Chapter 122

Ella

I watched as my father pulled Logan away from the party… to play a game of chess.

“Oh no,” Ema’s voice echoed in the back of my mind. “Not this again.”

Her words made me wince. I was suddenly reminded of a boyfriend I’d had when I was younger; my father had pulled a similar stunt, using a game of chess as a gauge for the boy’s worthiness to be my boyfriend.

Needless to say, we weren’t together after that. My boyfriend turned out to be a rather sore loser and stormed out angrily. I could still remember my father’s words: “See, Ella? Never waste your time on men who don’t know how to lose.”

But this shouldn’t have bothered me in the same way. Theoretically, at least. Logan and I were not really in a relationship, nor would we ever be, as far as I was concerned.

“I’m just worried about his business prospects,” I told Ema when I felt her teasing nature begin to work its way out in response to the racing of my heart. “That’s all.”

“Mhm. Sure.”

Turning my attention back to Clara and Daisy, I put a smile on my face and decided that whatever came of this game of chess was none of my concern.

“Daisy, let me see your bedroom!” I exclaimed. “You said you rearranged the last time we talked.”

Grinning, Daisy grabbed my hand and pulled me along after her with Clara on my heels. The moment we stepped in, I was captivated by the changes. Gone were the pastel pink walls; they were replaced by a sophisticated shade of lavender. The furniture had been upgraded and rearranged, giving the room a spacious and mature look.

Daisy bounced on her heels, her eyes glowing. “Do you like it, Ella?”

“I love it!” I said, pulling her into a hug. “It’s absolutely beautiful!”

As I glanced around, my eyes landed on a framed picture perched on Daisy's bedside table. It was a photo of a cute boy, probably around her age. With a sly grin, I picked it up.

“So, who’s this? Your boyfriend?”

Daisy flushed crimson. “Ella! Give it back!” She lunged for the picture, but I held it high above my head, giggling.

“Oh, look Clara, someone’s blushing!” I teased.

With an indignant squeal, Daisy finally wrestled the photo from my grasp. We both fell onto her bed, laughing until our sides hurt.

During our exchange, however, I couldn't help but notice Clara’s muted demeanor. She was leaning against the door frame, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. Her posture was that of someone carrying a heavy weight, and it made me uneasy.

This wasn’t like Clara, the spunky and ecstatic girl I had known since childhood.

“Clara, are you okay?” I asked, locking eyes with her.

She forced a smile. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just tired, I guess.”

“Come on, let’s take a walk,” I said, sensing there was more she wasn’t saying. “Daisy, we’ll be back in a bit.”

As Clara and I made our way to the rooftop garden, the tension between us was palpable. Moonlight washed over the blooming flowers and leafy plants, casting a dreamy glow that stood in stark contrast to the heavy atmosphere.

This garden was newly brought into being by Moana, who had insisted that my father turn his “sad, gray” rooftop into something green and eco-conscious.

Once we were far enough from the door, I broke the silence. “Clara, you know you can tell me anything. What’s bothering you?”

She hesitated, her eyes searching mine. “You’ll think I’m silly.”

I shrugged. “So what if you are? Tell me?”

Clara paused for a moment, then spoke. “It’s just… You werewolves have it so easy. Humans don’t have anything like fated mates, and… Hell, I’m a little jealous. It’s not easy trying to find love when there’s no wolf inside your head telling you whether it’s real or not.”

Clara’s words made me stop in my tracks. “Clara, I…”

She shook her head, plastering a sad smile on her face. “I am happy for you, though, Ella,” she said softly. “I really am.”

Hearing her like this made my heart ache. I suddenly felt a pang of guilt for not telling her the truth sooner, but not even just that. She was right; humans did have it harder sometimes when it came to love. But she didn’t know the full truth, at least not with me and Logan.

I took her hand and led her to a bench, pulling her down beside me. “Clara, I want you to listen to me. This whole fated mate thing? It’s not always as simple as it sounds. In fact, with me and Logan, it’s an entirely different beast.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly. “What do you mean?”

I let out a deep breath, steeling myself for what I was about to divulge. “Logan and I...we’re faking it, Clara. We’re in a fake relationship for the sake of our careers. He’s in it to gain business prospects from my father, and I’m in it to further my career as a lawyer.”

Clara looked at me, stunned, as if the words had physically knocked the wind out of her. “You’re joking.”

“I really wish I were,” I said softly. “Believe me, I do. But this is my life, Clara. It’s far from easy, even with a fated mate.”

“But still,” Clara said, shaking her head in disbelief, “he’s your fated mate. Surely you two have feelings for each other.”

I felt vulnerable, exposed, but I needed her to know. For all the roles I had to play, for all the fronts I had to put up, I needed Clara to see me for who I really was—a sister, a daughter, a friend who was just as lost and confused as she was.

“Clara, you’re my best friend. I need you to know that this fairy tale? It’s really not what it looks like from the outside. Logan and I don’t have feelings for each other.”

Clara’s eyes were saucers, her gaze boring into me. “Then how did you make it look so natural?”

Confused, I tilted my head. “What do you mean?”

She exhaled sharply, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. “You and Logan, of course. You two were exchanging these looks. These… affectionate looks. If I didn’t know better now, I’d think you two were madly in love.”

Her words made my heart stop. My wolf stirred within me, a smug whisper echoing in the confines of my headspace. “That’s because you two do have feelings for each other.”

“Be quiet,” I snapped inwardly, silencing the voice.

Outwardly, I shrugged, feigning nonchalance. “Well, I guess I’m just a good actress then.”

But Clara’s gaze didn't waver. “You’re sure that’s all it is?”

My heart pounded in my chest, a desperate plea for me to spill everything—my fears, my doubts, the storm of emotions I couldn’t comprehend. But I couldn’t let that happen. Not here, not now.

“Absolutely,” I insisted. “And you have to pinky promise not to tell anyone, Clara. No one can know.”

She extended her pinky finger, linking it with mine. “Pinky promise.”

Feeling a smidge lighter but also strangely hollow, I gestured for us to go back inside.

Come on, let’s rejoin the party.”

However, as we descended the stairs, I immediately regretted that decision. Instead of the usual party atmosphere, we were met with a wall of tense energy emanating from the living room.

Moana appeared from the corridor, her eyes widening when she saw us. “Girls, maybe you should go back to Daisy’s room. This is just men being men.”

But before she could guide us away, I caught the timber of Logan’s voice, spiked with an emotion I couldn’t quite place. It penetrated the thickness of the atmosphere, laced with something that made me freeze in my place and my eyes go wide.

“I’ll keep her safe because I care about her more than anything, and that’s all that matters, Mr. Morgan.”