The morning sun poured through the window, trying to escape the brightness.
I blinked slowly, rubbing my eyes with the back of my hand. My heart skipped a beat as I reached across the mattress and found only creased sheets where Luca had been.
Gone.
Of course, I thought, my gaze drifting toward the slightly ajar door. Luca wasn't just the Alpha of a powerful pack—he had a life outside the forest. A job. A title. A routine. Last I remembered, he worked as an accountant in the city. He must've left early, quietly, not wanting to wake me.
But still… my chest ached with a quiet disappointment, Atleast he would have dropped a note or something.
I sat up and froze when I noticed the gown laid carefully at the edge of the bed—neatly folded, black, sleek, and elegant. A note rested on top.
*"For last night."*
My breath caught.
Images flooded my mind—his touch, the spark, the intensity between us. My cheeks burned at the memory. I pulled the gown against my chest, holding it tightly for a moment before slipping it on. It hugged my figure perfectly, flowing like silk against my skin, Like it was made for me specifically.
I combed through my hair, letting it fall freely over my shoulders, and stepped out of Luca's cabin.
Outside, the forest greeted me with the fresh scent of pine and damp earth. My lady bike waited where I'd left it,
As I ride my bike ,the cool breeze kissed my face, sweeping my hair backwards.unlike I wanted,it couldn't erase the depressing thoughts that raced in my head .
Did it mean anything to Luca?
Am I important to him ?
Or was he just flirting with me?
I sighed.
The path split ahead, one trail leading home, the other toward *Alina's cabin*.
My best friend.
Alina had always been there for me. Despite being a Beta, she never looked down on me. We'd been inseparable since childhood,
Her life had never been easy. When her mother found out that her father was a wolf, she left them both. Her father was already sick, and the heartbreak hastened his end. After that, it was my mother and father—friends of Alina's dad—who took her in.
From then on, we were family in all but blood.
I tightened my grip on the handlebars and turned toward Alina's place.
I coasted up the driveway and parked my lady bike gently beside the wrought-iron gate.
Before I could knock, the front door flew open.
"Lina!" Alina ran toward me with a wide smile, arms flung open like wings.
She wrapped me in a hug that felt like sunlight.
"You look amazing!" she gasped, her eyes scanning me head to toe. "This dress—ugh, I love it. Wait… is that a new perfume?" She leaned in, sniffing playfully around my collarbone.
I laughed and nudged her gently. "No, same old scent… just a new night."
Her smile widened, but then I gave her a look—one that said *we need to talk*.
"I didn't see you last night," I said casually, though my eyes lingered on hers for a beat longer than necessary.
For a second, something flickered in her gaze—a hesitation, maybe? But she quickly recovered.
"Oh, you know," she said, looping her arm through mine, "I was home. Just needed some 'me' time, I was too tired .Come in, come in!"
Inside, her home smelled of cinnamon and books. It felt warm.
"You didn't go to work today?" I asked, heading to the kitchen.
"Nope! Off day too," she replied, grabbing a loaf of bread and offering it to me. "Now spill the tea , Where did you get that dress?"
I smiled to myself, popping the bread into the toaster. "Luca gave it to me. Last night."
There was a full second of silence.
"No. Way. You're serious?! Tell me everything in details *Everything!*"
I turned off the toaster—didn't want burnt bread interrupting what was clearly going to be a full-on confessional—and grabbed a cup of coffee.
Sliding down onto the couch beside her,I took a breath
"we.... had a moment",I said,voice soft.
Alina leaned in,eyes glimmering with excitement ''A MOMENT?! Oh girl, you better be more specific, what happened "
I laughed ,cheeks already heating up "we were..close. intimate .it just happened. And it was beautiful.he kissed my hand where I got wounded.he touched me like I mattered.like I wasn't just a weak little omega."
Alina's eyes narrowed for a moment, her smile faltering. "Oh.. I can tell You're really falling for him, aren't you?" she asked softly, but there was an edge to her voice.
I nodded, biting my lip. "I think so. Last night felt… different. Like he finally saw me."
She looked away, folding her arms. "Just be careful, Lina. Luca's not as simple as he seems. You know how pack politics can get."
"I know," I whispered, feeling a chill where warmth had been moments before.
Alina's gaze met mine again, sharp and uncertain. "I just don't want you to get hurt."
Her words hit me harder than I expected. "I'm not a child, Alina. I can handle this."
She hesitated, then shook her head. "Maybe. But sometimes, we don't see what's coming until it's too late."
I swallowed, the weight of the conversation settling between us like thick fog.
Without another word, I grabbed my jacket and headed for the door.
"Lina, wait," Alina called softly, but I was already stepping out,my heart heavier than when I arrived.
**********
By the time I biked home,the sky was navy blue and kissed with starlight.
I collapsed onto my bed with a sigh, burying my face in a pillow that didn't carry his scent.
I rolled over, whispered,promises Into the darkness.
But sleep didn't come easy. I turned from sides to sides , just as I began to drift ,a low growl sliced through the stillness
Close.
Not from the woods.
FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE