The days went on, but the strange feeling in Lily’s chest only grew stronger.
Maya had noticed her being distracted in school.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” she asked for the third time that week, sitting next to Lily in the courtyard during lunch.
Lily nodded her head to answer.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just tired" She replied.
“Tired from what? It’s not like you’re pulling all-nighters for school,” Maya teased, but her eyes were filled with concern. “Look, I know things have been tough with the twins, but something feels off. You’ve been acting weird.”
Lily sighed, leaning back against the tree they sat under.
“It’s not just them,” she admitted. “There’s… something else.”
Maya frowned.
“What do you mean?” she asked almost immediately.
Lily hesitated, unsure if she should even bring it up.
She didn’t want to sound paranoid, but the feeling of fear had been in her mind for days. Finally, she decided to tell Maya about the person she’d seen outside her window.
“I think someone’s been watching me,” Lily whispered. “A few nights ago, I saw someone standing by the trees outside my house. They were just… there, watching. And then they disappeared.”
“You saw someone? Who? Was it one of the twins?” Maya asked as her eyes widened in surprise.
“I don’t know. It was too dark to see their face, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was either Liam or Lucas. Maybe this is their sick way of trying to get me to become more terrified" She replied.
Maya’s face turned paled.
“Lily, that’s… really creepy. I'm scared for you" She said. "Maybe you should tell someone."
“Tell who?” Lily asked, her voice filled with pain. “No one in the pack cares about me. They’ll just think I’m making it up. And even if they did believe me, why would they do anything to help?”
Maya didn’t have an answer for that. They both knew the pack wouldn’t lift a finger to protect Lily.
She had been an outcast for as long as anyone could remember. No one cared if she was scared or in danger.
“Maybe it's not any of the twins,” Maya suggested. “Maybe it was some random person passing by.”
Lily didn’t believe that for a second, but she didn’t want to worry Maya more than she already had.
“Yeah, maybe" She said.
Still, the memory of the person haunted her. And as her eighteenth birthday drew closer, her anxiety grew.
It was finally her birthday and the Moon Goddess Festival preparations were in full swing.
The entire pack was buzzing with excitement, especially because this year, the Alpha twins would come of age.
The festival would mark the moment the twins were officially named as the next leaders of the pack.
The thought made Lily sick.
She sat through another boring history class, staring blankly at the board as Mrs. Davis talked about some ancient werewolf legend.
She barely paid attention, her mind too busy racing with thoughts of her escape.
In a couple hours, she would be gone. She just had to make it through the festival without drawing too much attention, and then she could slip away while everyone was distracted.
Just as she was about to let her mind wander completely, the classroom door swung open.
Everyone turned to see Lucas standing in the doorway, his usual confident smirk disappeared. Instead, his face was blank, his eyes unreadable as they scanned the room.
Mrs. Davis stopped teaching and looked at him, clearly surprised.
“Mr. Lucas, is there something you need?” she asked.
Lucas’s gaze locked on Lily, and she felt a chill run down her spine. He didn’t answer the teacher’s question. Instead, he walked into the classroom.
He was certainly acting weird. He wasn't him usual hateful self.
Lily’s heart pounded in her chest. What was he doing? He never showed up to random classes like this.
Lucas walked straight to her desk, ignoring the curious stares of their classmates.
He stopped in front of her, standing over her. His presence felt suffocating and Lily couldn't help but be afraid.
“What do you want?” Lily asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Lucas didn’t respond right away. He simply stared at her, his piercing blue eyes searching her face as if he was trying to figure something out.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he spoke.
“You need to be careful,” he said quietly, his voice so low that only she could hear.
Lily was confused at his words.
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“Just watch your back,” Lucas added, his tone serious.
Without another word, he turned and left the classroom, leaving everyone, including Mrs. Davis, stunned into silence.
Lily stared at him as he left, her mind racing.
What was that about? Lucas had never said anything like a warning to her before. Usually, he was the one causing her trouble, not warning her about it
Maya leaned over from her desk, her eyes wide with confusion.
“What the hell was that?” She asked.
“I have no idea,” Lily muttered. She was just as shocked as everyone.
Lucas’s weird warning left her shaken.
