Wolves Fell for a Fake-Oops, I'm Back

I'm the smoking-hot fantasy that the top wolves of Halcyon-pack were obsessed with when I was over packs. They'd been counting down the days for me to come back and pick one of them to be my mate.

But as soon as I land, a flood of pop - up comments appears out of nowhere:

[LOL, Thalia Morgan actually thinks those top wolves will still be crazy about her when she's back!]

[She has no clue they all fell head - over - heels for a she - wolf who looks just like her while she was away.]

[Just wait and see. Thalia will throw a tantrum, mess with the sweet Sophia, and then the wolves will realize how toxic she is and her family's business will go down the drain.]

[After that, it'll be all lovey - dovey for Sophia and her wolf crew!]

I watch them sneak out of my welcome - home party, one after another, practically running to catch up with that other she - wolf. I immediately decide I want nothing to do with them.

From the comments, I figure out what's been happening in Halcyon - pack. Six months ago, they met Sophia Loring, who was working as a waitress at a fancy bar.

She was poor, innocent, tough but vulnerable, and had a face way too similar to mine. She had them hooked right away.

Over the past six months, those wolves have been fawning over her, competing for her affection just like they used to do for me. They even had a group chat that was originally called "Waiting for Thalia", but now it's all about Sophia.

I came back without telling anyone. When they found out, they threw a welcome - home dinner. I'm wearing a dark dress, watching them walk in, each holding a gift.

The four most popular wolves in Halcyon - pack-they all have different personalities, but they're all young, insanely good - looking, sophisticated, and oozing rich - kid charm. Money really does make you more attractive.

"Thalia..."

"Ms. Morgan..."

They greet me in different ways, all formal now, totally different from before.

Then the comments start popping up again:

[They used to be all over Thalia, but now they're staying away?]

[They were just chatting about how they're afraid Sophia will get angry, so they're keeping Thalia at a distance!]

[This double - standard situation is so dramatic!]

At first, I didn't believe the comments. But seeing how they act now, I'm starting to think it's all true.

The welcome - back dinner has hardly begun when Robert, the laid - back one, starts constantly checking his phone.

The others soon follow, scrolling through their screens and whispering. Robert looks extremely jittery.

I bet they want to leave.

In the restroom, more pop - up comments appear:

[OMG, the heroine is working the late shift at the bar, and they're worried that perv who bothered her before might show up again. They're on edge!]

[They're planning to leave early! This love story is so intense!]

[Ha, poor Thalia. But what can you expect from someone like her?]

I return to the private room.

"Thalia, my dad needs me. I'm outta here,"

Robert blurts out, leaping up, his eagerness hard to hide.

"Yeah, I've got other plans too," Zane, the cold - as - ice one, says, standing up nonchalantly.

Nathan, the confident leader - type, stands up steadily. "You guys drank. I'll give you a ride."

One by one, they rush out, moving faster and faster, like wolves following a strong smell.

I look at Levi, who's still sitting there, calmly eating. "Aren't you going?"

He gives me a sneaky smile. "Someone has to stay with you and make sure you get home safe."

Levi. The one who's always hard to read.