Screw My Mate, I'm Going Lycan - Chapter 11: Chapter 11

The weight of the banquet preparations pressed on my shoulders like an invisible burden. Grandma, despite her fragile health, had handed me this monumental task - our pack's chance to rise from the ashes. Failure wasn't an option.
Just as the stress threatened to overwhelm me, two ghosts from my past materialized at the door. Dylan and Marcus - my childhood friends turned betrayers - stood before me looking like they'd been through hell, yet their eyes held something resembling genuine concern.
"Bella, why the radio silence?" Dylan demanded, his tone sharp with irritation. "You still holding a grudge?"
Marcus shifted uncomfortably. "We screwed up, Bella," he admitted, running a hand through his messy hair. "Jumping to conclusions about you... we want to make things right."
Dylan added quickly, "We were trying to protect you in our own messed-up way. The online hate was spiraling, and we thought—"
I cut him off with a raised hand. The old wounds still ached, but turning them away felt petty. "You can stay," I conceded. "Help with setup. But don't mistake this for forgiveness."
As night fell, the banquet hall transformed. Crystal glimmered under chandeliers, floral arrangements perfumed the air, and the kitchen's savory aromas made my stomach growl.
When Dylan and Marcus left to fetch their packs, I spotted Marcus's forgotten wallet. Racing to return it, I froze at their conversation with Amy on speakerphone.
"How much longer do we have to keep up this charade?" Dylan's voice dripped with exhaustion.
Marcus chimed in, louder than necessary: "Seriously, Amy, pretending to care about Bella when we're—"
The wallet nearly slipped from my trembling fingers. Their words hit like a sucker punch to the gut. All this time... their concern had been an act? For Amy?
Amy's saccharine voice floated through: "I appreciate you both, but Bella can't know. She'd think I stole her mates. And she's still our Alpha..."
A bitter laugh escaped me. Perfect. The traitor trio deserved each other. Pocketing the wallet, I slipped back inside - my heart hardening like cooled steel.
Forgiveness was off the table. These debts from our past life could never be repaid. All I wanted now was to never lay eyes on them again.
Banquet night arrived in a whirlwind of glitter and prestige. Half the celebrity world showed up - including Amy, who slithered in behind my so-called mates wearing designer everything. Her envious gaze crawled over the venue before landing on my gown - a mysterious gift that made Dylan's jaw drop.
"No way..." he breathed. "That's the auction piece I lost to some big shot. How'd you—"
"Must be a knockoff," I shrugged, smoothing the luxurious fabric. "Like I could afford the real thing."
Amy's nails dug into her clutch. "Lucky you," she simpered. "Even fakes look stunning on you. Makes my custom Dylan original seem... ordinary." Her hand darted out. "Mind if I feel the— Oops!"
Red wine exploded across my bodice. The sheer fabric turned translucent, clinging obscenely. I barely managed to cover myself before snarling, "Damn it, Amy! Was that really necessary?"
Tears sprang to her eyes as she cowered behind the boys. "It was an accident! Tell her, guys!"
Dylan immediately jumped to her defense. "Chill, Bella! It's just a dress - and you said yourself it's a cheap copy."
Marcus nodded vigorously. "Face it - you're jealous Amy's rocking actual designer while you're wearing—"
The hypocrisy burned worse than the wine stain. These fools had no idea what was coming...