It was like he knew something she didn’t.
In school, Lily couldn’t concentrate. She mind wasn't listening to any word coming from her teacher's mouth because her mind was filled with questions.
What had Lucas meant? Why did he care if she watched her back? Was he playing some kind of twisted game with her?
As the classes continued, she found herself thinking more and more about the person she had seen watching her.
What if Lucas knew something about that? What if he had seen the person? Or perhaps he knew who it was? But why wouldn’t he just tell her?
Frustrated and exhausted, Lily finally got up from her seat and went to the restroom.
She washed her face, trying desperately to calm herself and focus on her escape plan instead of thinking about Lucas.
Suddenly the door to the restroom opened and Lexa walked in with her large group of friends.
They were laughing about something Lexa had said but as soon as they saw her, their laughter disappeared.
Lily’s heart raced. She didn't want to be anywhere near these girls because they were just as mean to her like Lucas and Liam.
She attempted to leave but the girls blocked her passage.
"You've got some nerves" Lexa began. "I honestly don't know what the twins see in you to even bother talking to you."
"That's exactly what I wonder too" Lily said, trying to act cool instead of being afraid.
Lexa raised an eyebrow then landed a slap on Lily's face within seconds.
Lily held her face, staring at Lexa with astonishment written all over her face.
"First of all, I'm not the twins that you can just talk to" Lexa applied lipstick to her lips. "You're beneath me and that means you shouldn't even look at me. Well, when the moon goddess picks me to be the twins mate tonight, I'll make sure your life here becomes worse than hell."
Lily wanted to retaliate but she knew it will only make things worse for her. She needed to just endure everything even if it meant being humiliated in the girl's bathroom.
"Now apologize, you wolf trash" Lexa's friends said, pushing Lily from different corners.
Lily didn't want to, but if she disobeyed them, she wouldn't be able to handle the consequences.
"I'm sorry" She said, bowing her head to avoid staring directly at Lexa.
Lexa smiled, pleased with herself.
"Whatever, I don't care about anything that comes out of your filthy mouth"
She pushed Lily out of her way and walked outside.
Lily stared angrily as tears fell from her eyes.
She was done enduring this horrible treatment.
The Moon Goddess Festival arrived faster than Lily expected. All around her, the pack buzzed with anticipation. Decorations hung from the trees and houses, and people seemed to be enjoying the evening's grand celebration. The festival had always been a massive event for the pack, a tradition going back centuries. It was meant to honor the Moon Goddess and her guidance over the wolves, particularly in matters of mates.But for Lily, tonight held a much darker significance. It was time for her escape, the day she had been counting down to for years, the day she would finally leave. No one in the pack had cared about her birthday; no one even acknowledged it, they probably didn't remember. All they cared was the Alpha twins mate ritual. But that didn’t matter. She didn’t need their well wishes. What she needed was freedom.She clenched her fists at the thought of Lucas and Liam. All these years, they had tormented her relentlessly, making her life a living hell. And now, they were
Lily stood in complete silence, the weight of the Moon Goddess's choice pressing down on her heavily.It felt surreal to be named the mate of Lucas and Liam, the very twins who had turned her life into a living nightmare. A rush of anger filled her veins and judging from the cold expression on both their faces, it was obvious they hated the idea of being tied to her too.“This can’t be real,” she muttered, shaking her head in disbelief. “You’re both sick for even thinking I would accept this.”Liam stepped forward, arms crossed as he rolled his eyes. He felt she was being too dramatic. Every girl would kill to be chosen as their mate but Lily was behaving like she hasn't just won a lottery.“But the Goddess has chosen you, Lily. You don’t get to decide. This is destiny” He replied.“Destiny?” Lily spat, her voice rising. “Destiny is not being forced into a relationship with two bullies! You think I would ever want to be with you after everything you’ve done?”“Look, Lily,” Lucas sai
