22

Lilith’s POV
**Unknown Number:** *Hey, this is Caden. I wasn’t sure if you still had my number. Just wanted to say I missed you. Thanks again for last night-I swear I can still feel you in my arms. :)*
I wanted to roll my eyes at the message, but my heart betrayed me, skipping a beat instead. Could he be any sweeter? Damn it… and maybe it didn’t help that the shirt I wore last night, now steeped in his scent, was currently spread out on my pillow. My fingers twitched as I resisted the urge to dash into my room and bury my face in it.
Closing my eyes, I could still feel him-his body trembling as he surrendered himself to me. The heat of him lingered, coating my senses, while his gaze held me like I was his entire world. The way his arms enveloped me afterward-gentle yet protective-made me feel something I hadn’t in a long time: valued. Important. But most of all, I remembered the rush of power. A soon-to-be Alpha, reduced to my mercy. In that moment, I could have asked him for anything-everything-and he would have given it willingly.
*”Go smell it! Please? Just once! We’re not exactly spoiled by sweet, doting males like him,”* Rose teased in my head.
I shoved her voice aside and focused on Briar, my current distraction.
“Lil, this dress is pure fire. Ugh, I’m jealous. I wish I had the ass to pull this off. My boobs would be bouncing everywhere,” Briar exclaimed, holding up the gown I’d picked out.
Future Beta Liam had recommended the boutique, and goddess bless him for it. Sure, it was a bit of a drive, but despite having to endure Dahlia’s endless chatter, it was worth it. The silver mermaid-style gown I found fit like a dream, its backless design and delicate mesh overlay giving it a warrior-like elegance. The silky, sheer fabric clung to my skin like it was made for me. The neckline plunged daringly low-no room for a bra-and double-sided tape would be my only savior against wardrobe malfunctions. To top it off, it was a steal at $300, allowing me to buy it myself and salvage a shred of dignity.
Dahlia, of course, went all out and bought the matching shoes and handbag for over a grand. I promised she could keep them afterward, and she practically skipped out of the store. Miraculously, she refrained from mentioning Liam’s casual “Luna” comment all afternoon. Either she was oblivious, or she was being polite. She chose a voluminous ball gown in a silvery-blue shade, looking every bit like Cinderella. When I teased her about it, she swore to return for the ridiculous heels she’d been eyeing. It didn’t matter that no one would see them-the way they made her feel was reason enough. She looked stunning, but I worried for her bladder if nature called mid-evening.
“Alright, I’ll probably stick to liquids for a few days to drop some water weight. Can’t let myself slip just because I’ve found my mates,” I admitted, grimacing.
Briar groaned, rolling her eyes. “Girl, they’re not going to care if you eat a real meal. Trust me. I spent the last two nights with Drake-their fullback-and he knows his way around a woman’s body. Anyway, we’re getting pizza. Non-negotiable.” She was already pulling out her phone.
The thought of greasy, cheesy goodness made my stomach growl in betrayal. *Maybe just a slice… or two.*
Half a large pizza and a six-pack of beer later, Briar and I were doubled over laughing, reminiscing about the time we got drunk and skinny-dipped with a language professor who happened to be a panther shifter. That man was *agile.*
**KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.**
My laughter cut off as my head snapped to the door. I didn’t need to check to know it was one-or both-of the twins. Briar smirked knowingly.
“Want me to help you get rid of them, or…?” she trailed off with a grin.
*”We want them to stay! Tell them to stay!”* Rose practically squealed.
**KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.**
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “If I fix my ponytail after opening the door, they can stay,” I muttered, earning a wink from Briar.
Still, I wasn’t ready. Last night’s memories lingered, leaving me lightheaded.
*”Drunk with love,”* Rose cooed.
*”Drunk with Caden, maybe,”* I retorted. Caleb, on the other hand? I was half-tempted to see if he’d bounce if I threw him out a window.
Swinging the door open, I braced myself-and there he was. Caleb. No, Caden. He smiled, holding out a single red rose.
“Is your calendar broken, donkey?” I asked, sniffing the rose despite myself.
“Not at all, beautiful. Just wanted to confirm tomorrow. What time should I pick you up?” he asked, glancing past me to wave at Briar.
If Caden had my number, Caleb definitely did too. Was this a game?
*”Stop it! If you can’t trust anyone, you can trust our mates,”* Rose huffed.
I choked on my own breath. Sometimes having a voice in your head was more trouble than it was worth.
“Same as yesterday. Five should be fine,” I said casually, fighting the urge to touch my hair.
“Perfect. Dress casually-sneakers, if you’ve got them. We’ll save the dressing up for Saturday night,” he said with an easy grin.
