Chapter 1
Norah Hoffman was jolted awake by the sound of her phone ringing, her entire body aching. Every time she ended up at Otto Sanchez’s place, she felt the aftermath of his relentless energy. Last night had been particularly intense, leaving her muscles sore and her mind foggy.
"Norah, have you seen the headlines? Otto Sanchez is with Zaria Wallace!" Capri Warren’s voice buzzed urgently through the phone, her tone laced with concern. Capri, a Healer in the Crescent Moon Pack, had always been Norah’s most loyal confidante.
Norah glanced at Otto, who lay peacefully asleep beside her. His muscular frame, a testament to his former Delta status before becoming a rogue, was sprawled across the bed. The phone’s ringing had disturbed him, and he instinctively snuggled closer to Norah, settling back into sleep.
Norah put her phone down and checked the trending topics on her screen. She nudged Otto lightly, teasing with a faint grin, "Looks like your choice of partner for a publicity stunt is better than ever."
With a lazy tone, Otto replied, "It’s not a stunt; it’s genuine." He stretched, his arm flexing as he ran a hand through his dark hair. "It took me ages to win her over."
Norah was taken aback for a moment. Otto lifted his head, his strikingly handsome face perfectly suited for fame, even without any effort in the entertainment industry. His sharp jawline and piercing eyes had always been his most defining features, traits that had once made him a rising star in the Crescent Moon Pack before his fall from grace.
"Are you upset?" Otto chuckled boldly, his voice tinged with amusement. "Norah, you couldn’t possibly have real feelings for me, could you? We’re just friends with benefits."
The phrase "friends with benefits" stabbed Norah’s heart like countless sharp thorns, leaving her feeling utterly shattered. She clenched her fists, her wolf stirring within her, a low growl of pain echoing in her mind. But she pushed the sensation down, refusing to let it surface.
"Really?" Otto, seeing Norah quiet, laughed exaggeratedly, "Come on, Norah, what are you thinking? There’s no way it could work between us, right? You didn’t actually believe those jokes from our parents, did you? Who’d marry their best buddy?"
With a bitter smile, Norah retorted, "Well then, who’d ever sleep with their best buddy?"
"Isn’t it convenient?" Otto replied matter-of-factly, "You’re the only woman around. If I go out with any other woman, the tabloids will be all over it, but with you, no one suspects a thing."
"And you’re not worried now? You’ve announced a relationship. Aren’t you afraid the pack might blacklist you?" Norah stayed composed, her voice steady despite the storm brewing inside her.
She threw back the covers and got up from Otto’s bed, her movements deliberate. Her wolf growled again, urging her to leave, to run far from this toxic connection. But she ignored it, focusing on the task at hand.
Otto casually tossed her a piece of lingerie, "Your underwear is always pink. Don’t you think that’s a bit dull?"
Norah silently took the garment and slipped it on without a word. She could feel her wolf’s disapproval, but she shoved it aside, refusing to let it control her.
Leaning against the headboard, Otto watched as Norah dressed piece by piece. "My contract’s up. My dad wants me to come home and take over the family business. Five years in the industry, maybe it’s time to call it quits."
"What about Zaria? Is she okay with that?"
"Zaria’s different from you; she’s not career-driven and is quite traditional. I’m her first boyfriend, and she wants more commitment from me."
Pressing her lips together, Norah fought back tears. She finished dressing, her movements quick and efficient. Her wolf’s growls grew louder, but she pushed them down, refusing to let them surface.
"I’m starving, Norah." Otto suddenly embraced her from behind, his arms wrapping around her waist. "Make me some pasta, will you? I love the way you make spaghetti aglio e olio."
"I have something to do, gotta go."
"Upset now?" Otto teased, his voice dripping with mockery. "What’s there to be upset about? We’ve known each other for over twenty years. We’re like an old pair of gloves. Let me introduce you to a few friends later; you’ll find someone good, okay?"
"I really have something to do," Norah pushed Otto away, her voice firm. Her wolf growled again, but she ignored it, focusing on the task at hand.
She walked towards the door, her steps quick and determined.
"Norah," Otto called out to her loudly, sounding a bit anxious.
Norah paused, her hand on the door handle.
"I’m bringing Zaria home to meet my parents this Thanksgiving. Didn’t I ask my assistant to book you a first-class ticket? But flights are really packed now, so my assistant only managed to get an economy class ticket. You’ll swap seats with Zaria, alright?"
Norah’s vision blurred slightly, "Alright."
Leaving Otto’s apartment, Norah couldn’t help but let her tears fall. She had always thought she and Otto were an item. Even though neither ever made it explicit, they did everything a couple would do.
During their most innocent times, Otto had once said, "Why don’t we get married and stop our families from pressuring us?"
She had believed those words wholeheartedly, convinced that once Otto was ready to settle down, he’d marry her.
Norah wiped her tears away and picked up her phone, "Mom."
"Why does your voice sound hoarse?"
"I caught a cold," Norah said, faking a sniffle.
"Why don’t you take better care of yourself? I don’t understand why you want to stay in the States all alone instead of coming to live abroad with us," Bonnie Hudson sounded annoyed. Bonnie, Norah’s mother, was a respected Delta in the Crescent Moon Pack, known for her unwavering support and strength.
"I’ll wrap up some work here and move abroad with you after the holidays."
"Really?" Bonnie seemed in disbelief, "You’ve finally come around, and you’re moving abroad with us?"
"After five years in entertainment, I haven’t achieved much. I might as well go home and live off my parents," Norah joked, her voice tinged with bitterness.
"Don’t tease me and your father. If you’ve truly decided, we’ll handle the Southside property."
"Yes, I’m not fooling you."
As she hung up the phone, Norah’s wolf growled again, urging her to leave, to run far from this toxic connection. But she ignored it, focusing on the task at hand. She had made her decision, and now she would follow through, no matter the cost.