The Unwanted Wolf – Chapter 21

When I left Jori’s pack house, Rie was waiting outside for me by the car. There was a large man standing next to her. Rie’s arms were crossed, and she was glaring at the man.

“Hey,” I said, approaching the car.

This grabbed Rie’s attention. She unlocked the car. “Let’s go. You can sit in the back, big guy.”

climbed into the front seat. I looked over at Rie. Her face looked pretty neut

ell, I didn’t think you liked me very much,” I admitted. Especially after the conversation I had overheard in

.

did, I was sure there was nothing I could do to change Rie’s mind. She had known M

hat you are going through right now, and I’d like to think you are doing your best, right?” Rie pulled out of the driveway a

tly. It has all been a lot to process.”

sked.

My response was instant. Even if I didn’t want to think about the whole mate situation, I knew I didn’t want to hurt Mark. Or Jor

led.

at if I do end up hurting him? I’m not sure if there is

, which felt like the wrong response. “Sorry. I’m just surprised. I thought you would react very differently.”

eing malicious to another person, there is no reason to hate someone or go as far as threatening them.”

nostalgia washed over me as we pulled up to the town mall. It had been over five years since I have been here.

or Mark’s second in command.”

y, not saying a single word. It felt a little weird since I didn’t even know his name, but Rie was acting like he wasn’t there. I decided to follow her lead, since I didn’t know how to act exactly.

into stores like these. It was way above my budget, and I never needed anything this fancy.

small party?”

as a small party when it comes to him. Trust me, this is the perfect store.”

dn’t like the idea of a big party, but if it was going to happen, it would be a waste of energy to continue fighting it. Instead, I walked deeper into the store, flipping through the various dresses. I lost Rie in the racks of clothes, but I didn’t mind it. I forgot how comfortable I felt going clothes shopping. I used to go all of the time with my close friends in high school.

grabbed a blue dress that had silver sparkles and looked floor length.

looked back at the man. “Hi, I’m Adira.” I reached out my ha

at my hand for a moment before grabbing it. His grip was firm and borderline hurt. He let go of my hand and went back to his sullen stance. I waited, expecting him to introduce himself, but when he didn’t, I went back to looking for clothes. I wasn’t going to force the interaction.

nt down to my knees. I grabbed those two and went to look for

e as I tried to count the number of dresses in her a

asy.” Rie shoved

ress next, and that one felt like it belonged on a high school dance floor. As I went through the rest of the dresses, none of them felt right.

Rie had brought me with a frown. “Sorry, none of these feel right.”

ait right here. I have an idea.” Rie skipped away into the store.

ead. Finally, Rie skipped back with a single dress in her hand. She shoved it into my hands.

on,” she said.

n over to me and grabbed my hands.

terial. My hands ran over the dress.

op looking at myself.

and looked over my shoulder into the mirror. “Happy?”

ared.

I asked. I had been avoi

y at the thought.

ngue.