The ultimate third-wheel

"We should go shopping," Mia suggested, tossing the bag of chips onto Daphney's bed and giving me that signature look-over-the-shoulders 'let's-get-this-over-with'.

But Daphney? She sat, staring out the window, clutching that pendant one of Damien's friends had given her, looking like the star of her very own tragic romance movie. I rolled my eyes. Typical Daphney, an ever so hopeless romantic and stuck in her feelings.

"Huh?" She finally tore her gaze off the sky, plainly having not listened.

"Shopping. You know, because you're about to be the Luna of a pack. New life, new clothes," Mia clarified as she sat up and began to stretch like we had the whole day.

Daphney scrunched up her face like Mia had just told her to drink curdled milk. "That's a little extra, don't you think?"

"Aren't you happy?" I asked, and there it was- another sigh. Great.

"I am happy. It's just-" she started, only for Mia to cut her off with a smirk.

"-Thinking about Cole Anderson?" Mia gave her that knowing look; the one that said she'd figured it all out.

I couldn't help myself. "But he's not your mate." That wasn't obvious by now.

"I know!" Daphney groaned. "But it's not like I can just turn off my feelings, okay?"

Mia made a dramatic face, waving her hands in mock surrender.

"I mean, yeah, I'm attracted to Alpha Aiden because of the bond," Daphney finally said after having her fill of gazing out the window. "But what am I supposed to tell Cole?"

"Nothing," Mia shrugged, now casually rummaging through Daphney's wardrobe. "You don't owe him anything, honestly."

Daphney plopped down beside me, eyes wide and begging. "Will you both come with me tomorrow? I don't think I can do this alone."

"To your pack?" Mia and I asked in unison, shocked.

"Yes, he's coming over tomorrow, and I'm supposed to visit his pack and meet his parents. But then I'm coming back. to prepare for the move," she said, not sounding nearly as thrilled as a girl who was going to become Luna should.

Mia shook her head. "Tomorrow's not good for me. I've got a thing with my mom."

Weird, right?

Daphney looked at me, her last hope. "And you, Ari?"

I forced a smile. "Of course, I'll go with you." Like I had an option. My mom would kill me if she knew I passed up a chance to mingle with Alphas. But way deep inside, I wasn't exactly thrilled about playing the third wheel to Mr. Arrogant Alpha himself.

**The Next Morning**

Mom practically threw me into Daphney's house so early, that I barely had time to wake up. We ended up having breakfast with her family like I was some extra daughter. Not that I minded, Daphney's family and I were tight. Plus it distracted me from the awkwardness to come.

Then, he showed up.

Aiden pulled into the driveway in a flashy black sports car, and I had to admit, I was just a little envious. A car like that? Yeah, I wouldn't say no to it.

"Is that him?" Daphne asked from behind me.

"I think so," I said, my eyes wide as saucers as I turned to her, ready with the snarky comment, but I just froze. Daphney looked like a garden fairy-her mom had shoved her into this ridiculously pink floral dress, complete with a flower band in her hair.

"Whoa," I blinked.

"My mom did this," Daphney sighed, clearly feeling more like a doll than a future Luna.

"You look….pretty," I said, still in a daze. "Sorry, I look. Regular," I gestured to my hoodie and jeans, the opposite of her overly dressed-up getup. But hey, was I not here for moral support alone? And then came the ringing of the doorbell.

Daphney's mom opened the door for Aiden, who stepped in like he owned the world. He commandeered the space immediately, and everything just fell silent. He looked around, his eyes making contact with Daphney in her floral glory.

"Thanks," he said, placing his deep voice into the space as he sat on the couch opposite us.

I nudged Daphney. She wasn't breathing.

"Well," he said, crossing his arms over his chest, "I'd like to take my mate to the pack."

Daphney's mom smiled awkwardly. "Of course, Alpha, but I think Daphney should go at her own pace."

Aiden raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

Ugh, this guy. He thought because they were mates, Daphney was supposed to run to him like a lovesick puppy. Newsflash, buddy: that's not how it goes.

"And what do you think?" He stared right into Daphney, looking intimidating.

Daphney shook a little in her seat, uneasy. "I agree with my mom. I'm. not ready yet."

His face twitched for a second; he wasn't happy with that answer. "The Zia pack needs a Luna soon. I'm young, and there are expectations."

Daphney's mom nodded. "We understand, but I'm sure we can work things out."

"But I will respect your wishes and bring her back today because she has to meet my mother" he added before he got up

"Of course…alright girls time to go, "Her mother said with a small smile

"Girls?" he backtracks.

"Er.y-yes Ariana, you have met before right?" She asked me

"She doesn't have to come with us, she's not our chauffeur" Mr rude Alpha folded his hand at the door.

Hey! I don't even want to go with the both of you. I thought in anger

"I invited her, "Daphney said forcefully holding my hand

Aiden unfolded his hand and walked towards the both of us. Leaning in a bit to tower over us. "Are you both fucking?!"

Both of our jaws dropped open.

"What?! "

"What do you mean?" Daphney scrawled at him, and her mother glared.

"Pardon me, Mrs Dame," he said looking at Daphney's mother “The first time I found my imprint she ran off with her" he pointed accusingly at me.

"B-because she was scared" I counter him but he just glares at me.

Daphney was also upset I could feel it but she's not screaming at her mate like I am.

How unlucky of her to end with this insufferable piece of shi-

"Oh, that's because Ariana is her childhood best friend" Her mom corrected. THAT’S RIGHT!”

"Be it as it may I didn't imprint on her plus…" he stares at me like I was the dirt under his feet "…her friend"

I'm so angry.

"I can't go with you without Ariana," Daphney said, finally looking straight into his menacing eyes.

He sighs angrily.

"Fine! But this is the last time" he said walking out to his car without letting any more opinions aired out.

As soon as he was out the door, Daphney held onto my shoulders, almost stumbling, as she had been on some sort of life support with him around.

"Honestly, I think you should just reject him," I blurted out, startling the two ladies.

"Ari, never say such a thing; it would hurt Daphney even more than him," her mother scolded, rubbing her wrists.

"Alright, you girls, behave, and I'll see you at dinner."

And with that, we both bid her adieu and got into Mr Douchebag's car.

—

He took the expressway, well past our borders and into other packs, doing over a hundred. My heart was racing almost as fast as this car, but I kept quiet, clutching my seatbelt as if it were my lifeline.

We finally ended up entering his pack: Zia. The place had so much more nature compared to regular packs—enormous trees stretching over everything, like one big canopy.

People stared at his car as it zoomed by like they already knew who was inside. Being the Alpha must come with its perks, I guess. Thankfully, the windows were tinted, so they couldn't see us. I, on the other hand, was gawking at everything like a wide-eyed tourist. It was gorgeous here. I bet the place smelled good too.

Then he became this huge compound with a mansion just. Casually sitting there, like it owned the forest.

"Wow," I breathed, and Daphney seconded. This was basically a palace.

"We're here," Aiden said, getting out of the car.

"Wow," Daphney and I repeated, both our eyes wide with amazement.

Just then a voice from the back called out.

"Hey, bro!"

I froze. 'Oh shit. Damien, ' I silently screamed. My immediate reaction was to yank my hoodie up and turn around, in an attempt to disappear into thin air. In my panic, though, I went too fast and slammed straight into the car. The next thing I knew, I was face-flat on the ground.

"Ari!" Daphney cried out running over in her silver heels.

Yep. Fuck my life.

—