This chapter is dedicated to @Amharyllis for the votes and comments!! Thank you so much for the follow and for adding my book to your reading list!! It means a lot to me. You made my day! This chapter is for you❤❤

-:Cecelia's POV:-

Our mutual silence was disrupted by the urgent whispers in the Packhouse. We looked at each other once before we quickened our pace and made our way to my father's office. I didn't know why, but it felt like most eyes were on us. Then I realized maybe that was because Julian was a stranger to them. We probably shouldn't have skipped the introductory dinner.

We knocked and for a second I thought dad wouldn't let us in. Then the door opened and we quickly filed in.

"What's going on?" I questioned, taking in the tense atmosphere and pale faces. Beta Carson, Aaron, mom, dad's Gamma, Craig, and the head Pack Warrior, Wesley all were there.

"Everything is fine," my father said before anyone else could. I narrowed my eyes at him. Why did he have to hide things from me? Why did he have to lie?

"Are you sure?" I asked, holding back from snapping. I still hadn't cooled down from the Ashton episode.

"Are you challenging me?" He quirked an eyebrow and leaned forward on his desk. Julian immediately grabbed the crook of my elbow, sensing my simmering temper. I turned to glare at him but he gave me a warning look, shaking his head subtly.

"No," I finally huffed, turning back around to face dad. He nodded, satisfied, and leaned back again. The tension in the room reduced.

"Now, leave." He said.

"Excuse me?" I asked incredulously. He scowled.

"I don't like repeating myself, Cecelia."

"Is this meeting about Tasha or not?" I asked.

"It is," he responded.

"Then I am staying," I said firmly. Apparently, I wasn't firm enough.

"This meeting is for rank holders only," he told me.

"I am the Alpha's daughter!" I exclaimed. "I don't need a rank to have a say in the pack affairs!"

"You do if I say so. Now, leave," he accentuated each word separately. His Alpha command. Too bad it didn't work on me.

"B-" I began but a hand clapped on my mouth, muffling the rest of my words. I gave Julian my best I'll kill you look and glared at him with all my might. He seemed unconcerned. 

We'll see about that.

"Thank you, Julian," my father nodded. Julian nodded stiffly as he led us towards the door.

"You, stay," my father interrupted, looking at him.

"He can stay but I can't?!" I cried disbelievingly. My dad gave Julian a meaningful look, ignoring me. 

I fumed.

Why couldn't people prioritize me? Why couldn't they include me? Why couldn't they love me and accept me? Why the hell was I always excluded? Why did I have to be a stranger in my own household? 

Why?

What did I do wrong?

I looked at Julian too, waiting for his reply. It shocked me. 

He sighed, closed his eyes, and pinched the bridge of his nose. Then he gently pushed me out and shut the door behind me. I was so taken aback, I couldn't even react.

My best friend did that. Wow. And here I thought I could always count on him.

I stomped up to my room, the pack members scramming away from me, most likely feeling the waves of dominance and rage I was radiating. They were probably suffocated. Nobody likes an angry Alpha.

I paced around in my room, pulling at my hair in frustration. Serafine seemed to be hibernating or something. She hadn't spoken in a while. 

'Sera?' I tried.

'Lia,' she greeted me.

'What do you think is going on?' I asked.

'I don't know,' she sighed. 'But I don't like it. Something is off, I can feel it.'

'Can you concentrate and tell me what, exactly?'

'No. I've been trying.'

Dammit.

'Sleep, you have training and school tomorrow,' she reminded me gently. I looked at the time and sure enough, it was past midnight. Damn, time flew by with Jules. I suddenly felt tired. Knowing the time brought a wave of exhaustion crashing on me, making me drowsy. 

'Yeah,' I agreed and got ready for bed.

That night I dreamt of running in the forest with a giant wolf hot on my trail.

**************************

I woke up early, but I wasn't as fresh as always. I was forcing my body to move and practically dragging my feet. It became easier after splashing my face with cold water. I plugged in my AirPods before I left. I was feeling very antisocial and crabby that day. 

My run was quick. I didn't stop by the stream. I just counted till fifteen and then ran back. I made sure to avoid Julian that morning. 

Back in my room, I wiped off the sweat and jumped into the shower. I got dressed quickly, slipping on a pair of jeans and a red and white tee. I pulled on a leather jacket and laced up my heeled combat boots. I left my hair open on a whim, just feeling like it. I did remember to slip on a rubber band on my hand for later, though.

I grabbed my bag, my keys, and my phone before I left, locking my door behind me. For breakfast, I grabbed some pancakes and a glass of milk. I was leaving when he all but materialized in front of me.

"What?" I scowled.

"Good morning to you, too," he smiled.

"Right," I rolled my eyes.

"Come on, Lia, you can't be that mad!" He protested.

"Try me," I hissed.

"It was just a meeting!" He exclaimed.

