Chapter 28
Lily's POV
My wolf kept fighting me every second.
Its growl echoed deep in my mind, pulling at the edges of my sanity, begging me to stop. But I didn't listen. I didn't want to listen. I wanted to forget everything, Joe, his stupid arrogance, his silence, his girls, all of it.
So I kissed Mark harder.
My heart thundered in my chest as Mark brushed a lock of hair behind my ear. His shirt was undone, sleeves rolled up, revealing the smooth skin of his chest and forearms. Beneath him, the sheets tangled around our legs.
He responded like I was all he'd ever dreamed of, like I was his prize finally falling into his lap. His hands moved quickly, desperately, and I tried to match his energy, tried to pretend I was in this with him. When his fingers slipped between my thighs, I forced a moan past my lips.
I knew what I was doing. I knew I was crossing a line I could never un-cross.
"I want you," I murmured, my voice low and husky. "Tonight… I want us to be together. Fuck me, Mark," I whispered, and the look in his eyes turned in to pure hunger.
Mark's eyes lit up. He grinned, sliding my blouse off my shoulders and tossing it aside. "That's all I need to hear."
His hands were eager as he undid my skirt's zipper. I shivered, half with anticipation, half with guilt. I pressed a hand to his chest. "Wait…"
But his mouth covered mine, warm and insistent. I let him kiss me, even as my mind drifted to Joe, the way he'd held me after my allergy attack, the anguished look in his eyes when I stumbled away. Each memory dulled Mark's touch.
Still, I guided his hands to my hips, then lower, stripping him of his clothes until he lay bare beneath me. His breath hitched when I placed my hand on his chest. "Lily," he whispered, voice rough with longing. "You're beautiful."
I forced a smile and pressed my lips to his neck. "So are you."
Within the blink of an eye, he turned me over and rolled on a condom with shaking hands, muttering things like finally and been waiting for this. He climbed on top of me and pushed in his member, thrusting slowly.
No foreplay. No questions. Just... friction.
We tumbled into a frantic choreography, Mark's strong arms and hungry kisses contrasted with my distant thoughts. I wanted to feel desire for him, to match his passion. But my body moved on autopilot, every motion a performance rather than a surrender.
I stared at the ceiling, feeling nothing. My eyes burned,my throat tightened. My body was here, but I wasn't. I was somewhere else … everywhere else…anywhere but this bed.
Tears slid down the sides of my face as Mark moved faster, panting like this was the best night of his life. All I could think about was how wrong it felt. How cold.
How empty. I couldn't feel anything.
Finally, he finished with a loud groan, collapsing on top of me for a moment before rolling over slumped back, his eyes closed, heavy breath rattling in his throat. "That was…" he began, his voice thick. "...incredible"
I kissed his forehead, grateful it was over. "Thank you," I whispered, and he only nodded, wiping sweat from his brow.
He turned toward me and pulled me into his arms, tucking me under his chin. His warmth should have been comforting. Instead, it felt like a weight on my chest.
"Sleep now," he murmured, one hand stroking my hair.
I stared up at the ceiling as Mark's breathing evened out and he drifted into sleep, a soft snore in my ear. My body relaxed, but my mind raced with regret. 'I've betrayed my mate'. The words echoed inside me, bitter and cold.
I slipped from his arms and rose quietly, slipping into my blouse and skirt. Mark murmured in sleep but didn't wake. I opened the bedroom door and tiptoed out, my heart heavy.
Joe's POV
The palace felt colder than usual when I got back. Maybe it was me. Maybe I was just cold inside now.
Uncle Ivan was waiting in the hallway like always. I should've known it wasn't going to be a peaceful night.
"There's a dinner meeting. You need to be there," he said before I could even open my mouth.
"Understood". I didn't argue. I just showered, suited up, and let myself be carted off to whatever political circus he'd lined up this time. Some part of me still hoped I'd get back home early enough to fall asleep without thinking of Lily.
That hope died the second I stepped into the private dining room.
Jane was waiting for me at the table, radiant in a wine-colored dress. She stood up with a practiced smile and greeted me like we were already engaged.
I sat across from her, seething inside, but I said nothing. I was too tired to fight. Too drained to cause a scene.
We talked… well, she talked. About fashion, about school gossip, about how powerful our union would be. I nodded where appropriate, pushing bland food around my plate, pretending to care.
All I could think about was Lily. Her lips. Her scent. The sound she made when I kissed her neck. Every second I sat there, pretending to listen to Jane, my mind was reliving those nights with Lily…every damn detail burned into my skin.
Later, Jane hugged me before leaving. Her arms circled my waist, soft and sure, and she pressed her cheek against my chest like she belonged there.
Then she looked down and smiled. "Hmm. Looks like someone's warming up to me."
"Fuck". I flinched slightly. My body had betrayed me. I couldn't explain it …the images of Lily that wouldn't stop playing in my head… and I definitely couldn't admit it.
So I forced a smile.
But inside, I was screaming.
Because the truth was… I was with the wrong girl. And every part of me knew it.