Chapter 9
Lily's POV.
You could hear a pin drop.
Everyone was watching. Everyone. And they were waiting for one thing.
My answer.
I blinked, staring at Mark as he knelt before me, holding that delicate bracelet like it was a diamond ring. I could hear my own heartbeat banging in my ears. Loud. Unrelenting.
Sonia's mouth had dropped open in shock, her eyes flicking between me and the crowd.
But it was nothing compared to what I was feeling.
Mark… liked me? Like, liked me, liked me?
He'd been there since forever. Kind, thoughtful, always showing up. But I never thought…never imagined he felt that way.
My wolf growled low in my chest.
"Not him, he's not our mate."
I flinched.
This wasn't supposed to happen. Not tonight.
Not like this.
A thousand thoughts raced through my mind.
Mark was perfect on paper. Rich, handsome. Gentle. He'd never hurt me. He deserved someone who'd love him back.
But he wasn't Joe.
My eyes flicked to the edge of the crowd where I had last seen him. Joe. His figure had disappeared.
Delusion.
That's what it was.
Was I really going to turn down my first-ever romantic moment because my fantasy didn't line up with my reality?
"Say yes!" Sonia suddenly shouted.
I looked at her, panic rising in my chest.
"Say yes! Say yes!" the crowd chanted.
Mark looked nervous. He laughed awkwardly, but his hands were beginning to shake.
Everyone was staring. Everyone was waiting.
I opened my mouth, and forced the words out.
"Y… Yes."
The crowd exploded in cheers. Sonia squealed and jumped up and down like she had just won the lottery.
Mark stood up, grinning, and wrapped me in a tight hug.
"You don't know how long I've waited to hear that," he whispered.
And then, he kissed me.
It wasn't a bad kiss. His lips were warm and soft.
But my wolf snapped inside of me. A sharp wave of discomfort slammed through my chest. It felt wrong.
So wrong.
But I stayed there, lips pressed against his, faking calm while my soul howled in protest.
When we pulled apart, Mark grinned. "You're amazing, Lily."
Sonia barreled into me for a hug. "I knew it!" she squealed. "You two are so cute!"
****
The next morning, I was brushing my hair when I heard the soft honk outside. I peeked through the curtain.
Mark's car.
Of course.
He waved with that sweet grin of his. I sighed, grabbed my bag, and walked outside.
"Morning, birthday queen," he teased as I opened the passenger door.
"Morning," I said softly.
"You forgot something."
I frowned as he reached into the back seat and pulled out the bouquet of roses from last night.
My heart skipped.
"You…you got me this right?"
"Of course," he said smoothly, though there was the tiniest pause. "You liked them?"
I nodded. "They were beautiful."
"Just like you."
I blushed.
Mark buckled my seat belt and slid into the driver's seat.
"So, how's my favorite girl this morning?"
I smiled shyly. "Nervous, but… good."
He started the car and pulled onto the road. A comfortable silence fell, broken only by the hum of the engine.
"Tell me about your day," Mark said, resting a hand on my thigh. My heart raced at the touch, soft and steady. It was weird, but I pressed my hand over his, giving it a little squeeze.
"Well," I said, turning to look out the window, "The first period is math quadratics. Not super exciting." I wrinkled my nose.
He laughed. "I'll help you with your homework later."
My chest warmed. "You will?"
"Of course." He switched lanes smoothly.
"Anything for you, Lily."
My cheeks flushed. "Thanks."
We drove past my favorite bakery, where Sonia and I used to get cinnamon rolls, and I felt a pang of nostalgia.
"Remember when we used to stop here after school?"
Mark nodded, eyes soft. "I do. We could pick some up on the weekend."
I smiled at the idea. The ride felt too short though, and soon we were pulling up in front of Dark Shade Pack Academy.
I steadied my breath and slid out of the car. Mark hopped out beside me and opened the door.
"Ready?" he asked, his hand out.
"Yes". I breathed heavily and took his hand.
Walking into school hand in hand with Mark felt… surreal.
Whispers followed us.
"Is that Lily?"
"No way, she's with Mark?"
"She looks so pretty!"
"She's glowing!"
I ducked my head at first, my cheeks burning. I wasn't used to attention. I'd always been background noise in school.
But for once, it didn't feel like I was invisible.
For once, people saw me.
And I didn't hate it.
Mark grinned at every student who passed by, holding my hand like it was the most natural thing in the world. Like I was the prize.
A group of girls, a clique that used to snicker at me, went silent as Mark guided me between the lockers. Ivan and Carter, the bullies from yesterday, even looked away when our eyes met. I felt untouchable.
I felt… powerful.
"See that?" Mark whispered. "Nobody's messing with you again."
"I noticed," I said with a small smile.
"Good."
We stopped by my locker. Mark slid the rose carefully into my bag, leaning close to arrange its stem so it wouldn't crush.
"Thank you," I whispered.
He winked. "Anything for my girl."
I bent to grab a book, and when I straightened, Mark's face was inches from mine. His eyes were serious.
"Don't stress in class, okay?" He gently turned me, so my back rested against the cool metal locker. My books slid to the floor, and he bent to scoop them up, handing them to me with a soft smile.
I swallowed. "I… I'll try not to."
He gently pulled me by the waist, pressing me against the locker, a gentle heat spreading through my chest.
Time slowed. My pulse roared in my ears. The hallway blurred, students whispering, teachers entering classrooms, Lucy and Mia vying for locker space.
"Mark…"
He looked into my eyes, his face soft but intense.
"Is that a promise?."
I swallowed.
He leaned in.
Closer.
Closer…
And then he kissed me.
In front of everyone.
And at that moment, standing in the crowded hallway with hundreds of eyes on us, Mark's lips pressed against mine, and the world fell away.
My mind went blank.
My wolf screamed.
And at the far end of the hallway, someone stood still.
Joe.
Watching.
Again.