Chapter 5
Judy’s POV
“Someone help! A woman just fell down the
stairs!”
The voices were distant, muffled, like I was
underwater. I could feel the vibration of
hurried footsteps. Panic. A rush of scents. Burnt
whiskey. Cheap perfume. Blood-my own.
Before the blackness swallowed me whole, I
caught one last image.
Simon.
He stood at the top of the stairs with his friends. They looked down, not with worry, not with guilt… just mild curiosity. Like they were watching a stranger trip.
And one by one-they walked away.
None of them recognized the woman on the floor was me,
1/6
Or maybe they did.
And they still chose to turn their backs.
When I came to, the world was bright, sterile, and smelled like antiseptic.
I blinked at the white ceiling tiles until a nurse came into view, gently checking my bandages.
“You’re awake,” she said, relieved. “You fainted. Low blood sugar. You’re lucky-someone brought you in, then left without saying a
word.”
A stranger. Of course.
Simon hadn’t carried me here.
He probably went back to his little party.
The nurse asked, “Do you want me to call your family? Your mate?”
At the word mate, my stomach twisted.
“No,” I murmured. “I’ll handle it.”
2/6
Even saying his name felt like poison on my
tongue.
I climbed out of bed, muscles heavy like they were soaked in lead. My wolf stirred weakly, still shaken, still reeling. I pushed through it, heading for the front desk to settle the bill.
But just as I turned the corner, I heard two nurses gossiping by the vending machine.
“You hear about that couple this morning?” one whispered. “Rolled off a bar couch while… doing it. Landed on a beer bottle. Guy’s back
was covered in cuts.”
“I saw them!” the other laughed. “What a mess. Looked like something out of a werewolf
drama.”
“Pretty sure I recognized him. Looked like someone from TV. Our Alpha, maybe?”
I stopped cold.
Then-heels. Sharp, familiar. Click-click-clicking down the hallway.
3/6
I didn’t need to look up to know who it was.
Wilona.
And right beside her, Alpha Simon.
The two nurses went dead quiet as the pair walked past. I couldn’t move. My legs felt rooted to the floor, like my wolf was holding me there so I wouldn’t lunge.
Simon spotted me instantly. His face drained of color as he dropped Wilona’s arm and rushed toward me.
“Judy?! What are you doing here? You look pale. Are you okay? Why didn’t you call me?”
He reached out, concern painted on his face like he thought it was still enough to fool me.
I took a step back.
“And you?” I said evenly. “What are you doing
here with her?”
Wilona stepped forward with a sugar-sweet smile, offering her hand.
4/6
“Hi. I’m Wilona. I’m Simon’s-”
Simon cut in fast. “She’s just a friend.”
I bet.
Wilona’s smile slipped for a second. But she held her composure.
“Nice to meet you. I’m getting married on the first of next month. I hope you’ll come.”
Simon visibly tensed, eyes darting between us.
“Wilona,” he said, voice tight. “She doesn’t know you. Why would you invite her?”
Wilona gave him a pout. “She may not know me, but she knows you. That means we’re all familiar, right?”
I turned to Simon, my voice gentle. “Simon, remind me our original wedding date. Wasn’t
it also the first of next month?”
The color drained from his face.
5/6
“You’re misunderstanding. I told you I had a business trip. I never said I was going to-”
I cut him off, my voice cool and razor-sharp.
“Is that so?”
“Well, sorry to disappoint you. I won’t be able
to attend.”
Wilona tilted her head, mock surprise painted on her face. “So busy that day?”
“Very,” I said with a nod. “Because I’m getting married that day too.”
You could’ve heard a pin drop in that hallway.
Simon’s face twisted in confusion, disbelief.
“Judy… what are you talking about? I thought we were postponing our wedding?”
