, I realized something, something I couldn’t ignore any longer.
Marcus wasn’t mine anymore.
That encounter would turn out to be the catalyst of something I would come to regret.
- Writer
