PUCKED BY MY BEST FRIEND’S HOCKEY ALPHA BROTHER

MELISSA’S POV

“Grrr…”

The low scrape of chairs echoed as the bell rang, and almost immediately, the teacher packed up his things and walked out like he had somewhere better to be.

The students followed suit, chatter filling the classroom as bags zipped and footsteps shuffled.

I didn’t move immediately, Instead, my eyes slowly drifted to Brittany.

Ever since the incident in the washroom… she had been off. Too quiet. Too still. Like someone had drained all the life out of her.

At some point during class, I could’ve sworn I saw tears in her eyes, but she wiped them so fast I almost doubted myself.

Something was wrong.

Really wrong.

I didn’t know what exactly, and I didn’t want to push her, but at the same time… I hated seeing her like this. This wasn’t my Britt. She was loud, dramatic, full of energy—not this hollow version sitting beside me.

From what little I understood, Clinton probably didn’t approve of whoever she was with and got angry seeing them together.

Which, honestly? Was completely unfair. He was her mate for fuck sake!

I sighed quietly and reached for her bag, helping her pack up without a word. She didn’t protest. Didn’t even react much.

“Can we go home now?” I asked softly, tapping her arm.

She nodded and stood up, slinging her bag over her shoulder.

We walked out in silence.

The parking lot was almost empty by the time we got there. A few cars remained scattered around, and among them was… Clinton’s car.

Right.

Dad had mentioned it that morning that we’d be going home with him.

I swallowed hard and opened the back door, sliding in. Brittany got in beside me without a word.

My eyes lifted instinctively to the mirror, just enough to see his physique staring back at me.

He was dressed casually now, his expression blank as ever, like nothing had happened earlier. Like he didn’t almost kill someone. Like he didn’t… call me…

I quickly looked away.

“Can you stop grooming already?” his voice cut through the silence.

I blinked, then realized he was talking to Brittany.

She stiffened beside me. “I’m sorry… I—I… please don’t tell Dad and Mom, I…”

A low growl left his throat and instantly the hair on my arms stood on edge. I felt myself shrink into the leather seat.

“Get a grip of yourself, Brittany,” he snapped, his voice tight with restrained anger. “You better stop grooming, or I can’t promise I won’t kill that freaking bastard.”

Brittany let out a small, awkward laugh, like she was trying to brush it off, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “I'm fine."

“Better,” Clinton muttered.

I just blinked, looking between the two of them.

Werewolves were strange, but these two were on an entirely different level of complicated.

Clinton kicked the engine to life, and we peeled out of the lot.

The rest of the ride was silent.

Uncomfortably silent.

By the time we got home, I didn’t wait. I opened the door and stepped out first, inhaling deeply as if I had been holding my breath the entire time.

Brittany followed, but instead of waiting, she walked straight inside and disappeared upstairs without a word.

I sighed.

First day of school and it had been an unmitigated disaster.

“Melissa.”

My body stiffened at the sound of his voice behind me.

I turned slowly. “Yes?”

Clinton’s gaze held mine for a brief moment before he spoke. ​“I want to apologize on Cassie’s behalf,” he said, his voice level. “It won't repeat itself in the future.”

​My chest tightened, a sharp pang of jealousy blooming where I didn't want it.

He was apologizing for her.

He must really adore his mate, enough to clean up her mess!

I nodded quickly. “It’s fine.”

I didn’t trust my voice enough to say more.

I turned to leave, rushing upstairs and bumped straight into… Mom— Mrs. Houston.

“Oh…sorry,” I said quickly, lowering my head slightly. “Good afternoon, Mom.”

“I was just coming to see you.” She smiled warmly.

“Is everything okay?” I blinked.

“Yes,” she said gently. “I just wanted to tell you to stay indoors for the rest of the day. Preferably in your room after dinner.”

I frowned slightly.

“It’s the full moon tonight. You know how it gets with wolves during heat.” She added quickly.

Oh.

Right.

“And Brittany and Clinton’s mates will be joining us for dinner,” she continued. “So you’ll meet them properly before… everything begins.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

It still felt strange.

Two years ago, none of them had found their mates.

Now…everything had changed and here I was gonna feel like a stranger in my own home.

“How was school?” she asked.

“Fine,” I replied quickly, not wanting to get into everything.

She smiled and nodded, and I took that as my escape. “I’ll go freshen up.”

“Alright.”

I practically rushed to my room.

The moment the door shut behind me, I let out a long breath and dropped my bag onto the bed.

“What a day…” I muttered.

My hand slowly rose to my cheek, and I winced slightly at the lingering pain. I brushed it off and headed into the bathroom, hoping a shower would clear my head.

Well…it didn't. I sure lost track of time and the warm water helped, but it didn’t fix anything.

Suddenly, a knock came at the door, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“Yes?” I called.

“The Alpha requests your presence in the dining room,” a maid’s voice came through the door.

“I’ll be there.”

I changed quickly and made my way downstairs, my steps slower this time.

I greeted my foster parents, and they responded warmly as always. I sat down quietly as the maids served the food.

“Little vixen,” Dad called, clearing his throat. “I’d like you to meet our guests.”

I nodded, lifting my gaze…And froze.

Cassandra.

And… another guy.

Clinton sat beside Cassandra, eating like none of this concerned him, while Brittany sat next to the guy, her expression cold and distant.

“This is Cassandra Norman,” Dad said, gesturing toward her. “Clinton’s mate.”

I nodded stiffly, avoiding her gaze.

“And this,” he continued, pointing at the guy, “is Franklin Jones. Brittany’s mate.”

My eyes widened.

Wait…what?

“He… he’s Brittany’s mate?” I stuttered.

“Yes,” he replied. “Have you two met before?”

“No,” I said quickly, shaking my head.

And suddenly…everything made sense.

The boy at the rink, Clinton’s anger, Brittany’s tears…it all made sense.

She wasn’t with her mate. She was cheating!

My well cultured Brittany was cheating on her mate!

My chest tightened painfully as I lowered my gaze to my plate.

I couldn’t even taste the food anymore.

After a few forced bites, I pushed my chair back. “I’m full.”

“Alright, vixen.” Dad smiled, watching me get on my feet.

“It’s almost 7:45. The full moon will be out soon, so stay in your room.” Mom reminded.

“I will,” I said and walked out quickly.

The moment I got to my room and shut the door, my heart started racing again.

Why would Brittany do that?

Why?

I walked toward the window, staring at the sky. The moon was almost full, glowing softly against the darkening sky.

Soon, it would rise completely and they would all…

I swallowed hard.

I shouldn’t be thinking about that, but my mind betrayed me.

What if…

What if it was me?

What if I was the one…

I shook my head quickly, stepping away from the window.

“No,” I whispered.

I didn’t want that.

Or maybe…

I did.

I didn’t even know anymore.

Time passed without me noticing until the moon finally rose, full and bright.

I shut the curtains and walked to my bed, laying down and pulling the duvet over myself.

If I slept, maybe tomorrow would be better, maybe everything would make sense. But no matter how hard I tried, I kept turning and turning and turning. Sleep wouldn’t come.

My mind refused to shut up.

“Help… save me…” A aching voice echoed in my head and immediately… my eyes snapped open.

I sat up instantly, my heart pounding violently as I looked around the room.

No one.

“Help… save me…”

The voice echoed again…Inside my head.

My breath hitched. No…No way.

I'd…I’d never mistake that voice.

Clintons’