Chapter 27
Lily's POV
As I stepped out of the room, I felt like a complete idiot. I didn't know why I had even tried to talk to Joe. What was I expecting, that he'd suddenly open up, pour his soul out, and we'd magically fix whatever was broken between us?
I scoffed to myself.
Even though no one was saying it out loud, whispers of Joe's father's declining health had been floating all around the pack. The rumor mill had been working overtime. People were already treating Joe like the next Alpha. But I couldn't bring myself to think of it that lightly.
I didn't want gossip. I wanted to talk to him. To see how he was holding up.
The night before, I had barely slept. My thoughts kept circling back to him, I imagined the way his hands trembled, the strange look in his eyes. Something had been off. And today, I thought maybe…just maybe…I'd get the chance to check in. After class, I stayed back deliberately, when it was just the two of us in that room, I was about to take that chance.
But of course, one of his many side chicks swooped in with her perfectly packed lunch and short pleated skirt. . "I can't let my husband eat with the average people," she had said like it was her birthright.
Wife? Seriously?
"Jokers"
Maybe Joe was into dramatic, crazy girls. Maybe that was his type.
The thought made my stomach churn.
I pushed it all aside and headed for cheerleading rehearsal. My energy was off, but I powered through.
Coach Daniels was already waiting, clipboard in hand.
"All right, squad," she called. "Let's get our formations right for the half-time performance."
I dove into the warm-up, the rhythmic stretches and jumps grounding me. When practice ended, I wiped sweat from my brow and slipped outside to watch the football team's drills. Fields of green stretched out in the afternoon sun. Joe was in the huddle, giving instructions. He looked… drawn, focus fierce.
I waited until the last drill ended. As the boys trotted off, Mark appeared from the sidelines, sweat-damp hair plastered to his forehead.
"Hey baby," he said, opening his arms. "You okay?"
Before I could answer, a rush of impulse swept through me. I grabbed his face and kissed him fiercely, ignoring the dozen pairs of shocked eyes, footballers, cheerleaders, even Joe watching from the fence. Mark stiffened, then caught my hips and deepened the kiss.
I felt the heat of his surprise, his confusion, even the flicker of excitement as he tried to pull away. But I held him tighter, pressing our lips together until the world blurred.
He had tried to pull away at first, probably surprised, but I didn't let him. If Joe could flaunt some random girl in front of me, then I could damn well show him that I'd moved on, too.
Mark had finally given in and kissed me back, and I could feel everyone's eyes on us, even the coaches. I knew Joe was watching. I didn't even have to look.
Mark's friends had started clapping and whistling like it was the best thing they'd seen all day.Joe jerked his head away and went pale.
"Check out the new move, fellas! Lily's got game!" One of the guys shouted, high-fiving Mark.
Mark gave me a bewildered grin, cheeks flushed. "You…what was that?"
I pressed my forehead to his shoulder, breathless. "i … I needed that. But can we go? Please." My wolf howled in my chest, anger and sorrow roiling beneath the moment's heat.
He laughed, relief softening his eyes. "Okay, Lil. Let's go." He'd grinned like a fool as we walked off together, and I pretended that everything was perfect.
***
Later that night, I sat in the velvet booth of the Moonlight Bistro, wine glass in hand. Mark across from me was dressed in a sharp navy blazer, crisp white shirt, initiating conversations but I felt distant. I wasn't interested in the food or the conversation. I just kept ordering wine.
He had gently placed a hand over mine when I asked for another glass. "Babe, Are you sure you want another one?
I lifted the glass. "I do." My voice was quiet, fragile. The alcohol's warmth spread through me, dulling the ache of Joe's eyes on me earlier.
He placed a hand over mine. "You know it doesn't take much for you to get drunk. Maybe slow down a bit? I don't want you embarrassing yourself"
I pulled my hand away, irritation pricking. "I'm fine."
He sighed and flagged down the waiter. "Another glass, please."
I watched the waiter pour the wine, each drop a small defiance.
"I need to stop thinking about Joe. If I could just blur my senses enough, maybe my wolf would settle, let me love Mark fully.
After a few more glasses, Mark stood. "Come on, let's get you home."
***
By the time we got to his house, I had been buzzing. He helped me inside, and I could tell he was worried, but I didn't give him a chance to fuss.
I wrapped my arms around him and started kissing him. Deep. Messy. Urgent.
He responded, but I could tell he was confused. "Lily… are you sure?"
"Yes," I whispered, trying to convince both of us.
I grabbed his shirt and kissed him fiercely, tongue slipping between his lips. He hesitated, surprised, then melted into it. I could feel him unzipping my blouse. My wolf roared in defiance, but this kiss was for me and Mark, not for Joe.
His hands traced my curves, but I pulled back, distracted by the need to prove loyalty to Mark. I whispered, "I want this,Baby" pressing my body against his. "I want you in me."
Mark's brow furrowed, but desire lit his eyes. He closed the gap again, pressing kisses along my neck and shoulders.
I clenched my eyes shut.
Why couldn't I feel the same fire for Mark?
Why was Joe still haunting every part of me?
Why did I feel like I was betraying something sacred?
And why, deep down, did it feel like something inside me was breaking?