Chapter 3 CHAPTER 3

I barely had time to process my father’s words after he left, and immediately, my mother walked in, already impatient and annoyed.

“You’re going to help Sierra pack. Now,” she said, her tone sharp and final. I froze and turned to look at her. “Me? I thought we were over this.”

“Yes, you or the worst thing will have to happen.” I looked at her, calculating what might be the worst thing that might happen in my life right now, and I came up with nothing. I am literally going through the worst thing because of her already.

“Worse than what you and your husband did?” I asked, and she nodded smugly and confidently.

“When a person marries into an Alpha family, they can take any member of the family to come and stay with them for the first few weeks to help her settle in,” she said, eyes narrowing. "Don't make me, make you go stay with her at the pack house."

I shook my head, irritation bubbling. She’s right, that’s the worst that could happen on my side. “Fine,” I muttered. Listening to her nagging would only make my head spin faster.

I immediately got off the bed, annoyed that she was still standing in the middle of the room waiting for me to make a move. I stormed off to the shower, letting the warm water wash over me and trying to calm myself down, rationalizing everything that had happened the past few days.

When I finished, I slipped into a short yellow summer dress, bright and simple, and tied my hair into a neat bun. It was light and defiant, a small way of reassuring myself that I was still me, even in the middle of this absurd chaos.

Sierra was already in the dining room when I emerged, calm as ever, smug in her composure. She didn’t glance at me as we began loading boxes into the car.

Neither of us spoke; the silence stretched between us like a taut wire. And honestly, I didn’t care; I had nothing to say to her. I was too angry and too disappointed to even utter a single word. And what good will it do me?

Dad appeared briefly, giving me a once-over. “Thank you for pitching, Ayla. That dress is short, don’t you think?” I shrugged. I didn’t want to have to tell him that I am going to the pack house, so I should look my best in case I run into my brother-in-law, Callen.

The drive to the pack house was short but heavy with tension. My stomach twisted in frustration and grief, and I couldn’t stop replaying the wedding in my mind.

When we arrived, Callen came outside to help with the boxes. My chest constricted, and for a moment I froze, thinking that maybe he might attempt to speak to me.

My stomach knotted, my heart pounding painfully when instead he pretended not to see me. I got out of the car and I stepped back instinctively, planting myself a few meters away and pretending to be on my phone, forcing myself to ignore him completely.

He didn’t even glance in my direction or say ‘Hi’, I guess he is really invested in this marriage, huh. I could feel my world falling apart as I stood there watching from the corner of my eye, helping each other with boxes.

Branden, Callen’s older brother, came outside probably to help with carrying the boxes.

He was about to say something to them when he froze, his eyes darted around as if he sensed something or someone. Until they landed on mine, and the rest of the world disappeared.

I couldn’t look away. My chest tightened, my heart hammering so violently I thought it would tear itself from my ribcage.

Mate, whispered my wolf. Branden froze, too. His eyes darkened, holding mine in a gaze that was equal parts bewilderment and something raw, magnetic.

I wanted to look away, to break the stare, but I couldn’t. My legs stiffened, my hands clenched at my sides. The wolf inside me growled softly, demanding my attention. Mate.

I saw it mirrored in him, the spark of recognition, the raw, unspoken understanding. My breath caught in my throat, shallow and quick. My heartbeat thundered in my ears. I wanted to jump into his arms and kiss him passionately.

“Hey, I need you to drive me to town.” He broke eye contact, and a woman was standing in front of him with a bag clutched in her hand. I muttered curses under my breath when I realized something. I had met Branded many times visiting Callen; he’s married.

Fuck, why would the moon goddess pair me with someone who’s already married? I gasped in shock when I noticed the small bump on her belly; she’s pregnant.