33

Caden’s POV
After getting the most incredible kiss of my life from my mate, I felt untouchable. It was like everything else-the stress, the noise, the endless complications-just melted away. Lily’s kiss had a way of breathing life into me, making the rest of the world disappear. And seeing her in my jersey? Damn. If it weren’t for the protective cup I was wearing, I’d have been in serious trouble out there.
For the rest of the game, I played like I was on fire, like every move was for her-even though I knew Lily didn’t have the slightest clue what she was watching. It didn’t matter. I’d never felt more alive, more certain that somehow, some way, things would work out.
Of course, I didn’t have the details ironed out, and that’s why I’d reluctantly gone along with Caleb’s idiotic backup plan. We didn’t have anything else, and we needed this to succeed. But watching Lily, so carefree and willing to kiss me like that, in front of everyone, reignited every fire in me. It had to be real this time. Any more setbacks, and I didn’t think I could handle it.
My wolf was restless, hyped up by Caleb’s enthusiasm. He was convinced tonight was the night-there’d be no more avoiding it, no more excuses. Part of me hated the idea of cornering Lily like this, but at the same time, she had to know what she wanted by now. Either she was in, or she wasn’t.
The thought of rejection gnawed at my gut, but after that kiss? No way. There was no way she wasn’t all in-Team Ashford, through and through.
I mind-linked Caleb to brag about the kiss, and, predictably, he was both jealous and determined to one-up me. His cocky confidence about everything working out only added to my nerves.
*I don’t like putting her on the spot. She hates that,* I warned him through the link.
*Dude, did you not see how she handled Quinley? That was pure dominance. She was telling everyone-her, us, the world-that we’re hers. She’s got this,* Caleb replied. *She just needs to remember how good it feels to let herself be adored by us, her mates.*
My wolf agreed, and I realized I was outnumbered.
When the game ended and the celebration erupted, Caleb wasted no time. He was off the bench, sprinting toward the stands with a determination that made my stomach twist. Rationally, I knew crowding her wasn’t a good idea, but instinct-testosterone, my wolf-overruled logic.
I tossed my helmet aside, ignoring the congratulations from teammates as I took off. Caleb was already ahead, darting up the bleachers like a man possessed. I held my breath, watching Lily stand to meet him, anticipation clear in her body language.
When Caleb reached her, he didn’t hesitate-he ran full speed, scooped her up, and lifted her into his arms. Her wide-eyed gasp was audible, even over the roaring crowd. My wolf surged with pride as she instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist, and then he kissed her-hard, passionate, and unapologetic.
Lily froze for a heartbeat, caught off guard, but then she melted into the kiss, returning it with as much fire as she’d shown me earlier. My chest swelled with pride and happiness, a raw, electric joy unlike anything I’d ever felt. The crowd went wild, their cheers vibrating through me like a drumbeat of victory.
My parents were on their feet, cheering as if Caleb had scored the winning goal. The sight of them-their support, their pride-made my throat tighten.
When their kiss finally broke, Lily’s face was flushed a deep, beautiful red. She buried her face in Caleb’s chest, suddenly shy in a way I’d never seen before. My brother beamed, radiating smug satisfaction as he turned to me.
I didn’t hesitate. I reached her in seconds, pulling her into my arms and claiming her lips for myself. The crowd erupted again, and this time I felt like we weren’t just two brothers marking our mate-we were making a statement. This was it. Everyone knew now. Lily was ours.
Her heart thundered against my chest as our kiss ended, her breath coming in short, erratic gasps. She buried her face against me, and I held her close, trying to anchor both of us in the storm of emotions swirling around us.
“I really hope this was okay,” I whispered, the words barely audible.
She didn’t lift her head, but her arms tightened around me. “It’s okay,” she murmured, and I exhaled a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. Relief swept through me, so strong it left me lightheaded.
When she finally looked up, her wide eyes searched my face. “Is my makeup ruined?” she asked, her voice soft.
I laughed, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. “I’ll always tell you you’re beautiful, so maybe you should ask someone else.”
Her smile was radiant, and I nearly lost my balance from how happy it made me.
As our fingers intertwined, I watched her closely, searching for any sign of regret. I didn’t see any, but I couldn’t stop the fear gnawing at me. Was this too much? Would she run?
Caleb reappeared, his expression serious as he glanced between us. Lily’s friends gave us space, and she turned to us with a sudden intensity that made my heart skip.
