Chapter 73
Kai POV
From the rearview mirror, I watched Briella’s silver car creeping along the street at a measured pace with three cars between her and my car.
I had caught a glimpse of her a while ago gripping the steering wheel until her knuckles turned white. Beside her, I had seen Kevin, my cousin. They’ve been following me for nearly thirty minutes.
At first, I had thought it was a coincidence but after stopping at the supermarket, pretending I wanted something and seeing them following me to park three spaces away from me, I knew I was being tailed.
My enhanced senses had picked up Briella’s distinct scent and the sound of her engine from when I had first spotted them. I was on my way to Celeste’s place for dinner with my grandparents and after that go visit Lily. With her hectic school workload, she wanted to make sure she finished up with some of it today so we could have the entire weekend to ourselves.
My grandmother had invited both of us but Lily had declined at the dying minute because of school work and I thought it would be wonderful to eat with her again. These days, we barely have time to do any other thing but make love whenever we meet.
A muscle ticked in my jaw as I drove, debating whether to confront them or continue with my original plan to go to Celeste’s place.
A few minutes later, I pulled into her driveway, noting how Briella’s car slowed to a crawl as it passed the house. Through my rearview mirror, I watched them park around the corner, trying to be invisible and failing miserably at it.
Sighing, I came out of my car and started for the house. Celeste opened the door at the first ring.
“Hello Alpha,” she gave me a cheeky smile “Long time no see p>
I smirked. “We saw three days ago,” I replied thrusting the wine I brought into her hand. “Is Lily back p>
She paused for a minute, her eyes past my shoulder, squinting lightly before she turned to me. “You’re being stalked,” she stated matter-of-factly, raising an eyebrow.
“I know.” I ran a hand through my hair. “It’s Briella and Kevin p>
“Ah, the desperate fiancée and the troublesome cousin or should I say, faithful sidekick.” Celeste’s tone dripped with sarcasm. “Come in. Though I assume you won’t be staying long because of them p>
I shook my head. “Can’t risk it. They might try to get close enough to eavesdrop p>
Celeste doesn’t say anything as I walk through the door. I spotted my grandfather and grandmother peering at a pot on the stove in the open kitchen. Occasionally, they would say something to each other and laugh, in times like this, they were always in a world of their own and no one bothered to disturb them.
“They know about Lily, don’t they p>
“I don’t know,” I sighed “But seeing the way they’re tailing me, maybe they suspect and there have been rumours at least that’s what Liam says and I’ve been careful, but p>
“But you can’t hide a relationship forever, especially not from your supposed fiancée.” Celeste settled onto her favourite couch. “You need to deal with this, Kai. The engagement arrangement with Briella’s pack was made with the sole purpose of alliance and other benefits, if this blows the wrong way, it’ll hit our pack hard p>
“I know,” I growled softly. “I’m working on it. But breaking an engagement between two prominent packs isn’t simple. There are politics involved, traditions p>
“And there’s Lily,” she interrupted me giving me a known stare. “Who deserves better than being your secret? I don’t think I can tolerate this as much as she does p>
I dropped into a space on the couch with a troubled expression. “Thankfully she understands p>
“For now,” Celeste rose to her feet to pick up some snacks for me from the snack table. “But how long before Briella decides to take matters into her own hands? She doesn’t strike me as someone with much restraint p>
“gods!” I cradled my head in my hands “This is so frustrating. I wish there was a magic wand to wave and make all my problems magically disappear. It kills me that I have to do this hide-and-seek with Lily and wait until Mom hears this… You know how she is p>
“Don’t remind me,” Celeste chuckled leaning back on the couch. “One of the major reasons I moved out of the pack house, is for my sanity. She has given up trying to make me get married, I’m sure you’re her pet project now and p>
She tensed. “They’re getting closer p>
I nodded, feeling it too. “It’s better I leave now. Can you tell Grandpa and Grandma that something urgent came up in the office and I had to leave p>
“Sure,” Celeste nodded patting me on my shoulders. “Go. Use the back door. I’ll create a distraction if needed p>
I hugged her briefly – awkward and brief though before slipping out through the backdoor. I circled the building, walking as stealthily as I could. When I reached my car, I could see Briella and Kevin crouched near the small shrubs close to the house. Briella was furiously typing on her phone.
I started the engine, the sound making both of them jump. As I pulled out of the driveway, I watched them scramble back to their car, not caring about being seen anymore.
Instead of heading towards Lily’s dormitory as I’d planned, I drove to the pack house, feeling miserable. On nights like this, I wanted to immerse myself in her scent not stay away from her.
Later that night, I called Lily.
Though I had texted her we wouldn’t be meeting up again, I still felt guilty. We’ve not seen much of each other recently.
“I thought you were never going to call,” was the first thing she said when she picked up her phone.
“I’m sorry,” I murmured “And I’m sorry for cancelling our date tonight I had some unwanted shadows today p>
“Shadows p>
“Briella and my cousin Kevin. They followed me to Celeste’s space,” I sighed. “I didn’t even stay for dinner as planned. I’m guessing they know about you or at least, Briella knows there’s someone else p>
There was a pause before she spoke. “Maybe it’s time to stop hiding p>
“Lily p>
“I’m not pressuring you, Kai. I understand the politics involved. But your sister’s right – this can’t go on forever p>
I closed my eyes, leaning back in my chair as I massaged my temples. “How did you know Celeste said that p>
“Because she’s smart and she cares about you,” her voice softened. “Just like I do p>
“I’ll handle Briella,” I promised. “Just…give me a little more time to do this right p>
There was a short pause before she agreed. “Okay,” even though her tone suggested she had more to say on the subject. “But Kai? Be careful. Hell, hath no fury like a woman scorned p>
Despite my sour mood, I chuckled. “Speaking from experience p>
“Just a healthy appreciation for self-preservation. Goodnight, Kai p>
After hanging up, I sat in my bedroom staring at my phone. I knew Lily was right – we couldn’t keep hiding. Briella’s appearance today proved that. The question was, how to break an engagement arranged by both packs without causing a rift?
And most importantly… how can I protect Lily p>