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He was sitting with Madox, Benet, and Mitchell, having a drink, chatting, laughing, and, of course, a couple of girls were trying to get in on the conversation. When Spencer looked up at her, a huge smile spread across his face, and he motioned for them to come over.
“Look at all these lovely ladies!” Madox exclaimed as he stood up with open arms to hug them all.
“We did it! We finished the grind of school, and now we are ready for the joys of adulthood.” Benet laughed, raising his beer to toast the others.
“Glad you are. I’d rather be back in school,” Mitchell retorted. “Now we have to figure out what to do with the rest of our lives.” He rolled his eyes and took a big swig of his drink.
“Oh Mitch, calm down. We have our lives already planned. We have our future Alpha to lead us!” Madox raised his beer again to cheer everyone.
As everyone laughed, Adria noticed Spencer's smile fade just in the slightest.
Turning to him, she nudged him with her elbow, and when he looked at her, she mouthed, "you okay?”Spencer nodded, looking around the table. Adria wondered if he was just putting on a brave face. Knowing that his ceremony to become Alpha was just next week, he had to be a bit anxious.
She knew he would try to keep those feelings at bay, to keep tonight light and fun. At just eighteen years old, he was one of the youngest to ever take over some of the pack duties. She couldn’t imagine how that stress weighed on him.
As the night went on, there were many toasts, laughs, hugs, singing, and thoughts for the future. Adria bided her time to talk to Spencer, wanting just the right moment, wanting to say just the right words. Her opportunity finally came at the end of the night as the party was starting to wind down. The eightof them and a few others of the graduating class spilled into the street and headed for the big oak tree in the middle of town.
They had always seen the tree as a symbol of strength, something that Adria needed to be able to admit her feelings to Spencer. The night sky was beautiful as they walked to the center of Rosewood. The stars twinkled as the full moon shone, lighting their way. When they got to the tree, there were still talks of the future, the possibilities in front of them. Adria knew her time was now.
“Spencer? Can I talk to you for a couple of minutes?” she asked hesitantly, taking a few steps away from the group. Moira nudged Beth and Everley, giving them a head nod. Her friends went into action to distract the rest of the group.
“Uh, sure, okay. What’s up, Adria?” As he slowly sauntered toward her, Adria’s heart started racing. Her palms were moist, and her knees felt weak.Here goes nothing,she thought.
“Well, there is something I have to tell you. I had wanted to say something before but there just never seemed to be the right time. We have been friends for a very long time,” Adria started, trying to keep her voice steady.
“Yes, we have. Most of our lives, I’d say,” Spencer added, laughing a little.
“So, we know each other very well. We know all of each other's likes and dislikes. We have a lot in common. We talk all the time, and rarely a day goes by where we don’t see each other.” Adria could feel herself faltering, seeing the puzzled look in Spencer’s eyes. “What I’m trying to say is that we have always had each other’s backs. So, I’d like to take our friendship to the next level.”
She let out a huge breath she didn’t realize she was holding and watched Spencer for some kind of a reaction. “Am Imaking any sense at all?” she asked when the puzzled look didn’t leave his eyes.
“I’m sorry, Adria, I’m not quite following you.” He shrugged his shoulders, as she looked back at their group. Everyone was listening; she knew it, but they were all pretending they weren’t. Adria felt panic starting to set in as she tried to find the right words.
“I like you, Spencer. I like you as more than just a friend. I would like to be more than just friends with you,” Adria blurted out a little louder than she meant to, causing the group to stop pretending and look in their direction.
Moira, Beth, and Everley had ear-to-ear grins. Benet, Mitchell, and Madox had half looks of surprise and knowing. Spencer had a look of shock that was not promising to Adria, but she thought she saw a glimmer of something in his eyes. When he put his head down, smiling, her hopes rose higher than she ever thought they would.
“Seriously?” he asked. As she nodded, he shook his head. “You want to be more than just friends with me? You know you're talking to the future Alpha, right?” His furrowed brows made Adria take a step back. His curt tone told her he wasn’t happy, and she was just about to find out why. “You honestly think you and I could ever be a couple?”
Like a robot, Adria nodded her head.
Her heart slowly started breaking when he angrily yelled at her, “Why would you ever think I would want someone like you? I’m the Alpha, and my mate needs to be strong, outspoken, and a natural-born leader. You are nothing like that, Adria; you are weak and timid. Everything I can’t have in a mate. So, to answer your question about moving to the next level, the answer is no! I want nothing to do with you that way, and I can’t believeyou thought I would!” Red-faced and mad, Spencer turned around and stalked away without another word.
Adria could feel the tears streaming down her face as she stood there, planted on the ground. Her heart was shattered by his reaction.How could he be so cold, so mean?She had never seen this side of Spencer before; he was always so kind and caring. Adria closed her eyes, as she felt one of her friend's hands on her shoulder and another rubbing her back.
“It’s his loss, Adria,” Beth whispered.
“Who knew he could be such a jerk,” Everley added.
Adria could feel the world trying to swallow her up, suffocating her. Opening her eyes, she saw the guys running after Spencer, calling for him to wait up.
As she let the first sob break free, Adria turned and ran to her house as fast as she could. Her hands shook as she used her key to get inside. Going straight for her room, she tore open her closet and pulled out her suitcase. She grabbed handfuls of clothes from her dresser and closet and crammed them in, sobbing harder.
How could I have been so dumb to think that he would ever want me?She thought.Why couldn’t he have just said no instead of humiliating me in front of our closest friends and pack members?
Adria changed as fast as she could when she heard her front door open and close. Moira, Beth, and Everley called out to her.
“Adria? Adria? What are you doing?” Beth asked in shock, as they watched her race around her bedroom, gathering her essentials.