“I have to talk to you,” she said, biting her lip.
The shift in her mood hit me like a punch to the gut. Panic crept in as I grasped her hand, desperate to hold onto the connection. “What is it?”
Her gaze flickered to Caleb, and my wolf growled softly. Whatever this was, I needed to know. Right now.
As Caleb finally made his way over to us, I let out a deep sigh, knowing it would be easier to get Lily to open up without him hovering over us.
“Can we sit?” she asked softly, tugging on my hand, and I sank down beside her on the bench, while Caleb took a seat in front of us, his posture tense.
“I, uh… I need to apologize for last night. With Quinley,” she began, her voice thick with regret. “It was stupid. I could see it happening in slow motion, and I knew I shouldn’t do it, but my body was already moving before I could stop it. She pulled some shit at the spring, made my wolf lose her balance on the rock. She’s the reason I got hurt.” She grimaced, her gaze shifting away from us.
Caleb growled low under his breath, and I placed my hand firmly on his knee, trying to calm him.
Lily quickly reached over to touch his other knee, her fingers gentle as she met his gaze. He leaned in and kissed her forehead, the tension in his chest easing with the contact.
“I wish you would have told us that. We never would have let her anywhere near you,” Caleb said, his voice rough with concern as the rumble of his wolf quieted.
“I don’t know why the hell she was even there. But school’s over. She’s not in our pack anymore. We won’t have to see her again,” I said, voice steady but my mind already running through ideas for dealing with Quinley. I’d hire a damn private investigator if I had to, track her every move to make sure she didn’t dare come near Lily again. Jersey-chasing attention whores like her didn’t take rejection well, especially when money was likely behind her entitled behavior.
Lily rubbed her forehead, her brow furrowing. “I just worry… I mean, how will I ever be enough for you both? I’m only one person, and I’m a mess. I’ve never felt more lost, more unsure of myself, than I have in the last twenty-four hours. How can I make you believe me when I say it’s not you? It’s me. I’m a train wreck. I’m the one who’s stubborn and can’t see that not all change is bad. Being with you both wouldn’t change who I am, it would only enhance my life. My brain gets it, I understand it. But… I just…” She trailed off, pulling her hands into her lap, nervously fidgeting with her fingers.
“Baby, you’re more than enough. You’re everything. If there’s anything worth fighting for, it’s you. We’ll do whatever it takes. You won’t be alone,” I said, squeezing her hand. “Hell, my mom has an assistant. Did you know that? And if Liam ever settles down, I’m sure his mate will help, too.”
In the back of my mind, Caleb’s voice shot through the link, sharp and urgent. *Fuck, bro, I told you we should have done the thing before the game.*
I had to bite back a grin despite the tension. Yeah, Caleb’s Plan B would have worked, but there was still time. I looked back at Lily, her nerves palpable as she bit her lip.
“Of course, it’ll enhance things. But we don’t want you to lose who you are-not at all,” Caleb continued, his voice softening as he gently placed his hand on her shoulder. “But, in light of what just happened, we think you should pull the interview-or let us change it. What if we all write it together? An interview with the three of us.”
She turned her head, eyes distant, and I couldn’t stop myself from closing the space between us, gently lifting her chin to meet her gaze.
“What’s going on? It’s going to come out anyway. Why not get in front of it? We can control the narrative,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm, even though my wolf was pacing restlessly inside me, sensing her turmoil.
She let out a shaky breath, her eyes welling with emotion. “Okay, so… I’m a piece of shit. I never actually read the interview before I handed it to my editor. You guys had basically written it, so I was just going to turn it in-this was before our dates, before I really got to know you.” She paused, swallowing hard, then continued. “But I went to get it this morning, and someone broke into my boss’s office and trashed it. They cracked open his small safe where your file was kept. That’s the only thing that was stolen. Everything else was left untouched. I was actually going to ask if you could talk to the Moons, just in case anyone’s shopping the story around.”
My eyes locked with Caleb’s, and I could feel the growl building in my chest. Who the hell would do something like that?
“Get your editor on the phone. Now,” Caleb said, his voice a low command as he shot to his feet, fury flashing in his eyes.
I stood, ready to back him up. This wasn’t just about the interview anymore-it was about protecting Lily, and nothing was going to stop us from keeping her safe.