Lilith's POV

That night, I stood outside Kieran's door, my arms full of textbooks, my fingers hovering just inches from the wood.

My heartbeat was so loud I swore it would crack my ribs.

I know what'll happen if I go in--last night's chaos is still fresh, my skin tingling with the memory of his hands.

But if I don't, he'll storm my room, and nothing will change.

I bite my lip and knock softly.

"Come in."

His low voice vibrates through the door. My fingers tremble as I push it open.

Kieran's in an armchair by his desk, robe loose, exposing his chiseled chest.

His eyes lock on me, intense, like a wolf sizing up prey.

"Come here."

I clutched my books tighter, inching forward. The second I was within reach, he pulled me onto his lap.

"Study," he ordered, his arms banding around my waist, his chin resting on my shoulder. His breath ghosted over my ear, sending shivers down my spine.

I grip my pen, trying to focus.

I tried. Really, I did.

But his hand starts wandering. It slides over my stomach, fingers grazing my inner thigh.

I shudder, my pen scratching a jagged line across the page.

"Focus," he chuckles against my ear, but his fingers lift my nightgown, stroking my waist.

I hold my breath, trying to ignore him, until his hand cups my breast.

"Mmph..." A soft sound escapes, my pen clattering onto the desk.

The thin fabric's no barrier. He touches me, his thumb deliberately brushing against me.

"Kieran..." My voice shakes as I try to pull away, but he holds me tighter.

"You're beautiful," he murmurs, hot breath warming my ear.

Shame floods me. I shrink into him, but he lifts my gown, exposing my skin.

Then he lowers his mouth.

"Ah!" The warmth makes me go limp, my mind blank.

I grab his hair to push him off, but my hands are weak.

He chuckles, shifting his attention. When he finally pulls back, I can barely catch my breath.

Before I can recover, his lips crash onto mine, his kiss hungry and consuming.

I melted into it, dizzy, until I felt it--

The hard length pressing against my ass.

"No--!" I shoved at his chest, panting. "I have school tomorrow--"

He didn't stop, but he didn't push further.

"I'll be quick," he promised.

I should've fought harder.

But I didn't.

"Mmm...ahh..." A jolt runs through me. I bite my lip to stay quiet, but he grabs my chin, turning me for a kiss.

His movements rock me, the chair creaking, mixing with soft sounds and my whimpers.

His hands touch my skin, his teeth graze my neck.

I'm a boat in a storm, tossed by his rhythm.

"Quick" turns into an hour.

In the bathroom, he washes me. I glare, muttering, "Liar..."

Something sparks in his eyes. He kisses me hard, voice rough. "Don't look at me like that."

I shut my eyes, lashes brushing his palm.

His stifled groan tells me he's holding back, this devil of an Alpha fighting his urges.

***

The next few nights, I slept in his bed.

His arms lock around my naked waist, my back pressed to his burning chest.

Half-asleep, I feel his lips graze my neck, a silent claim.

Weekends were worse.

He'd keep me in bed all afternoon, my protests meaning nothing--he turned me to liquid with just a touch.

Even studying wasn't safe.

He'd drag me into his office, sit me beside him--only to pull me into his lap minutes later, kissing me breathless.

Then? Bed. Always.

I was exhausted.

So when Kieran holds me and says he's leaving for a meeting with another pack, my foggy brain snaps awake, eyes lighting up.

He narrows his gaze, swinging a long leg over me, pinning me down.

He grabs my chin, forcing eye contact. "Maybe I should take you with me."

I panic, shaking my head. "No."

He leans closer, lips brushing mine, unyielding. Afraid he'll change his mind, I open my mouth, my tongue hesitantly meeting his.

It sets him off. A low groan rumbles in his throat, and he shifts over me.

"K-Kieran--" I squirmed. "School tomorrow--"

Usually, that worked.

Not tonight.

"Please," I begged, voice breaking. "Just...hurry."

Kieran's POV

She didn't notice the change in herself, but I did. Every bit of it.

The trembling little thing who once stared at me with wary eyes had learned to pout, to glare, to challenge me with those wet, pleading looks.

But what fascinated me most was how her body responded to me now.

She's learning to crave it--my touch, my kisses, my body against hers.

"Kieran...enough..." Her voice is soft, no strength behind it as she pushes my chest, her voice too soft, too broken to be anything but a lie.

I pin her wrists above her head, leaning down to kiss the pulse jumping in her neck.

