Chapter 200
Lily POV
I turned in my chair to see Beta Liam and Celeste standing near the coffee shop entrance, both looking surprised to find me there. Liam’s expression was blank, but I could see concern in his eyes. Celeste looked curious and perhaps slightly amused as she took in my breakfast companion.
“Oh,” I said, suddenly feeling like I’d been caught doing something wrong. “Hi, Beta Liam. Celeste p>
Jason looked between us with confusion, probably wondering why my posture had suddenly shifted from relaxed to tense.
In reality, I was expecting Luna Helene to suddenly show up to.
“We were just grabbing coffee before heading to a pack security meeting,” Celeste explained, though her eyes remained fixed on Jason with obvious interest. “Didn’t expect to see you here so early p>
“I wanted to get some studying done before classes,” I replied, which was technically true even if it wasn’t the whole truth.
An awkward silence stretched between us, filled with unspoken questions and explanations that couldn’t be given with Jason there. I could see Liam calculating, probably wondering if this was something he needed to report back to Kai.
“Would you like to join us?” Jason asked suddenly, apparently misreading the tension as simple social awkwardness. “I think I know you he was staring at Celeste. “You’re the popular girl in final year right? My name is Jason and I’m in third year p>
As he spoke, he offered his hand to Celeste who took it with a smile.
I wanted to disappear into the floor. The last thing I needed was for Kai’s beta and sister to witness me having what could easily be interpreted as a casual breakfast date with another man.
But before I could politely decline on everyone’s behalf, Celeste surprised me by pulling out a chair at our small table.
“That sounds fascinating,” she said with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “We have a few minutes before our meeting p>
As she and Liam settled themselves at our table, I caught Celeste’s pointed look and realized that my morning of normalcy was about to become more complicated.
With Celeste and Liam suddenly joining our table, the comfortable atmosphere I’d been enjoying with Jason evaporated instantly.
I felt like I was under a microscope, every gesture and word being analyzed for hidden meanings.
Jason tried his best to include them in our conversation, asking about their work and commenting on the unseasonably warm weather, but the tension was palpable.
Celeste was practically glaring at me, her usual playful smile was replaced by something that looked suspiciously like disapproval. Liam maintained his blank expression, but I could see him taking mental notes, probably already composing his report to Luna Helen or Kai about my unauthorized breakfast companion.
When we finally finished eating and prepared to leave, I thought I might escape without a confrontation. But as Jason gathered his things and headed toward the door, Celeste caught my arm and pulled me back.
“I see you’re enjoying your time away from my annoying brother,” she said, her tone carried an edge I’d rarely heard from her.
I sighed, already exhausted by the brewing confrontation. “Weren’t you the one advising me to leave Kai alone a while ago? Why are you suddenly playing advocate p>
Celeste’s expression softened slightly, and she glanced around to make sure we weren’t being overheard. “Because he’s a mess, Lily. Whenever I go to visit him, he asks if I came with you. He calls everyone by your name. He misses you terribly p>
Her words sent a pang of longing through my chest, but before I could respond, her gaze sharpened again.
“And what’s with the mate mark?” she continued, her voice dropping to a whisper. “You finally had sex with him p>
Heat flooded my face, and I cleared my throat uncomfortably. “The mate mark was just to keep us connected,” I stammered. “After that incident with Lucas, and we hadn’t marked each other before, I just felt p>
“Stop,” Celeste interrupted, holding up her hand. “You made a huge mistake p>
My heart sank. “What do you mean p>
“Marking him made it worse,” she explained, her expression serious. “It would make the longing more dire, strengthen the bond between you when what we need is distance.” She leaned closer, her voice urgent. “You should wait until you’re in heat and your body is calling out for your mate—then you’ll regret ever doing that p>
The thought of experiencing heat while separated from Kai was terrifying. I’d heard enough stories from other mated wolves to know that being away from your mate during that time was close to torture.
“Noted,” I said weakly, feeling like I’d somehow made everything worse without even realizing it.
Celeste sighed as she gave me a sympathetic stare. When she spoke again, her tone was gentler. “He misses you so much, Lily. If someone should see this—” she gestured toward where Jason was waiting by the door, “—and mention it to him, he’ll go crazy. My brother is jealous, believe me p>
I sighed, “I was just returning his kind gesture for finding my wallet. It won’t happen again p>
“Promise?” Celeste pressed, studying my face intently.
“I promise,” I nodded, meaning it. The last thing I wanted was to cause Kai more pain.
Apparently satisfied with my response, Celeste pulled me into a quick hug. “Come by my place after school,” she suggested, her mood brightening. “We could go bird watching. It’s been ages since we did something normal together p>
“I can’t,” I declined reluctantly. “I have private tutoring with Professor Morrison p>
Celeste’s eyes widened, and she actually squealed. “You mean Nathan Morrison? Half the girls in my class would do anything to have his baby. They’ll kill you if they know he’s giving you private lessons p>
I stared at her perplexed. “Why p>
Celeste pressed her hand to her heart with exaggerated drama. “Are you kidding me? That man is the male version of hotness. He’s so fucking handsome.” She paused, studying my blank expression. “You might not realize this because you think Kai is the most handsome man in the world due to the mate bond, but Nathan Morrison is hot p>
I couldn’t help but laugh at her assessment. “He’s just my professor, Celeste p>