I freshened up and headed straight to Arnold's room, my mind racing. Sleep had eluded me all night, haunted by the thought of that jerk telling Felicity he had feelings for her. What was he trying to achieve? Was it some twisted game to get under my skin? If that was his goal, he certainly succeeded.
As I stood there, lost in my thoughts, Abigail appeared, her voice breaking through my frustration. "What are you doing here so early, Drew?" I turned to her, irritation bubbling beneath the surface. "Where's your brother?" I asked, trying to keep my tone even.
"My brother? He's with the alpha. Seriously, Drew, these past couple of days have changed you," she replied, concern etched on her face.
Abigail had always harbored feelings for me, a fact I was painfully aware of. She confessed her crush the first time I shifted at fourteen, but I had to turn her down, knowing I was already committed to someone else. That moment seemed to spark her obsession, leading her to tell everyone we were in a relationship and cling to me like a lifeline.
"Well, if that's the case, then let me go," I said, trying to create some distance. But she blocked my path, determination in her eyes. "I'm not done talking," she insisted. Frustration boiled over, and I snapped, "If you don't move, I swear I'll push you aside."
Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, and I felt a pang of guilt. "Look, Abigail, I'm taken, and nothing will change that. You need to move on; your mate is out there waiting for you." With that, she stepped aside, tears streaming down her face as she dashed to her brother's room. It was for the best; I didn't want to complicate things further for Felicity. I had already caused her enough already.
I stepped into my father's office, where he was deep in conversation with Arnold. "Drew, you're here! Shouldn't you be with your girlfriend?" my father teased, a playful glint in his eye. I chuckled, but my expression quickly turned serious. "I should be, but she shared something unsettling with me last night," I replied, glancing at Arnold. "Something that actually made me laugh." My father, sensing the tension in my voice, patted my shoulder. "Calm down, Drew. What happened this time?" Arnold just sat there, a smug grin plastered on his face. I pointed at him, saying, "Why don't you ask him?"
My father turned to Arnold, curiosity piqued. "What did you do, Arnold?" He stood up, feigning innocence. "I don't know what your girlfriend told you, but all I did was tell her I like her as my friend's girlfriend." The incredulous look on my father's face said it all—'who are you trying to fool?' Without a second thought, I marched over and punched him.
He crumpled to the floor, laughing. "Come on, Drew! I didn't do anything. Why are you so upset?" His laughter only fueled my irritation, so I shot back the one thing I knew would get under his skin. "No wonder your dad can't stand you." The laughter vanished from his face as he stood up, glaring at me. "Repeat what you just said, Drew?" My father blew a whistle, and I instinctively took a step back. This was the last thing I needed. "Chill, Arnold. Why are you so worked up?" I said, chuckling at the irony of the situation.
His fists were already clenched, and I could see the fury boiling beneath the surface. "If you're that angry, just get out of my pack." I tell him.
My father intervened, "That's enough, boys. Drew, why don't you join us for morning coffee?" I nodded, and we settled down with our cups. I glanced at Arnold, who was seething with rage. Just as he had always despised my presence, I felt the same way about him.
I once admired him greatly, but everything shifted the day we clashed. He transformed completely, and I often pretended not to see it just to keep the peace. However, now he's crossing a line by dragging my mate into this. "Excuse me, I need to take my leave," he says, rising from his seat. My father gives a subtle nod of approval as Arnold makes his exit.
"Watch out for that guy; he holds a deep-seated grudge against you," my father cautioned, clearly aware of the tension. "I understand, and I don't want to turn him into an adversary, but if that's the path he chooses, I'll have no choice but to respond."