Chapter 17
Weight Of Silence
I’ve been keeping my distance from Alpha Matthew for the past few days. It’s not easy. Every
time I think about him, my heart flutters, and my stomach twists itself into tiny knots. It’s
embarrassing and… well, dangerous. I’ve been avoiding the packhouse like it’s cursed.
Maybe if I were human, I’d just chalk this up to a harmless crush. I could flirt, see where it
leads, or get rejected and move on. But I’m not human. He’s an Alpha–a leader, untouchable,
and powerful. And I’m just… me. Some girl who stumbled into his pack with nothing but a
battered past and a desperate need for refuge. Falling for someone like him? It’s the kind of
mistake I can’t afford to make.
But that doesn’t stop me from thinking about him.
The way his dark green eyes pierce through me like they’re peeling back layers of my soul. The
way his glasses frame his face, giving him an academic kind of charm that drives me insane. And his scent–Amberwood, coffee, and a hint of aged books–clings to my memory, refusing to let go.
You’re drooling again.
My wolf’s sharp voice cuts through my thoughts, her exasperation palpable.
“Am not,” I mutter under my breath, but I can feel the heat rising to my cheeks.
She’s been annoyed with me ever since I stopped going to his office. She craves his presence as much as I do, maybe more, and she’s not shy about letting me know it. But I’ve made up my mind–distance is the only way to stay sane.
After teaching my last class of the day, I decide to audit a couple of courses to pass the time. It’s a small luxury I’ve come to enjoy–sitting in the back, blending in, observing. The students are friendly enough, often pulling me into their conversations. Today, they’re all buzzing about the weekend parties. It’s refreshing to see their excitement, even if I feel too old to relate.
When I’m not with students, I spend my downtime in the professor’s lounge. It’s a cozy space, filled with the scent of coffee and faint whispers of chalk dust. The other professors are polite, and I’ve even started to form a camaraderie with a few of them. But despite the warm atmosphere, there’s always a part of me that feels like an outsider looking in.
As the sun begins to dip below the horizon, I make my way back to my room. The cobblestone stairs feel uneven under my feet, and the building looms overhead, casting long shadows. I’m ready to collapse onto my bed with a book and let the world fade away for a while.
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But then I see her.
Sage.
She’s leaning against my doorframe, arms crossed, looking like she’s been waiting for hours.
Her sharp eyes lock onto mine, and I feel a jolt of apprehension.
“Hey,” I say cautiously.
She straightens up, a sly smile tugging at the corner of her lips. “Took you long enough. Thought your lecture ended hours ago.”
“It did,” I reply, fumbling for my keys. “I was auditing some courses. Why didn’t you let me
know you were coming?”
Sage raises an eyebrow. “Hard to do that when you’re still not part of the mind link. Makes things… inconvenient.”
I let out a small laugh as I push the door open. “Want anything to drink?”
She shakes her head, stepping inside. “I’m good. Just came to talk.‘
Her presence is unsettling, though I can’t quite put my finger on why. She walks around the room, taking in my sparse decor with an air of casual curiosity. Her gaze lingers on the stack of books by my bed–borrowed from Matthew–and then shifts to the delicate necklace
hanging from my lamp.
“You seem to be getting along pretty well with Alpha,” she says, her tone light but probing.
I tense. “He… has a great book collection. He lets me borrow them sometimes.”
Sage smirks, one eyebrow arching. “Matthew, huh?”
“Alpha,” I correct quickly, my cheeks burning.
Her smirk deepens, but she doesn’t press the point. Instead, she sighs, leaning against the
wall with a sudden seriousness. “Matthew and I go way back,” she says, her voice softer now.
“We’ve been best friends since we were kids. When my brother stepped down as Beta, he
didn’t even hesitate to give me the role. That’s the kind of man he is–loyal, fair, and strong.”
I nod, unsure of what to say. The air feels heavy with unspoken words, and I can’t shake the
feeling that she’s testing me.
“I just need you to know,” she continues, her gaze locking onto mine, “Matthew’s been through a lot. He doesn’t let people in easily. So… tread lightly. He’s my best friend, Mia, and I don’t
want to see him hurt.”
The weight of her words settles over me like a lead blanket. She’s not wrong. Matthew’s past
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is a reminder of why I need to keep my distance. Whatever this… thing is that I feel for him, it’s
not worth the risk.
“I understand,” I say quietly. “I really love it here, Sage. I don’t want to mess things up.”
Her expression softens, and for the first time, she gives me a genuine smile. “Good. Now, what are your plans tonight?”
Before I know it, I’m being dragged out of my room and into the night. Sage has declared it. unacceptable for me to stay in on a Friday night, and apparently, I have no say in the matter.
“You’re young and hot,” she says as we make our way through the forest. “You should be out
having fun, not holed up with a book.”
The path is dark, the trees towering overhead like silent sentinels. Sage shifts effortlessly into her wolf form, her sleek frame disappearing into the shadows. I follow suit, my clothes stuffed into the bag clenched between my jaws.
The forest comes alive around us–crickets chirping, leaves rustling, the scent of earth and pine filling my senses. My wolf is ecstatic, reveling in the freedom of the run. It’s the first time
I’ve let her out since arriving here, and she takes full advantage, bounding through the
underbrush with wild abandon.
When we finally emerge from the trees, I see it–a cozy pub nestled at the edge of the forest, its warm lights glowing like a beacon. The hum of laughter and clinking glasses drifts through the air, and for the first time in a long while, I feel a spark of excitement.
The pub is packed, the atmosphere electric with energy. Sage leads me to a table near the back, where a group of locals greets her with enthusiastic shouts. She introduces me, and soon I’m swept into the lively conversation, the initial awkwardness melting away.
Someone hands me a pint of beer, and I take a cautious sip, the crisp bitterness surprising me. I’m not much of a drinker, but tonight, it feels right to let go, even if just a little.
As the night wears on, I find myself laughing more than I have in weeks. The music, the
chatter, the shared stories–it’s intoxicating in a way that has nothing to do with the alcohol. For the first time since arriving in this pack, I feel like I belong.
Sage leans over, her eyes glinting with mischief. “See? I told you this would be fun.”
I grin, raising my glass. “You were right. But don’t let it go to your head.”
She laughs, the sound warm and unguarded. And for a moment, I forget about Matthew, about
the uncertainty of my place here, about everything that weighs me down.
For a moment, I’m just Mia-a girl enjoying a Friday night with new friends, finding her place in
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a world that’s starting to feel a little less lonely.
