Chapter 16
(Lily’s POV)
“Be my girlfriend.”
1 stared at Lucien, stunned. My heart was still aching from Zion’s betrayal, and now this?
“What?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. “Are you serious?”
Lucien nodded,
d, his expression unreadable “Yes, let’s fake–date. Just enough to make everyone believe that we’re dating”
I blinked, still not sure 1 understood.
“Why?”
He looked away for a second, then back at me. “Because I don’t like how he treats you”
He didn’t say Zion’s name, but we both knew….you deserve better, and maybe if he sees you with someone else, he’ll realize what he lost.”
He added softly, ruffling his hair “If I had a mate… or someone who loved me the way you love him, I’d be the happiest guy in the realm.”
I stared at him. He sounded so hurt like someone had hurt him too.
Then, he clenched his jaw “It would be a win–win, Lily. You get to make Zion realize your worth, and I’ll be happy just helping you”
Something inside me churned.
I didn’t know if I wanted Zion to be jealous, or I wanted him around me. But what I wanted was to stop hurting, and this proposal feels like another
I need time to think,” I whispered.
Lucien nodded “Okay.”
I stepped forward and took my purse from his hand. “Thank you.”
He didn’t say anything as I walked past him. Outside, Aria and Tobe were leaning on the car. Took you long enough Aria said.
“I couldn’t find where I dropped it,” I lied quickly
Tobe squinted. “Right… but at least you’re not crying, so that’s good right?
I gave a small smile. “Yeah,”
Tobe opened the car and slid into the driver’s seat. Just as he turned the key, there was a knock on the window.
He looked drained. His eyes were dull, and his shoulders slumped.
Tobe unlocked the door without a word, and Dey slid into the backseat beside me.
“What happened?” Aria asked gently.
“I didn’t get to my mate in time. She’d already left,” Dev muttered simply, but something felt off
He looked like he was hiding something, and avoided all our eyes. Yet, neither of us pushed for more information.
The ride home was ulent. Even Tube didn’t crack a joke.
Everyone stared out the windows like we were sinewhere else, and maybe we were. Each of us lost in our thoughts, our hurts, our secrets.
The next day at school, the atmosphere was different. It was colder, heavier and off.
As I walked through the hulls with Aria and Tube, I noticed the stares. Some students gave me strange looks, their eyes unsure, like they didn’t know if I was someone to feel sorry for or someone to admire.
But others others sneered.
1/3
11:15 AM
Chapter 16
“What did I do now?” I murmured under my breath. But I didn’t get an answer until I went to the restroom alone. As I entered one of dosed the door, voices echoed in.
A group of girls burst in.
“It’s so embarrassing. She was literally crying at the party like some rejected sidekick”
“I heard she tried to throw herself at both Zion and Lucien, and neither of them wanted her.
“Desperate much?”
My chest tightened.
One girl spoke up, her voice hesitant. “I don’t know… she didn’t seem like that to me
Another snapped back, “Please. She’s been clinging to the prince forever Celeste is his match and everyone knows that”
the land
The girls cackle with laughter, and tears stung my eyes. I stayed quiet, huddled in the stall with my knees drawn up as I tried to breathe.
Finally the girls left, still laughing and talking, I stood to my feet, preparing to leave the stall when the door swing open again. A high–pitched voice and a scent of vanilla wafted into my nose. I froze.
It was Celeste.
She, and one of her minions began chatting, too caught up in themselves to notice or smell me. I peeped to see Celeste and Kate.
“Ugh, this place,” She said, fluffing her hair in the mirror. “Feels Like the perfect spot to spread a little drama”
Kate chuckled beside her. “Worked like a charm, though. Everyone’s talking. Did you see the look on her face this morning Pathetic
Celeste smirked at her reflection. “I told you it would work. Plant a little doubt, let it grow. Now half the school thinks she threw herself at Lucien and Zion
“And the best part? She can’t even deny it without looking worse, Kate added with a snort “Desperate girls always dig their own graves.”
“Let her stay quiet” Celeste murmured, adjusting her lipstick. “The silence will speak louder than any truth ever could,”
Their laughter echoed through the walls.
My rage burned hot, and I pushed the stall door open. They both froze at the sudden sound.
Celeste quickly masked her surprise with a cruel smile.
“Was it you?” I asked quietly
“Was what me?” she replied with false innocence.
“The rumors about me:
She shrugged with a smirk. “If the truth hurts, maybe you shouldn’t make it so easy.”
I stared at her, fury babbling beneath my skin. Then the leaned in, her voice low “Oh, and those rogue wolves? The ones who tried to take you? That was me too. I also wrote the note, Cute, wasn’t it?”
The world stopped.
Ravena and Varlith hissed angrily. “Let us end her.
But I stood still, trembling.
“You’re sick.” I whispered.
“Stay away from Zion,” she said. “You can never compete with me
“Yu’re right. I can’t compete, with you. I don’t need to. I spat angrily. And just then I saw it in her eyes- Fear.
was gone in a flicker of a second, but it was there… and it gave me a sick feeling
I stepped closer to her and leaned in, “Zion might be yours now, but i’ll have him and when I do, I break him too.”
2/3
11:15 AM d
Chapter 16
Then I turned and walked out of that restroom with my head high.
Celeste had tried to break me, and Zion let her. Now! I didn’t just want to win, I wanted vengeance… and step one? Make Zion jealous.
Zion, as a person may not want me, but his wolf does and that is my power…
I went looking for Lucien, and found him leaning against the wall near the art corridor. I stopped in front of him.
“Yes” I said.
His brows lifted slightly.
“T be your girlfriend.”
色
