Chapter 24
skrkkErika's POV#kRRk
| downed the alcohol, drinking it like a camel.
| wanted more, more of this stuff that would helpsleep.
| wanted to forget and it would helpforget too.
"Go easy on the drink, Rika" Paula tried to pry the glass off my fingers but I just tightened my grip instead.
"Why? Why should I?" My words were beginning to get slurred, a sign | was on my way to being overwhelmed by
this drink. And | had no regrets.
"Because we don't need you puking all over this floor and messing up the bed" Kat added.
"Have | ever done that?" | grabbed the bottle and poured myself another glass.
"Maybe she needs it, Paula. She does look like she needs it" Kat said, studyingas | threw my head back a
little to gulp half of the drink | had poured for myself.
"And us. She needs us more importantly." Paula supported, putting in her own quota.
"Yes, | do need you girls and | am glad you both came" | attempted to hug my two best friends, it was loose and
awkward, but I didn't care.
"I think you've had enough" Kat tried to take the glass but | refused letting go. "How is your grip still strong even
after you're intoxicated?"
| giggled. "Because | am stronger"
"When was the last twe've been this drunk?" | asked them.
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"It's been awhile." Kat agreed, already understanding what | meant.
"| see your point now" Paula too agreed.
"You need to be careful with the drink, Paula" Kat adviced.
"Why?" She asked, gulping the remaining content in the glass.
"You'll be going back home. We can't risk you driving hdrunk"
"I'm not going home, not today at least" She said.
"You're staying?" Kat looked atto confirm what Paula had said. | nodded my confirmation.
"Yes, | am"Paula responded.
"For how long?" Kat probed further.
"Until she feels better" She gestured towardsusing her wine glass. "And you? Are you leaving today?"
"Nope, | had no plans to. | only didn't bring clothes because | have Rika's wardrobe to raid" Kat confidently said.
"I brought sclothes" Paula pointed towards her bag that was at the bedside table, where she had left it.
My heart filled with gratitude at the sacrifices my friends were making to be here with me.
They had left their daily activities and personal lives to ctake care ofand to be by my side.
They had cto be the shoulder | needed to lean on, and the hands to holdfor comfort.
They could have calledon the phone and comfortedfrom their respective homes. But they had decided
otherwise and that was leaving the comfort of their homes to be here with me.
| was very much grateful for them, | didn't take their friendship for granted.
| had another good childhood friend growing up aside Kat and Kat knew him.
He was the Alpha of the second most prestigious pack - Thunderpaw.
His own pack located on the West side of the country and we were closer to each other than the others. Losing
his father early, responsibility set in and we could no longer make out tto meet up and play as we used to.
He ascended at the early age of fifteen and from what | heard, he was doing a great job of ruling his pack and
keeping the order. Maybe | would pay him a visit since | was back finally and for good. Also, it epi pay to have an
alliance with him. Two of the biggest and strongest packs coming together to withstand any obstacle.
That just gavean idea. A wicked one. "Guys, when | becthe Alpha, I'd
meet with the Alpha of Thunderpaw."
"It's been awhile. He used to be our
childhood best friend until his father died and he had to take over"
Obviously it was Kat that had spoken because she had been my friend from the scratch, together with our Alpha
best friend.
"He used to have a crush on you, | remember that clearly too" Kat teased.
| giggled, clearly intoxicated by the drink. "Forget it Kat. We were just children
then, | bet he might have found his mate by now"
"And | also remember you tellingyou thought he was cute"
| groaned. "Remindnever to tell you anything anymore"
"No matter how many times | reminded you, you would still tell me"
"If I may ask, who is this person you are both talking about?" Paula inquired,
looking fromto Kat.
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"He's our childhood friend" Kat was the one to reply her.
"Where is he now?" Paula asked.
"He's the Alpha of Thunderpaw pack" | replied.
"Oh you mean, the Alpha of the second biggest pack?" Paula sounded a bit surprised. Though | wondered why.
Kat and | nodded in confirmation.
"That must be so nice, being able to have a friend you grew up with and know that whenever you go back to
them, they will always be there to accept you without the judgmental look"
"You didn't have any friend while growing up?" Kat asked, | could detect the surprise laced in the question.
And if | said anything, my voice would carry the ssurprise. She never toldabout this part of her life.
"No. My parents, especially my dad
stopped me. Said if | was to ever
end up with someone from a respectable hlike ours, | should not mingle with those from the low rank. You
girls are like my first real friends!" She smiled at us both.
| placed a hand over hers. "We're going to be friends forever"
"You both have got no choice" She pointed at us both.
The door opened to reveal the maids coming in to pick up our trays.
"Thank you!" The three of us chorused.
The maids nodded and left the room. Soon, my phone rang, | reached for it and
saw the caller ID, my heart began to beat loudly.
Alex was the caller.