Her skin's drenched in my scent--exactly how I want it.

She smelled like me.

Like mine.

She hasn't awakened her wolf, so I can't mark her yet, but my wolf and I know she's our mate.

No doubt.

That thought makes me hold her tighter.

"Liar," I growl, nipping her earlobe, feeling her shudder. "You want this."

She whimpers, her cheeks flushing like a blood-red moon.

Maybe I shouldn't go to that damn pack meeting alone.

I should keep her glued to me--on my lap during talks, by my side at night.

"Open your mouth," I say, gripping her chin.

She glances back, shy but obedient, offering her small tongue.

I lean in, pulling her closer, and then hold her as I catch my breath.

Collapsing, I pull her into my arms. She curls into my chest, instinctive, trusting.

That unconscious need hits me harder than any victory.

***

Lilith's POV

The alarm yanked me out of sleep.

I groaned, reaching out to silence it--only to touch cold sheets. I opened my eyes. The familiar scent of mint lingered in the air, but Kieran was already gone.

I glanced down at myself. The inside of my thighs was still pink, faintly warm to the touch. No bruises, no broken skin--just smooth, tender flesh. That ointment he insisted on using last night really worked.

"Your skin's so soft," Kieran's voice echoed in my memory, hot breath brushing the back of my neck.

Face burning, I pressed a hand to my cheek. I slipped quietly out of bed, hoping to sneak back to my own room before anyone noticed.

It had been three weeks. And the whole thing still felt like an affair. We were hiding from the maids. Hiding from Daegan, whose Alpha nose could pick up a lie from a mile away.

Like always, I moved like a thief, toes sinking into the thick carpet.

The lock clicked softly as I opened the door. I held my breath and tiptoed down the hallway.

I dodged the third creaky floorboard, only three steps from my room--

"Morning, Lilith."

I froze.

Daegan stood at the stair landing, leaning casually against the wall. Dressed in workout gear, his golden-brown hair damp with sweat. Morning run. Great.

My throat tightened.

Thank god I'd already scrubbed off every trace of Kieran's scent.

"M-Morning," I managed, forcing a smile. My nails dug into my palms. "I'll get ready. I'm heading to school soon."

He just gave a grunt in reply and stepped aside, brushing past me.

I let out a breath and bolted into my room, shutting the door behind me.

My heart was still racing.

***

Daegan's POV

By the time I came downstairs after my shower, Lilith was already in the car.

Typical. Quiet to the point of vanishing. No wolf, no presence.

And yet...impossible to ignore. Even my wolf wouldn't shut up about her.

I made myself look away, but something was off. She looked exhausted. Faint shadows under her eyes. The moment she got in the car, her head started to nod.

Annoying.

I slid into the far end of the seat, turning my face to the window. The passing scenery was way more interesting than her sleeping face.

At least, that's what I told myself.

But I could still see her in the reflection. The car rumbled to life and her head bobbed like a sleepy pup. Small. Unaware. Weirdly adorable.

"She's so cute," my wolf sighed.

Shut up.

Before I could stop him, there was a dull thud. Lilith's forehead smacked against the window.

Idiot.

I clenched my fists, nails biting into my palms.

Let her bash her head. Not my problem.

Then came another bump in the road. Her head tilted back this time, her neck arching, pale skin stretched and exposed--

That's when I saw it.

A red mark. Bold. Obvious. Right above her collarbone, barely hidden by her shirt.

A mark.

A damn mark.

Who the hell did this?!

"Who the hell did this?!" my wolf roared inside my head.

My hands curled into fists. The leather seat creaked under the pressure.

Then she tipped forward again, about to fall--and my body moved before my brain could catch up.

I reached across the seat, catching her head with my shoulder just in time.

It wasn't planned. It was pure instinct.

Her cheek pressed against me, warm and light. I turned my head slowly, afraid to even breathe.

Was she awake?

No. Thank god.

But now she was too close. Her hair brushed my neck, her scent curling in my nose--soft, unfamiliar, but maddening.

She shouldn't have a scent. Her wolf hasn't awakened yet. And still, she smelled like something mine.

Then, as if to kill me, she nuzzled in, like a kitten finding its spot.

I went stiff.

"Sorry..." The driver glanced at us through the mirror, looking awkward.

I shot him a look. Cold. Sharp. Warning.

He shut up fast. Smart move.

