I'm the smoking-hot fantasy that the top wolves of Halcyon-pack were obsessed with when I was over packs. They'd been counting down the days for me to come back and pick one of them to be my mate.

But as soon as I land, a flood of pop - up comments appears out of nowhere:

[LOL, Thalia Morgan actually thinks those top wolves will still be crazy about her when she's back!]

[She has no clue they all fell head - over - heels for a she - wolf who looks just like her while she was away.]

[Just wait and see. Thalia will throw a tantrum, mess with the sweet Sophia, and then the wolves will realize how toxic she is and her family's business will go down the drain.]

[After that, it'll be all lovey - dovey for Sophia and her wolf crew!]

I watch them sneak out of my welcome - home party, one after another, practically running to catch up with that other she - wolf. I immediately decide I want nothing to do with them.

From the comments, I figure out what's been happening in Halcyon - pack. Six months ago, they met Sophia Loring, who was working as a waitress at a fancy bar.

She was poor, innocent, tough but vulnerable, and had a face way too similar to mine. She had them hooked right away.

Over the past six months, those wolves have been fawning over her, competing for her affection just like they used to do for me. They even had a group chat that was originally called "Waiting for Thalia", but now it's all about Sophia.

I came back without telling anyone. When they found out, they threw a welcome - home dinner. I'm wearing a dark dress, watching them walk in, each holding a gift.

The four most popular wolves in Halcyon - pack-they all have different personalities, but they're all young, insanely good - looking, sophisticated, and oozing rich - kid charm. Money really does make you more attractive.

"Thalia..."

"Ms. Morgan..."

They greet me in different ways, all formal now, totally different from before.

Then the comments start popping up again:

[They used to be all over Thalia, but now they're staying away?]

[They were just chatting about how they're afraid Sophia will get angry, so they're keeping Thalia at a distance!]

[This double - standard situation is so dramatic!]

At first, I didn't believe the comments. But seeing how they act now, I'm starting to think it's all true.

The welcome - back dinner has hardly begun when Robert, the laid - back one, starts constantly checking his phone.

The others soon follow, scrolling through their screens and whispering. Robert looks extremely jittery.

I bet they want to leave.

In the restroom, more pop - up comments appear:

[OMG, the heroine is working the late shift at the bar, and they're worried that perv who bothered her before might show up again. They're on edge!]

[They're planning to leave early! This love story is so intense!]

[Ha, poor Thalia. But what can you expect from someone like her?]

I return to the private room.

"Thalia, my dad needs me. I'm outta here,"

Robert blurts out, leaping up, his eagerness hard to hide.

"Yeah, I've got other plans too," Zane, the cold - as - ice one, says, standing up nonchalantly.

Nathan, the confident leader - type, stands up steadily. "You guys drank. I'll give you a ride."

One by one, they rush out, moving faster and faster, like wolves following a strong smell.

I look at Levi, who's still sitting there, calmly eating. "Aren't you going?"

He gives me a sneaky smile. "Someone has to stay with you and make sure you get home safe."

Levi. The one who's always hard to read.

[LOL, does Thalia really think Levi stayed because he still likes her?]

[Spoiler alert: all four wolves are crazy about Sophia!]

[They left one behind just to look good since Thalia is still somewhat important. But if she messes with Sophia, she's done for!]

[They were just arguing in the group chat about who had to stay. Levi finally said he'd do it, and the others were so relieved!]

[The kind - hearted stand - in beats the arrogant Thalia. This plot is amazing!]

Levi drives me back to my huge penthouse apartment, where I live alone.

At the door, I face him. "Thanks for the drive. You should go now."

Levi laughs, his eyes shining. "Thalia, not even going to offer me a drink?"

I raise an eyebrow. "I thought you'd be dying to leave."

His smile gets wider, and there's a strange look in his eyes. "Why would you think that? Do you know something I don't?"

Ugh. Levi has always been the sneakiest wolf in the group.

I pour him a glass of water, and he sits on the couch, watching me.

"You look amazing in that dress," he says.

"Thanks." I flop onto the other couch, looking relaxed.

Levi spins the glass in his hand. "You don't believe Robert's stupid excuse, do you? Aren't you curious where they really went?"

I give him a sideways look. "Are you trying to tell me something?"

He puts the glass down, moves to sit right beside me, and leans in close, speaking softly. "Thalia, you want to know?"

[AHH, why is Levi getting so close to Thalia? Is he falling for her?]

[Relax, this is a stand - in romance story. The popular Thalia always gets some attention before the wolves fully fall for Sophia. Then they'll turn on Thalia for good-that's the exciting part!]

