CHAPTER 31

CHAPTER 31
It was another day to head out to college, and the morning sun was so bright that it reminded me of what happiness felt like. It broke into my room, slicing through the curtains, brushing across my eyes. I turned over, burying my face in the pillow, hoping it would swallow the mess in my head — but nothing ever did.

There was too much noise inside me: Rory’s words, Elias’s story, the way Dolphus, my pack, Tatum, College and so much more. And somewhere between all that, the heavy reminder that I was still only eighteen.

Eighteen — and carrying a pack, a mate who wasn’t really mine, a reverse harem I wasn't sure of keeping and a lot more.

I dragged myself out of bed, brushed my hair, and dressed in a plain tee and black jeans. I was going to school today, whether I felt ready or not.

Downstairs, the house was alive. Kellan’s laughter echoed from the hallway, Edward’s boots thudded against the floor, and Zephyr’s scent filled the air — cedar, sweat, and wolf. My so-called “harem.” Another part of my headache.

Dolphus was waiting by the kitchen window, already dressed in a grey hoodie, a soft smile on his face. His wolf eyes followed me as I came down.

“You’re up early,” he said.

“Couldn’t sleep.”

He nodded. “You’ve got that look again. The one that says you’re going somewhere I shouldn’t let you go at this time.”

I smiled faintly. “Then don’t look at me that way.”

He crossed his arms. “Alaya.”

“I’m going to college as usual,” I said before he could continue.

He blinked. “You’re serious?”

“Yes. I need a normal day, Dolphus. Just one.”

He exhaled slowly, studying my face. “The pack’s still tense. Rory’s been—”

“Which is why I need you to watch him,” I said, stepping closer. “I trust you. Keep an eye on him. And if anything feels wrong, don’t wait for me — act.”

Dolphus hesitated. “You think he’s capable of something?”

“I think he’s angry,” I said. “And angry wolves are unpredictable.”

He nodded once. “Fine. But be careful. The elders will see you as an irresponsible Alpha. Lol. Also, don't let people see you.”

A grin crept onto my face. “Already planned that.”

He raised a brow. “You’re sneaking out again?”

“Technically,” I said, “it's a strategic departure.”

He laughed quietly. “Strategic, huh? You realize you’re the Alpha, right? You don’t have to sneak out of your own house.”

“I do,” I said, “when four overzealous wolves act like I’m their responsibility.”

He stepped closer, his voice gentler now. “You are my responsibility, Alaya.”

My heart softened a little at that. I brushed my fingers against his arm. “Then take care of the pack for me. You’re better now — strong enough. I’ll be back soon.”

He didn’t look convinced, but he nodded anyway. “Fine. Go.”

“Good.” I smiled, grabbed my bag, and made my move before Kellan showed up.

Getting past these guys was like trying to sneak past a wall of alarms.

Edward was patrolling near the back entrance, Lark was lounging by the garden gate, Zephyr was chatting with Kellan near the garage. I ducked low, hugging the wall, then darted behind the old SUV.

“Move, Alaya. Move,” I whispered to myself.

I sprinted toward the corner fence, climbed over, and landed on the other side with a soft thud.

Freedom.

“Not bad for an Alpha,” I muttered.

And then, I heard the honk.

I jumped. A black car slowed to a stop in front of me, window rolling down to reveal Skai’s wide grin.

“Tell me that wasn’t you climbing your own fence,” she said.

“Shut up and open the door,” I said, glancing back to make sure none of them had seen me.

She laughed, unlocking it. “You’re ridiculous.”

I slid into the passenger seat, slumping into the chair. “You don’t understand. If they see me, they’ll follow me all the way to school.”

“Oh, I understand perfectly,” she teased, steering onto the road. “You’re living in a supernatural soap opera, and I’m your human best friend with popcorn.”

I groaned. “Skai—”

She cut in, laughing. “You literally have four wolves in love with you, a half-blood mate, and a pack of elders waiting for your downfall. If this were a TV show, I’d binge it.”

I threw her a glare that only made her laugh harder. “It’s not funny.”

“It’s a little funny,” she said, turning the wheel. “Why are you hiding from them anyway?”

“Because they’ll tail me everywhere,” I said. “And I just need space — one day where I can be me and not Alpha Alaya of the Silverlore pack.”

