*Ring Ring*

I woke up to the sound of the annoying ringing of my phone, which was threatening to ruin my blissful sleep. Groaning in my sleep, I try to reach for my phone and when I got a hold of it, I press the answer button blindly and I hear the person on the other side talking like a car travelling at 100km/h.

My sleep induced mind couldn't comprehend their rushed and excited words. I was tempted to just cut the call since I was already dozing off. Half conscious, it takes me a good few seconds to understand two things, that:—

1

The caller is my best friend of 4 years.

2

She is screaming.

I look at the alarm clock, that I kept on my nightstand, and my eyes widen incredulously when I see the time.

"Jesus Christ woman! Why are you screaming? It is four freaking am in the morning." I ask Courtney, my best friend, with disbelief lacing my tone. We have known each other ever since we were fourteen. She is the Beta's daughter and me, being the adopted daughter of the Gamma's, our fathers are all close friends along with the Alpha's Family.

"I need you to come back" she answered.

"What? Why??" I don't know why she wants me to come back, when she knows why I left in the first place. She was also helped me to leave.

"Well, first of all, because I'm getting married and secondly, you're the maid of honor, sweetie. So of course I need you to come back and everyone here misses you so bad. Honestly, it's been what? Like three years now? I think it's about time you come back home, I miss my best friend." She whispers the last part. Sadness laces her voice making me feel guilty.

I inhale a deep breath. Knowing that leaving the pack hurt not only myself, but her and my family. It would've hurt more, if I had stayed and watched my own downfall. I clear my throat, trying to push away the guilt and the sudden pang in my chest away.

"I don't know Court, it's been too long and I don't think I can handle—" I'm cut off by Courtney.

"You know damn well that you're one of the strongest she—wolf I've ever seen in my life Serenity. You could just ignore him and you can also bring Matthew with you." I could picture her wiggling her eyebrows suggestively at me on the last part. Honestly, I don't know what I would've done if she hadn't come into my life. She knows when I start doubting myself and she reminds me that I'm worth so much more.

I release a sigh and say "Okay"

Regretting saying yes instantly, when I hear her squealing and scream on the other line, I pull the phone away from my ear before she decides to scream like a banshee again.

This girl has too much energy this early in the morning.

"Oh God, I hope I don't burst my ear drums", I think to myself.

My thoughts are cut—off by Courtney saying "Well it's fixed then. You should be here by Wednesday and the wedding is in two weeks. We have a lot of preparations left to do and you better not be late." She threatens.

I gulp hearing the warning in her words. She might look like an angel, but she's a little firecracker. No wonder my brother is whipped.

"Okay, I'll be there bridezilla." I mock her.

I hear voices in the background. Someone was talking and Courtney saying "Okay. I've got to go. Bye. Love you".

"I love you too Court." I'm met with the beeping sound, reminding me that she had hung up. It seems like she's already busy with the preparations.

I sigh. It's been a long time since I've spoken to Courtney and my family back home. Talking to them brings back memories of him and what I could've had. It's useless thinking about it now.

I had been there to see it all and endure the pain of seeing my mate getting married to my other best friend. I was angry and sad for the most part, but I couldn't blame Emily. She was oblivious to the fact that he was my mate and since she is a human, she will never have a mate of her own.

I left soon after they announced their wedding. I could not handle the pain of seeing them together. I've not been in touch with the pack ever since, and it's been 3 years.

Emily Christy was a human among us werewolves. She was found abandoned in a small basket near the pack border by some patrol guards twenty years ago while they were on patrol. The Alpha and Luna, being the kind people that they were, took her in instantly. They made her a member of the pack, not caring that she was a human and I respected them for that.

It was uncommon to find humans among werewolves, since we are super naturals and like our peace. Humans in between us meant trouble for the most part. You never know who would snitch on us.

Emily, Courtney and I have been best friends since we were fourteen and we were inseparable. Emily was loved by everyone and was what you call 'A Social Butterfly'. She was in a relationship with Damien Blackwood, which made her even more popular among the pack members. Damien was our future Alpha and my long time crush.

Although I've had a huge crush on Damien, cue word "had', at least that's what I would like to believe but I know if I happen to see him again, all those feelings I tried to bury deep down inside of me would stir back up. I would never act upon them because he is our future Alpha and plus, he was scary and intimidating and it's against girl code to steal your best friends man.

Even if he turns out to be your mate, my wolf says and scoffs at my line of thoughts.

He wouldn't even notice me, a female with boring chocolate brown hair and hazel brown eyes, when he has someone like Emily. She has her golden blonde hair and blue eyes and was his girlfriend. I was self—conscious of myself back then and used to hide myself in baggy clothes because they made me feel comfortable.

I didn't want to ruin their perfect relationship. I sort of admired it. Damien was cruel and mean, while Emily was an angel. They were polar opposites. Maybe that was the reason they got together in the first place. As the saying goes 'opposites attract'.

Like some cliché story where the good girl changes the bad boy.

I push all the memories away and I smile when my thoughts trail to a dirty blond haired male.

I suddenly realize that today is Monday and Courtney expects me to be there by Wednesday, I groan and realize I have to call Matthew.

Dialing Matthew's number, he picks up on the third ring.

"Hey Sera, what's up?"...I don't answer him, which makes him realizes his mistake and he huffs dramatically. "Okay I won't call you that anymore, Serenity".

Sassy aren't we? My wolf thinks.

He takes notice of my heavy breathing and silence and asks in voice of concern. "Serenity? Are you Okay? What happ—?" I cut him off by saying "We have to go back home." I say it all in one go so I wouldn't have to repeat myself.

"Why? Did anything happen with your family? Are they okay? Is it because of him?" He asks me and I take a deep breath in and tell him how Courtney is getting married and I being the maid of honor have to be there by Wednesday.

"So will you come with me as my date?" I wait hesitantly for his reply. "Serenity" he says.

"Yes—ss" I stutter and take a shaky breath in waiting for him to say no.

"I would love to, but would you be okay?" He asks while emphasizing the word Love and I smile at his concern.

"Yes, of course. I will have you beside me. Okay I got to go. This girl needs her beauty sleep." I reply with a bye and we hang up.

Honestly, this is the third time in the past two years that I've let myself feel this way. Feel vulnerable.

I realize that this is going to be my first time going back home to see my family and the whole pack, including him after his marriage with Emily.

I sigh, which I've been doing a lot lately, and think 'It's going to be one hell of a ride."

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