Claire’s POV. 

“Alpha Damien,” I said softly, trying to catch my breath “I want to ask for your permission to go to the human world.”

His facial expression instantly changed “Why?”

“It’s about the ritual and the curse,” I said quickly. “I think Betty can help.

 I don’t know how yet, but something tells me she’s part of this,  maybe we can fix it faster.”

His face stayed hard. “No.”

My heart clenched “No?” I asked quietly.

“It’s too dangerous,” he said in a firm voice. “You’ll draw attention to yourself and to me. The human world isn’t safe for you.”

“But Alpha,” I said, stepping closer. “I’ll be careful. No one will even know I’m gone. Please, just a few days.”

His voice turned cold. “Claire.”

I stopped talking immediately.

“You will not go,” he said sharply. “That’s an order.”

I lowered my head, “Yes, Alpha,” I whispered.

He sighed and looked away. “Focus on what’s here. Forget about the human world.”

I slowly turned and walked out of the room.But deep inside, I couldn’t shake the feeling of Betty.

Betty POV. 

I was coming back from the grocery store, holding a small bag of food. Enjoying the evening cool breeze and I just wanted to get home and rest.

Then I saw Louise. 

I stopped at my track, my heart rate, and I almost dropped my bag. 

“Betty,” he said softly, walking toward me. “Please… let me explain.”

I shook my head and tried to walk past him, but he quickly stepped in front of me.

“Please, just listen,” he begged. “What happened before wasn’t what you think. I never wanted to hurt you.”

I looked away, my hands shaking. “You should’ve said that earlier,” I said quietly.

He sighed and rubbed his neck. “I couldn’t tell you the truth then. Things were going on, it's not what you think.”

I let out a small, bitter laugh. “By sleeping with my rival? That’s how you protect people?”

His eyes looked sad. “I didn’t have a choice,” he said softly.

Tears almost dropped from my eyes. 

He reached out his hand. “Betty, please. I never stopped caring about you.”

I stepped back. “Don’t,” I said, my voice breaking. “Just don’t.”

So I turned around and walked away fast. I didn’t look back, even though I could feel his gaze on me.

When I got home, I dropped the groceries on the table and sat down, covering my face.

I was still sitting at the table, when I heard Grandma’s voice from the hallway.

“Betty!” she called out calmly. 

“What’s wrong”? You look gloomy today. “ What happened, my dear?”

I took a deep breath. “Grandma, I saw Louise today.”

Her eyes grew wide. “Louise?”

I nodded slowly. “Yes. I met him on my way back from the grocery store, he looked shocked to see me.

 He tried to explain things, said it wasn’t how I thought but I couldn’t let him finish.”

I looked down at my hands. “The moment I saw him, everything was all pain, anger, and confusion.  I couldn’t listen, so I walked away.”

Grandma didn’t say anything for a while. She just held my hand gently.

She sighed. “Sometimes we run from what hurts us, Betty. You did what you felt was right.”

Her words were soft, giving me a little relief. So I tried to smile a little.

“I just wish it didn’t hurt so much,” I whispered.

Grandma pulled me into a hug. I closed my eyes, trying to calm the storm inside me.

Grandma pulled away from the hug and looked at me with a small smile.

“I have something to tell you,” she said.

I blinked, surprised. “Something to tell me?”

She nodded. “Yes, my dear. A good and a bad one, which do you want to hear first?”

I sat up quickly. “ Anyone is fine with me Grandma”

Grandma smiled and stood up, touching my hair softly.

“How about you freshen up first?” she said in a teasing voice. “Then come down for dinner. After that, I’ll tell you the news.”

I looked at her. “Grandma, can’t you just tell me now?”

She laughed. “No, my dear. Good news comes after a clean face and a full stomach, you look like a mess.”

I sighed but smiled a little. “You’re making me too curious.”

“That’s the plan,” she said with a wink. “Now hurry before your food gets cold.”

I stood up slowly. “Okay, but don’t forget to tell me.”

She chuckled and walked to the door. “I won’t. Just don’t take too long.”

I smiled and headed to my room, still wondering what the news could be.