8 My Heart Rate

Faye's POV

Time flies like an arrow, and I had already been in the Silver Moon Pack for two weeks.

A brand-new life, new family. Fortunately, thanks to my sister Layla's help, I adapted relatively quickly. In my spare time, she would always be chattering away by my side, telling me all sorts of things about the Silver Moon Pack, just like Sibyl and I used to do.

I got to know my family better as well. For example, I learned that my mom is allergic to peaches, and Layla had never eaten peaches at home since childhood. And I am also allergic to peaches.

Louis loves rock music, and when we all sit down for meals, I can't help but imagine what he'd look like on stage with a guitar in his hands.

A werewolf musician, oh, it's really hard to imagine.

And then there are the twin brothers, the most popular young men in the pack. Every girl dreams of being their Luna, even human girls from outside the city. They all go crazy for the twin brothers.

I totally get it because I've seen how those fans at the airport treat Leander. It's the epitome of "fanatic"!

Or maybe those girls dream of being Leander's girlfriend as well. As for being Liam's girlfriend, on the other hand, they don't aspire to it because Liam hardly shows any interest in women.

Well, "hardly."

The aloof Liam does have a girlfriend. This surprised me greatly, although I still haven't met that girl. According to Layla, that girl mysteriously disappeared for a while, which left Liam depressed. Then they reconciled, and now they're on the brink of breaking up again.

Layla also took me on a tour of Silver Moon University, where I'll be starting my studies soon. It's almost exactly like the university I dreamed of. I saw an expansive campus, picturesque buildings, and young people exuding the vigor of youth.

I can't wait to immerse myself in this new environment and make new friends.

Maybe my fated mate is hidden here. I hope so. God damn it, I hope I find my mate soon so I don't keep having those dreams about me and my twin stepbrothers!

So, in the expectation of my new life day by day, I welcomed my eighteenth birthday.

Early on the second day of my arrival in the Silver Moon Pack, mom had already begun preparing my birthday party or so-called coming-of-age ceremony.

"We'll just have a simple family gathering," I told mom.

She firmly refused, "No! A werewolf's coming-of-age ceremony must be well-prepared. This is your formal debut in the Silver Moon Pack, and they need to know that Louis and I have another daughter."

I was deeply moved and had to let mom take charge. Of course, I needed to make some personal preparations for my birthday.

First, I had to contact a few good friends.

Sibyl was still studying in the forest, so I tried calling her, but unsurprisingly, there was no answer. I put that aside and sent her an invitation anyway.

Andrew... I stared at a text message I had received from him a month ago, which said, "Dear Faye, how are you planning to celebrate your 18th birthday? Let me celebrate with you. Please don't refuse me! Love, your Andy."

"Ugh," I had no romantic feelings left for Andrew at that point, so I had intentionally ignored that message until now. However, his suggestion was worth considering. We had grown up together as friends before becoming lovers, and I still wanted a good friend by my side on my coming-of-age day.

Hmm, Andrew needed an invitation.

I typed on my phone for a while and pressed the send button.

"Come to the Silver Moon Pack in the Santan State to find me. The address is..."

I also prepared an invitation for Annie, which would be delivered to her a week before the birthday party. Uncle Simon was invited as well, and if he was willing to let the café be run by the staff for a few days.

Two weeks went by quickly. Today was my eighteenth birthday.

Early in the morning, Layla knocked on my door.

"Sis, take a quick shower and come down for breakfast. We have so many plans for today!"

Yes, mom had arranged for a hairstylist to do my hair, and in the morning, a clothing store had delivered several outfits for me.

I obediently followed my mom and Layla, completing the tasks they assigned me.

When I came back after getting my hair done, the first guest had already arrived.

Andrew stood on the steps, bathed in sunlight with his arms wide open. He looks more muscular and handsome than before.

"Hi, Faye!"

I walked up to him, holding my dress up slightly, and gave him a hug. "Long time no see, Andrew. You came really early."

"I couldn't wait to see you. Can you introduce your family?"

Andrew gestured with his eyes towards Elena and Layla, who were behind me.

I briefly introduced him to them, and Andrew, in his role as my good friend and the Alpha of the Blue Lake Pack, thanked the Silver Moon Pack for taking care of me.

