CHAPTER
FORTY
CAROLINE
The next day, my body seemed to be correcting itself again. Though my body ached as if I had ran a marathon, I felt good enough to not only be with Dominic, but to go out to lunch with him, Andrew, and Alfie. All of whom reported that I wasn't as smelly and that it could be mostly covered up with some perfume and a fresh change of clothes.
It must have been a popular day to go to the diner though, as many people from Dom's pack were there. Mostly middle-aged couples, who greeted Dominic warmly and welcomed Andrew back, but didn't say a word to me. Instead, I received forced and polite smiles.
I tried to ignore the pang in my chest. It left a bad taste in my mouth, especially since the Challenge was just a day away.
Then again, it was easy to ignore since my best friend was here. Even if for the short time. They told us stories about the new pack and all of the beautiful places there. Alfie talked about his favorite restaurants and a couple museums he went to in his free time, promising we would go there when we visited them.
"I'm going to use the restroom," I told the boys when we started to pack up.
Dominic nodded to me, engrossed in a conversation with Andrew. Alfie gave me a thumbs up, leaning back in the booth leisurely.
Waddling to the bathroom thanks to my food baby, I hurriedly got into a stall and used did my business. A couple women came in and out, but one in particular was standing at the sink from the time I walked into the bathroom to the time I left the stall.
As I was washing my hands, she scoffed, turning to look at me. "Why?" she asked me.
I blinked in confusion, shaking my hands to rid them of the excess water. The woman was probably ten years older than me, in a pair of skinny jeans and a black blouse. She was one of the women that said hello to Dominic and all but ignored me. "Why what?" I responded.
"You have ruined everything. This pack has been torn apart because of your presence. No one has challenged the Alpha like this for generations. There have only been petty fights, but not one where it has split the pack in two. All because you showed up."
My anger flared, but I tried to keep in mind that Dominic wanted me to make an effort and that I should be more mature instead of wanting to fight everyone. "I'm sorry you feel that way, but if you'll remember, I was brought here against my will. Besides, I didn't ask for the Beta to challenge Dominic."
She shook her head. "It doesn't matter. All of this started when you came."
"I'm doing my best here," I snapped back. "I was a brat at first and yes, I messed things up. But I'm trying to do better. What is it with all of you and this grudge you hold against me? I didn't ask for this and right now I am just doing my best to be what's right for Dominic and yes, even the pack."
Suddenly, two burly men appeared from inside the two other stalls, sneaking towards me slowly. "Your best just isn't good enough." The woman turned to the men. "Break her."
My eyes bulged out of my head and I only had a split second to react before one was lunging at me while the other was swinging his fist at my head. First, I screamed. Then, I fought.
The men weren't trained, that's for sure. They left their groins uncovered and as soon as I shoved my heel into one, he fell into his pal. "Are you crazy?" I hissed. "The Alpha is literally twenty feet away from the bathrooms and you attack me? And why does no one suspect that I'll fight back?!"
