Chapter 2

Zoe

I lean back into my well-worn couch, balancing my laptop on my knees as I put the finishing touches on my latest beauty tutorial video. I hit 'upload' and watch as the progress bar inches forward.

"Come on, come on," I mutter, drumming my fingers on the side of the laptop.

Finally, the upload completes. I quickly switch tabs to post links on my other social media accounts, a familiar rush of excitement bubbling up inside me. This is my favorite part – watching the likes and comments roll in, seeing my hard work pay off in real-time.

I refresh the page, and a grin spreads across my face as I see the numbers tick up. "Not bad, Zoe," I say to myself, allowing a moment of pride. "Not bad at all."

As I start responding to comments, I can't help but reflect on how far I've come. Growing up in the foster system, I never had anything that was truly mine. But this – this business, this following – I've built it all from scratch. It's mine in a way nothing else has ever been.

"Love this look!" I read aloud, typing out a response. "Thanks so much! Let me know if you try it yourself!"

My phone buzzes, and I glance over to see a text from Liam about the BBQ tonight. I feel a twinge of irritation and ignore it for now, focusing back on my laptop.

"Ooh, good question," I murmur, reading another comment. "I'll have to do a video on that next week."

As I continue engaging with my followers, my mind keeps drifting back to the upcoming BBQ. Do I really have to go to this thing? Things with Liam have been... off lately. That night at his brother's place left me with more questions than answers, and the way he dismissed my concerns afterward didn't sit well with me.

I sigh, closing my eyes for a moment. When I agreed to go to this BBQ, I thought Liam and I were heading somewhere. Now, I'm not so sure. At least I'm driving myself, that way I can leave if I want to.

The clock on my laptop reminds me it's time to start getting ready, and I reluctantly close the lid. I stand up, stretching out the kinks in my back from sitting too long.

"Alright, Zoe," I tell myself, squaring my shoulders as I head to my bedroom to change. "You've dealt with worse than a slightly awkward BBQ. You've got this."

I step onto the Whispering Pines Pack property. The scent of grilled meat and the sound of laughter fill the air, but I can't shake the feeling of unease in my stomach.

The sprawling estate unfolds before me, a picturesque blend of nature and luxury. The grand, rustic Thorne mansion looms in the distance, its weathered stone facade a testament to its age and significance. Closer to me, the expansive lawn is dotted with picnic tables and grills, all surrounded by towering pine trees.

To my left, I spot the Pack Building, its rough-hewn wooden beams and stone accents giving it a warm, inviting air despite its imposing size. People mill about, their laughter and chatter carried on the wind, creating a lively atmosphere that contrasts sharply with my inner turmoil.

Liam bounds up to me, his easy grin plastered on like a mask. "Zoe! You made it!" He leans in for a kiss, but I turn my head slightly, his lips grazing my cheek instead. If he notices my reluctance, he doesn't show it. His breath already carries the unmistakable scent of alcohol, and I feel my irritation rising. Something feels off, and it's not just the lingering fear from the note.

"Come on," he says, grabbing my hand with unnecessary force. "Let me introduce you to everyone properly this time."

As we make our way through the crowd, I can't help but notice the sideways glances and whispered conversations that seem to follow us. Liam, oblivious or uncaring, chatters away, pointing out various pack members. His voice is louder than necessary, drawing even more attention our way. I try to focus on his words, but my eyes keep scanning the crowd, searching for... something. Or someone.

And then I see him. Marcus.

He's standing at the edge of the gathering, deep in conversation with Ryan, the pack alpha. Even from a distance, I can't help but notice the way his muscles ripple under his tight t-shirt as he gestures, the intensity in his eyes as he speaks. As if sensing my gaze, Marcus looks up, our eyes locking for a brief moment. I quickly look away, my cheeks flushing.

Liam's voice pulls me back to the present. "And this," he says, guiding me towards a group of younger pack members, "is where the real party's at."

The group Liam leads me to is gathered around a cooler filled with drinks, their laughter and animated conversation creating a bubble of energy. I notice Liam immediately reaching for another beer, cracking it open with a flourish that seems more for show than enjoyment. He's already drinking more than anyone else, and I feel my unease growing.

A petite woman with light brown hair caught in a messy bun catches my eye. She offers me a shy smile, adjusting her glasses. "Hi, I'm Chloe," she says softly, her voice barely audible over the noise of the party.

"Zoe," I respond, grateful for a friendly face. "Nice to meet you."

As Liam gets pulled into a boisterous conversation with his friends, I decide to grab something to eat. I make my way to the food table, piling my plate with a colorful assortment of grilled vegetables and a juicy burger.

