The conversation between the two friends remained light and casual, their words skimming the surface of safer topics: territory gossip, the latest pack drama, and meaningless chatter meant to fill the silence. But despite their easy tones, the tension of unspoken words hung thick in the air, a silent presence neither was willing to acknowledge.
Neither Lauretta nor Erica mentioned anything about the mating again, though it lingered between them like an unspoken truth neither dared touch. Lauretta , though curious, held back. She didn't feel close enough to Erica to ask about something so deeply personal, so intimate. They had barely known each other before everything had spiraled out of control, and now, despite their forced proximity, their bond was still fragile. Asking about the mating felt like stepping into dangerous territory, one she wasn't sure she wanted to explore just yet.
Erica, on the other hand, struggled to keep her thoughts contained. Every fiber of her being wanted to confide in Lauretta, to share the storm of emotions she had been battling since her mating. But she held her tongue. She could sense that Lauretta wasn't ready for that kind of conversation, and the last thing she wanted was to make her friend uncomfortable.
Just as Lauretta didn't tell Erica that she had spent the night in the Alpha's bed, and he had possibly undressed her and put her in one of the shirts, although she was passed out, it was still unbelievably hot. Erica chose not to mention her own experiences or push Lauretta about what happened with the Alpha. She had seen the way Lauretta's eyes clouded over whenever the subject of the Alpha came up, as if she were trying to piece together something too complicated to understand. There was uncertainty there, hesitation, maybe even fear. And as much as Erica wanted to confide in Lauretta, to share the burdens of her own reality, she wasn't sure Lauretta was in a place to handle it.
So, they spoke of other things, letting the conversation drift, pretending the weight between them didn't exist. But no matter how much they tried to push it aside, the truth loomed in the background, waiting for the moment when neither of them could avoid it any longer.
Erica, on the other hand, could hardly think about anything else. The memory of her mating with her husband, a whirlwind of emotions, pleasure, and overwhelming sensations, was a constant flame in her mind. Every time she allowed herself to dwell on it, her face flushed with heat, her thoughts racing. She could still hear his voice, whispering words that sent shivers down her spine, teasing her in ways she never knew possible. She thought of his tongue, the way it had explored her most hidden places, and the way his lips had moved over her skin, claiming her as his own in the most carnal of ways. His touch, his presence, the power of their union—it had all left her breathless and weak in the aftermath.
When they had sunk their fangs into each other's skin, drawing blood to seal the bond, the intensity had been overwhelming. She had screamed, her voice hoarse from the passion, the connection, and the excruciating pleasure that had coursed through her body. It was a moment that was forever imprinted in her soul, and yet, the thought of speaking of it made her heart race and her cheeks burn with shame and desire all at once.
For now, both of them chose silence, the unspoken knowledge of their shared experiences lingering like a secret they weren't ready to share. Time would tell if their bond would grow stronger, if the walls between them would crumble and allow for the intimacy of their true feelings to surface. Until then, they continued to chat, laughter and light conversation filling the space between them, leaving the heavier topics for another time, perhaps when they were ready to face them together.
His mouth had covered most of her screams as she blacked out from the intense orgasm, her body shaking uncontrollably as the pleasure overwhelmed her senses. When the rush finally subsided, Erica lay still, heart pounding in her chest, her breath shallow. The world around her was a blur, and for a moment, it felt as though everything outside of this intimate, isolated space no longer existed.
She had snuck out to see Lauretta, knowing the consequences if anyone found out. Erica felt a twinge of guilt for leaving without her new husband's permission, but she couldn't shake the sense of urgency to say goodbye. Her friend, Lauretta, had been such a source of comfort and strength during those dark days. Erica didn't know when she'd see her again, and the thought of it being the last time left a hollow ache in her chest.
Back in her room, she quickly composed herself, smoothing out her clothes and adjusting her hair as she prepared for her return. Her heart still heavy, Erica glanced at the door, silently grateful that her husband was still in the meeting. The tension between them was palpable, and she couldn't afford to raise his suspicions, especially when everything was already spiraling out of control.
Erica was sad she couldn't take Lauretta with her, that their time together had been fleeting. But as she thought about the way the Alpha had finally defended Lauretta and put those ruthless girls in their place, she couldn't help but feel a quiet satisfaction. Lauretta, once overlooked and mistreated, had now risen above them all. She'd earned a better position, a more secure future—everything Erica had wished for her friend in the quiet moments of their conversations.
Even now, Erica wished Lauretta well in her heart. There was something about her that felt so genuine, so real, in a world that had tried to tear her down. Erica wondered if things would have been different for her, too, had she not been bound to a life she never truly wanted. But for Lauretta, at least, there was a glimmer of hope.
Still, the thought of leaving behind her friend, knowing that their paths would likely never cross again, weighed heavily on Erica. She'd always been the one to stay behind, to be the silent observer of life's harsher realities. But Lauretta, she had fought her way to a better place. Erica couldn't help but admire her strength, even if it meant saying goodbye.
Once she was sure Erica had gone back to her room, Lauretta sprang into action. She needed to know what was happening at that meeting. Heart racing, she pressed herself against the cold stone wall, hidden in the shadows. The guards were a formidable obstacle, but she couldn't afford to let this opportunity slip away. She had to know what was being discussed in that meeting, whatever it took. The stakes were too high, and her gut told her that whatever was being decided within that room could tip the balance of everything she had worked for.
She took a steadying breath, thinking quickly. The guards were sharp, their posture rigid, their eyes scanning the corridor with military precision. There was no way she could simply slip past them without being noticed. She needed to outsmart them.
Lauretta's gaze flicked around the corridor, looking for anything that could give her an edge. Her eyes landed on a small alcove just beyond the guards, a dark space tucked out of view from the door. If she could make it there undetected, she could wait for the right moment. The timing had to be perfect.
She waited, counting the seconds, watching the guards' movements, and analyzing their routine. One of them shifted slightly, turning his back as the other adjusted his stance. Lauretta's moment had come. She moved swiftly and silently, her footsteps light as air, her body pressed low to the ground as she edged toward the alcove.
Her pulse thundered in her ears, but she didn't dare make a sound. She could almost feel the guards' gaze grazing over her, though they hadn't spotted her yet. The darkness of the alcove swallowed her up, and for a moment, she exhaled, letting the tension in her muscles relax. She was out of sight, but she still had a long way to go.
From her hidden vantage point, Lauretta could see the door to the conference room. The guards were stationed just outside, but the window of opportunity was closing fast. She needed to make her move quickly and quietly. She wasn't sure what was being said inside, but she knew one thing for sure: the fate of everything she had ever cared about depended on her getting in.