Nova
The bruises weren't fully healed. Two days of being stuck in this house, doing nothing, had me going fucking crazy..
I couldn't step outside looking like this—battered, bruised, lip still split. I'd draw too much attention, invite more whispers, more ridicule.
These bruises weren't just wounds; they were proof. Proof of my weakness. Of my slow healing— of my lack of a wolf.
But I couldn't stay here any longer. My aunt's sneers, her husband's blank stares—they were suffocating me. That's why I ended up back at Vince's bistro. Not as a worker this time, just a customer.
Cami sat across from me, idly poking at a limp fry, her eyes scanning me from head to toe.
"You look like hell," she muttered, voice heavy with pity.
I hated that. Hated the sympathy in her eyes, hated how pathetic I must seem.
"Thanks, Cami. I hadn't noticed," I said dryly. Then I sighed, tilting my phone screen toward her. "Trust me, they looked much worse this morning. I think I did a decent job covering them up, though, right?"
She studied the picture, lips pursing. "Well… kinda. You're getting better at it, I'll give you that." She flashed a small smile. "My little makeup artist."
That was what I loved about her. She could always find a way to bring light into my bleak, miserable world.
I laughed, but it faded as quickly as it came. "Hey, Cami… I want to leave. With you and Dalia." I blurted it out fast, like if I hesitated, I'd lose my nerve.
Her head snapped up, brows knitting together. "But you said you weren't ready yet. That you needed more money."
I swallowed hard. "I know. But my aunt took most of what I had. That's why I agreed to…you know."
Cami's expression darkened. "Oh." She didn't even look surprised anymore. Just exhausted, like she'd expected this. "She didn't even ask this time, did she?"
"Nope. Just took it and called me an ungrateful bitch for wanting to keep the money I worked for." My voice was bitter, the words sharp on my tongue. "I don't wanna talk about it."
"God, she's such a bitch," Cami hissed, shaking her head. Then her expression softened. "But if you leave, you might never find your mate."
I let out a hollow laugh. "I've had three years to find them in this pack. If they were here, I would've known by now. Either they're not here… or they're dead. And honestly?" I met her gaze. "What are the odds that my mate is actually a good person?"
Cami hesitated. "You don't know that."
"I mean, look at my uncle. What if my mate is just like him?"
She winced. "Your aunt's awful too, and she still found someone. But—" She paused, choosing her next words carefully. "I'm sure your mate would be amazing, Nova. Just like me and Dalia."
I shook my head. "I'm not staying in this hell hole all for the small chance that I might find my mate, Cami. I can't."
She exhaled a slow, heavy breath. "I get it. I'm not trying to convince you." She paused "You were the one who didn't wanna leave just yet, remember?"
"Yeah." I looked down at myuntouched food. "I changed my mind."
Silence hung between us before she finally cracked a smile. "Well, of course you can come with us. We'll be roommates—it'll be fun."
"And since you already agreed to go to that bachelor party with me, we'll have more than enough cash to get an apartment far, far away from here."
For the first time in days, I felt like I could breathe.
+++++++++++
"I think you should dye your hair blonde," Cami said, flipping through a rack of lacy l lingerie.
I glanced up from the set I was holding, frowning. "Why?"
She smirked. "Because I think the Alpha has a type. His fiancée is blonde, you know." She let out a little laugh. "And there's a ton of rumors that he only dates blondes."
I raised a brow. "First of all, how do you even know that? And second, how was I supposed to know that his was fiancée blonde?" I sighed, putting down a gorgeous lingerie set after catching a glimpse of the price tag.
"Dalia works at the packhouse, remember?" Cami said, digging through another rack. "And maybe if you'd actually gone to the engagement party, you'd know." She shot me a pointed look. "You could've met your mate there or something."
I stiffened. "Yeah and you know why I don't go to those kinds of events," I snapped.
Silence. Then, realization dawned on her face. And there it was again—the look.
I hated that fucking look.
I didn't skip pack events because I couldn't
attend them. I skipped them because I refused to humiliate myself any more than I already had.
"I'm sorry," Cami murmured, voice small. "I just want you to find love. You deserve it, Nova."
Guilt crept up my spine. She actually meant it. Cami had been pushing so hard for me to find a mate, not just for me, but because she felt guilty. Ever since she found hers last summer, we'd been spending less and less time together.
I sighed, forcing a lighter tone. "It's fine." I picked up a deep red lingerie set, running my fingers over the delicate lace. "Do you think red would look good on me?"
Cami's eyes lit up, instantly taking the bait. "You'd look absolutely spectacular in that."
I smirked. "Really? Lemme go try it on."
After the lingerie shop, we headed to the salon where Cami worked.
I caved. Dyed my hair blonde. Let her talk me into a new cut. Even with the discount she got me, it was still expensive. And after everything I'd spent today… I was officially broke.
I exhaled, staring at my reflection in the mirror, running a hand through my freshly dyed strands.
The Alpha and his friends better love this fucking hairstyle
I had already sunk too much money into this party. If night didn't bring in a ridiculous amount of cash, all this effort—every dime, every compromise—would've been for nothing.