The Alpha’s Rejected Bride
Chapter 5

I'm looking at them in shock, Crystal is sobbing while Josh comforts her.

My heart feels strange seeing them in that position. I know they are friends but I feel a pang of

something I'm unfamiliar with.

Sensing our presence, they pull apart but only slightly.

"Hi, babe. I didn't know you were here," Josh says, he is eyeing me.

"Me too, imagine my surprise," my voice is low

"I'm not!" Naomi chirps. She is glaring at them.

"Crystal, what is going on here?" She asks in a hard voice. Crystal scoffs and answers,

"My dad is dead, Naomi," She all but growls, my heart softens as tears roll down her cheeks. I sigh and go to hug her gently.

"I'm sorry," I say in her ear. Crystal is now sobbing and hyperventilating.

"He's dead Lucy, my dad is gone," she continues to cry. Her brother Brad comes too. He smiles weakly at me and Naomi goes to give him a comforting hug.

After calming Crystal, I take her to bed, watching as she sleeps.

Her hand is holding mine. I stay with her for a long time before leaving the room.

I stop in the hallway when I hear voices. Naomi and Josh are talking in hushed tones, my best friend looks pissed while my boyfriend has an annoyed expression on his face. "What's going on?" I ask, they both turn to me with tight smiles, I roll my eyes and cross my arms against my chest.

"Babe," Josh comes to me but I hold up my hand, stopping him.

He obliges and sighs.

"You look upset," he comments, I am!

"You haven't been responding to my calls, I come here and replace you in a tight embrace with my best

friend!" I'm livid now for some reason.

I'm going to go crazy! Something is wrong I can feel it in the pit of my stomach. They are hiding something.

"He was just comforting her," it's Naomi who answers and I narrow my eyes on her, since when is she quick to defend Crystal? Josh, I understand because they used to be close a long time ago.

"Babe, I was just comforting her, I swear. Do you perhaps think, I have something going on with her?" Josh looks shocked, and I press my lips together.

"Naomi, what were you guys talking about? And why are you upset?" I ask my other best friend, my voice a high pitch. She sighs audibly.

"I was asking the same thing," She shrugs her shoulders and comes to my side.

Josh scoffs, running a hand in his hair, he looks so hot.

"Do you seriously think I'm cheating on you with two of your closest friends?!" He seems hurt, his mouth ajar like I just said something atrocious.

Josh keeps shaking his head and pacing.

"Josh, I... I," I stutter my words, I just want to know why they are all fighting.

"You guys never tell me anything!" I say as a matter of fact. I sigh and ask straight," Are you seeing someone else?"

"Are you accusing me of being unfaithful?"

"I'm asking not making accusations here," This is a simple question that requires a yes or no.

"You think I'm cheating on you, how could you?"

Josh's eyes hold mine, I feel like I'm standing on the trail now, waiting for my verdict.

"No, everyone is fighting... I'm ranting now, I've hurt Josh.

"Hey, don't cry," Naomi wipes away my tears, I didn't even know I was crying.

"I'm not going to be with someone who would think the worst about me. I've done nothing but love and accept you," he says, Naomi growls but Josh growls back. The two are glaring at each other. "What do you mean by accepting her? Please clarify,"

"Stay the f**k out of this, and leave," Josh is growling, his chest heaving as his eyes change to color black. It means his wolf is taking control.

Josh is a beta while Naomi comes from a line of warriors, but she doesn't train or do anything wolf-like, she prefers shopping, partying to training, or shifting.

"Didn't you hear me, I said LEAVE!" Josh growls, making Naomi and I jump. I go walk closer to him but he bares his sharp teeth at me and I stop.

Naomi gives him one last glare, before leaving us in the hallway.

"Josh, calm down, please," I say in a small. Taking cautious steps towards him.

Josh cups my cheeks and pulls me in an embrace," I didn't cheat," he whispers, holding me tighter. We stay in an embrace a while longer until I pull away and sincerely apologize, "I'm sorry, but lately you've been..."

"Distant?" He finishes for me. He sighs and entwines our fingers.

"I know, work is tough. The rogues are getting crafty," we are now walking downstairs,

"I know," I sigh. He stops and looks me in the eyes.

"Things will get better soon after I take the alpha position from your Dad," I think for a while, someone seems a little eager. I break away from my thoughts when he speaks.

"If you still want to marry me, of course," he sounds sad. I nod frantically and kiss him quickly.

"I want to Marry you," I say enthusiastically. I want my own family with Josh and kids, many kids!

"Ooh, I can't wait too," he yells, carrying me in his arms and giving me a long deep kiss, josh and I don't share many intimate moments but when we do, it's always bliss. We are interrupted by the clearing of a throat.

Josh sets me down and faces his best friend, Brad.

"I see you're enjoying yourself," he winks, I blush and hide my face in Josh's chest.

"You're making her shy, stop," he scolds gently. I turn to look at Brad seriously, his eyes are red but he's trying to force a smile.

"I'm sorry for your loss, and just know I'll always be here for you," Brad nods and gives me a one-sided hug.

"Thanks, Lucy. You are always so kind,"

"I'll be with Crystal until the burial ceremony tomorrow," I inform Josh, he nods and kisses my cheek softly.

I smile and go upstairs

"The alpha ceremony has been pushed to after the funeral," I hear Josh say before closing the door. I lie next to Crystal. She's crying silently and talking in her sleep. "I don't want to," She groans in her sleep " let's do it now,"

I squint my eyes and I allow sleep to take over.

After tomorrow, things will change I'm sure.