Chapter 32
Joe's POV
I didn't sleep a damn second all night. My wolf wouldn't let me. Every time I closed my eyes, it screamed at me, clawing inside my chest like it was being torn apart. Over and over again, I saw Lily. Crying, Broken or Dead.
And every time, I just stood there in the dream. Watching. Doing nothing.
The final straw? I saw her lifeless in my arms. And the worst part? I knew I had the power to stop it… and didn't.
I woke up gasping, drenched in sweat,my fists clenched so tight my nails dug into my palms. It wasn't just a nightmare. It was a damn warning. And I couldn't ignore it anymore.
I got to school late. I was hungry but I hadn't eaten all day because I didn't have any appetite. I didn't want to go to school but I had to because I wanted to see Lily and at least try to talk to her.
The halls were buzzing like always, laughter, chatter, lockers slamming shut, but all of it sounded muted to me.
I scanned every group like a man possessed. Then I saw her.
Lily. In the far corner of the cafeteria. Wrapped in Mark's arms like she belonged there.
He was kissing her. Kissing her. Deep, slow, like he meant every second of it. Like he owned her.
I stopped walking.
She giggled when he pulled back. And then, the real slap in the face, he handed her a bouquet of white lilies.
Lilies.
The audacity.
She blushed, and he leaned in to whisper something that made her giggle again. Then he started feeding her from his tray like they were in some cheesy rom-com.
My chest began to hurt. Not just from jealousy, but from confusion. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe the locker room thing was a joke. A bet. Maybe Mark was bluffing. Or drunk. Or just trying to look cool.
Right?
I tried to shake it off, to focus in class, but my brain was stuck in a loop. Lily in his arms. Lily laughing so happily with him.
The final bell rang and we went straight to training. I kept trying to catch her eye. Get her alone. Just talk to her. But no luck. Mark was glued to her side like superglue, and even when he wasn't, one of her friend or Coach was hovering nearby.
Eventually, I gave up.
I hit the locker room, grabbed my stuff, and dipped. My whole body felt like it weighed a thousand pounds. I just needed to go home. Sleep for real. Punch a tree. Something.
I was halfway across the parking lot when my phone buzzed.
"Yo, you left your bag in Mrs. Mallory's class," one of the guys texted.
"Shit," I muttered, spinning on my heel and heading back.
The hallway was nearly empty, lights dimmed. That eerie end-of-day quiet hung heavy in the air. I pushed open Mrs. Mallory's classroom door…
And immediately stopped.
Some girl..one I didn't even recognize…was stumbling out. Her shirt was half unbuttoned, hair a frizzy mess like she just left a sauna. She spotted me and grinned.
"Oh, hey, Prince Joe," she purred, smoothing down her skirt like we were in some teen drama. "Didn't know you were still here."
I blinked at her, said nothing, and walked past like she was invisible.
I stepped into the classroom…
And found Mark inside.
Shirtless.
Sweaty.
Pulling up his pants like I just walked in on a scene I really didn't want to see.
He froze when he saw me.
I just stared. Everything inside me went quiet. Still. Cold.
"You've got to be fucking kidding me," I muttered.
Mark rolled his eyes and casually reached for his shirt. "What do you want, Joe?"
"What do I want?" I took a step forward. "Are you serious right now? What the hell was that? That girl just left this room like she came out of a damn wind tunnel."
He scoffed. "None of your business, man."
"None of my business? You're dating Lily. You're supposed to care about her. What the hell are you doing messing around with someone else?"
He didn't even flinch. Just shrugged like I'd asked what he had for lunch. "Look, I don't owe you an explanation. You're not her dad."
"No, I'm not," I snapped. "But I care about her. Which is clearly more than you can say."
He chuckled and shook his head like I was the dumbest person alive. "Do your worst, King Joe. She's in love with me. If you say anything, she'll think you're jealous. Hell, she wants to think I'm perfect. That's how this works."
My fists clenched. "You're seriously disgusting."
"Oh please," he stepped closer, voice low and smug. "Call me whatever you want. Spineless, a coward,a Liar. It doesn't matter. All that matters is this…" he jabbed a finger in my chest, "...you had every girl in this school drooling over you. But not Lily."
He grinned.
"She's mine."
I stared at him. My jaw tightened. My wolf growled, clawing at the edge of my skin. Begging to come out. To rip him apart.
Mark walked past me like it was nothing, even patted my shoulder on the way out. "Better luck next time, Alpha," he said mockingly.
I stood there, shaking. Rage burned in every part of me. Not just because he'd cheated. Not just because he was right.
But because I'd let this happen.
Because Lily had picked him. And now she was wrapped up in a lie while I stood here doing nothing.
Again.
Just like in the dream.
My phone buzzed again. I didn't look at it. I couldn't.
I walked over to the window, placed both palms on the sill, and closed my eyes. My breath came in ragged bursts.
"Get it together," I whispered to myself. "You have to tell her. You have to."
Even if she hates me for it. Even if she doesn't believe me. Even if it breaks her.
Because if I don't, I'll lose her for real.
And this time, there won't be a second chance.
The door creaked behind me.
I turned sharply.
It was Mrs. Mallory. She raised an eyebrow. "Joe? You okay?"
I blinked. "Uh, yeah. Just came to grab my bag."
She gave me a strange look, then spotted the bag. "Well, there it is. You look like you've seen a ghost."
I gave a weak smile. "Something like that."
She nodded slowly. "Get some rest. You look like you haven't slept in days."
She's not wrong.
As I walked out, I heard her mutter, "Teenage boys… always drama."