Chapter Eight

Nova Pov

I try my best to smile through the pain of today. Arlo is my best friend but he will never love me. This union will be so only in name to him. It makes my heart squeeze at the realisation I will be so miserable. Arlo leads me back into the pack house once the crowd starts to disperse. I yawn and rub my eyes, maybe a bit over dramatically.

“I am going to head home to bed,” I say to Arlo before stepping towards the door.

“Wait,” Arlo calls and I turn back to him. “You have to stay here from now on Nova.”

I almost choke on my own tongue as I scoff, “no way.”

“We are engaged now,” he presses.

“But we aren’t married. Until we are I shall be staying at home.” I tell him firmly and turn to walk away.

He grasps my arm lightly to stop me so I turn to look at him. I open my mouth to question him when he brings his lips down to mine. The heat of his soft mouth on mine makes my whole body flush. Those tingles start shooting all through my body.

He abruptly pulls away and winks at me, “good night then my queen.” He smiles at me cheekily before turning away.

I manage to come back to my senses and scurry out the door of the pack house. As I cross the grass towards the pathway someone walks beside me.

“Married?” Raven asks with uncertainty. “Seriously?”

“Yep,” I say popping the p.

“Are you insane Nova?” She asks and I can see the disbelief in her eyes.

I open and close my mouth several times trying to formulate words.

Raven watches me with concern, “he’s going to break your heart.”

“I know,” I say in resign. “But never the less it is happening.”

“Who even gets married anyway?” She asks with a huff.

Raven walks with me to my house before saying goodnight.

Once inside my parents are sitting on the sofa glaring at me. I roll my eyes at them.

“Don’t roll your eyes young lady, now sit down.” My mother says almost like a snarl.

I flop into the armchair opposite them.

“Well?” My mother presses.

“Well?” I repeat back to her with a shrug.

“You know he won’t love you back sweetheart,” my father says softly.

My whole body tenses as I look down at my hands. My fingers numbly fidget amongst themselves.

“We know you’ve been in love with Arlo forever Nova,” my mother agrees. I can tell she is trying to speak to me in a softer manner. “He doesn’t love you in that way Nova. Only as a friend.”

“I know,” I snap as I stand up. “You think I don’t know that he will never love me. Of course I know. But this wedding is happening. It is my choice and I choose Arlo.”

I storm up the stairs and into my room. I slam the door closed behind me before letting out a frustrated growl.

I pace my room as I try to cool my temper. Why do people keep telling me what to do. I think I can manage my own feelings, thank you.

‘They are just worried about you Nova’

‘I know Margo but I just need time to sort my own head out. I don’t need everyone chipping in with their opinions’

I stop pacing and look out my window. My heart nearly stops as I spot Isaac standing by the trees in my garden. He is scowling up at my window.

Margo sighs in annoyance in my head. She doesn’t agree with my relationship with Isaac. Relationship may be the wrong word actually. We both agreed it would just be physical. No one knows about us, not even Raven.

I slide my window open and signal for him to come up.

As he climbs through my window and I whisper to him, “what are you doing here?”

He stands up straight before glaring at me.

“Seriously?” He whispers back with annoyance in his tone. “You didn’t think to tell me you where getting married. And to Arlo?” The way he says Arlo’s name with distaste immediately ticks me off.

“Don’t talk about him like that,” I warn lowly.

“Oh sorry,” he mocks me. “I wouldn’t want to offend your precious Arlo. Tell me, does he still dismiss your love for him?”

I growl in frustration and close my eyes for a moment. When I reopen them Isaac is watching me silently.

“What do you want Isaac? I’m tired.” I tell him as I sit on my bed.

He sits next to me and grasps my hand in his. “I thought we had something special Nova, I thought we had a connection.”

Margo rolls her eyes in annoyance.

“Isaac,” I start. “When we started this between us you knew it wasn’t serious. I have always been honest with you about my feelings for Arlo. This was just a fling. It’s the reason no one knows about us. You also made it clear you did not want anything serious.”

“That was at first,” he says and kneels before me, grasping my hands. “Things change Nova, I started to develop feelings for you. I want to be with you, not in secret.”

I can’t help the chuckle that leaves my mouth, “seriously Isaac? I see you all the time with girls hanging off your arm. You don’t want this. It is just a reaction to my engagement with Arlo. You have to let this go now.”

“No,” he says with a shake of his head. “I will fight for you. You’ll see.” He stands and starts towards the window.

“Wait,” I say following him. “You can’t tell anyone about us Isaac.”

But he is already jumping out the window. He hits the ground with a thud before sprinting away.

I can only hope he won’t tell anyone.

‘I told you it was stupid to get involved with him’ Margo snides.

‘It’s not as if I ever saw Arlo asking me to marry him.’ I shoot back.

I honestly thought I would mate some Alpha from a different pack and have to leave. I also did not think Issac would be bothered in the slightest. I sigh as I close my window and get ready for bed.