Foes, Allies, and Curious Connections – 1

Thea’s POV

I stared at the sky, fighting to keep my rising anger at bay. Being pregnant, I really didn’t need this kind of stress right now.

“Callista, Aurora,” I greeted them briefly, struggling to keep my voice steady. I’d hoped for a peaceful day, and now all I wanted was to escape this situation as quickly as possible. The last thing I needed was to get caught up in unnecessary drama.

Callista let out a small snort, but I couldn’t care less. My attention was fixed on Aurora. There was no visible trace of her shoulder injury now, but nothing could erase the memories of that day from my mind—the moment she willingly took a bullet for me.

After the kidnapping, I’d wanted to reach out to thank her, but feared my gesture of goodwill might be taken as sarcasm. After all, in her eyes, I was probably still her enemy.

“I owe you a thank you for what happened that day,” I said, looking directly into her eyes. I wasn’t sure what reaction I expected, but it definitely wasn’t her contemptuous smirk. Of course, I knew we’d never be best friends, but I’d hoped that after what we’d been through together, we might put aside our differences.

“Don’t flatter yourself, Thea. Who told you I took that bullet for you?” she said with a scornful curl of her lips.

I sighed and shook my head. Nothing had changed. The familiar bitch was back.

“I’m thankful anyway, Aurora.”

By now, Sophia and Iris had noticed I’d been stopped and turned back. I saw the murderous expressions flash across their faces. I hadn’t known them long, but that didn’t diminish the warmth that spread through me at the sight. Having friends felt good.

“Is there a problem here?” Sophia moved closer to me, her voice cautious. “I suggest you don’t mess with a pregnant woman, especially our friend.”

“How touching,” Callista pretended to wipe a tear away. “Unwanted little mouse Thea has found her own kind.”

Iris stepped forward, her fists clenched. I reached out to stop her, shaking my head slightly.

“Don’t waste your time, Iris. She’s not worth it.”

“Not worth it?” Callista sneered. “The entire Sterling Pack knows who’s worthless. You’re unwelcome, despised. Worse, you spread your legs for anyone. Are you even sure who this child belongs to?”

I rolled my eyes and turned to my friends. “It’s funny how everyone gets to judge my sex life. Yet I’ve only slept with two men in my entire life. If that makes me a whore, what does that make her?” I pointed at Callista.

“You fucking bitch!” she shrieked, her eyes blazing with hatred.

“What? I’m just stating facts. Would you care to share how many mated and unmated males in the Ashworth Pack have had a taste of you?” I shot back.

“Shut up!” she screamed, her face contorting. “Because of you, Sebastian nearly kicked me out of the Pack, and now I’ve lost my job. You ruined everything!”

I couldn’t help but laugh; the accusation was so absurd it was comical. “Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t make Sebastian do anything! He fired you because he finally saw your disgusting nature.”

“I curse you and that bastard in your belly!” she snarled, lunging toward me.

Aurora reached out to stop her, which surprised me. I raised an eyebrow, wondering about her motives.

“Aurora, do you really think she’s your friend?” I asked directly. “Don’t let her play you. Did you know she’s been trying her hardest to seduce Sebastian into sleeping with her? She even offered to be his mistress, but he refused.”

Aurora’s expression froze, her gaze flicking between Callista and me. Callista looked panicked, like a trapped animal.

“She’s lying, Aurora. Don’t listen to her!” she pleaded.

“Ask any wolf who works at the Pack. They’ll tell you the same thing,” I said calmly. “Have you ever wondered why she hates me so much? It’s because I was once the Luna to the Alpha she wanted. She’s been pursuing Sebastian since the moment he made her his Liaison. It’s not a secret.”

“Is this true?” Aurora asked in a dangerous tone, while Callista nervously bit her lip. She’d taken a bullet for me, so the least I could do was help her see the true nature of the person she considered a friend.

“Aurora, I—” Callista began to explain, but was silenced by Aurora’s icy glare.

I waved my hand dismissively. “Forget it. I need to get home.”

As I turned to leave, I heard the sharp sound of a slap followed by Callista’s cry of pain. I didn’t look back; these Pack things no longer concerned me.