Chapter 8

I watched them from a distance, my gaze cold, but beneath the surface, a storm of emotions churned. Kayden and Francis, little did they know, I saw everything. Their worried glances, the whispered conversations about my change in attitude. But what could they expect? How could I ignore the two people who had once meant the world to me? Their loyalty to Sharon cut deeper than anything else, leaving a scar that felt more like a brand. It was a constant reminder of how blind they'd been to my struggles while they defended her, comforted her, and stood by her side. They chose her, over and over again. And every time they did, it felt like a betrayal, like I was invisible. If they couldn't see through her act, then maybe they didn't deserve to know who I really was anymore.

As I moved through the halls of the packhouse, I felt like a ghost. No longer stopping when Kayden called my name in the mornings. The friendly exchanges I used to have with Francis? Gone. Every word that passed between us now felt forced, hollow, like a polite charade. I could see it in their eyes, the confusion, the hurt, but I stayed guarded, my wolf watching, waiting. Silent.

"Malinda!" Kayden's voice called to me one morning, just as I was about to leave the hall.

I paused, not out of habit or kindness, but because it was automatic now. Slowly, I turned to face him, offering a look that held only mild interest. Like he was no more significant than a fleeting thought.

"Yes?"

Kayden's expression softened. He took a hesitant step toward me, his eyes searching mine as if looking for some trace of the girl I used to be. "Are you going somewhere?"

A flicker of irritation sparked in me, but I kept my face blank, my voice even. "You don't have to know." I paused, watching his eyes shift with a glint of hurt. "Why don't you go dote on Sharon?"

His eyes widened, the pain flashing across his face, but he didn't speak.

I kept my tone calm, almost eerie in its restraint. "Do I have to report everything to you now?" I raised an eyebrow. "Just leave me be, like you've been doing these past few weeks."

Kayden's brows knitted together, a mix of confusion and frustration crossing his features. "Malinda, it's not like we abandoned you. We just thought… thought Sharon needed more support."

"Support," I echoed, the word dripping with mockery. "Yeah, I can see just how much support she's needed."

The silence between us stretched, thick and uncomfortable, as he searched for the right words. There were none. Not this time.

Francis appeared then, walking toward us, his stride faltering when he noticed the tension. He looked back and forth between us, suspicion in his eyes. "What's going on?" His voice had a sharper edge than usual. "Malinda, why are you shutting us out?"

I looked at them both, feeling like strangers standing in front of me. The people I had once trusted with everything now felt like they were a world away. Funny how betrayal could turn even the strongest bonds into something fragile, barely hanging on. It was as if the connection between us had turned to smoke, faint, disappearing at the slightest touch.

"Do you have nothing left to say?" I asked, my voice calm, almost curious.

Francis frowned, lips pressed tight. "You don't have to be like this, Malinda. Sharon never wanted to come between us."

I couldn't hold back a humorless laugh. "Oh, of course not. She just wanted you both to herself, didn't she? And look, I guess she got exactly what she wanted."

"Malinda, stop it," Francis snapped, frustration lacing his voice. "You're being unfair."

Unfair? That stung, but I didn't let it show. I met his gaze, my eyes hard. "God, I'm the one being unfair now?" I shook my head and let out a dry laugh. The absurdity of it almost made me laugh in their faces.

Later that evening, I found myself wandering into the woods that bordered the pack's land, craving the solitude I could only find in nature. The moonlight filtered through the trees, casting eerie shadows on the ground, but it was peaceful. Quiet. There were no judgmental eyes, no whispered conversations, just the serenity of being alone.

I reached a small clearing we used to visit when we were children. Kayden, Francis, and I had come here countless times, laughing, making promises, swearing things would never change. I could still picture us sprawled out on the forest floor, our laughter echoing into the night. But now, it was just me, standing alone, surrounded by memories and silence.

A sharp ache filled my chest. For the first time, I let myself feel it, the raw pain beneath the anger. My fists clenched, nails digging into my palms as I squeezed my eyes shut, letting the emotions wash over me like crashing waves.

Just then, a twig snapped behind me, breaking the silence. I spun around quickly. Kayden stood there, his face shrouded in shadow, watching me with an expression I couldn't quite place.

"Are you following me now?" I asked, my tone cold and indifferent.

"I came to find you," he said, his voice a mix of frustration and something softer, like the boy I used to know. "Why are you out here alone?"

"Because I wanted to be alone," I replied, crossing my arms over my chest. "Is that a problem?"

He sighed, running a hand through his hair, taking a step closer. "Are you still acting like this because we favored Sharon a few times? Are you jealous? If you're going to act like this, why don't you just choose already?"

So, this was it. His real reason, plain and simple.

I raised an eyebrow, letting out a low, bitter chuckle. "Jealous? Oh, I'm not even the slightest bit jealous, Kayden. Don't flatter yourself."

"Then why are you acting like this?" he demanded, irritation thick in his voice.

"Acting like what?" I shot back, my tone as cold as ice. "I'm acting just fine, Kayden."

For a moment, he just stared at me, like he didn't recognize the person standing before him. It was almost satisfying, watching him struggle with the mess he'd helped create. Realizing I wouldn't give him the reaction he wanted, he scoffed, frustration clouding his face before he turned sharply and stormed off.