The so-called "exciting places" Eileen mentioned were just bars. Their school was about an hour's drive from the city.
Most werewolves prefer the wild, with only a few choosing to live with humans in the cities.
Of course, there are more open-minded packs, like Luan and Mia's, that enjoy interacting with humans.
I'd never been to the city, and the few times they tried to take me, Beth always found some reason to keep me in the pack.
"How's married life?" Mia teased with a grin.
"Not bad," I replied, though it felt like an understatement. Honestly, I was a bit distressed.
Mia noticed right away. "It's okay, just leave Luan out of it for now. Let's talk."
Luan frowned. "Am I your ATM now? Just here to pay for you all?"
Mia raised an eyebrow. "Not happy about that? Oh, and by the way, Luan and I are planning to get married after graduation."
I was surprised. "Congratulations! I'm so happy for you."
A wave of disappointment suddenly came over me. If my parents hadn't had their problems, and if I had been stronger, maybe I could have found my mate, too.
But for now, things were okay. It'd be even better if Raymond liked me back.
"Stop! Caitlyn, did I let you go?!" A sharp, familiar voice broke the moment.
It felt like Beth was always there, and I couldn't help but feel annoyed. Didn't she have something to do? Or had I done something to make her hate me?
She was always planning something.
Beth stood with her arms crossed, staring at us. "I need to talk to Caitlyn, so move."
Eileen was furious. "Why should we? Who do you think you are, telling us to leave?"
"Because Caitlyn's still an omega in the Fang Pack!"
I grabbed Eileen's arm and shook my head. Eileen glared at Beth. She clenched her teeth and warned, "If you lay a finger on Caitlyn, you'll regret it."
Beth just gave her a disdainful look and then turned her attention back to me.
I wanted to hug Eileen and thank her for always having my back.
I took a deep breath and calmed myself. "What do you want from me?"
"Why aren't you going to the pack's friendship banquet?" Beth demanded, lifting her chin.
"I don't want to go."
"Don't forget, you're still a member of the Fang Pack!"
"What for? So you can humiliate me?" My voice was full of sarcasm.
But the next moment, my wolf, Lily, stirred with discomfort. I frowned. It was the oppressive feeling of an alpha—Beth's wolf was stronger than mine.
I was at a disadvantage.
Lily let out a soft whimper.
Beth's smile twisted into something smug. "Don't forget, your connection to the pack hasn't been severed," she said. "Or should I bring the pack to 'invite' you and that Rogue?"
Her use of "invite" was a veiled threat.
I gritted my teeth, knowing I had no choice but to agree. "I understand. I'll talk to him."
Satisfied, Beth flicked her hair and walked away.
Eileen and the others rushed over to me. "What did she want?"
"She wants me to attend the pack's friendship banquet."
"That bitch is definitely trying to humiliate you!" Eileen was even angrier now. "Don't worry, we'll all be there. Let's see how she dares to mess with you!"
I couldn't say I didn't care—it wouldn't be true. But I was more worried about them humiliating Raymond. "Let's just forget it for now. Let's go."
As we walked, Eileen on my left and Mia on my took turns cursing Beth.
Beth was disgusting. She had been a close friend of mine, someone I trusted most. I never thought she would betray me like this.
It would be lying to say I wasn't hurt, but the feeling will fade with time.
What remained was disgust and hatred. I hated my weakness, my wolf wasn't strong enough to fight back.
The desire to grow stronger began to take root in me.
After about an hour's drive, we finally arrived in the city
From the stone-paved slope, I could see the sea. The gloomy sky made the whole place feel a bit dull.
It was still early, so Luan suggested we take a walk around the streets.
Everyone agreed.
As we walked, I unexpectedly saw the building of Creek Valley Corporation. Its huge sign made it impossible to miss.
"What's wrong?" Eileen noticed I had stopped.
"This is Raymond's company," I said.
Mia's eyes widened. "Are you serious? This company is huge. Its headquarters is in Seattle."
I was stunned. Was Raymond's company really that big?
The house he bought was nice, definitely not cheap. It came with servants, and a chauffeur, and even the car was expensive.
That unsettling feeling deep within me resurfaced. I had always sensed Raymond was hiding something.
I couldn't say I was angry; I didn't have the right. Technically, Raymond saved me.
This marriage felt like a rescue.
It pulled me out of the miserable, slave-like life I had been living.
What disappointed me was that it felt like Raymond and I weren't on the same level.
Did Raymond really want this marriage?
After all, there was no love between us.
Thinking about it, I suddenly felt a weight on my chest, making it hard to breathe.
Eileen noticed and looked at me with concern. "Are you okay? What's wrong?"
I forced a smile. "I'm fine. Let's just keep walking."