Chapter 54
Lily POV
The morning sun filtered through the car windows, casting a warm glow on my face as Celeste drove me to school. I sat quietly in the passenger seat, gazing out at the passing scenery, lost in thoughts.
The past few days had felt like a lifetime-long movie, to say the least. Ever since Nala – my wolf awakened, everything seemed to have shifted, both around me and within me.
“You know!” Celeste said glancing sideways at me. “You look different p>
I tensed leaning over to stare at the side mirrors. I didn’t notice anything strange with me. “Different how?” I turned back to her.
Celeste smiled, her eyes flickering between me and the road. “Good different, Lily. You look… more mature – grownup, I dare say. Like you’ve grown into yourself overnight and more beautiful. Your wolf suits you so well. Do you know her name yet p>
I blushed, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. I wasn’t used to such direct compliments, especially not about my appearance. “Her name is Nala,” I mumbled “And thanks for the compliment but I don’t feel that different p>
Celeste chuckled. “Trust me, people are going to notice. The moment our wolf wakes up, it’s like you radiate a different kind of energy. Confidence, power – it’s hard to hide p>
I didn’t respond as my mind drifted back to the conversation, I had with Kai just the previous day. The question he had asked me still lingered in my heart until now.
“What do you feel for him p>
He hadn’t said Luca’s name at first but I knew exactly who he meant. I hadn’t been surprised that he figured out Lucas’s identity. I’d expected him to investigate my past. But the directness of his question had caught me off guard and I am still surprised by my indecision. How did I feel about either of them?
“You need to tell me, Lily,” Kai had said, his tone was laced with frustration and his eyes had looked almost cold as they bored into mine. “Do you still have feelings for him p>
I hesitated, unable to meet his gaze. “I don’t know,” I had whispered. “Everything is so confusing right now p>
Kai had clenched his fists, his eyes flashing with annoyance. “That’s not good enough, Lily. You need to figure this out. You can’t keep holding on to both of us p>
His words had stung but I couldn’t deny the truth behind them. Even Nala had told me the same thing afterwards. I couldn’t keep both of them. It wasn’t fair to any of them, least of all myself.
I’m trying, Kai,” I said softly.
But I hadn’t been able to give him more. How could I explain something I didn’t understand myself? The pull I felt towards Kai was undeniable, so intense way before I got my wolf. But the history I shared with Lucas; the comfort of our past connection still tugged at my heart.
He had shaken his head, clearly annoyed with my response. “I can’t wait forever, Lily p>
Those had been his last words to me before he walked away. Since then, we hadn’t seen each other and now the days felt like torture for me who was dying to see him. To be with him. And Nala urged me to make a decision fast. To sever one of the bonds but the choice wasn’t as simple as it seemed.
“Lily? Earth to Lily?” Celeste’s voice cut through my reverie. Hey, are you okay? “ she asked. “You’re quiet this morning and you zoned out for a minute there p>
I forced a smile. “Yeah, just thinking p>
Celeste raised an eyebrow but didn’t press. “Well, don’t think too hard. It’s your first day back at school since… everything. Try to enjoy it and remember what we agreed about stressing yourself p>
I nodded, rolling my eyes as a smile tugged on my lips. “Don’t overdo it!” I repeated.
“Good!” Celeste patted my hand. “You’ll be fine, okay? I’m one call away p>
Finally, we pulled up at the school’s parking lot. I thanked Celeste and stepped out of the car. The campus bustled with students heading to class, their chatter and laughter filling the air. I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to focus on the moment, although nothing felt normal anymore.
The morning passed in a blur of lectures and assignments but I couldn’t focus. My mind kept wandering back to Kai’s face, to the hurt in his eyes when I couldn’t give him a clear answer. I knew he deserved better than my indecision, but how could I be sure of anything when I wasn’t sure of myself?
Nala stirred within me for the thousandth time in the last 24 hours. “We cannot continue like this,” she growled “We must choose. Cut ties with one, strengthen the bond with the other p>
“I know, Nala!’ I sighed “Stop nagging me already p>
When my class ended, I gathered my things and headed for the hallway. That’s when I saw him, Kai’s cousin – Kevin standing in my path, an easy smile on his face. His eyes immediately locked onto me.
“Well… well, if it isn’t Lily,” he called out, stepping towards me. “I haven’t seen you in a while. You look he paused, his eyes roaming over me with a look of intrigue “Different p>
I tensed slightly at his words, feeling self-conscious under his gaze. “Hey,” I replied. Forcing a smile. “Yeah, I’ve been… busy p>
He tilted his head, studying me intently. “Busy? Or avoiding everyone p>
I blinked, caught off guard by his bluntness. “I’m not avoiding anyone, Kevin,” I said quickly “I doubt if anyone missed my absence p>
“Well, I did!” Kevin smirked “But there’s something different about you,” he said again, leaning against the wall, while I stood there, under his scrutiny. “Like you look more beautiful, you’re sexier and p>
“It must be the new supplements I take!” interrupted him “What’s up with you?” I asked changing the topic.
“I’m fine!” he said, his gaze lingering on me for a moment longer before his eyes met mine. “Well, whatever you’re doing, please don’t stop. The results are good. Anyways, you should come to hang out with us today. A few of us are getting together for a study group. Are you interested p>
I hesitated. “Thanks for the offer,” I said, proud of how steady my voice sounded. “But I can’t. I have to report to Kai… Alpha Kai today. He’s expecting me p>
“Kai?” Kevin wriggled his eyebrows. “You’re now calling my uncle by his first name and what report do you have to make to him p>
I sighed, trying not to get annoyed. “It was a slip of the tongue and I’m still on probation here at Royal Hunters. So, the report is like a weekly check-in of my progress p>
“Whatever!” Kevin shrugged “Think about my offer… See you around!” he nodded and walked past me.