Twenty-Four Hours Later, My Betraying Alpha Crumbles Chapter 02

Twenty-Four Hours Later, My Betraying Alpha Crumbles Chapter 02

Memories from three hundred seventy-two days prior crashed over me unbidden.

It had been snowing heavily that day. He cornered me in the classroom. Without a word, he pulled me into a hug from behind, his scorching hot chest pressed firmly against my back through my clothes. He rested his chin on my shoulder, his scorching breath fanning the crook of my neck.

I could feel his heart racing. Beat after beat, it threw my breathing completely out of rhythm.

His Alpha scent filled the small space uncontrollably. I could feel the wolf inside him calling out for me.

“Savannah,” he said, his voice came out rough, like he was holding back a flood of longing. “I can’t get my head straight around you.”

He turned me around and cupped my face in his hands, forcing me to look at him. Those cold, calm eyes were now red and desperate.

“I’m scared I’ll mark you right this second—I can’t hold my wolf back. ”

“Just wait a little longer for me, yeah? Once I complete the Silvermoon Pack’s succession trial, we’ll be together openly. I promise.”

I believed him.

So I waited. I waited until his trial was over.

I kept waiting until that day. I could no longer hold on and wait.

Cars sped past on the road. The wind howled, and my legs trembled. He stood beside me and told me seriously why he wouldn’t choose me.

“You’re just not strong enough. The Silvermoon Pack needs a tough she-wolf to stand as its Luna.”

He never saw the out-of-control car racing toward him.

I pushed him out of the way and took the hit myself.

I went flying through the air and slammed into the pavement seconds later. Right before I blacked out, I heard him say, ” I never told you to jump in and save me. That was just your own dumb call.”

In the end, he walked away without a scratch. I lost my ability to run, along with all my life’s dreams and aspirations.

“Gavin.”

Jessica’s voice pulled me back from the spinning memories.

“The Silvermoon Pack just sent word. We need to prepare for the trial.”

She drew a line between Gavin and me so easily—Alpha, Beta, pack duties—an uncrossable chasm between Gavin and me.

Gavin frowned. His eyes lingered on my face for a moment before he turned to Jessica.

“Let’s go.”

He looked at my dirty gray sweatsuit, his tone flat. ” Head back and take care of that hurt leg of yours, don’t keep running out in this bitter wind. I’ve got pack obligations to handle tonight, so get back to your dorm early.”

“I’ll swing by to see you tomorrow midday.”

He reached out to brush the grass off my shoulder.

I stepped back without thinking and dodged his hand.

His hand froze in the air. His frown deepened.

“Still upset? We’ll talk when I get back.”

He turned and walked away with Jessica.

A few steps later, Jessica stopped, came back to me, and brushed the grass off my shoulder herself. She spoke deliberately loud, ensuring Gavin—who hadn’t walked far—could hear every word.

“Head on inside, Savannah. The night breeze’s brutal out here, don’t catch a chill.”

Gavin glanced back, a look of approval in his eyes.

But the moment he turned away, Jessica leaned in close. That overly saccharine lily-of-the-valley perfume flooded my sinuses.

“Chasing after him with that diary of yours every single day,” she whispered, so low only I could hear. “Don’t you feel like a foolish clown?”

“Do you know how soft Gavin’s lips are?”

My head shot up.

“He acts so cold all the time, but when he kisses you? It’s completely different. His lips are scorching hot against yours.”

She stepped back, watching my frozen body, and smiled.

“Get some sleep now, yeah? Catch you tomorrow.”

She turned and walked toward the silhouette waiting for her under the streetlight.

I stood alone in the darkness, a piercing, agonizing pain lanced through my chest.