Chapter 2. What Do I Do?

Xerina’s POV

“YOU DID WHAT?!” Chrissy was all over me, her voice piercing through the fog that clouded my mind. My head was still spinning, a chaotic whirl of fragmented memories and regrets. I could feel her breath, quick and hot, as she stared at me with wide, blue eyes. The dim light in the room made everything look hazy.

I groaned, the sound escaping my lips involuntarily. My stomach churned violently, the vile taste of cheap liquor still lingering in my mouth. It was a bitter, acrid flavor that made me gag every time I swallowed. The nausea was overwhelming, a sickening reminder of the last night.

I tried to sit up, but the room spun even faster, forcing me to collapse back onto the couch. The cushions felt rough and scratchy against my skin, and I realized I was still in the same clothes from the night before, now wrinkled and stained. Chrissy’s hands were on my shoulders, shaking me slightly, trying to pull me back to reality.

“What were you thinking?” she demanded, her voice breaking with a mix of anger and concern. “Do you even remember what you did?”

I closed my eyes, trying to piece together the jumbled fragments of my memory.

“I… I don’t know,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “I can’t remember.”

Chrissy let out a frustrated sigh and let go of my shoulders, standing up and pacing the room. I could hear her footsteps, each one a harsh reminder of my stupidity. The nausea intensified, and I leaned over the edge of the couch, dry heaving as my stomach tried to rid itself of the toxic remnants.

“Great,” she muttered, more to herself than to me. “Just great. What the hell are we supposed to do now?”

I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, the taste of bile mixing with the remnants of alcohol. My head throbbed with a relentless pounding that made it hard to think straight. I looked up at Chrissy, her face a mixture of anger, disappointment, and something else I couldn’t quite identify. It cut deeper than the hangover, making me feel even worse.

My blurry vision focused on the bag placed in the corner that Chrissy packed for me. And suddenly, everything clicked. Bar. Alcohol. Mom’s phone call. Rasmus’s arrival and Dylan…

Fuck!

Her blonde hair flashed before my eyes as she blocked my view to turn my face to her. Her angry blue orbs glared down at me.

“What’re you gonna tell your family? You know your father is the Alpha, right? He’ll—”

Fuck! I pushed myself off the couch with much-needed strength. But Chrissy blocked me from moving by grabbing my wrist and making me sit.

“I’ll talk to him—”

“And tell him what? That you fucking got yourself a fake boyfriend to get over your one-sided love that somehow happens to be your older brother?” I cringed at her loud voice.

She was, however, right. Papa would be furious, not to mention how Luca would react. He had always been protective of me, even when we were children; he’d always been hovering around me, scaring the boys in my high school away.

“He’s not my brother!” I hissed at her. Rasmus was not my brother. I refuse to acknowledge so. “And it’s not like they expect me to stay single forever.”

Chrissy rolled her eyes with a sigh. Her hands on her waist made her look like her mother, Aunt Danielle. Her small button nose wrinkled with disappointment.

“I don’t know what you’re trying to do here, Xerina, but this is wrong. You’d be in trouble.” I know, but wasn’t it too late now?

“I know, it’s just…” I heaved a deep sigh. “I was drunk and,” another pause. “I don’t know why I did that.”

“I get it you’re heartbroken, Xer, but this is not how you cope with emotions. What’re you gonna tell Dylan? You’d be playing with his emotions. Have you ever thought how he’d feel? Just put yourself in his shoes.”

I swallowed hard, my throat dry and scratchy. The pounding in my head worsened each throb a painful reminder of my mistakes. I could see the worry etched on Chrissy’s face, her eyes searching mine for some sign of understanding. The room felt suffocating, the stale air thick with the scent of spilled liquor and regret.

“W-what do I do, Chrissy? I—” I started when I realized how deep the mess was. What do I do?! My hands moved in my hair as I tried to think of something when the bell of the apartment rang. Both I and Chrissy snapped their heads towards each other, our eyes locking for a second as she motioned to the door.

“Looks like he’s here. I’ll always be with you in your every decision. Just…think wisely.”

***

“Why no one’s talking? Should I change the music?” It had been half an hour since we started our journey. Chrissy was right. It was messier. Dylan showed up at the door with his duffel bag and a bright smile. I couldn’t bring myself to tell him the truth. His bright smile and hopeful eyes manipulated my thoughts. We just got into his truck, and now we were driving to the east of the country.

Chrissy eyed me through the rearview mirror. Bringing Dylan home wouldn’t lessen the ache in my heart. I was being childish. He wouldn’t care even if I slept with a man. He wouldn’t care less. He never did.

“No, it’s fine…”

“You don’t look very good to me. Do you wanna get something to eat? There’s a cafe nearby.” I took in a slow and calming breath before turning my head towards him with a smile.

“I’m fine.”

“I’m just so…happy today. The weather’s so nice—” He was just making me feel worse. Why the hell was I so impulsive? I should’ve sobered up before making that call.

My eyes widened. Shit! Why didn’t I think of this earlier? I was leading a human into werewolf territory. It was one of the unsaid rules to not meddle in each other’s business. And here I was—Chrissy’s light blue orbs found mine through the rearview mirror, and I knew she sensed my worry instantly. She sighed in disbelief.

“SOS, she’s in disguise. SOS, she’s in disguise…there’s she-wolves in disguise… banana…” Dylan sang with the song playing in the background.

I gulped before giving Dylan a side-eye. There was no harm, right? It was just a matter of two days. I just have to keep it a secret. I calmed myself down.

‘There’s she-wolf in the closet,

Open up and set it free…’

I was done for. These two days were going to be my biggest nightmare. Moon Goddess, please save me!