The Alpha’s Forgotten Daughter Chapter 03
The private room door swung open and booming music slammed into me.
I’d just settled Maya into a corner of the sofa when my eyes lifted–and my heart stuttered.
Liam Carter, the Alpha heir from the neighboring
pack–the guy I’d crushed on for two years–was here.
In a werewolf world where only strength matters, I
only knew how to bury myself in training. I wasn’t well–liked.
Liam was the only one who ever smiled and struck up a conversation with me.
The party hit its peak, and someone yelled to play
Never Have I Ever.
After a few rounds, a guy jumped onto the low table and shouted, “Alright! Who here has a secret
crush on someone?!”
Laughter and wolf whistles erupted.
I stared at my straight finger and started to fold it down, ready to blend in.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught three fingers still standing.
Mine. Liam’s. And Maya’s, right next to me.
Under the flashing lights, Maya’s cheeks turned pink.
And Liam–sitting a few people away—was staring
straight at her, no attempt to hide it, his gaze
practically tethered to her.
“Whoa-”
The room erupted. “Liam, you sneaky son of a bitch! How long’ve you and Maya been hiding this?!”
I froze. The memories crashed through my head- every conversation Liam had ever initiated with me.
“Claire, what’s Maya’s favorite color?”
“Where does Maya usually hang out on weekends?”
“Maya…”
It felt like a slap that left a burn.
I bent my finger fast, trying to erase myself from the picture.
“Wow!” a shrill girl’s voice cut through. “Wait,
hold up–even our combat star Dumb Muscle Claire has a crush?! She didn’t fold!” me.
Every gaze shifted from the newly outed couple to
“Her? Dressed like a grandma? Who would like her?”
“Wait, didn’t Liam used to talk to her sometimes? Don’t tell me she’s crushing on him!”
I shot Liam a glance, silently begging him to change the subject like he always did.
He just leaned back against the sofa, silent.
The humiliation crashed over me. My mouth opened, but the tears came first.
“God, you’re so boring. Literally a block of wood- can’t even take a joke,” the girl sneered.
I couldn’t sit there another second. I bolted up,
slammed through the door, and fled the room in disgrace.
I ducked into a dark corner of the hallway and crouched down, crying soundlessly.
Not even a few minutes passed before a group of guys stepped out for a smoke. Their mockery drifted into my ears with zero restraint.
“Liam, you knew Claire liked you ages ago, right? Were you just messing with her earlier?”
“Bro, even if you were trying to get with Maya, you didn’t have to use the sister as a stepping stone
that’s cold, man,
“Claire’s dumb as hell though. The way she bolted out of here like a kicked puppy, couldn’t hide a thing- that was priceless.”
Then, Liam’s voice, “If it weren’t for Maya, why would I bother talking to that boring Dumb Muscle?”
Humiliation burned my self–respect to ash.
I clutched my backpack straps, wiped my eyes, and moved to stand.
The motion–sensor light in the hallway corner suddenly blinked on.
A tall figure blocked my path without warning, staring down at my wrecked state.
“Why are you crying here?”
Liam stood in front of me, one hand in his pocket.
“You heard what I said back there, didn’t you?”