He Claimed My Best Friend, I Claimed My Future Chapter 03
Once I’d cried enough, I wiped my face and set my phone to silent. I didn’t want to see any more messages.
But Lucian and Serena showed up at my house together.
Serena threw her arms around me the second she saw me.
“Nora, why didn’t you answer my texts last night? I was so worried.”
“That announcement in the group chat was just another dare. It’s not real. I already called out everyone who said nasty things about you. Don’t be sad, okay?”
She turned and glared at Lucian. “This is all your fault. You and your stupid dares. Now Nora’s upset. Happy?”
Lucian leaned against the wall, hands in his pockets, his tone flat. “I didn’t tell them to say those things.”
“Stop making excuses. Apologize.”
“Fine. Sorry.”
He glanced at me. There wasn’t much apology in his eyes. But when he looked at Serena, the corner of his mouth curled. “Let me buy you both dinner to make up for it. Alright?”
Serena smiled, satisfied, and turned back to me. “Come on, Nora. Let’s make Lucian hurt for once.”
I saw the smile on Serena’s face, and I couldn’t bring myself to say no.
At the restaurant, Lucian handed the menu straight to Serena. He ordered a mango salad for her, forgetting I was allergic to mango.
Then someone called Lucian’s name. “Lucian. You’re here.”
It was Lucian’s parents, the Alpha and Luna of Silverpine Pack. Their presence made my breath catch.
The Luna’s eyes lit up the second she saw Serena. “So this is the girl you keep mentioning. I heard she’s the best young female warrior in the pack. And someone already said ‘Yes. She is mine,’ didn’t he?”
Lucian froze for a second, but he didn’t speak.
Serena’s cheeks went red. She didn’t deny it either.
The Luna thought they were just shy. She smiled at Serena and winked like they were sharing a secret.
“Don’t be nervous. I know tradition says the future Luna’s identity should stay hidden, but Silverpine has been peaceful lately, and we’ll increase patrols.”
“Besides, at your age, when you meet your fated mate, it’s hard to hold back.”
The Alpha chuckled. “Alright, we won’t bother you anymore. Lucian, learn to be a good Alpha. But don’t forget to take care of your Luna.”
He winked at Serena too.
Serena covered her face with her hands, her cheeks burning red.
The Alpha and Luna walked away smiling, without a trace of anger or disapproval.
In that moment, everything clicked.
It was never about tradition or the Alpha heir trials.
Lucian just thought I was too ordinary, too quiet. My pack status wasn’t high enough. I wasn’t someone he wanted to show off.
The mood turned awkward.
Serena broke the silence and asked me, “Nora, have you decided where you want to go after training? Lucian and I are probably going to the beach.”
I shook my head. “I’m not going on any trips with you.”
Lucian paused. His gaze turned dark when he looked at me.
Not long after, a message came from him.
[Don’t be difficult. Is it because I didn’t acknowledge you in front of my parents? They already think it’s Serena. Suddenly denying it would be awkward.]
[Be mature about this. Once training is done, everything will be fine.]
I didn’t reply. I just stood up and said, “I’m done eating. I’m leaving.”
Serena called after me, but I didn’t look back.
That afternoon, Serena suddenly texted me.
[Lucian told me he likes me.]
[I always knew he liked me. I tried to make things easier for you. I made a lot of effort to help you fit in with the pack. But it looks like I’m still the most popular one.]
[The truth is, I knew about you and Lucian. But maybe the Moon Goddess makes mistakes sometimes, right?]
She had known all along.
In that moment, I truly understood what a fool I had been.
I couldn’t figure out why the two people I cared about most had treated me like this.
But it was fine. I was leaving anyway, and there wouldn’t be anyone left to miss.
The pack group chat stayed busy. Someone posted a photo of Lucian and Serena dancing by a bonfire. Wolves kept hyping them up. But I felt nothing.
A few days later, I did my final monthly evaluation at the pack training grounds.
I finished in the top five overall. No Omega had ever scored that high.
That was when Lucian found me.
He was holding a bouquet of white moonflowers. In Silverpine, those flowers symbolized false purity, but some wolves also gave them to congratulate someone on a trial score.
“Nora, congratulations,” he said, smiling as he held out the flowers. “See? You weren’t being serious before. You did great. You still want to come celebrate with me, right?”
I hated the smug certainty in his voice. I didn’t take the flowers.
“Lucian, we’re done. Aren’t you worried Serena might get the wrong idea if you come to me?”
His expression darkened. “Don’t be ridiculous. There’s nothing going on with Serena. Those were all just dares. Nora, when did you get so dramatic?”
I laughed. Even I didn’t recognize the sound. “You finally get to be with her openly. You got what you wanted. Shouldn’t you be happy?”
Lucian went still. “How do you know that? Wait, I can explain—”
“No need.” I cut him off.
“I am done being the excuse you use to get close to each other.”
