Alex's POV
As I sat at the bar, drowning my sorrows in drink after drink, I couldn't help but replay the events of the past few days over and over again in my mind. It seems like only yesterday that Linda had confessed her love for me and promised to stay with me no matter what. But now, just two days later, she has chosen to be with my brother instead.
It was a decision that I could understand, but it still hurt nonetheless.
My mother had died giving birth to me, and for that, I was always regarded as a misfortune by the pack. My father hated me for my mother's death, and he always favored my brother. Everyone knew it, even though they never said it out loud. My brother would succeed my father as alpha, even though I was stronger and smarter than him.
How could I not? I had worked twice as hard as anyone else to prove myself, to show them that I was more than just a cursed child. But still, my fate was determined when I was born, although I led our pack to glory time and time again. But it was never enough.
But I thought Linda was different. Whenever I was bruised or hurt during practice, she was always the one to tend to my wounds. When I was despised for my curse, she comforted me with her soft voice. And when I held her in my arms, and she held me back, it felt like this moment could last forever.
But now, she told me that she's engaged to my brother. She chose him over me, like everyone else in my pack.
I downed another shot and tried to push the thoughts from my mind. It was pointless to dwell on things I couldn't change. I knew I had to move on. And here I was with a significant task. After my pack defeated the Eclipse pack under my leadership, they surrendered and begged for a peace treaty. And I was supposed to be here to finalize it.
As I was about to leave the bar, after finishing my last drink, a girl walked in and immediately caught my attention.
She walked up to the counter, looking nervous and out of place. Her eyes were full of sorrow, and it was clear that she wasn't a regular patron of the bar.
She sat down next to me and ordered a drink. As she took it in, I couldn't help but notice her scent. It was so similar to Linda's, the woman who just broke my heart and stomped on it. My heart twisted in my chest, and I took another drink to try and push the memories away.
But the girl continued to draw my attention. There was something about her that made me feel like I needed to protect her, to take care of her. Maybe it was the way she looked so vulnerable, or maybe it was her scent that reminded me so much of Linda. Either way, I couldn't take my eyes off her.
As I watched her quietly from across the bar, she suddenly turned around, and our eyes met. Despite the sadness in her expression, she was undeniably beautiful. I wondered what could have happened to her to cause such sorrow. Suddenly, a drunk man stumbled over to her and began to harass her. Without hesitation, I stepped in to help her, and we began to talk.
Despite only just meeting her, I found it surprisingly easy to talk to her. But then she told me how devastated she felt because her boyfriend had cheated on her, leaving her feeling abandoned and unwanted. Damn it! What kind of fool would cheat on someone as wonderful as her?
But on the other hand, who else could understand that feeling better than I did?
As we spoke, I felt a sense of closeness developing between us. I didn't want to say goodbye, and we continued chatting. When I wiped the wine from her lips and touched her fair skin, she shuddered at my touch. Maybe I had been too forward, but I sensed that she was feeling something too.
Reluctantly, I decided to call it a night. But to my surprise, she asked me to take her out.
The night we spent together at the hotel was amazing. I was addicted to her silky skin, and my desire for her grew stronger. Our bodies were so compatible, and she made me feel complete in a way that I never felt with anyone, including Linda. Speaking of Linda, her name slipped out of my mouth.
The girl was still trembling and moaning under me, but she still held my head firmly and asked me to call her by her name instead. Emma. It was a beautiful name, and I couldn't believe how lucky I was to have met her.
After our incredible sex, I longed to have a conversation with her. Maybe I could tell her my name and introduce myself properly. But she had fallen into a deep, exhausted slumber. Gently caressing her face, my heart filled with fleeting joy. There was no rush; I could talk to her in the morning.
Unexpectedly waking up earlier than anticipated, I headed for the shower. However, my heart sank as I heard the door open, realizing she had vanished. What was I thinking? She was simply seeking comfort and didn't want to be alone last night—that was all.
Stepping outside, I swallowed another glass of whisky and stared out the window. The noises outside my room grew louder, capturing my attention. Finally, I couldn't stand it and stepped out only to find her surrounded by a crowd, their vicious gossip suffocating her. Without hesitation, I stepped forward to shield her, enraged at her cheating boyfriend standing nearby with another girl. Though I felt the strong urge to strike him, comforting her and protecting her from humiliation became my priority.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
My intention was to accompany her home and offer solace, but my phone interrupted us. My father fell ill, demanding my immediate return. The task of finalizing the peace treaty with the Eclipse Pack would have to wait. Despite my father's disapproval, he was still my father, and duty called.
Frowning, I pondered delegating Emma's return to someone else. However, when I glanced back, she had already disappeared. A bitter chuckle escaped me. Why did I feel this way? It was nothing more than a fling, and I didn't even know her name. After that unforgettable night, we were nothing more than two strangers.
"You knew she meant more than that," my wolf whispered to me.
But it didn't matter. She left, and here I was, as always—abandoned and unwanted. Hastily getting dressed, I checked out of the place. It was time for me to return.
Emma's POV
The bar was teeming with noise, the crowd cheering and shouting. It was good for business, but as a waitress, it meant a relentless flurry of demands. "Hurry up! You've been here for a month, and you're still so slow!" Sophia's voice cut through the chaos as she approached me with a smirk.
"Where is my martini? I've been waiting forever!" she snapped impatiently.
"Right away!" I replied, forcing a smile, and hurried towards the bar. But something felt off today. A wave of sickness washed over me, making it difficult to focus. It had been a challenging month since I left Matt and Sophia behind.
After Matt rejected me, he wanted to cast me out of the pack. I refused to let him, knowing I had nowhere else to turn. He was cruel, saying that my wolf was too weak and that I held no value to the pack. My heart and self-esteem were shattered into pieces, leaving me feeling desperate and confused. I couldn't even remember how many tears I had shed at midnight. Yet, I wiped away my tears and buried my sorrows. Finding a job hadn't been easy, as everyone knew I was the one Matt had rejected.
When I felt utterly desperate, my friend Lizzy came to my rescue. She owned this bar and offered me a job as a waitress. Life hadn't been smooth sailing since then. Sophia took every opportunity to torment me, flaunting her connection with Matt. She reveled in her triumph, making sure everyone, especially me, knew that she had won.
"Are you okay, Emma? You don't have to push yourself. I can take the martini to that... woman," Lizzy whispered, concern etched on her face.
But Lizzy had already done so much for me, and I didn't want to burden her any further. Despite the dizziness overwhelming me, I took a deep breath and managed to offer her a weak smile. "I'm okay. Don't worry," I assured her.
I carefully placed the martini on the tray and made my way back to Sophia. However, the nausea struck me once again, overpowering my senses. I couldn't hold it back any longer, and I nearly retched, my stomach heaving violently. The glass slipped from my grasp, crashing to the ground with a loud shatter, drawing attention.
Staggering, I struggled to maintain my balance, feeling like the world was spinning around me. Lizzy rushed to my side, concern written on her face. But in the next moment, her eyes widened, and she covered her mouth in shock.
"Oh my... Emma, are you... pregnant?" she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.