Finding a quiet spot near the edge of the yard, I settle down to eat by myself. The savory aroma of the perfectly grilled meat fills my senses, but I can't help feeling a twinge of loneliness as I watch Liam laughing and joking with his buddies, seemingly oblivious to my absence. I take a bite of my burger, savoring the flavors while trying to ignore the nagging feeling that I'm more of an accessory than a date at this gathering.

As the afternoon wears on, I find myself growing increasingly annoyed. Liam becomes louder and more boisterous with each drink, his jokes growing cruder and his behavior more obnoxious. I watch as he challenges one of his friends to an arm-wrestling match, knocking over drinks and nearly upending the table in the process. My embarrassment grows with each passing minute. This isn't the Liam I thought I knew. Or maybe it is, and I've just been too blind to see it.

"Liam," I hiss, trying to pull him away from the chaos. "Maybe you should slow down a bit?"

He shrugs me off, laughing. "Lighten up, Zoe! We're just having fun."

I retreat to the edge of the gathering, feeling out of place and increasingly frustrated. God, when did Liam become so immature? I think to myself. This is turning out to be way more work than it's worth. I can't help but compare his behavior to Marcus's calm presence earlier. The contrast is striking, and not in Liam's favor.

Suddenly, a commotion erupts near the grill. I turn to see Liam, red-faced and swaying slightly, squaring up to Marcus.

"You think you're so much better than everyone, don't you?" Liam slurs, jabbing a finger into Marcus's chest. "Mr. Perfect Beta, always following the rules."

Marcus remains calm, his voice low but firm. "Liam, you're drunk. Go cool off."

"Don't tell me what to do!" Liam shouts, drawing the attention of everyone nearby. "You're not Dad, and you're sure as hell not my alpha!"

I watch in horror as Liam takes a wild swing at Marcus. Marcus easily sidesteps the punch, causing Liam to stumble and fall face-first into the grass. The yard falls silent, all eyes on the brothers. Marcus looks torn between concern and exasperation, while Liam struggles to his feet, face red with embarrassment and rage.

"Fuck you, Marcus," he spits, storming off towards the house.

I stand frozen. This isn't the first time Liam's behavior has made me uncomfortable, but watching him lash out at his brother, I see a pattern I've been ignoring.

The charming guy who walked into my salon seems a far cry from this belligerent, drunken man. I realize with startling certainty that I've been making excuses for Liam, overlooking red flags in hopes of... what? Fitting in? Not being alone?

I'm worth more than this, I realize. I deserve better than someone who treats me like an afterthought and embarrasses me in public.

Chloe touches my arm gently. "Are you okay?"

I nod, even though I'm far from okay. "I think... I think I need some air."

I make my way to a quiet corner of the yard, leaning against a sturdy oak tree and taking deep breaths. The cool bark against my back grounds me, helping to calm my racing thoughts. I close my eyes, trying to center myself.

"You shouldn't be alone."

I jump at the gravelly voice, my eyes flying open to find Marcus standing a few feet away. His expression is guarded. My heart skips a beat at his sudden proximity.

"I'm fine," I say automatically, then sigh. "Actually, no, I'm not fine. That was... a lot."

Marcus nods, moving to stand beside me. We're close enough that I can feel the heat radiating from his body, smell the intoxicating mix of pine and musk. It takes all my willpower not to lean into him, to seek comfort in his solid presence. My skin tingles with awareness, and I find myself hyper-focused on the rise and fall of his chest, the strong line of his jaw.

"Liam can be... impulsive," Marcus says carefully. "Especially when he's had too much to drink."

I snort. "That's putting it mildly."

A ghost of a smile flits across Marcus's face, and I find myself captivated by the way it softens his features. "You're not wrong."

We stand in companionable silence for a moment, watching the party continue as if nothing had happened. It's strange how quickly things can return to normal after such a disruption. But I'm acutely aware of Marcus's presence beside me, of the way my body seems to hum with energy just from being near him.

"I'm sorry," Marcus says suddenly. "For how I reacted last time we met. With the spilled drink. I was... out of line."

His apology catches me off guard. I turn to look at him, struck by the sincerity in his eyes. "Oh. Um, thank you. I'm sorry too. For yelling at you."

He shakes his head. "You had every right to. I was an ass."

I can't help but laugh at his blunt assessment. "Well, we were both a bit prickly that day."

Our eyes meet, and for a moment, I feel like I'm drowning in the depths of his gaze. There's something there, a spark of connection that both thrills and terrifies me.

Our conversation is cut short by Liam's voice carrying across the yard. "Zoe! Where are you?"