I lean back a bit. "No. It's getting late. You should probably go."

Levi stares at me, then gives a bitter smile. "You really don't care about us, do you?"

I shrug. "What you do is your business. I'm not nosy."

Just then, his phone rings. He answers it right in front of me.

"Levi, did you get Thalia home?" Robert's voice blares out.

"Yeah," Levi says, sounding bored.

"Great. We got here just in time-Sophia almost got bothered again. We're hanging out with her now. She told me to ask if you're coming. Dude, you're so calm, but Sophia really likes you. Gotta act hard to get, right?" Robert sounds teasingly jealous.

Levi looks at me, seeing my calm face. His eyes lose some of their light, and he says casually, "Sure, I'm on my way."

Before he leaves, he stops. "Three years away, and we're not chasing after you anymore, Thalia. Are you feeling a bit lost without us?"

I smile a little. "We all live our own lives. I've been doing just fine without you guys these past three years."

I finally meet the much - talked - about Sophia.

The top she - wolf from the Clayton family is throwing a birthday party, and because I just returned to Halcyon - pack, I'm warmly invited.

We're all in a fancy private room at an expensive lounge.

Sophia, wearing a waiter's uniform, moves around with the other staff, carrying trays of drinks and snacks.

"Hey, isn't that the she - wolf all the top wolves are crazy about? She's still working here?"

"She says she wants to earn her own money-she doesn't want to be some rich wolf's dependent mate."

"Yeah, that tough attitude is exactly why those rich wolves like her so much."

"Look at her face-kind of like Thalia's, right? But Thalia's back, and the wolves don't care. They're still all over Sophia. Did the new girl steal the show?"

"Thalia's too perfect. The wolves probably got tired of her. Sophia's the real deal."

People in the room aren't trying to hide their whispers. In this group, there are friends and enemies, and these comments are full of mean - spirited joy.

I calmly look Sophia over. She stands out among the servers, looking fragile but eye - catching.

Then, suddenly, things go wrong.

As Sophia brings a tray of drinks to my table, she stumbles and the drinks splash towards me.

I jump back, but some still get on my dress.

"Oh, Ms. Morgan, I'm so sorry! It's all my fault..."

She drops to her knees, looking really sorry, and tries to wipe my dress.

I'm about to tell her it's okay when someone shouts.

"Thalia, don't you dare pick on Sophia!"

Robert storms over, glaring at me. He pulls Sophia up and stands in front of her protectively.

"Thalia, you're from a good family-how can you pick on a helpless she - wolf like this? After three years away, this is how you act?" He sounds really angry.

People in the room start smirking and giving me dirty looks, like I've been replaced.

[AHH, Robert being so protective is amazing! I'm loving it!]

[Thalia's messing with Sophia, and the wolves are already turning against her!]

"Robert, stop-it's my fault. Ms. Morgan has every right to be angry," Sophia says, sounding all sweet and innocent.

Her words just make Robert angrier. "Thalia, I never thought you'd be so childish-"

"Robert!"

I cut him off, my voice cold and sharp. "I haven't said a thing. How far are you going to take this stupid show? What's your problem?"

Robert freezes, shocked by my cold tone. He opens his mouth, but nothing comes out.

"Ms. Morgan, it's all my fault. You can yell at me, but please don't be mad at Robert-he's just trying to protect me," Sophia says, her voice shaking like she's the victim here.

I study her closer. First, I thought she was a harmless little thing, but now I see the calculating look in her eyes. She's playing the innocent card way too hard.

"Thalia, Sophia isn't like you, born into a rich family," Robert snaps, still acting like a guard dog. "She has to work hard for everything. Don't pick on her just because we're helping her-you might even get her fired!"

I press my lips together. "Yeah, I was born rich, lucky me. Just like you were born into your own privilege, so you can run your mouth like this. But here's the thing: I don't owe anyone an explanation. Just because I have money doesn't mean you can accuse me without proof. From the second she spilled that drink, I haven't said a word. You're the one jumping to conclusions and blaming me. That's on you. If I want to make a big deal about this, it's my right. If I let it go, that's me being nice. Either way, it's none of your business who you're hanging out with, and I won't let you trash my name. Got it?"

Robert stares at me, confused. For a second, I see panic in his eyes.

[Wait, is Thalia making sense? She didn't even do anything, and Sophia's acting like she's being bullied.]

[Sense? Please, Thalia was definitely about to mess with Sophia! Robert just stopped her. Don't act like Thalia's innocent because a wolf stood up.]