Chapter 8

Alice's POV

I don’t understand why Vedant won’t just reject Chiara. She had been more than willing to give him up that night in the park, but he hadn’t done it. I thought for sure he would finally decide to give her up when she sassed him after class, but all he had done was throw her in that wretched punishment room.

He is willing to cause her pain, but not to give her up as his mate. Why?

I shake my head. It doesn’t matter, if I ask him to be my mate instead, I know he will finally come to his senses.

I take a quick look at myself in the mirror, making sure that I look perfect, before heading out the door. I arrive at Vedant’s house a few minutes later, pleased when he’s the one who answers the door and not Alpha Richard.

“Vedant! I’m so glad I caught you at home. May I come in?”

He doesn’t say anything, but steps aside, gesturing for me to enter the large house. Once we’ve settled on the couch I smile up at him, placing one hand on his arm.

“I wanted to see if you were coming to my birthday party tomorrow. It would mean so much to me if you did.”

Vedant looks surprised by my question, but nods. “Of course I am Alice. I haven’t missed one yet, have I?”

I smile. “I know, it’s just… I have a question. I know it’s kind of silly to ask someone for something specific as a birthday present, but I hope that you’ll humor me anyway.”

“Something specific?” Vedant asks cautiously.

I nod, holding his gaze. “I was hoping that you would accept me as your mate at the party tomorrow.”

I frown as Vedant looks away, avoiding my eyes. “Alice, you know that I care for you. It’s just that… I’ve always thought of you as my little sister. I’m sorry, but I can’t accept you as my mate.”

My temper flares, but I keep it together. This isn’t his fault. It’s his bond to the wolfless freak Chiara.

“Will you still come to the party?”

Vedant nods, “I will.”

I stand awkwardly. “Okay, see you then.”

The moment I leave I pull my out my phone to call my friend Katie.

“Katie, Vedant just said that he wouldn’t accept me as his mate at my birthday party tomorrow.”

“What? Everyone knows that you’re the best choice to be his Luna. What was he thinking?”

I hesitate for a beat knowing that Vedant wants to keep his bond to Chiara a secret.

“I think it’s because of his weird relationship to Chiara. Remember how close they used to be? I think he even had a little crush on her. Maybe he is having a hard time letting that go even after everything that happened with Owen.”

Katie pauses, thinking. “I don’t know. He’s done a good job of putting her in her place recently.”

“Exactly. Maybe he’s overdoing it to convince himself.”

I can practically hear the lightbulb go off in Katie’s head when she next speaks. “Wait you’re right. We have to make him realize how silly it is for him to hold onto that.”

I smile over the phone. “What do you have in mind?”

“We need to get Chiara to your party tomorrow. If we can get her to make a big enough fool of herself, Vedant will have no choice but to see that you’re the better choice.”

Chiara's POV

I blink at the sudden influx of light streaming through the crack in the door. Who would show up here now? Lynn’s my friend, but she would never interfere with a punishment handed out by the future Alpha.

I squint, and when my eyes finally adjust, I am shocked to Alice and Simon standing on the other side of the door. Before I can say Alice rushes in, her eyes scanning me for injury.

“You poor thing. It was one thing to have you punished during the day, but to keep you locked in here all night as well is too much.”

Alice grabs my hand and starts to pull me to my feet. When I wobble a bit, she carefully puts my arm over her shoulder and starts to lead me out.

I glance out her out of the corner of my eye, confused. “Why are you helping me?”

Alice looks contrite. “I feel guilty, okay? If I had never provoked you, Vedant wouldn’t have thrown you in here. You shouldn’t have spoken to him like that, but twenty-four hours of confinement seems excessive.”

“I don’t know what to say. Thank you, Alice.”

Alice nods. “If you want to make it up to me, you can come to my birthday party tomorrow.”

Something in my gut pings at her request. Feeling guilty about her part in my punishment is one thing, inviting me to her birthday party is another. Something about this situation doesn’t is off.

I shake my head. “I’m sorry Alice, but I have too much homework to catch up on. I wasn’t able to grab any of my schoolbooks before I was thrown in here.”

“Please, come. Do you really think so poorly of me that you’d rather do schoolwork than come to a party.”

“I’m sorry Alice, but I really have fallen behind.”

I am about to walk away from the pair, when Simon takes a step forward. “My sister was kind enough to invite someone like you to her party, and you refuse? No. You will come to the party, or I will see that you are locked in here for another day.”

I look between Alice and Simon before nodding. What choice do I have? I don’t think I could handle being locked away for another day.

Alice’s party the next day is expectedly awkward. I do my best to stay out of the way, but I can feel the stares from the other guests even when I’m hiding in a corner.

Just as I begin to contemplate sneaking out, Alice approaches, her smile too bright. “Chiara would you mind going to fetch the tray of wine from the kitchen.”

I glance over to where Simon and Vedant chat on the other side of the room. I hate being treated like a servant, but who knows what they will do if I refuse Alice on her birthday. I nod, glad that I’ll at least be able to have a moment to myself.

My relief is short lived when I enter the kitchen and see Alice’s friend Katie already there restocking appetizers. So much for a second to myself. I do my best to avoid eye contact as I walk over to the waiting tray of wine and pick it up.

I am almost to the door, when Katie suddenly stands up, getting in my way. I manage to avoid falling, but in an attempt to save myself the tray of wine spilled backwards all over my clothing.

Katie looks me up and down. “Oh my gosh, I am so sorry!”

Before I can say something, the door to the kitchen is pushed open and Alice rushes in, holding the door slightly ajar. “Oh my Goddess, you poor thing! Your clothes are ruined!”

At Alice’s words, I hear a low murmuring as the group behind her begin to laugh and gossip amongst themselves. I look behind me at Katie and then at the door held slightly open. They had planned this.

My face grows hot with anger, but as I look at the gathering crowd, I realize there is nothing I can do or say to defend myself. I blink back my tears, refusing to let them see me cry as I push past Alice and head into the bathroom.

I look at my reflection in the mirror and sigh. My eyes are red rimmed and wild, and the red wine staining my clothes reached further than I thought. I shiver as the liquid begins to cool on my skin.

I strip quickly and then lift my hair from my neck to regard the small scar there by my left ear. I lift my hand to touch it, not sure why I’m drawn to it in this moment. I trace it gently, it’s always been a source of shame for me, so I haven’t told anyone about it, save for Lynn and Felix.

I grab my clothes from the counter and turn on the faucet. I’m not sure what good it’ll do, but I should at least try to get the stains out.

Before I can place my clothes in the water, I hear a deep gasp and I am yanked against a sturdy male frame. I start to resist, but the smell of cedar hits my nose, and I find myself leaning into the man’s touch. I turn my head to get a look at man and my mouth falls open when I see Vedant standing behind me.