Layla squeezed in next to me and whispered, "He's quite handsome, but he's trying to act mature."

I stifled a laugh.

The twin brothers had also returned at this point. Leander had rushed back after a competition in another state. His skin had darkened a shade more due to training, and he looked even more robust. Liam, on the other hand, looked just as regal in his expensive suit, shining and icy.

I didn't know what he was busy with all day, since the university hadn't started yet. Of course, I didn't care about someone who disliked me! But...

In the past month, I felt like Liam was intentionally or unintentionally targeting me. From that unfriendly conversation in the coconut grove that night, he seemed to have genuinely believed that I had some feelings for Leander.

God! I was just appreciating a good-looking guy! Besides, they're both my stepbrothers. What was he thinking? And, in my dreams, it was always the three of us together...

Faye! Enough, stop! A voice was screaming silently in my mind.

I adjusted my emotions inwardly and when I looked up again, I smiled and made introductions to Andrew and the twin brothers.

Leander and Andrew had similar personalities, and if you don't consider their appearances, they could easily pass for brothers. As for Liam, he gave Andrew a brief greeting and remained silent.

"You and Faye are...?" Leander suddenly became quite inquisitive.

I had no idea Leander had become so nosy!

"We grew up together!" I exclaimed.

"I'm her boyfriend!"

I gritted my teeth. "Ex-boyfriend!"

Damn it, Andrew! I was ready to kill him!

Liam gave me a cold look. How should I describe his gaze? If his eyes could shoot lasers, I'd have had a few holes in my body by now.

A servant led Andrew to his room, and before leaving, he said, "See you tonight."

Mom also urged me to go back to my room. "Sweetie, change into your formal dress quickly and the guests will start arriving soon."

I parted ways with my family and hurried upstairs. When I was turning the corner, a strong force pulled me over.

My heart leaped, but I could sense who it was.

"It's me." Liam identified himself in the darkness.

Okay, I knew it.

I discreetly rolled my eyes.

"Is there something you want? Don't get handsy with me!" I shook off Liam's hand this time, and it wasn't much of a struggle.

Liam was like a dark angel, with only a slight glint in his eyes. He said, "Since you have a boyfriend, you should stay away from Leander even more."

"I told you, Andrew is my ex-boyfriend! Ex-boyfriend!"

Liam crossed his arms and fell silent, just staring at me.

I knew this wouldn't satisfy him. Moon goddess, why did I suddenly become so "knowledgeable" about his every move in just two weeks?

At the same time, I didn't want to appear weak. Every time, I wanted to retaliate fiercely against Liam, although it was rarely successful. But this time...

"I'll be an adult today, and I'll find my fated mate. By then, you'll have to apologize to me for all those false accusations!"

I don't know where this surge of courage came from, but as I said it, I grabbed Liam's shirt collar and tie. Neither of us was prepared for it, and he lunged at me, but I tilted backward due to gravity.

Liam held my back with his hand, but I still held onto his tie tightly. His face started to turn slightly pink.

We were too close! My body was gradually heating up. In the dim light, every sensory change was magnified several times. I could see the tiny hairs on Liam's face, feel his slightly heavy breathing spraying onto my face, carrying the fresh scent of rain and cedar.

His lips were right in front of me, closer than the last time.

I almost instinctively squinted my eyes, wanting to kiss Liam's lips.

Liam hesitated until his face moved slightly forward by an inch.

This action made both of us instantly sober.

God, I wanted to slap myself! What was I doing? Liam was my stepbrother, and he had been in love with his girlfriend for years!

My heart pounded in my chest, and my breathing became irregular.

"Beep, beep, beep..."

The sports watch on my wrist set off an alarm, breaking the silence between Liam and me.

The watch displayed that my heart rate had surged to over 160.

I frantically put my hand behind my back. "Uh... I... this is..."

I didn't know what to say to cover up the current awkwardness.

Clearly, Liam also saw the content on the watch. He looked even more flustered than I did. Yes, I actually saw a "flustered" expression on his face!

"Just leave it like this. See you tonight."

Liam hurriedly left me.

The warmth of Liam's body still lingered on my hand, and it was accompanied by a deadly heat. Until that moment, I had to admit that I was also deeply attracted to Liam.