Ditching My Alpha

Lila’s entrance was like a quiet storm, bringing tension with her that I couldn't ignore. I could feel the shift in the air as she joined the conversation, her smile faltering a bit. Something unsaid lingered between us, heavy and uncomfortable.

"Calla," Lila said slowly, her voice carrying a hint of hesitation, "Maybe that guy... he doesn’t care about his girlfriend anymore. So it’s not fair to say he’s stringing her along, you know?"

I scoffed, shaking my head as frustration bubbled beneath my skin. I didn’t hold back this time. “If he really didn’t care, Lila, then why stay with her? If he’s moved on, why not just end it? Or maybe," I added, glancing at her pointedly, "he’s trying to keep his options open. You ever think of that?"

My wolf, Nova, growled softly in my head. *Always leaving crumbs for everyone, huh? Men like that think they’re so clever.* Her voice was biting, dripping with sarcasm.

Lila shifted uncomfortably, her eyes flickering with something close to guilt. I pressed on, unable to stop myself.

"If he really cared about her, he wouldn’t be keeping someone else on the side, making her look like a fool. You don’t play with people’s feelings like that."

I could see her expression tighten, guilt now flashing clearly across her face. I wasn’t sure if it was because of what I was saying or because she knew exactly who I was referring to. The truth was staring her in the face, and she didn’t like it.

*She’s getting squirmy,* Nova purred in amusement. *Maybe she’s finally realizing she’s not the only one who can play this game.*

Before I could push the topic further, Braxton jumped in, his tone laced with irritation. “Why do you care so much about other people’s problems, Calla? You don’t know what’s really going on.”

His comment was like a slap to the face, but I didn’t flinch. I gave him a tight smile, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “I care because people deserve better. But of course, not everyone thinks that way.” I didn’t need to say more; the unspoken words hung heavy in the air.

Braxton’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t reply. His silence told me all I needed to know.

The tension stayed thick between us as we finished our meal, but Lila barely looked at me after that. I could tell she was trying to avoid my gaze, probably afraid I’d say more. I wouldn’t have minded, honestly. But there was something else gnawing at me, something that made me feel uneasy.

When we were done, Braxton offered to take me home, but I waved him off. “I’ll walk,” I said coolly. “Need the fresh air.”

Lila’s relief was obvious, though she tried to hide it behind a tight smile.

Braxton glanced between us before speaking again. “I’ll take Lila back to the packhouse, then. Be careful, Calla.”

Lila hesitated. “Braxton, you don’t need to. Calla lives closer. You should take her home.”

I narrowed my eyes at her, sensing something off. Why did she care so much about him taking me home?

*She’s hiding something,* Nova growled softly in my head. *They’re both hiding something. He’s too eager to leave with her.*

Braxton didn’t give me a chance to respond, his voice hard. “Calla can handle herself. Your place is farther, and it’s not safe at this hour. I’ll drop you off.”

I watched Lila closely as she nodded, clearly reluctant but not willing to argue further. “Alright, if you insist. Take care, Calla,” she said, throwing me an awkward smile.

I said nothing as they left, my mind racing. Something was definitely wrong, and the sinking feeling in my stomach wasn’t going away.

As I walked home, the chilly evening air did nothing to soothe my growing unease. Nova paced restlessly in my mind, her sharp eyes always watching, always judging.

*I never liked him, you know,* she said, her voice bitter. *He was always too perfect, too controlled. No real wolf acts like that.*

“I know,” I muttered under my breath. “But you liked him enough to stick around.”

She let out a low growl. *I didn’t stick around for him. I stuck around because you did. You were blind, Calla. Still are.*

Her words stung, but I couldn’t deny the truth in them. I had been blind. I had let myself believe that Braxton was something he wasn’t. But now, the cracks were showing, and it was only a matter of time before everything fell apart.

Later that night, Braxton came home, reeking of alcohol. I could smell it the moment he stepped through the door. His clothes were rumpled, his eyes unfocused, and he was holding a small gift box in his hand.

“Here,” he slurred, tossing the box onto the coffee table. “Got you something... a bag. Thought you’d like it.”

I stared at the box, then back at him as he stumbled toward me, arms outstretched, trying to pull me into a clumsy hug. I slipped out of his grasp, my patience running thin.

“You’re drunk,” I said flatly. “Go take a shower.”

Braxton blinked at me, surprised, but I didn’t give him a chance to argue. My tone was sharp as I added, “I mean it, Braxton. Go clean up. I don’t want to deal with you like this.”

He grumbled something under his breath but stumbled off toward the bathroom. As soon as he was gone, I opened the box, revealing a light green handbag inside. It was cute, delicate... and utterly meaningless now.

Nova snorted. *He thinks he can fix everything with a stupid bag? Pathetic.*

I placed the box aside, shaking my head. “He thinks I’m a fool.”

*He’s not just fooling you,* Nova growled. *There’s someone else. Lila.* Her voice was harsh, but I knew she was right. Deep down, I had always known.

As I scrolled through my phone, my heart skipped a beat when I came across Lila’s social media account. Her latest posts were casual, just random clips of her day, but something about them gnawed at me.

I clicked on one of the videos, watching closely as she showed off her outfit of the day. Then I saw it—the room behind her, the bed, the window. It was all too familiar.

“That’s my house,” I whispered, my voice trembling with disbelief. “She’s been here.”

*She’s been here while you were gone,* Nova snarled. *She’s been right under your nose this whole time.*

I scrolled through more of her posts, and my blood ran cold when I noticed the little details. The handbag on her arm, the bracelet around her wrist, even the hair clips she wore—they were all things Braxton had bought for me.

“He’s been giving her my things,” I muttered, my hands shaking with anger. “She’s been taking everything.”

*She’s been taking more than that,* Nova whispered, her voice full of venom. *She’s been taking him.*

Tears stung my eyes, but I quickly blinked them away. “He’s not worth it,” I said aloud, more to myself than to Nova. “He never was.”

*Maybe not,* Nova agreed, though her voice was laced with pain. *But it still hurts. Even for someone like him, it still hurts.*

When Braxton came out of the bathroom, I was ready. I sat there calmly, waiting for him to make the first move. He dressed quickly, avoiding my gaze, and mumbled something about Lila needing help.

“I’m going to her place,” he said hastily. “There’s trouble close to her , and she’s not safe.”

I raised an eyebrow, my voice cold. “If you walk out that door, Braxton, we’re done. Don’t come back.”

He froze, turning to me with wide eyes. “What the hell are you talking about? You’re being crazy, Calla.”

“I’m not the one sneaking around with my sister behind my back,” I shot back. “So go ahead. Walk out that door. But we’re done.”

His face twisted with anger, but he said nothing. Instead, he grabbed his keys and slammed the door behind him.

*Good riddance,* Nova growled. But there was a note of sadness in her voice that echoed in my heart.

As soon as he was gone, I started packing my things. I wasn’t going to wait around for him to come crawling back with more lies. I was done with Braxton, with Lila, with all of it.

By the time I was finished, I had blocked both of them from my phone. I wasn’t going to waste another second on either of them.

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