Chapter 199
Lily POV
I was up and dressed before dawn, slipping out of the house before Emma made her usual morning rounds. The truth was, I needed a moment to feel like myself again. Between the constant supervision, the formal meals, the scheduled lessons, and the weight of everyone’s expectations, I felt like I was slowly losing my identity, becoming someone I didn’t recognize.
I left a note on my pillow for Emma to find: Gone to school early. I’m fine and safe. Will see you this evening. – Lily
The freedom of driving my own car felt wonderfully normal compared to the luxury vehicles with Marcel at the wheel—was intoxicating. I rolled down the windows and let the cool morning air wash over me as I drove through the pack territory.
I decided to stop at Jake’s garage.
Since the incident he had a brawl with Kai, we’ve not spoken or seen each other that much. Also, I stopped going to his training classes.
When I arrived at his garage, he looked up from under the hood of a pickup truck when I knocked on his open bay door.
“Well, I’ll be damned,” he said with a grin that revealed a set of white teeth. “If it isn’t our future Luna, gracing us common folk with her presence p>
“Cut it out, coach,” I laughed, grateful for his lack of ceremony. “You know I hate all that formal stuff p>
“I hate that for you too that you have to be stuck with my asshole of a cousin. When is he making an official announcement? Or is he getting cold feet? I would love that,” he winked at me.
We chatted for twenty minutes about ordinary things—the weather, the upcoming gala and who he might go with. It was exactly the kind of normal, uncomplicated interaction I’d been craving. Jake treated me like the same person I’d always been, not some delicate flower who needed constant protection and guidance.
By the time I reached the university, I felt more like myself than I had in days. I arrived a full hour before my first class, so I found a quiet corner of my class and settled in with my textbooks.
Professor Morrison’s reading assignments were extensive, but I was determined to stay caught up regardless of what other chaos was happening in my life.
I was completely absorbed in a particularly dense Chapter about werewolf territorial law when someone tapped my shoulder. When I looked up, I saw Jason’s friendly face beaming down at me.
“There you are!” he said, waving excitedly as if we’d been friends for years rather than having met just yesterday. “I was hoping I’d find you before classes started p>
“Hi, Jason,” I replied, closing my book and stretching muscles that had grown stiff from hunching over the small print. “You’re here early p>
“I’m always here early,” he admitted with a sheepish grin. “I like the quiet before the chaos begins. Plus, the good study spots get taken fast.” He gestured to my spread of books and notes. “Looks like you had the same idea p>
“Something like that,” I agreed, beginning to pack up my materials. “Ready for that coffee you promised me p>
His face lit up with enthusiasm. “Absolutely! I know this great place downtown—they have live jazz on weekday mornings and the most incredible Belgian waffles p>
“Jason,” I interrupted gently, “we don’t have to splurge. Any of the coffee shops around the school area would be perfect p>
“Are you sure?” he asked, looking slightly disappointed. “I don’t mind treating you to something special p>
“I’m sure,” I said firmly. “I prefer simpler things anyway p>
We settled on a cozy coffee shop just off campus that catered primarily to students and faculty. The atmosphere was warm and homely, with mismatched furniture and local artwork covering the walls. I ordered a latte and a croissant with scrambled eggs and bacon, suddenly realizing I was starving after skipping Mrs. Patterson’s breakfast.
Jason got an enormous coffee with what seemed like every available flavor shot and a chocolate chip muffin that looked big enough to feed a small family.
“So,” he said, settling into the worn leather chair across from me, “tell me about yourself, Lily. What are you studying? What do you want to do after graduation p>
“I’m in the education program,” I replied, cutting into my eggs. “I want to teach elementary school, maybe work with kids who need extra support p>
“That’s amazing,” Jason said, and his enthusiasm seemed genuine rather than polite. “You must have incredible patience. I can barely handle my little cousin for an hour without wanting to hide in a closet p>
I laughed, surprised by how easy it was to talk to him. “Kids aren’t really that bad once you understand what they need. Most behavior problems come from feeling unheard or overwhelmed p>
“See? That right there is exactly what I mean,” he said, taking a big bite of his muffin. “You have this natural understanding. I would probably just give them candy and hope they stop crying p>
“That’s definitely not recommended,” I giggled, feeling lighter than I had in weeks. “Though snacks can be useful teaching tools p>
Jason launched into a story about accidentally volunteering to help with his pack’s Tweens summer school and the chaos that had ensued when he’d tried to lead a craft project. His animated retelling, complete with exaggerated gestures and sound effects, had me laughing until my sides ached.
“And then,” he continued, “little Susie looks me dead in the eye and says, ’Mr. Jason, you’re not very good at this, are you?’ The brutal honesty of children, is something I would never get used to p>
“What did you say?” I asked, wiping tears of laughter from my eyes.
“I said, ’No, Susie, I’m really not. Would you like to show me how it’s done?’ Best decision I ever made. She took over the whole class and did a better job than I ever could have p>
“Smart strategy,” I approved. “Never underestimate the expertise of a confident eight-year-old p>
“Words to live by,” Jason agreed, raising his coffee cup in a mock toast. “So what about you? Any disastrous teaching moments in your past p>
I told him about about the first time I thought a class back at Golden Moon Pack, for the money of course and had fallen in love with teaching after that. I had accidentally used permanent markers for a washable activity and ended up with a classroom full of children sporting rainbow hands for a week. Jason laughed so hard he nearly choked on his coffee.
“The parents must have loved that,” he wheezed.
“Oh, they were very understanding,” I said dryly. “Especially after the third day when little Tommy decided to give himself a full facial makeover with the green marker he’d hidden in his pocket p>
“Please tell me there are pictures p>
“The teacher took photos for her ’never again’ file,” I confirmed. “I was mortified, but she said it was a rite of passage. Every student teacher has at least one spectacular disaster p>
Jason continued asking me questions about my plans and it was so easy to talk to him because he was genuinely interested. He listened to my answers with real interest, asking follow-up questions that showed he was actually paying attention.
“What about you?” I asked eventually. “What’s your major p>
“Business administration,” he replied with a slight grimace. “Not exactly thrilling, but it’s practical. My dad is a Gamma in Silver Bridge Pack and owns a small construction company, and he wants me to take over eventually p>
“Do you want to take over p>
Jason shrugged, his easy smile dimming slightly. “It’s a good business, stable income, chance to work with my hands. Could be worse, right p>
“That’s not really an answer,” I observed gently.
He was quiet for a moment, stirring his coffee thoughtfully. “If I’m being honest? I’d love to be a photographer. Traveling to remote places, the human world for instance. Maybe even work with them p>
“That sounds amazing,” I said, meaning it. “Why don’t you pursue it p>
“Practical considerations,” he replied with a self-deprecating laugh. “Photography doesn’t pay the bills, especially in a small pack like ours. And my father is expecting I end up with an Alpha or Beta’s daughter. He wouldn’t even want me to marry from our ranks. He wants me to be involved in Pack politics and after everything he has done for me… I can’t just abandon it to chase some impossible dream p>
There was a wistfulness in his voice that tugged at my heart. I understood the pressure of family expectations, and the heavy load that comes with duty.
“Dreams aren’t always impossible,” I said softly. “Sometimes they just require more creativity to achieve p>
“Maybe,” Jason said, then brightened again. “But enough about my quarter-life crisis. Tell me how I’ve never noticed you on campus before. I’m pretty friendly with a lot of first-years. But I have never seen you p>
I was in the middle of explaining why, when I heard a familiar voice behind me.
“Lily p>