Chapter 2
#Otto Sanchez and Zaria Wallace's Relationship Announcement# surged to the top of the trending list, igniting a firestorm among fans. Otto, ever the provocateur, quickly set up a Twitter account and engaged in a heated exchange with his followers. [This is just a publicity stunt. Zaria's show is about to premiere.] Otto countered, [It's for real, not a gimmick.] [Who's Zaria anyway? What has she done to deserve Otto Sanchez?] Otto snapped back, [She doesn’t need to prove herself to you. Are you any better? Maybe you should go check yourself out in the mirror.] [I remember Otto being involved with Norah Hoffman. There’ve been numerous paparazzi shots of them together!] Otto retorted, [Do you seriously think I'd mess around with my sibling? That's just wrong.] [Norah Hoffman is definitely prettier than Zaria. Zaria's face looks like it’s been all over cosmetic surgery.] Otto fired back, [No surgery involved, and Norah Hoffman isn’t as stunning.] #Otto Sanchez Defends His Love# and #Norah Hoffman Not Attractive# quickly became the dominant hashtags.
On December 28th, bundled against the biting cold, Norah Hoffman boarded a plane bound for Lexington. Both she and Otto were represented by an agency based in Boston. Otto had been scouted during his time at the Crescent Moon Pack’s academy, a prestigious institution for werewolf youth. His charisma and natural leadership as a former Delta had opened the door to the entertainment industry. He had turned to Norah, his lifelong friend, and asked, "Want to join showbiz with me?" At the time, Norah’s parents, Bonnie and her mate, were preparing to move abroad for work, and Otto knew they had plans for her to join them after graduation. In frustration, Otto’s eyes had watered, "Norah, are you really leaving me after all these years? We’ve been inseparable since we were pups, over twenty years. Are you really leaving me behind?" "If I stay, will you look after me?" Norah had teased. Otto gritted his teeth, "Norah, you ungrateful brat! Haven't I always been your safety net? Who got you out of trouble when you messed up? Who showed up first when you were in a bind? Check out this scar on my leg from when I chased off those rogues who harassed you." Against her family’s wishes, Norah had decided to stay in the country and entered the entertainment industry alongside Otto. Otto shot to stardom within a year, while Norah lingered in obscurity for five.
As Norah passed through first class, a voice called her name. Her gaze shifted to Zaria, seated beside Otto. "Sorry for taking your seats. I was against it initially, but Otto insisted..." Zaria explained, her tone dripping with faux humility. "No problem," Otto added nonchalantly, "Economy’s too cramped for a lady like you." "Norah's a lady too," Zaria remarked, seemingly defending Norah but with a smug expression that betrayed her true feelings. "Norah? She’s as tough as they come, don’t worry about her. Besides, she’s not famous; sitting in economy won’t create a buzz. But if you get recognized..." Otto dismissed the concern, his voice carrying the familiar alpha-like arrogance that had once drawn Norah to him. Norah walked past them without a word, overhearing Zaria mutter, "Is Norah upset?" "Who cares?" Otto replied indifferently, "She'll get over it soon enough."
Norah settled into her window seat, resting her chin in her hand and staring at the plane's wing as tears welled in her eyes. Her wolf stirred within her, a low growl of pain echoing in her mind, but she pushed it down, refusing to let it surface. She had made her decision, and now she would follow through, no matter the cost.
Upon landing, Norah received a call from Otto. "Norah, where are you? I’ve been waiting forever; why aren’t you out yet?" "I’ve already left." "Didn't you see my WhatsApp messages?!" Otto sounded irritated, his alpha tone slipping through, a habit he had developed even after becoming a rogue. "I didn’t check." Norah hung up. She paused before switching off her phone, her wolf growling again, but she silenced it, focusing on the task at hand.
Capri Warren glanced at Norah as she drove, unable to hold back her curiosity, "When did you and Otto break up?" Capri, a Healer in the Crescent Moon Pack, was Norah’s high school classmate and closest friend. She was the one who had recently informed Norah about Otto and Zaria. "I don’t know," Norah chuckled bitterly, "Maybe we were never really together." "Otto's a total jerk!" Capri cursed, "Wasn’t he the one who chased after you? The one who convinced you to hook up? Now he cheats whenever he wants? How is he not getting hit by a car?" "Mind your language, it’s the holiday season," Norah gently reminded, her voice tinged with a mix of amusement and exhaustion. "You’re still worrying about him?" "I’m more worried you might get too heated while driving; I prefer to stay alive." Capri pursed her lips, "Got any plans?" "I’m working on terminating my contract; once that’s done, I’ll head abroad with my parents." "That jerk Otto!" Capri cursed again. "It’s not about him. My parents are urging it. I haven’t achieved much here, so I’ll try my luck overseas." Capri didn’t push further. As they parked at Norah’s apartment complex, Capri reminded her, "Tonight’s the high school reunion. I’ll come pick you up." "Alright." "Aren’t you worried Otto might show up?" "I’m leaving the country soon, so it doesn’t matter," Norah smiled, though the smile didn’t reach her eyes. "What a fool."