"Look, no offense, Julian," I said, "but as the Alpha's daughter, I had more right to be there than you."

"None taken," he said patiently. "But I did fly halfway across the country just to help your pack, didn't I? It makes sense for me to have been there."

I huffed, badly wanting to throw a temper tantrum. I didn't answer. He chuckled.

"Come on, let's go," he said. "You're late."

"I am not. Not really, " I stepped around him but he moved with me, walking beside me. I didn't pay him any mind, still a little miffed.

"What are you doing?" I questioned when I opened my driver's door and he stopped me from getting in.

"I'm driving you," he stated casually. I narrowed my eyes at him.

"No, you're not," I denied.

"The new rules state go everywhere in groups of two or more," he reminded me.

"So?" I asked, annoyed. "What does have with you driving me?"

"Do you have a friend to carpool with?" He asked me. I was stumped at that. No, I did not.

"How do you plan on getting back, genius?" I asked, satisfied with myself for pointing out a flaw in the plan.

"With you," he shrugged as if it was obvious.

"What?" I gaped. "You can't possibly be serious."

"Dead serious," he nodded.

"What will you do?"

"Stay in the car, listen to songs. Talk to Liana. Play games. I don't know, I'll see," he said nonchalantly. 

"Whatever!" I huffed out when I realized he was set on the idea.

The drive was silent and awkward. He tried to make conversation but I replied in monosyllables. He gave up after a while. When he pulled up in the school parking lot, he got out with me.

"What?" I snapped.

"Nothing," he said. We still had a while to go for the first bell. He was not a responsible driver.

"Bye, then," I said.

"Actually, wait," he stopped me.

"Make it quick," I said, inspecting my nails.

"Lia," he sighed. "Look I'm sorry, okay?"

"About?"

"Not asking them to let you stay," he said.

"Wrong answer," I stated, looking at him straight in the eye. He looked at me perplexed.

"You were supposed to stick with me, not kick me out, Julian. I'm not mad because you didn't ask them to stay. I'm mad because you kicked me out and decided to stay." I explained. A guilty look flickered in his eyes.

"Lia, I'm -" 

"Don't bother," I said. "What happened in the meeting?"

He hesitated.

"Well?" I demanded.

"Lia, we have many eyes and ears on us," he looked around pointedly. I turned to follow his line of sight and held in a groan, swearing under my breath. Eavesdroppers. Fuck them.

"You know that it is because of you, right?" I accused.

"What? What did I do?" He exclaimed.

"Dude, you're evidently a graduate, and a gorgeous one at that," I deadpanned. "You're buffed up so much that you basically look like Hulk. Then you show up on a High School premises. What did you expect?"

"Aww, Lia, thanks!" He fake gushed.

"Ugh, you creep," I scrunched up my nose, trying not to let a smile break out. He pulled me into a hug and I let him. The bell rang and I pulled back.

"Take it back home," I nodded towards my car. "Pick me up later."

He shrugged and didn't give a reply. I shook my head and walked into the school. People seemed to be staring but I didn't pay them any mind because I knew it was because of Julian. It would pass. They would get over it soon. I stopped by my locker to exchange a few books. 

I put in the combination. 

Then screamed when my hand burned as I tried to open it. 

I pulled my hand back, all eyes in the hallway on me. Me, who was cradling her bleeding hand to her chest, holding back a sob. 

That fucking hurt. 

A few of my pack members ran to me. I saw Ashton approaching before he stopped and looked on the other end, where there was more commotion.

I turned to see a panicked Julian shoving his way through the crowd that had formed around me. Did he hear me all the way on the main road? Damn, I must've been louder than I thought. When he finally reached me, all the others back away.

"I'm fine," I murmured lowly as he inspected my hand with a frown. The feeling of the burn had subsided and I could tolerate it without feeling the urge to shriek in pain every passing second. My eyes still felt moist with unshed tears, but I was okay. The injury, however, would take ages to heal. People in the crowd whispered amongst themselves loudly.

"Okay, that's enough, people," Ashton screamed. "Move it! Nothing interesting going on here!" He and his friends scared most of the crowd away. I sent him a weak grateful smile. He nodded, smiling back.

"What happened?" He approached us with his two friends in tow. His second and third in command, I guessed. They all looked concerned and a little confused.

I looked at Julian and we shared a knowing look.

"Silver." Julian finally summed up the entire incident in one word.

**************************************

A/N:-

I know I posted an announcement that I wouldn't update but I found time. I really love you guys for your support. It means the world to me. Thank you so much. 

It's shorter than the normal length of the chapters in this book, but that's all I could manage, sorry.

I hope you liked it. Tap that star if you did!!

What happened in the meeting? What is Julian hiding? Who put SILVER on Lia's locker?! Why?

Keep reading to find out.

QOTD: Seaside or mountains?

Until next time, all my love,
xoxo.