Page 45 of The Alpha Wolf's Bullied Bride

This is the part where I wish I had a wolf to shield me from the flurry of emotions beckoning at my throat, or to rush into the woods and climb up the mountains to release those emotions into a howl.

With my efforts falling short, I close the door behind me and drag my feet back upstairs while the howling continues as the backdrop to my grief.

***

As soon as I enter the pack center, I look up at the log ceiling and sigh. I thought that coming here would be a form of rebellion that would help me overcome the sorrow of knowing that Flynn Lycoan couldn't see beyond his dutifulness to the pack.

I'm going against his word once again, but it doesn't soothe my bruised ego the way I thought it would. Ever since hereturned from training, I've become a shadow of my former self—the me who was strong-willed enough to not let anything get in my way.

Clutching the folds of the scarf I'm wearing around my neck, I feel the dark tendrils of low self-worth creeping forward from where I'd buried them before.

Not only am I going against the Alpha's orders, but I'm back in the center to carry out chores where I'm most vulnerable to the likes of Cynthia and her friends. That's why I have to hide the truth that I haven't been marked as the Alpha's mate. I can't turn to him for help, nor can I use my title as a defense.

I need to find my best friend, who once helped pull me out of a very dark time in my life.

A pair of warm, familiar arms wraps around my chest from behind, permitting me to close my eyes and relish the comfort. Smiling to myself, I murmur, “Hi, Val.”

“Happy birthday, Lila!” she exclaims excitedly, and my eyelids spring open with surprise.

“Val?!” I quickly turn around, my jaw dropping when she presses a box into my hand. I'd been wallowing so deeply in the sorrows of the previous night that I'd forgotten all about my upcoming birthday.

Which I now remember is tomorrow.

“Don't act so surprised,” she giggles. “Go on, open up. It's an early gift, but I couldn't wait.”

“I—” Gulping, I flit my eyes to the tiny wooden carved box with my initials and the words “Happy Birthday, Bestie!” on the top.

“You shouldn't have,” I pout at Valerie, who only insists I open the gift as she gently squeezes my fingers around the box.

I finally relent, pulling out a silver beaded necklace with a crescent moon pendant dangling from the center. It's too extravagant not to fuss over it and become teary-eyed as Valerie helps me put it around my neck.

“It's perfect,” I breathe in awe as I trace the pendant on my chest, patting the scarf back in place at the same time. “Thank you, Val.”

“Well…” she shrugs nonchalantly. “It's not as expensive as anything fit for the Luna, but it's all I could afford.”

I shake my head, a stray tear slipping from my eye as sadness wells up in my throat. I know that Valerie must have pulled extra time in the center just to afford jewelry from the market. The mere thought behind the gesture swells my heart with love for my best friend.

“It's everything,” I praise earnestly, because the truth is, it's more than I'd ever expect to receive as the Luna.

As far as my mate is concerned, all I get are dead-ends. This is everything.

“It's your birthday?” comes Cynthia's voice from the doorway of the linen room, prompting Valerie and I to exchange heated glances before turning to her.

I plaster a smile on my face, pretending once more to be okay while I'm dealing with my own inner turmoil.

“Not until tomorrow,” I reveal curtly. “But it's no big deal.”

With her arms crossed as she leans against the doorframe, Cynthia scoffs. “It should be. You are, after all, the Luna of this pack.” She shakes her head condescendingly. “Oh, wait”—a finger goes to her chin—“technically, you're not the Luna yet.”

“I am,” I declare boldly, tilting my chin defiantly while hiding my neck behind the scarf. It's like a switch goes off inside my head, forcing me to remain courageous despite Cynthia's disproving smirk. “The Alpha has claimed me. Just last night, in fact.”

Cynthia scoffs. “You expect me to believe that?” She peels herself from the doorframe and steps forward. “Lemme see it.”

“I don't have to prove anything to you, Cynthia,” I bite back with a venomous tongue that betrays the weakness I'd been feeling earlier. I have never been able to stand up for myself like this, feeling so powerful in my own skin. “I am the Luna of this pack, and I do not answer to anyone except my mate.”

Cynthia throws daggers at me with the sharpness of her narrowed eyes. She's stunned, as expected. I am, too, but I hold my stance with my hands curling into fists at my sides. I didn't think I could use my title to my advantage, always feeling like I was not worthy of it when Flynn was around.

Now that he isn't here, I can master the art of using my title to protect myself, at least.

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