Chapter 88
Lily POV
I tried not to react.
Normally, a wolf’s scent wouldn’t linger on another unless they’d been intimate – sexually. The idea was wild but it made a strange kind of sense. Briella had been unusually quiet since her sudden departure from the pack – there’s been nothing on her socials and Kevin seemed different.
Were they now dating?
My eyes narrowed slightly as I stared at him. He must have noticed my probing gaze because instantly, his expression hardened into something more cautious. “What?” he asked warily.
“Nothing,” I shook my head, trying to mask my surprise. “Just… thinking p>
He crossed his arms. “Thinking about what? Come on, tell me already. You didn’t just come here to read, did you p>
I hesitated, my mind still trying to to understand what could be going on between Kevin and Briella but it wasn’t in my place to pry – at least not now. Instead, I decided to change the topic.
“I don’t see any books in your hand. This is not your regular hangout, Kevin. What are you doing here p>
He chuckled, his easy-going demeanour returning. “Touché. I was just browsing for materials for my project. It is due soon. Maybe it’s fate we bumped into each other p>
I rolled my eyes. “Hardly p>
“Alright, fine. Don’t tell me. But if you’re trying to distract yourself from Lucas, you don’t have to disguise it,” he said leaning against the table I stood by. “it’s not a bad thing, you know. Still having feelings for your ex-mate p>
I bristled with annoyance. “I don’t have feelings for him and I don’t care about him moving on too p>
He studied me for a moment. “You really don’t care that he’s marrying your sister? C’mon, you dated for a while, I’m sure there’s a tiny part of your heart that must miss him p>
“No,” I said firmly, meeting his gaze. “I don’t p>
My words didn’t seem to agree with his perception. He leaned back, his expression shifting into something more thoughtful. “I guess my uncle has been rubbing off on you after all p>
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked curiously.
He shrugged. “Nothing bad, just that you’re beginning to act like him, masking your feelings, blank expression, lifeless eyes. When you first arrived, it was easy to read everything about you but now, I don’t even know if there’s any part of you that is open for interaction p>
I stared at him for a few seconds and then laughed. “I have to go now; I have other things to do. See you around, Kev p>
With that, I brushed past him and continued to the door.
I adjusted the strap of my bag as I left the pack library. I decided to spend the night in my room at the college. The cold evening breeze nipped at my skin but I welcomed it. I was so lost in my thoughts about the book that didn’t notice Kevin falling into step behind me until he cleared his throat.
“Lily,” he called out softly.
I froze, my grip tightening on my bag. Taking a breath, I turned to face him. “What do you want Kevin? I thought we finished up with whatever conversation we were supposed to have in the library. Why are you stalking me p>
“I want to take you somewhere,” Kevin said quietly. “Can you come with me to meet someone you’ve been wanting to see? Someone you care so much about p>
My heart skipped a beat. I wasn’t sure if it was from curiosity or unease but the way he said it sent a ripple of fear through me. “Who?” I asked cautiously. “Who do you mean p>
Before he could respond, someone called my name.
“Miss Lily p>
Both I and Kevin tensed. When I turned, I saw it was an elderly woman who looked slightly breathless and thin. Her grey hair was tied into a loose bun and her glasses were perched precariously on her nose. I recognized her instantly. It was the same woman I had met at the admission office the first day I came to enroll into college who had claimed to know who my mother was.
“I’m so sorry to interrupt,” the woman said, coming closer to us. “Lily, dear, could I borrow you for a moment? I need a little help and you’re my last hope p>
I glanced at Kevin whose jaw had tightened in frustration. He didn’t say anything but I didn’t miss the flicker of irritation in his eyes.
I hesitated wondering about Kevin’s invitation. Who was he going to take me to? In the end, I knew I had to make a choice.
I turned to the woman with a smile on my face, finally breaking the silence. “I’ll help you p>
The old woman smiled warmly and gestured for me to follow her. As we turned to leave, I cast one last glance at Kevin. His lips were parted as though he was about to say something, but then he thought better of it and simply nodded, then turned on his heels too.
A while later, the old lady led me to the College’s administrative building and led me to her office. The space was cluttered and filled with stacks of paper, binders and file cabinets. Despite the mess, the room had an oddly comforting feel to it.
“Thank you for agreeing to help, dear,” the woman said motioning for me to sit at one of the desks.
“No problem,” I replied, though I couldn’t shake off the feeling that there was more to her inviting me to her office. “What exactly do you need me to do p>
She handed a small pile of files. These are students’ records that need sorting alphabetically. It’s not a big job, but my old hands aren’t what they used to be p>
I nodded, setting my bag on the floor and rolling up my sleeves. As I began sorting through the paper, my mind wandered. The timing of the interruption had been oddly coincidental, almost as if the woman didn’t want me to leave with Kevin.
But why?