CHAPTER 4: Tears

The sun streamed through the tall windows of the school hallway as Kiara moved swiftly amongst the crowd, her thoughts preoccupied with the email she'd received the night before. She kept her head down, clutching her books tightly to her chest.

Halfway to her class, she felt a sudden shift in the air, the kind that came when someone was waiting for her. She looked up to see Britney, Layla, and Shirley standing in front of her, their arms crossed and smug expressions plastered on their faces.

Britney, the Beta's daughter, was the first to speak, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Well, if it isn’t the Alpha’s new charity case. We’ve been meaning to have a little chat with you."

Kiara clenched her jaw but said nothing. She tried to move around them, but Shirley stepped in her way, blocking her path.

"Not so fast," Layla said, flipping her perfectly styled hair. "We just have one question: why were you riding in John’s car yesterday?"

Kiara froze, her heart skipping a beat. Of course, they’d find out. Nothing ever stayed secret in the pack.

“I don’t see how that’s any of your business,” Kiara replied, trying to keep her voice calm.

Britney let out a mocking laugh. “Oh, it’s definitely our business. People are starting to talk, you know. Wondering what you or your mother are really after by living in the Alpha’s house.”

Kiara’s hands tightened around her books. “Say what you want about me, but leave my mother out of this.”

Layla smirked. “Touchy, aren’t we? I mean, we all know Sarah only married Alpha Richard for his money. It’s not like anyone actually respects her.”

Kiara’s vision blurred with rage. Her mother had warned her not to get into fights, but standing there and taking their insults felt unbearable. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay composed.

“Look,” she said, her voice steady but firm, “if you have a problem, take it up with the triplets or my mother. I don’t have time for your nonsense.”

She stepped past them, but Britney grabbed her arm. “Not so fast. We’re not done yet.”

Kiara yanked her arm free, glaring at her. “I am.”

As she turned to leave, Layla called after her, “By the way, have you heard about the high school fun fair? It’s happening soon at our old school. You’re not invited, of course. Places like that aren’t for people like you.”

Shirley giggled. “And guess what? Cherry is performing there. Maybe you should take notes. She’s what a real star looks like.”

Kiara stopped in her tracks, turning slightly to glance over her shoulder. A small smirk tugged at her lips. “Don’t get too excited. Cherry might not even show up. Wouldn’t want you to be disappointed.”

Without waiting for a response, she walked away, her heart pounding. On one hand, she was admired for her secret alter ego as Cherry, the rising star. On the other hand, people like Britney, Layla, and Shirley despised her, seeing her as nothing more than an outsider.

---

By the time Kiara got home that afternoon, she was emotionally drained. She dropped her bag near the door and headed for the kitchen to grab a snack. The sound of laughter from the living room made her pause.

She peeked in and saw the triplets lounging on the couches, their relaxed postures a stark contrast to the tension she carried.

John noticed her first and sat up, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. “Kiara,” he called, waving her over.

She hesitated but stepped into the room. “What do you want?”

“There’s a pack party coming up,” he said casually. “Just thought you should know.”

Kiara frowned. “Why are you telling me this? My mom should be the one informing me about pack events.”

John chuckled, his eyes glinting with mockery. “Your mom? She’s too busy spending my dad’s money to bother with pack business.”

Kiara’s chest tightened, the insult hitting harder than she’d expected.

“Don’t talk about my mother like that,” she said quietly, her voice trembling with suppressed anger.

Dylan leaned back in his seat, a smirk playing on his lips. “Oh, come on. Everyone knows it’s true. She’s living the high life thanks to my dad.”

Alex chimed in, laughing. “She’s probably out shopping right now, spending his money on things she doesn’t need.”

Kiara’s vision blurred with tears, but she refused to let them see her cry. Without another word, she turned and bolted up the stairs, their laughter echoing behind her.

In the safety of her room, she collapsed onto her bed, burying her face in her hands. She hated how powerless she felt in moments like this. No matter how hard she tried to prove herself, she always seemed to be one step behind.

Her phone buzzed on her desk, pulling her from her thoughts. She picked it up and saw a message from Trixie:

Hey, heard about the pack party. Are you okay?

Kiara sighed, typing back a quick response. I’ll survive. Same old drama.

As she set her phone down, she couldn’t shake the feeling that things were only going to get more complicated. The tension with the triplets, the secret of her alter ego, and the constant scrutiny from people like Britney it was all becoming too much.

But Kiara wasn’t one to give up. She’d find a way to rise above it all, no matter how hard it got.

Kiara stormed up the stairs, her chest tightening with every step. She slammed the door to her room shut and leaned against it, struggling to calm her racing heart. Anger and frustration warred within her, but it was the pang of hurt that stung the most.

Grabbing her phone, she dialed her mother’s number. The call rang twice before it connected, and the sound of pounding music blared through the speaker. Kiara’s heart sank.

“Hello?” her mother’s voice slurred, barely audible over the deafening club noise in the background.

Kiara froze, her grip tightening on the phone. She didn’t need to ask where her mom was the blaring bass and laughter told her everything she needed to know. The Alpha’s wife, her mother, was at a club while Kiara was left to fend for herself in a house that felt more hostile than welcoming.

Her throat tightened as tears welled up in her eyes. She wanted to scream at her mother, to ask why she was so detached, so absent when Kiara needed her the most. But no words came out.

She ended the call abruptly, her hand trembling as she set the phone down on her desk. The tears she’d been holding back finally spilled over, rolling down her cheeks in hot streams. She sank onto her bed, burying her face in her hands.

In that moment, the weight of everything crashed down on her the cruel words from the triplets, the confrontation at school, and now the painful realization that her mother seemed more interested in escaping reality than being there for her.

Kiara wiped her cheeks, swallowing the lump in her throat. If no one else would stand up for her, she’d have to do it herself.