The cool night air hit Lily’s face as Lucas and Liam dragged her back to the city square. She was already boiling, her mind filled with anger and frustration. The town square was full, all eyes turning as the twins brought her into the center. A loud gasp rose from the crowd, and whispers went through the pack as people recognized her.“Isn’t that Lily? What’s happening?” someone murmured.“She tried to run, didn’t she?” another voice said, obviously with hate.“Traitor,” someone added, and soon enough, the crowd’s murmur turned into a loud series of sneers and insults.Lily clenched her jaw, refusing to let their words wound her. They had called her every name possible over the years; what was one more insult? She kept her gaze ahead, narrowing her eyes as she spotted Alpha Dean, Lucas and Liam’s father, standing at the front of the gathering. He held his head high, a look of both anger and disappointment plastered into his face as he looked at her.“She tried to cross the bounda
Lily froze as Graham’s cold stare bore down on her. Her heart raced, and her palms began to sweat, but she forced herself to stay calm. She has seen him around in school and she knew exactly how ruthless he was whenever he suspected someone of going against his masters.“Graham,” she said, forcing a small, nervous smile. “I... I just got a bit lost. This place is so huge, you know? I was just trying to find my way back to my room.”Graham raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. He obviously did not believe anything she had to say.“Lost?” he repeated, his voice sharp with disbelief. “You expect me to believe that?”Lily’s heart sank. His eyes were too keen, too piercing, as if he could see straight through her. She swallowed sliver, choosing to stick fiercely to her story. “Yes, lost,” she insisted, trying to keep her voice steady. “It’s not like I’ve spent much time in the mansion, this is actually my first time since I was a child. It’s easy to take a wrong turn. I mean, you should know t
Lily’s mother hummed softly to herself as she carefully applied a fresh layer of lipstick, then dabbed powder onto her face, her eyes bright with excitement. She was finally getting what she had hoped for all these years; recognition and respect.She glanced over at Lily, who sat with a sad expression on her face on a chair across the room, her tear-streaked face hidden by her hands.She couldn't believe her own mother would betray her in such an undignified way.“Oh, darling,” her mother said, not bothering to hide the excitement in her voice, “you have no idea how amazing this is going to be for us. Once you’re officially made Luna, we’ll be one of the most important families in the pack. People will respect us. They’ll look up to us!”Lily’s stomach got sick as she listened to her mother’s words. She felt trapped, like she was drowning and no one was there to pull her up. Each word her mother spoke felt like another weight dragging her down. Of all the people who understood what
Lily stood rooted to the spot, her cheek still stinging from the slap that had landed with surprising force. The pain was across her face, but what hurt more was the shock that Lexa, of all people, would hit her so openly. She hadn’t even fully processed what had just happened when she felt her mother’s anger rising beside her.“How dare you?” Lily’s mother hissed, her eyes flashing as she stepped toward Lexa. “You lay a hand on the new Luna? You have crossed a line.”But Lexa was undeterred. She shot a glare at Lily’s mother, clearly unfazed by her position or her anger. “The new Luna?” she scoffed. “Lily doesn’t deserve that title. She doesn’t deserve anything. I know she must’ve done something to rig the ceremony.”Lily’s heart skipped a beat, the absurdity of the accusation making her want to laugh. “Rigged the ceremony?” she repeated. “Lexa, do you even hear yourself? I would never choose this fate. Not in a million years.”“Oh, you’re clever, Lily, I’ll give you that. Playing
Lily locked the door behind her, her chest rising and falling in quick, shallow breaths as she pressed her back against the door.Her heart pounded, echoing in her ears as she tried to calm herself. She could barely believe what she’d done—walking away from the ceremony, defying everyone’s expectations. But it had been a brief moment of empowerment, now replaced by a creeping fear that made her feel as if the walls were closing in around her.The knocks at the door began softly at first, then quickly grew into a persistent, demanding pounding. “Lily!” her mother’s voice called. “Open this door right now!”Lily swallowed, her hands trembling as she struggled to maintain her composure. She couldn’t face them, not after the scene she’d caused. She’d thought she could hold her ground, but now, alone in her room with nothing but her thoughts and fears, doubt began to creep in. The weight of everyone’s hatred, the resentment of the entire pack, felt heavier than ever. “Lily!” Her mother
