One year later.
After their awakening, their group started joining different groups of older pack members in patrolling the area around their territory. They usually do these scheduled patrols to make sure that there is no presence of werewolves around. Two months into their 'initiation', they were allowed to patrol as a group. That's also the time when she started to realize why Chynna is so against Zach imprinting on Chloe.
She could still remember how surprised she was when Chloe showed her a different side of her personality. It was during a meeting of the pack and while in break she found herself chatting with Zach about their plan for their next patrol of the forest. While discussing how to divide the group and which area will each group take, Chloe showed up and joined the conversation, which is alright. Zach is a cool leader, he allows them to voice out their opinions and suggestions and encourages them to join in planning and making strategies. But of course, the last decision would always come from him and easily he gained the respect of not only his peers but the adults as well.
Just when the break is ending and the others started going back inside the hall for the meeting, Chloe coughed and asked for a drink from Zach. Worried about his mate's well being, Zach excused his self and went to get a glass of water while Aria tried to smooth Chloe's back to help ease her coughing. But right after Zach turned his back from them, Aria heard a voice transmitted to her mind.
"Just who do you think you still are? Clinging into power? How pathetic can you get?"
To say that she was shocked was an understatement. Did Chloe just transmitted that message to her? But why? Where is that anger and hate coming from?
Those were her questions to herself. Still unsure of what she heard and who she heard that from, she looked at Chloe. And she will never forget that split second ghost of disgust and hatred she saw in Chloe's eyes which were directed to her.
It wad just that split second, because after that, she heard Zach from behind them, already back with a glass of water. Suddenly Chloe changed back to her sweet persona leaving her second guessing if what she saw earlier was true.
After drinking her water, Chloe smiled and thanked Zach and then both of them blushed completely forgetting about everything around them. Before, when caught up with these moments, she would just smile and throw adoring looks at the couple. But after what just happened, she just don't know how to react. She is still too stunned to react to anything. The elders then called for all the remaining people outside the hall to return. Aria was about to walk on her own when surprisingly, the first one to remember her presence again was Chloe. She asked her to go back in the hall together and even crossing arms with her with Zach at their back. She was still stunned from what happened that she just allowed them to usher her back in.
Even after that, Aria was still willing to bury that incident as a figment of her imagination, caused by the small seed of doubt planted by Chynna before. She thought of reprimanding her best friend for throwing dirt on others. Besides, after that incident Chloe continued to be the sweet Chloe everyone knew and loved.
Luckily she forgot to scold her friend because soon enough, other similar incidences followed. At first, she only approached her when she was alone, but later on she dared bare her second side even in the presence of Chynna.
What irritates her with the whole 'Chloe situation', as what she and Chynna secretly calls it, is that Chloe's actions are just subtle snickering here and there, that they will look too petty to even bother. Especially since these actions were never done in front of others, there are no evidences. Chloe could easily deny their accusations, and in the end, they might become the bullies in the eyes of everyone. And to top that, Chloe's strongest backing is their new Alpha, the next Chief. He will never believe anything they will say against his beloved mate.
There are still times when she wonders what really happened. What ticked her? She could still remember how Chloe would always offer to help her before, whenever she saw her. Chloe was such a courteous and sweet girl back then. So the abrupt switch of personality was really surprising for her.
On the other hand, Chynna never showed any surprise with Chloe's actions. Apparently, before the imprinting, Chynna was Chloe's sole victim. And Chynna has a theory regarding Chloe's behavior. She thinks that Chloe simply loves to be the closest to people of high status in their pack. That was why Chynna was targeted before, because she is closest to Aria. And Aria has the highest status amongst their age group since she is the Chief's daughter. And now that Chloe has Zach, who is the new Alpha of the younger generation, and the next Chief of their pack, she no longer needs Aria's status.
But why target Aria? Why not just let her be? Chynna said that is because even before, no other female member of their tribe is closest to Zach except Aria. And Chloe feels threatened because of this. Which Aria found totally absurd, since Chloe and Zach already imprinted on each other.
She had long wanted to talk with Chloe and clear things out. And tonight might just be her chance. Their group is scheduled for patrol and she plans to find a way to be alone with Chloe.
***