Chapter 0460


    He grins widely, oblivious to my lie. “Well, it''s great to hear,” he says. “A lot of people are happy about it. And, you know, it’s nice


    to see our Alpha smiling again. He''s seemed different since you came back.”


    The bartender’s words give me pause. | peek over my shoulder at Karl, who is deep in conversation with John and Anton, his


    laughter genuine and carefree. They’re ying a rather animated game of darts, most of which are winding up in the wall instead


    of on the board.


    | find it hard to believe that his newfound happiness is really because of me, though. Even though my wolf surges ever so slightly


    when | look at him, it''s as if | can’t convince myself that Karl might actually be happier thanks to me.


    Taking my drink, | return to the table, where the atmosphere has shifted slightly. Chloe, still distant, sits beside Leah, who’s


    currently trying to engage her in conversation. After a moment of hesitation, | slide into the seat next to them, the weight of


    Chloe’s coldness heavy in the air.


    “Hey, guys,” | say softly. “Did | miss anything?”


    “| was just trying to exin to Chloe why this new guy she’s been talking to is a loser,” Leah says with augh.


    “And I’m listening.” Chloe''s voice is cold, devoid of her usual mirth. | know it’s not Leah who''s upsetting her, though; Chloe has


    never been one to take it badly when either of us make fun of her for her choices on Tinder. Hell, she''ll even agree with us pretty


    much all of the time.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    No. This is because of me. | swallow, ncing down at my drink as my mind races with things to say.


    But then Leah, sensing the tension, wraps an arm around each of us. “Come on, you two. We''re here to have a good time. Life is


    short; let’s not waste it being mad at each other.”


    Chloe lets out a sigh and finally meets my gaze. | lift my ss, my voice soft but earnest. “Chloe, I’m sorry,” | say gently. “I know


    you''re mad at me, and | don’t me you. But... | just want my friend back.”


    Tears brim in Chloe’s eyes. She stares at my ss for a moment, her lip quivering, and shifts ufortably in her chair. For that


    moment, | almost wonder if she''ll get up and leave.


    But she doesn''t. Instead, she lets out a soft sigh and clinks her ss with mine. “I don’t want to be mad at each other either,” she


    whispers, the wall between us finally starting to crumble. “I love you, Abby.”


    “| love you too, Chlo,” | say softly. “And you too, Leah.”


    We lean into a group hug, the relief and love palpable in the air. Theughter and chatter around us seem to resume as though


    everything has somehow fallen silent, and for a moment, everything feels right.