Page 29 of Whisper of an Alpha
The room feels like it’s closing in on me, the walls vibrating with the tension between us. I can feel Wyatt’s presence behind me, steady and strong, but I don’t know how to navigate this conversation.
“I don’t want to fight with you,” Rachel continues, her voice softer now. “I want us all to be able to coexist, for Wyatt’s and our sons sake.”
“Coexist?” I scoff, incredulous. “You think that’s possible? You’re the reason everything feels so shattered right now.”
“Octavia,” Wyatt interjects, stepping closer to me. “Let’s not do this here, baby girl.”
I shake my head, feeling the heat of anger coursing through me. “No, Wyatt, don’t ‘baby girl’ me. This needs to be addressed. We can’t just ignore the elephant in the room.”
Rachel opens her mouth to respond, but Dalton steps in, sensing the mounting tension. “How about we take a breather? Coffee or maybe some tea sounds good. I know our Luna loves that Chai stuff, right? Let’s just step outside for a moment.”
I shoot him a grateful look, thankful for the distraction. As we move away from the table, I can feel the weight of Wyatt’s gaze on me, a mixture of concern and frustration.
“Octavia,” he says softly, trying to reach for me as I step back. “I know this is hard, but we need to handle this carefully.”
“I can’t just sit back and let her dictate the narrative,” I reply, my voice low but fierce. “This was my life too.”
“I understand that,” he replies, his tone steady. “But Rachel is going to be part of our lives, whether we like it or not, if this whole thing is even true. My wolf can’t sense a pup, but I don’t know if that’s because she’s not pregnant or because she’s not my mate. We need to find a way to navigate this without tearing each other apart.”
I glance at him, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. “And what if I can’t?”
He reaches out, his hand brushing against mine. “Then we’ll figure it out together. You’re not alone in this, okay?”
I take a deep breath, trying to quell the storm inside me. “Okay,” I whisper, though uncertainty still lingers.
As we step outside into the fresh air, I feel the weight of the world pressing against my chest. The sun shines brightly, illuminating the path ahead, but the shadows of doubt remain close behind.
We gather around the table outside, Dalton pouring coffee while Rachel and I exchange wary glances across from each other. The tension is still palpable, but for now, we’re taking a step back, allowing ourselves a moment of respite.
Wyatt sits beside me, his presence a comfort amidst the chaos. I can feel the warmth radiating from him, and for a moment, I allow myself to lean into it, hoping that together we can weather the storm that’s brewing on the horizon.
“I’ll always choose you, I’ll always love you mate,” he murmurs, his words a balm for my aching heart. “No matter what.”
I nod, knowing that his promise holds weight. But as we return to the kitchen, I can’t shake the feeling that our lives aretangled in a web of uncertainty, and the path forward is anything but clear.
But for now, I’ll hold on to hope, to the possibility of love amidst the chaos. I’ll fight for us, for our future, even as the shadows of doubt loom ever closer. Because in this moment, as we sit together, I know that our love is worth the battle.
15
NO MORE
Unknown
I leanagainst the cool brick wall of the alley, the faint sounds of the bustling town drifting in from the street beyond. The air is thick with tension, crackling like static before a storm. Rachel stands opposite me, her blue eyes gleaming with a determination that has goose flesh breaking out on my arms. I know her too well; she’s the kind of person who sees people as pawns, and right now, Octavia is just another piece in her twisted game.
“Listen, I’m telling you, this is a bad idea," I insist, my voice low but urgent. “You don’t know what you’re getting into. If Wyatt finds out?—”
Rachel cuts me off with a dismissive wave of her hand. “Wyatt won’t find out. Trust me. This is foolproof. A little fake pregnancy rumor, and it’s over for Octavia. He’ll come running to me, and that’s when I’ll swoop in and comfort him. Just like I’ve always wanted.”
I shake my head, trying to remain calm. “This isn’t just about you and your pathetic crush, Rachel. This is about an Alpha andhis mate. You really think he’ll take it lightly? If he finds out we’re behind this… He won’t just be angry. He’ll be lethal.”
Her laughter is sharp, and I can see the way her lips curl with a mixture of ambition and madness. “That’s the beauty of it. Right now, we need to focus on Plan A. The Luna Ceremony is coming up fast, and I can’t afford to wait for fate to intervene. I need to make my move.”
I can’t believe what I’m hearing. “Rachel, you need to stop. I’m serious. I don’t want to be part of this. You’re talking about ruining lives!”
“Ruining lives?” She scoffs, and for a moment, I see a glimpse of the girl I once knew — innocent, hopeful, dreaming of love that wasn’t tainted by betrayal. But that girl is long gone, replaced by this scheming vixen who’s willing to destroy anyone in her path. “This is survival of the fittest. It’s not personal; it’s just how this world works. You either take what you want or watch someone else take it from you.”
“Then what’s your Plan B?” I ask, my heart racing. I need to know how deep this rabbit hole goes. “You said if this doesn’t work by the ceremony, you have something else lined up. What is it?”