I didn't know what to do with the warmth in my arms. I should move her. Now. Immediately.

But my wolf was growling, "Hold her."

And somehow, my hands listened to him. I adjusted her gently, helping her settle more comfortably against me.

Goddamn it.

The school gates were up ahead.

I reached under her chin, lifting her head carefully--her skin was even softer than it looked--and eased her back against the seat.

I didn't wake her.

Just like always, I got out of the car without waiting.

I never wait for her.

Not before. Not today. Not ever.

Lilith's POV

"Miss, we've arrived. Miss!"

A voice pulled me from sleep. I jolted awake, nearly smacking my forehead on the seat in front of me.

"We're at school now, miss," the driver said.

My eyes shot to the seat beside me--empty. I looked outside the window and caught a glimpse of a tall figure walking away.

Daegan. Of course he didn't wake me.

That was just like him.

"Thanks," I mumbled as I scrambled out of the car. I needed to get to class fast--I hadn't finished my homework thanks to Kieran keeping me busy all weekend.

Soon after, my best--okay, only--friend at this school, Brielle, arrived. She plopped down next to me, already mid-sentence.

"You didn't finish the homework?!"

I looked up and met her wide, shocked blue eyes. My face immediately felt hot.

It wasn't totally my fault. If it weren't for Kieran...

"Almost done," I said, flipping to a blank page in my notebook. "Just a little left."

Brielle suddenly leaned in, and the soft scent of citrus from her shampoo floated over to me. She always smelled light and clean--completely different from the suffocating dominance of the Blackthorn alphas.

"You're so pretty, Lili."

There it was--her daily compliment. She said something like that at least three times a day, and I still had no idea how to respond.

But today, her gaze froze.

"Wait...do you have a boyfriend?"

My heart stopped. I instinctively pulled back so fast my head almost hit the locker behind me.

Damn it, Kieran. Damn the mark. Damn our instincts.

"There's a hickey right here," Brielle whispered, pointing toward my neck. "Someone definitely kissed you."

My brain scrambled for a lie. My throat felt dry.

"It's just a bug bite," I said, too quickly.

She scrunched her nose. "It must've been a huge one. That looks painful."

"It's...it's fine." My voice was barely a whisper.

Thankfully, she let it go and changed the subject. "Lili, do you want to sleep over at my place tonight? My parents are out of town."

My whole body tensed.

Ever since moving into the Blackridge Pack, I'd gotten used to being judged. I wasn't sure if Brielle's parents would be like her...or if they'd try to keep her away from me too.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

Brielle pouted. "My brother's not home either...come on, please?" She tugged at my sleeve, her voice soft and pleading. "I'm always alone. You'd be my first friend to ever come over."

My ears caught the quickening beat of her heart--she was nervous.

"First?" I was honestly surprised. With her bright personality, I thought she'd have people over all the time.

She looked down slightly, her smile dimming. "I used to have friends...but they weren't real. Their eyes always had something else behind them."

And then I understood.

It wasn't that Brielle didn't have friends. It was that she could tell which smiles were fake. And she'd decided I was real.

The least I could do was return that trust.

"Okay," I said softly. "I'll come home with you tonight."

After school, I didn't wait for Daegan. I texted the driver and followed Brielle instead.

Daegan wouldn't care anyway.

Her house wasn't far from mine, but it felt completely different--warm, inviting, like an actual home instead of a cold estate.

Brielle was so excited she practically dragged me inside before the car had even fully stopped.

"Our chef is amazing--" she started, then froze mid-sentence.

A pair of men's dress shoes sat by the entrance.

"Jarek?" Her voice jumped an octave.

I followed her gaze and saw a tall figure sitting on the living room couch.

Something in me pulled back instinctively.

Maybe it was because I was getting close to shifting for the first time, but I was way too sensitive to Alpha energy lately.

And this one...this one felt dangerous.

"I'm home for a few days," he said, setting aside his tablet.

Then he stood and walked toward me with calm, smooth movements.

"Hi, I'm Jarek. Brielle's brother."

He held out a hand--large, clean, perfectly trimmed nails. Everything about him screamed control.

I hesitated, then took it. The moment our skin touched, a faint spark ran up my arm.

I nearly pulled back, but his fingers lightly squeezed mine. Not rough, but enough to leave me uneasy.

That feeling stayed with me the rest of the night.

Later, when someone knocked on the guest room door, I realized I should've trusted my instincts.