Downstairs, the grand hall was filled with voices as Liam and Lucas descended the staircase. The echoes of anger and frustration bounced off the walls, drawing them toward the commotion. As they approached, they caught sight of Lexa, her eyes wild with fury. She stood in the middle of a small crowd of bodyguards yelling sharply.“How could this happen?” Lexa’s voice increased, the pain and resentment in her tone evident. “The Moon Goddess was supposed to choose me. I was meant to be their mate, not her!” She clenched her fists, her expression twisting with bitterness.Liam stepped forward, pushing through the crowd that had gathered to witness Lexa’s outburst. As he approached, Lexa’s gaze locked onto him, her face softening slightly, though the fire of rage still simmered.“Lexa,” he said quietly, attempting to soothe her, “calm down. Let’s not do this here.”Lexa scoffed, her voice laced with contempt. “Calm down? You want me to calm down when that girl is upstairs, preparing to
Lily's heart froze when she heard Lucas’s unmistakable voice echoing from downstairs. It felt like her world had gone upsidedown just by his presence and she was terrified of what it would mean now that he has found out where she is.She hadn’t expected him to track her down here, especially not to Alex’s mansion. It should have been hard for him to even come to the conclusion that she would be here. It goes to show that he didn't trust her.The fact that he was here in Alex's mansion means that he has already gone to Maya's house and questioned her.She immediately checked her phone and saw that she has been sent numerous text messages from Maya asking her where she was.Maya also informed her that Lucas had stopped by to ask about her. She wished she had seen the text earlier so she could prepare herself for Lucas's arrival.A chill of apprehension snaked through her as she tried to catch the heated exchange already unfolding below.She knew Alex would be never tell Lucas that she
As Lily and Alex’s kiss grew deeper, she felt herself melting into him, her heart pounding as their connection blossomed in ways she hadn’t experienced before. She’d kissed people before, but this was different—this was raw, real, and overwhelming. She could feel her heart beating faster just by being this close to him and tasting the sweet warmth that his mouth gave to her.She couldn't stop herself for even a moment to breathe because all she wanted was his.His touch ignited her skin, sparking a fire that had been smoldering between them for too long.Alex pulled back just slightly, his eyes searching hers with a mixture of awe and surprise. “Lily,” he breathed, voice low, almost reverent. “What are we doing?”Lily looked at him with confusion fixed in her face. She scanned his eyes to know what he was really feeling and all she could see was love."What do you mean? I don't understand what you're trying to say" Lily said, her fear being obvious on her face.She didn't want him
Lily followed the maid down a series of grand hallways, each one more elegant than the last. The soft lighting cast a warm glow on the walls, adorned with artwork and tapestries that gave the mansion a timeless feel. It felt surreal to be here, in Alex’s house, seeking refuge, but there was an undeniable comfort to it as well.She felt a huge feeling of excitement that he even offered for her to stay in his place and she was loving every moment of it.She knew that if Lucas and Liam discovered that she had decided to stay the night in Alex's house, especially after their kiss earlier today, they would totally freak out and call her a slut.But she didn't care. She was focused on enjoying the moment of being in Alex's house as his guest and that was all that mattered to her.“This is your room, miss,” the maid said, smiling warmly as she opened the door to a beautifully decorated bedroom. The room was a bit larger than her entire room back home, with a four-poster bed dressed in lu
Lily stood and watched Alex walk away with intense pain, her hand on her chest as she considered what to do. She felt like if she allowed him to leave, he wouldn't come back to her and just that thought was enough to make her throat go dry.The silence was overwhelming, broken only by the faint sounds of the night outside Alex’s mansion. She hadn’t intended to end up here, but she couldn’t bring herself to face what awaited her at home. Just thinking about it made her stomach twist with anxiety.The weight of everything—the picture, her broken friendship with Alex, and the looming threat of the twins’ father—pressed down on her, suffocating her. Her mind kept returning to Alex as he kept on walking away. He was angry, hurt, and she didn’t know how to fix it. How could she make him understand that her secret had been about survival, about not letting anyone in for fear they’d eventually turn on her?She couldn't just stand there and let him leave without trying her very best to ma