I narrowed my eyes, trying to read him. That damned dimple in his chin distracted me. I hated it. Hated that I stared at it. Shifting my focus, I zeroed in on the slight droop in his left eye. At least that, I could mock.
“Oh, since you’re here, I did want to mention-your relative, Hade, was it? Total toad. I won’t be calling him, but if you’re feeling brave, go right ahead,” I said, still appraising him like he was up for auction.
He laughed, a low rumble, rubbing his chin in mock contemplation. “What’d Hade do? He’s a sweet guy,” he replied, his tone feigning shock.
I wasn’t buying it. Half of me wondered if Caleb had orchestrated Hade’s bizarre behavior, just to mess with me. I started to push the door shut, but his hand shot up, halting my retreat. Before I could react, he stepped into my space, his presence consuming the room. When I moved to back away, he caught my waist, pulling me flush against him.
“Maybe I just needed to see you,” he murmured, his voice thick with unspoken intentions. “I’m a little jealous, to be honest. Caden came back looking like he’d won the lottery. He won’t even tell me what happened-just that you two had a great time.”
“Wow,” I said, tilting my head with exaggerated surprise. “So one of you *is* a real gentleman.” I punctuated my sarcasm by lightly tapping his nose with the flower he’d brought.
*You’re flirting,* Rose giggled in my mind. *And you know it.*
I tried to regain some semblance of composure, but his grip was unyielding, and his face… gods, his face was a danger zone. With his breath warm against my cheek and his eyes burning with desire, every rational thought evaporated. My nipples, traitors that they were, responded to his closeness, straining against the thin fabric of my dress. I wasn’t wearing a bra, and it felt like he noticed.
“Oh, Caden’s the sweet one, no doubt about that,” he said, his lips curling into a wolfish grin. “But trust me, Lilith, I live for the chase. And catching you? That’s going to be so damn satisfying.”
His tongue darted out to wet his lips, and his nostrils flared. The fire in his eyes burned so hot, I was sure he’d leave me scorched. Caleb wasn’t just intense-he was a dragon in human skin, ready to devour me whole. The heat between us was suffocating, and my traitorous body refused to put up a fight.
I shoved against his chest, but he only pulled me closer. His lips grazed my ear, and I froze, completely at his mercy. My body betrayed me, turning limp in his hold, as if silently surrendering.
When he finally spoke, his voice was low and strained, dripping with raw need. I could feel every word vibrating against my skin.
“You think I don’t know who you are? I know exactly who you are, Lilith. You’re unapologetic. You take what you want and don’t make excuses for it-just like me. You’re obsessed with perfection in every aspect of your life, whether it’s your work or your bed. You crave the spotlight, and I get that because I live for it too. I was born to fight with you, born to love you, because we are the same kind of creature.
“I don’t want some watered-down version of you. I want the real you. The firecracker who speaks her mind, who never backs down. I want you to brag about me-hell, even gossip to your girlfriends about how I know exactly how to hit that sweet spot. And trust me, I will. But what gets me off, Lilith, is you. The woman who’s got a mouth that won’t quit and a mind I can’t stop thinking about. Don’t ever change. That’s the you I want to chase, the you I want to claim.”
He punctuated his declaration with a soft kiss on my cheek before releasing me.
I stood there, stunned and breathless, unable to process what had just happened. His words echoed in my mind, looping over and over. I didn’t want to forget a single one. And then it hit me: my panties were soaked.
If I had a few more beers in me, I’d probably be sprawled on my kitchen counter, letting him do whatever he wanted. A man who got turned on by my sharp tongue and refusal to stroke his ego? Hell.
“Hey, Briar! You coming to the house party Friday night?” Caleb called over his shoulder as he casually opened the door wider.
“Oh, absolutely! Wouldn’t miss it!” Briar hollered back, overly enthusiastic.
“Cool,” he said with a grin, lifting my hand to his lips. He made a show of kissing it, his eyes never leaving mine.
I watched, entranced, as he walked away. Rose was practically screaming at me to call after him, but I was frozen, leaning against the doorframe like my legs had forgotten how to work.
Once I finally shut the door, I slid down to the floor, my legs weak and my vision a little hazy.
“What did he say?!” Briar demanded, crouching in front of me with wide eyes. “I couldn’t hear, and trust me, I was *trying*. Girl, you’d better screw them soon, or you’re going to lose it.”
“I think my brain is… fried,” I admitted, still dazed. “He broke me, and he didn’t even take my clothes off.”
Briar snapped her fingers in front of my face, pulling me out of my trance. She was grinning like a lunatic.
“You want me to run to the store and grab you a good vibrator?” she offered with a laugh.
I burst out laughing, and she joined in, but deep down… she might’ve been right.
How had it been less than a week since these two turned my life upside down?