Nova
The bruises weren't fully healed. Two days of being stuck in this house, doing nothing, had me going fucking crazy.
I couldn't step outside looking like this—battered, bruised, lip still split. I'd draw too much attention, invite more whispers,
more ridicule.
These bruises weren't just wounds; they were proof. Proof of my weakness. Of the fact that I didn't heal like a wolf.
But I couldn't stay here any longer. My aunt's
sneers, her husband's blank stares—they were suffocating me. That's why I ended
up back at Vince's bistro. Not as a worker this time, just a customer.
Cami sat across from me, idly poking at a limp fry, her eyes scanning me from head to toe.
"You look like hell," she muttered, her voice
heavy with pity.
I hated that. Hated the sympathy in her eyes, hated how pathetic I must look.
"Thanks, Cami. I hadn't noticed," I said dryly. Then sighed, tilting my phone screen toward her. "Trust me, they looked much worse
this morning. I think I did a decent job covering them up, though, right?"
She studied the picture, lips pursing. "Well… kinda. You're getting better at it, I'll give you that." She flashed a small smile.
"You're probably even better than me now" she joked with chuckle and I couldn't help but crack a smile.
That was what I loved about her. She could always find a way to bring light into my bleak, miserable world.
The smile faded as quickly as it came as I remembered the much heavier issues at hand "Hey, Cami… I want to leave. With you and Dalia." I blurted it out fast, like if I
hesitated, I would lose my nerve.
Her head snapped up, brows knitting together. "But you said you weren't ready yet. That you needed more money."
I swallowed hard. "I know. But my aunt took most of what I had. That's why I agreed" I muttered looking away.
Cami's expression darkened. "Oh." She didn't even sound surprised anymore. Just exhausted, like she had expected this. "She didn't even ask this time, did she?"
"Nope. Just took it and called me an ungrateful bitch for wanting to keep the money I worked for." My voice was bitter, the
words sharp on my tongue.
"I don't wanna talk about it."
"God, she's such a fucking bitch" Cami hissed, shaking her head. Then her expression softened. "But if you leave now, you might never find your mate."
I let out a hollow laugh. "I've had three years to find them in this pack. If they were here, I would've known by now. Either they're not here… or they're dead. And honestly?" I met her gaze. "What are the odds that my mate is actually worth finding?"
Cami hesitated. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, look at my uncle. What if my mate is just like him?" I paused pondering on the sheer horror that that would be "Or what if my mate doesn't want me?" I said my voice barely a whisper laced with much more fear than I had intended.
She winced. "Don't say that, your mate would absolutely adore you, and you would have the best relationship, just like me and Dalia —" She paused, choosing her next words carefully. "I'm sure your mate would be amazing, Nova"
I shook my head. "I'm not staying in this hell hole all for the small chance that I might find my mate, Cami. I can't."
She exhaled a slow, heavy breath. "I get it. I'm not trying to convince you." She sighed
"You were the one who didn't wanna leave just yet, remember?"
"Yeah." I looked down at myuntouched food. "I changed my mind."
Silence hung between us before she finally cracked a smile. "Well, of course you can come with us. We'll be roommates—it'll be fun."
"And since you already agreed to go to that bachelor party with me, we'll have more than enough cash to get an apartment far, far
away from here." She said her voice charged with excitement.
For the first time in days, I felt like I could
breathe.
++++++++++++++++
"I think you should dye your hair blonde" Cami said, flipping through a rack of lacy lingerie.
I glanced up from the set I was holding, frowning. "Why?"
She smirked. "Because I think the Alpha has a type. His fiancée is blonde, you know." She let out a little laugh. "And there's a ton of rumors that he only dates blondes."
I raised a brow. "First of all, how do you even know that? And second, how was I supposed to know that his was fiancée blonde?" I sighed, putting down a gorgeous lingerie set after catching a glimpse of the price tag.
"Dalia works at the packhouse, remember?" Cami said, digging through another rack.
"And maybe if you had actually gone to the
engagement party, you would know." She shot me a pointed look. " Everyone was there. You could've met your mate or something."
I stiffened. "You talk like you don't know why I don't go to pack events" I snapped.
Silence. I could see the realization dawned on her . And there it was again—the look.
I hated that fucking look.
I didn't skip pack events because I couldn't attend them. I skipped them because I
refuse to humiliate myself any more than I already had.
"I'm sorry," Cami murmured, voice small. "I just want you to find love. You deserve it, Nova."
Guilt crept up my spine. She actually meant it. Cami had been pushing so hard for me to find a mate, not just for me, but because
she felt guilty.
Ever since she found hers last summer, we had been spending less and less time together.
I sighed, forcing a lighter tone. "It's fine." I
picked up a deep red lingerie set, running my fingers over the delicate lace.
"Do you think red would look good on me?"
Cami's eyes lit up, instantly taking the bait.
"You would look absolutely spectacular in that."
I smirked. "Really? Lemme go try it on."
After the lingerie shop, we headed to the salon where Cami worked.
I caved. Dyed my hair blonde. Let her talk me into a new cut. Even with the discount she got me, it was still expensive. And after
everything I had spent today… I was officially broke.
I exhaled, staring at my reflection in the mirror, running a hand through my freshly dyed strands.
The Alpha and his friends better love this fucking hairstyle.
I had already sunk too much money into this party. If night didn't bring in a ridiculous amount of cash, all this effort—every dime, every compromise—would've been for nothing.