Wolf-less Omega Luna novel Chapter 24

Alana’s POV

I narrowed my eyes slowly to Britney, praying that she didn’t make me discard the shreds of dignity I was trying to piece together.

Why she took an interest in me before now was beyond me, but seeing as I occupied a position she so clearly wanted, I knew she was going to be crazy.

She should know I wasn’t going to back down without a fight.

“Britney?” I said through gritted teeth. “What do you want?”

She just stood there akimbo and finally flipped her hair over her shoulders before straightening her stance.

“I’m not here to fight you, Alana.” That was when I noticed that she did not bear her usual death glare, scrunched-up nose, thin-lined lip, or even her frigid aura today.

Strange. She was always here to fight.

“You’re not?” I asked, puzzled.

“No.” She shifted from one foot to another. “I’m here to… apologize. For everything.”

She took a step towards me and I took one backward.

“I’m sorry but I don’t get it.”

“I haven’t treated you fairly. I guess I was always just jealous that even when you had nothing, you still went about your day not giving a shit.” She sniffled. “You didn’t let any of it pull you down even when you had it worse.”

I threw a cautious glance at her. Was Britney playing tricks on me? This was definitely a prank.

“Why the change of heart?”

“When you somehow got what I so craved. I was…distraught. I won’t lie. But I took a moment to reflect on myself to see that there’s no point in hating you. Life wasn’t fair to you and I was even worse.”

My gaze was intently focused on her, trying to draw any ounce of deceit in her voice but I couldn’t find any. This was happening.

“I guess what I’m trying to say is that I’m…I’m sorry.” She shifted her weight again to her right leg. “I really am. I hope we can put our past behind us and establish somewhat of a cordial relationship.” And I guess she was done with her speech.

“Right.”

This was so not what I expected, but since she was offering, I was going to take it. But I was going to do so at arm’s length because snakes certainly do not shed their skin in a day. I did appreciate the effort.

“Hug?” She flashed her perfect set of teeth to me and extended her arms for a hug.

“Um…” I released a nervous laugh. “I think we should ease into it…into this,” I said, pointing back and forth to her and me.

“Yes. I’m sorry, you’re right.” She tucked a stray blonde behind her ear.

“I have to get back to the party, so…”

“Right. Right. The party. I take it the shots and wine are ready?”

“Yes, they are. I just hope I did a good job. I don’t know,” I almost instantly regretted being open with her. We had just moved from enemies to…acquaintances?…in the last two minutes, and I was already sharing insecurities with her.

“I think you will.” She took a quick step closer and squeezed my bicep.

“Thanks, Britney.”

The temperature in the kitchen was becoming unbearably high and that was my cue that I had spent more than enough time with Britney.

“You’re welcome, Alana.”

“I have to go.”

“Okay, see you in there,” she rubbed her palms together.

Did one moment of reflection turn Britney from my worst enemy to this? A shiver ran through me and I had to shake it away.

I walked briskly through the open field to the space set up for the party, scanning the area for any familiar face.

As if knowing where to look, I turned around to find Axel watching me from the edge of the high table where he made small talk with two guests.

The whole place was filled up with werewolves with dominating auras, their spouses, and their right-hand men.

Individual canopies with stringed bulbs around them were scattered all over. Music had now overshadowed the sounds of chatters, waves of laughter, and pleasantries.

Servers wheeled out barrels of beer, food, snacks, and trays of shots.

“Alana,” Axel stalked over to me. “You look gorgeous.” He dipped his head to mine, briefly touching my forehead with his, my nose with his, and my lips with his.