Chapter 3
I didn't leave right away.
It wasn't because I was holding onto any feelings for Derek now.
But before I left, there was still one thing I needed to do.
On my way back to the watchtower, I texted Lance Rivers.
He was the Alpha of the Shadowcreek Pack, and we had grown up together.
Ten years ago, when three packs did a joint training exercise, Lance, Derek, and I spent two years at the same camp.
Back then, Derek was as cold as ice and had no patience for anyone. But I wasn't afraid of him. I brought him breakfast every morning and talked to him every chance I got.
Lance always watched from a distance. He never said much.
The day Derek and I had our mating ceremony, Lance finished a whole bottle of whiskey, looked at me with red eyes, and said, "As long as you're happy." Then he left the training camp and never came back.
We hadn't spoken in ten years, but he replied almost instantly.
Lance: [You finally decided to text me.]
I replied: [Lance, I need your help.]
Lance: [Tell me.]
[Help me leave the Silvermoon Pack,] I wrote back.
There was a short pause on his end.
Lance: [Send me your location. I'm coming to get you right now.]
[Not yet. Give me two days. Let me finish some things here first, and then I'll meet you in Sunstone,] I texted back.
Lance: [It doesn't matter how long it takes. I'll wait.]
I locked my phone and pushed open the door to the watchtower. The first thing that hit me was a strong, unfamiliar smell of perfume.
Selena was sitting on my bed, wearing my clothes, and going through my things.
Her left shoulder was wrapped in bandages, but she already looked a lot better than she had last night.
"Alicia, I came to see how you were doing," she said.
"Who allowed you to go through my stuff?" I snapped.
"Don't be so mean." She waved a notebook in her hand.
"I'm only curious what the Luna likes to read," she added.
I had hidden that notebook under my pillow.
The pregnancy test result was tucked inside.
I stepped forward to take it, but she lifted it higher, keeping it out of my reach.
"What's making you so nervous, Alicia?" she teased.
"Give it back," I said.
"I'm not going to steal it," she replied.
She opened the notebook, and the pregnancy test result fell out and floated to the floor.
The wind came in through the cracks in the window, and the paper curled up on one side.
Selena looked down, and her smirk changed. It turned sharp and cold.
"Alicia, you're pregnant?" she asked.
I bent down, snatched the test result off the floor, and squeezed it in my hand.
"That's none of your business," I shot back.
"What a coincidence," she said.
She stood up and smoothed down her skirt.
"Derek claimed me, and now, you're pregnant? I wonder what he'll think about that," she sneered.
She leaned in close and whispered right in my ear, "Do you think he'll believe you're using the pup to get him back?
"Or maybe this pup isn't his?"
She tilted her head. Her lips were still pale, but the nasty look in her eyes made my stomach turn.
She continued, "When a wolf claims someone else, it's understandable that his mate can't handle the pain and find another wolf for comfort."
I slapped her across the face.
Her head snapped to the side, and the sudden movement tore open her wounded shoulder. Blood immediately soaked through the bandage.
She paused for a second and then screamed, "Derek, help me!"
Footsteps pounded up the stairs.
The door was kicked open, and Derek burst in.
He saw Selena crouched on the floor, holding her shoulder and crying, while I stood in front of her with my hand still in the air.
His face darkened. He moved fast, stepping in front of Selena to protect her, and grabbed my wrist.
He squeezed so hard that my bones felt like they were about to crack.
"What are you doing?" he snapped.
"She was going through my things and making up lies about me," I shot back.
"Alicia, it's not your fault," Selena said between sobs, keeping her hand pressed to her wound.
"I shouldn't have come and bothered you. I only wanted to see if you were okay," she added.
Derek crouched down to check her wound, and the way he touched her so gently made my skin crawl.
When he looked up at me, his brow was drawn together, and his expression was harsh.
He said coldly, "Alicia, I know you're angry, but Selena got hurt saving me.
"If you touch her again, don't blame me for what happens next."
His Alpha pressure hit me like a wave, making my knees go weak and my stomach twist in pain.
I held onto the wall, pressed my hand to my belly, and felt cold sweat run down my back.
Derek didn't notice anything.
He picked Selena up in his arms and turned to leave.
As he went past me, she looked back over his shoulder and gave me a silent, mocking smile.
Her mouth formed the words "You lost."