“Happy birthday, Layla!” a loud and chirpy voice erupts from behind me as I rummage through my locker. “Soooo, have you seen her yet?”
“How’d I know that was going to be the first thing you said to me,” I say turning around. I immediately freeze as all of my blood rushes south. “Is that a new makeup style?” is the first thing to reach my lips.
“No, why? Does it look bad?” Avery asks looking for any kind of reflective surface.
“No, just didn't realize how-” The realization of just what I was about to say seemed to lighten the fog that had suddenly permeated my brain. I stood frozen as every last drop of blood in my body fought on where it should go, north or south.
“How what? How stupid it looks?” Avery says her movements becoming more frantic,” Does anyone have a mirror,”
I can't help but snicker as my friend yells scaring half the people in the hallway. “No, it looks beautiful. Fitting for a goddess such as yourself.” I say with what I hope is a comforting smile and not a predatory smile.
“Really? Cause my lashes did look a bit wonky.” Avery says as she attempts to adjust her eyelashes.
“They look-”
“Hey, babe. You okay?” Charlie asks, wrapping an arm around Avery. A growl makes its way from my throat, Avery instinctively turns to tuck herself further into Charlie's hold nearly drawing an even louder more demanding growl. “Alpha Layla, you okay?” Charlie asks tucking the omega into his side in a show of protection.
“Yeah, sorry. Tried to clear my throat and it came out as a growl.” I say gesturing towards my throat.
“Well be careful next time you nearly gave me a heart attack,” Avery says, untucking herself out of Charlie's arms.
“Sorry, Avery. Sorry, Beta Charlie. It won't happen again,” I say, shrugging my backpack on.
Incidents such as warning growls, and teeth-baring occurred once or twice a day for the next five months. I was always able to brush it off as coming down with a cold or a goofy smile. There weren't many incidents in which I wanted to sucker punch Charlie and even fewer where I nearly did. Somehow I made it to the last day of school, I had been playing sick all week. All I had to do was say it came to a head the night before her birthday, bale, and never speak to the person I love most, the person who is my soulmate, ever again. Easy enough, I had been avoiding things all my life I should be able to do this. The only thing I didn't account for was my best friend's determination to keep the title of best friend in the world firmly in her grasp.
Layla: Hey, I won't be able to make it to the party. I've been throwing up for almost an hour now and I don't want to go and get everyone sick and ruin your birthday.
Avery:😭😭 I'm sorry, you're not feeling well. Do you want me to postpone the party? Ooo, we could have a sick day, blankets, popcorn, and movies.
“No,” I yell, waking nearly half the pack. Hundreds of wolves make their way toward the main house as my mother swings my bedroom door open, bathrobe barely covering her body, fear evident on her face.
“Are you okay? What's wrong?!” she yells her eyes glowing.
“I'm fine, sorry,” I say tucking my phone to my chest as my mother stands in the doorway annoyed but happy I'm okay.
“Honey?” my father yells nearly half the pack following in his footsteps.
“She’s fine. Everyone, go back to sleep,” My mom says with a sweeping motion gesture, to calm everyone down. My dad sighs in relief as nearly half the pack visibly relaxes. As everyone clears out and goes back to their respective family and friends to inform them that their new alpha is alive and breathing my phone buzzes.
Avery: You okay? Do I need to call your mom?
Layla: No, no I'm okay. Please don't postpone your birthday party because of me, besides this thing doesn't feel like it's going to be over anytime soon so don't go waiting on my account.
Avery: Are you sure?
Layla: Yeah, I hope you have a good day and a happy birthday. 🎉
Avery: I hope you feel better🥺
Layla: Me too.
Comments (0)
See all