The final bell rang, and the echo filled the hallways. While other students rushed out, eager to escape the day’s drama, Lily stayed behind, feeling a weight settle over her. She leaned against her locker, her mind racing with thoughts of everything that had unfolded."What if the twins’ father has seen the photo?"The thought hit her with an intensity that made her throat tighten. She knew enough about him to realize he would be furious, perhaps even see her actions as a betrayal of her responsibilities as Luna. And while Lily wasn’t someone who easily gave in to fear, the idea of facing him filled her with dread. The mansion was the last place she wanted to go right now.She sighed, a hit of regret twisting in her chest. But beneath the anxiety was something more—something that hurt just as much, if not more. It was the memory of Alex’s face, his eyes filled with betrayal, and how he had walked away from her, his trust shattered. She couldn’t bear leaving things like this wit
Lily went after Alex and when she stopped him, the pain in his face was unmistakable.His gaze burned into Lily, a mixture of disbelief and heartbreak fixed onto his face. His shoulders slumped as he looked at her as though struggling to piece everything together.“So, it's really true?”Lily took a shaky breath, forcing herself to meet his gaze. “Yes, Alex. It’s true.”Alex stepped back, running a hand through his hair, clearly struggling to hold himself together.“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. “Why did you hide something this… this huge?”“I didn’t want you to treat me differently,” she said, the desperation creeping into her voice. “Alex, I didn’t want you to see me as some title or duty. I wanted you to see me… just as me.”He shook his head, his face twisted with a mixture of anger and disbelief. “And you thought lying to me was the way to do that?”“It wasn’t lying,” she protested, but her voice sounded weak, even to herself. “I just… I
The hallway was filled with laughter and whispers, each comment feeling like a bite against Lily’s skin. Every student seemed to have their phone out, the picture of her and Alex kissing splashed across countless screens. Each glance stung, each mocking grin made her fists tighten. Lily’s heart pounded, torn between the shame bubbling inside her and the anger burning at Lexa.She looked sideways at Maya, who offered a supportive smile. “Hey, just breathe. You don’t have to do this.”“I do.” Lily’s voice was barely a whisper, but it was thick with determination. “She can’t get away with this.”Maya hesitated, glancing over her shoulder as if hoping Lexa would simply vanish from their lives. “Okay, but… don’t let her get to you, alright? That’s exactly what she wants.”Lily nodded, but her focus remained locked on the lockers ahead, where Lexa stood with Lucas and Liam. She could see Lexa’s smug smile from here, as if she’d been waiting for Lily’s reaction, savoring every ounce of
Lily paced in the quiet corner near the steps, her heart racing in her chest. Her mind was filled with fear and worry, replaying the image of Lexa’s smug face after she’d caught her and Alex kissing. She turned, seeing Alex standing nearby, watching her with confusion and concern.“Lily, what’s wrong?” Alex asked, stepping closer. His tone was gentle, but she could hear the underlying confusion. “Why are you so worried about Lexa? It’s just a picture.”Lily bit her lip, trying to calm herself, but she couldn’t shake the fear gnawing at her. She looked down, unable to meet his eyes. “Alex… you don’t understand. Lexa’s not just going to let this go. She’ll… she’ll tell everyone. She’ll tell Liam and Lucas.” The thought of it alone made her stomach churn.He tilted his head, still looking puzzled. “So? I don’t see why that’s such a big deal. We’re friends, aren’t we? And besides…” He reached for her hand, his fingers brushing hers softly. “I’m not ashamed of what happened between us
"Lily?" Alex stared at her with an expression fixed on his face that almost made her melt.She couldn't help but wonder if Alex, who was standing a few feet away, had heard everything she said to Maya.His expression shifted to a mix of concern and uncertainty, as if he wasn’t sure if she’d even want him there.“Alex…” She said again as she rose to her feet, suddenly feeling awkward, as if she wasn’t quite sure what to do with her hands. “What are you doing here?”“I came looking for you,” he said, stepping closer. His gaze was steady, searching her face for any sign of how she felt. “I thought maybe we could talk?”Lily’s heart stuttered. She opened her mouth to speak, but the words wouldn’t come out. Behind her, she felt Maya’s gentle touch on her shoulder. “I’ll catch you later, okay?” Maya whispered with a smile. She gave Lily’s hand a light squeeze before she slipped away, leaving Lily and Alex alone under the soft shadows of the trees.For a moment, neither of them spoke, the