Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Daphne
Ilet myself be led away from the chaos, the thrumming tension of the market slowly fading behind me as Garrett walked beside me, his presence both comforting and confusing.
The events had unfolded too quickly, like a sudden storm that leaves you drenched before you even realize it’s raining.
I could still hear Trinity’s voice in the back of my mind, echoing with disbelief and the sharp edge of accusation.
A “bitch.” The word lingered like a bitter taste, and I hated that it had come from her mouth, aimed at me as if I were the threat in all of this.
“Are you okay?” Garrett asked, his voice low, concern threading through it. I glanced sideways at him, surprised by the genuine warmth in his gaze amidst the chaos.
“I’m fine,” I said, perhaps a little too quickly, trying to regain some semblance of control over my spiraling thoughts. “Just… not how I expected today to go.”
He nodded, his expression growing more serious.
“I didn’t mean to pull you into that. Trinity can be…
intense, especially when she thinks she has a chance with someone.
” The way he said it made me realize there was more to this than I had initially understood.
His words held a weight that suggested he knew the dynamics of pack life better than I did.
“What was that about?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper as I glanced to Garrett and then to Oliver, who was still silent a few steps behind me.
He sighed, running a hand through his tousled hair. “Trinity has a history with Oliver. She’s been chasing him for a while now….and since we formed a pack with our other friends she has been trying it with us as well… I didn’t think she’d escalate it in public like that.”
I was an omega, I understood the draw to Alphas, but I also wasn’t desperate for attention.
“I didn’t realize it was that complicated,” I admitted, my voice barely above a murmur.
The weight of the situation pressed down on me, feeling heavier with each passing moment.
I had always thought of pack dynamics as something distant, an abstract concept that existed outside my solitary life.
Yet here I was, caught up in the whirlwind of it all, and I felt utterly unprepared.
Garrett glanced at me, assessing my reaction.
“It can be. Especially when there are strong personalities involved. Oliver’s not one to back down easily, and Trinity…
well, she doesn’t take rejection well.” He looked back toward the market, where voices continued to rise and fall amidst a backdrop of laughter and conversation, as if nothing out of the ordinary had just unfolded.
“Do you think…” I hesitated, wrestling with the words.
“Do you think she’ll escalate this further?
I mean, if she’s really determined…” I trailed off, the thought of Trinity pursuing Oliver—or anyone in their pack—filled me with unease.
I was still processing the anger she’d aimed at me; her words rattled in my mind like a loose stone.
Garrett’s expression hardened slightly as he looked over to Oliver who had been silent but watching our interaction. Oliver sighed before he spoke up. “If she does, we’ll deal with it. There are ways of handling things in a pack, but I want to make sure you’re okay.”
I took a slow breath, absorbing Garrett’s words. Could I trust him? The tension in the air buzzed around me, making it hard to focus on anything but the escalating situation. “I just don’t want to be dragged into whatever mess Trinity creates next,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.
Garrett glanced at me, an eyebrow raised as he walked beside me, keeping a few steps ahead, his presence somehow calming amidst the chaos. “You won’t be,” he assured me. “If it comes down to it, we can handle her.” His confidence eased a small knot in my stomach, but it didn’t erase the turmoil.
I felt a strange mix of gratitude and apprehension.
“But why should I have to deal with her at all? I didn’t ask for any of this.
” The frustration bubbled up again, the anger I had felt during Trinity's outburst rising like bile in my throat.
It felt unfair to be caught in this whirlwind when I had specifically chosen to live away from the drama of pack life.
“You’re right,” Garrett said, his tone softening. “It’s not fair. But sometimes, these things happen, especially when new packs start forming. People feel threatened.”
“Threatened?” I echoed, incredulous. I was just trying to live my life. I didn’t want to threaten anyone or be a source of conflict.
“It’s how some see it,” he replied, a hint of sympathy in his voice. “Omegas like her often get caught in the crossfire. It’s easier for them to lash out than to communicate.”
I nodded, digesting his words. I had spent years perfecting solitude, learning to navigate life without entanglements.
But now, there was a flicker of something—an unsettling thought—that perhaps I was more entangled than I’d realized.
“So, what, am I supposed to just stand by while she makes a scene? I don’t want to be the center of attention, especially not like that.
I also didn’t think it was fair to corner someone like that. ”
Oliver gave me a small smile, “I do appreciate it. I would have had a harder time getting away if it wasn’t for you.”
I felt a wave of relief wash over me at Oliver's acknowledgment. It was a small gesture, but it made me feel like I wasn’t entirely lost in this chaotic web of emotions and expectations.
“Thanks,” I replied, my voice steadying as I met his gaze. “But I still don’t want to be part of this.” I gestured toward the crowd, the laughter and chatter growing louder as people filtered past us. “I just want to tend to my garden and sell them at the market.”
Garrett gave a small smile at my words, “Then we will leave you alone. But…if you need any help feel free to ask.” I gave a nod glancing at the two. I never dealt with pack dynamics before, having grown up just with my grandmother who was a beta.
“I am going to go home now.” I gave the two Alpha’s a look before quickly making a hasty exit. I did something unlike myself and got into someone else’s business. I just felt compelled when I saw Oliver. I shook my head trying to get the thoughts out of my head.
I would go home and this all would be forgotten. Nothing would come out of a meeting like this.