Chapter 3: Side Character’s Bargain

Piecing it together, I finally realized: I was inside a storybook, and I was the troublesome side character. Damn. That stung.

The revelation hit me like a punch to the gut. Suddenly, everything made sense—the floating words, the way everyone seemed to have a role to play. I wasn’t the heroine here. I was the obstacle.

A bitter laugh bubbled up in my chest. Of course. The universe had a twisted sense of humor, casting me as the villain in someone else’s love story.

Before I could wallow in self-pity, Eli’s voice pulled me back.

“Miss Delaney, is there something you need?”

His tone was gentle, but there was a note of impatience beneath it. He looked at me like he was waiting for the other shoe to drop.

[The side character can’t let go of her pride. Lying to the werewolf—what good could come of that?]

The words stung, and I swallowed hard. Pride had never done me any favors, and I knew it was time to come clean.

Looking into his eyes, I took a shaky breath and decided to come clean.

I reached into my bag, hands trembling, and pulled out the letter from my father. My heart thudded in my chest as I handed it over.

Eli’s eyes scanned the page, his expression shifting from confusion to concern. The silence stretched, and I bit my lip, waiting for his verdict.

When he finished, his brow furrowed. “Miss Delaney, there’s none of the city’s comforts out here. Are you sure about this?”

He looked at me, searching for any sign of hesitation. I felt the weight of his gaze, the unspoken question hanging in the air.

I nodded, my gaze drifting to his chest. Couldn’t help myself. Whether or not the living was easy didn’t matter—he looked like he’d be great to touch.

“It’s fine. I get it—marry a wolf, follow the pack. I’m not picky.”

I tried to sound nonchalant, but my voice quivered just a little. So much for playing it cool. The words felt strange in my mouth, but they were true enough.

Eli’s mouth twitched. “No need to put it like that.”

A ghost of a smile played at the corners of his lips, and for a moment, the tension eased. He looked almost amused, like he was seeing a side of me he’d never noticed before.

His clenched hands relaxed, and a strange smile flickered across his face.

He let out a breath he’d been holding, shoulders dropping as he finally let himself relax. The mood in the room shifted, lighter, more familiar.

“If you’re worried, we could always just be a fake couple.”

His offer was casual, but there was a hint of vulnerability in his eyes. He was giving me an out, a chance to save face.

“A fake couple? That works.”

I nodded quickly, relieved. The arrangement suited us both—no strings, no expectations. Survival first, romance later.

I figured Eli still had feelings for that girl. I’d make it up to him later—survival first.

One step at a time. I told myself it was only temporary. Once things settled down, I’d find a way to repay his kindness. For now, I just needed a safe place to land.

Back when I’d turned him down, I’d done plenty of awful things.

The memories stung—sharp words, thoughtless actions, all the ways I’d hurt him without meaning to. Guilt gnawed at me. Still, I pushed it aside. There was no going back now.

As the only daughter in the Delaney family, I’d always gotten my way. Eighteen years of pampering made me the most spoiled girl in Maple Heights.

My mom used to joke that I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I never wanted for anything—new dresses every season, birthday parties that lasted all weekend, the whole town turning out to celebrate. Funny how fast it can disappear. I didn’t realize how much I’d taken for granted until it was all gone.