A Glimpse of Desire

Lily’s POV

I couldn't help but stare at Tobias as he continued talking. I felt so frustrated as I rolled my eyes and laid back on the bed. Even though I could feel the intensity between the both of us, I just waved that aside. I felt even more frustrated that I had to be pretending like I did not want to be with someone I would love. Look at the way I was acting. Like if I was with someone different, I wouldn't mind. But meanwhile, it would just make my life so boring.

As I had a sigh of annoyance thinking about my life so far, my mom was dead, same with my dad. I was left with my brother, who was so busy being the Alpha; he never had my time. Even his wife never even gave me a chance to speak. She always limited all my assets, always acting like I was just a small child who needed scolding, who needed to be protected. I couldn't even say I wanted to go out on a girls' night. It could never be possible. I always had to be protected by one person or another. And it really frustrated me to the very core because it limited the amount of teenage life I was able to live.

And here I am, expected to find a mate today and get married so quickly. Like, of what use would it be? I know my brother was only trying to make me settle down and form an alliance with another powerful pack, using me as a scapegoat. If he really loved me, then he wouldn't have been doing anything like that. It was only Tobias who actually really cared for me, who wanted my happiness, who always wanted to see me in a good place. But yet he was still such a nagger, always nagging me to learn, always nagging me to do everything. I did not know what else to do. I didn't even know how else I would get to be free for good.

And yet again, I was being nagged by the same Tobias, who I took as the only person who cared for me. “Lily, you have to stand up and let's go. You are already awake. Why are you still acting so weak? You just opened the door for me and acted so happy. So, why all of a sudden are you having a change of thoughts?” he said to me as I looked at him and scoffed.

“I always have a change of thoughts. I just wanted to be positive. But then I came to think about it. I just don't want to be the one always complaining and nagging to you guys that I don't want this, I don't want that. Because after all, no matter how much I complain, you and my brother will just never listen to me. You guys will still do exactly what you want to do to me, still use me as your scapegoat for as long as you want. So I am kind of already used to it. And I don't plan on forcing anybody to look at me for a second or even care about how I feel. You guys can just do whatever you want. It is fine by me,” I said to Tobias, who laughed and responded, “I only wanted to know whatever you want. I care about your opinion. I also badly want to know how you feel. I want to know how it is doing, how you feel, and what you want. I want to know your feelings. And that's why I'm very close to you. Because I believe the closer I am to you, the more I will get to know you very well. And honestly, that's just what I want. I want to know you to the very core. And I am ready to go to any lengths just to protect you. You are just the one who is staying so far away from me, and I don't like it at all,” Tobias said to me.

I sat up immediately and moved so close to him that we were now touching. Slowly, he moved a few inches away from me. “And you need to stop those sneaky acts you make, trying to get close to me, trying to peck me. Stop that. Your brother would not like to find out you are doing something as naughty as that,” he said to me. But yet there was something in his eyes, like he was hungry for something else, like he was denying a pull between the both of us. But yet he was pretending. I was more than sure that he was pretending, which even pissed me off the most.

I tried coming closer to him, but he stopped me by placing his hands on my shoulder. “You need to listen and stop being stubborn. You just won't change. Always being stubborn. Stop it,” he said to me as I laughed.

“I'm not being stubborn. I just love teasing you, love finding your trouble. I love making you pissed all the time. It makes me so happy, you know,” I said to him as I stood up and spun around. I opened the wardrobe and brought out my dress. I turned to him, and he was still staring at me. At that moment, he seemed a bit lost in thoughts. So lost in thoughts that he didn't even notice I was smiling at him. Yet he was looking directly at me. He also slowly grew a smirk on his face. Something is definitely wrong with Tobias. It seems as though he wants me, I thought to myself.

He stood up almost immediately, like he had just got a grip on himself, and without wasting time, he stormed out of the room. As he was about to slam the door, he opened it yet again and pointed at me. “I give you 10 minutes. Get ready. I am outside your door. Could not delay,” he warned and then slammed the door harshly.

As I stood there reminiscing on what I just realized, does this mean that Tobias wants me? It's not possible. I thought I was the only one who always had a crush on him and not the other way around. I could not believe my mind was thinking to this extent. It made me so amazed—like Tobias wanted me. I could not help but squeal as I jumped up and down. For that, I am definitely going to take him as mine. I would definitely make him fall for me. If I get Tobias to love me, then I won't have to marry someone I don't love.

After all, I have always loved him right from when I was so little, when he first came to this palace to be the beta for my brother. I remembered how I had always chased him around, trying my best to make him love me. And now here it is to my face—he loves me. Oh my God, I thought to myself as I quickly dressed up without wasting time.

I came out to see that Tobias was slowly dozing off. I tapped him on his shoulder, and he jumped up, trying to pretend like he had not just fallen asleep and instead he was very brave. “Wow, you look pretty,” he commented and walked away.

I could not help but giggle as I followed after him to the throne room, only to see that our so-called visitors had already arrived and my brother was there. I tried to compose myself and behave as I bowed to them elegantly and then walked in, going to my seat. My brother turned to me as he motioned for me to come closer with my ear. He wanted to whisper some words to me, but as I obeyed him, I couldn't help but search around for Tobias. Yet I couldn't find him anywhere around.

“Lily, his name is Derek. He is the one you should pick,” my brother said as I looked at him in shock.

“What do you mean, brother? Why would you say I should pick him? I thought you said I was supposed to do whatever I wanted. I was supposed to pick whoever I wanted,” I said to him as he motioned for me to silence, reducing my tone, which I did.

“Brother, you can't do this to me,” I muttered to him.

“I am not doing anything to you. I investigated all of them, and he is the right choice. He's the only one who goes perfectly with you. The only one that if you are with him, you would never regret it. So don't tell me what to do, okay? Don't tell me what to do and follow this. The pack has high expectations for you. Do you understand?” he said to me.

But I could not think straight. I could not wait for the meeting ceremony to be over. And just as my brother wanted, I picked Derek. But immediately I did, and everyone began to congratulate Derek. I ran off, not just off to my room, but off into the forest, running away from my duties and from everything.