Her laughter softened. “Fair. But you should see yourself when you talk about the pack. You get that distant look, like you’re there even when you’re not.”

“I can’t help it,” I murmured. “It’s my pack. My family.”

Skai’s smile faded. “And Dolphus?”

I hesitated. “He’s… better now. But I can’t stop worrying.”

She nodded knowingly. “Because you love him.”

I didn’t answer. But I knew I loved him as a friend and as a person. Speaking of loving, maybe I was liking someone, but I wasn't going to let that bother me.

The campus was alive, as usual. The chatter, sneakers slapping concrete, the smell of cafeteria pancakes wafting through the air.

Skai parked, tossing her bag over her shoulder. “Alright, Alpha undercover. Try not to scare anyone today.”

“No promises,” I muttered, jokingly.

We walked through the gates, and I could already feel eyes on me. Some kids whispered; others just stared. I was used to it.

Halfway across the courtyard, someone called my name.

“Alaya!”

I turned to see Dylan walking up, casual smile, hands in his pockets. Out of the three friends, he was the kind one — too kind sometimes. I forced a smile.

“Hey, Dylan.”

“I’ve not heard from you in days” he said, falling into step beside me. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah,” I said quickly. “Just… family stuff.”

He nodded slowly, eyes scanning my face like he didn’t believe me but wouldn’t push it. “Well, if you need a distraction, I’m good company.”

Skai gave me a knowing look. I ignored her.

“Thanks,” I said politely.

He smiled, clearly pleased. “Maybe we can hang after class?”

“Maybe,” I said, which was Alaya-speak for probably not.

Skai waited until he left before whispering, “You really need to tell him you’re not available if you wouldn't be ”

I groaned. “And say what? ‘Sorry, Dylan, I’m secretly the leader of a supernatural pack’?”

She smirked. “Maybe not in those words.”

We both laughed, and for the first time in days, it felt good.

Classes dragged by.
The lecturers’ voices blurred into background noise, the notes on the board melting into white. My mind kept wandering — to Rory, to Dolphus, to Elias, to the silence of the pack house when I left.

Something in my chest ached — a pull, faint but persistent, like my wolf was restless.

“Hey,” Skai whispered during the study period. “You’re doing that thing again.”

“What thing?”

“Staring at nothing like you’re mentally fighting demons.”

“Maybe I am,” I said softly.

Her hand brushed mine under the desk — a quiet comfort. “You’ll figure it out.”

I nodded, pretending to believe it.

When the bell finally rang, I grabbed my phone and saw the message waiting for me.

Tatum: You at school? I need to talk.

My heart skipped slightly. Tatum never texted like that unless something was heavy.

Me: Yeah. Where are you at?
Tatum: By the field. Five minutes.

“Who’s that?” Skai asked.

“Tatum,” I said. “I’ll meet him before we head home.”

She gave a teasing smile. “You sure it’s not a date?”

“Not even close,” I said, but part of me wasn’t so sure anymore.

The field was empty when I got there, except for him — tall, dark curls, the same tired calm in his eyes that had always both comforted and confused me.

“Tatum,” I called softly.

He turned, his expression unreadable. “Hey, Lay.”

I smiled, he called me Lay. “You okay?” I asked.

He exhaled, shaking his head. “Not really. I just… needed to talk to someone who gets it.”

I stepped closer. “About what?”

He looked down, then up again — his eyes vulnerable in a way that made my chest tighten. “About being alone. About losing people. About never really belonging anywhere.”

There was silence for a beat — the wind carrying the sound of students in the distance.

He continued quietly, “You know I kind of grew up with Dylan, right? He and Rob are the only family I’ve got left. Everyone else is gone.”

“I didn’t know that,” I said softly.

He gave a half smile. “Guess I don’t talk much. But it’s weird — being surrounded by people and still feeling like you don’t belong.”

I looked at him, the ache in his voice cutting deeper than I expected. “You’re not alone, Tatum.”

He met my gaze. “You say that like you believe it for both of us.”

I swallowed hard, unsure what to say. Because the truth was — I didn’t always believe it.

Sometimes, even as Alpha, surrounded by people, I felt the same emptiness he described.

We stood there quietly for a while, neither of us saying anything. The world was soft around us — golden sky, whispering wind, a fragile kind of peace.

And yet, somewhere deep down, my wolf stirred. Uneasy.

Something was coming.