41

Lilith’s POV
I handed in my second exam of the day, a sense of pride filling me as I walked out of the room with a light bounce in my step. There was no doubt in my mind-I had aced both tests. My memory had come through for me, especially considering I hadn’t studied at all. It was a small miracle, really.
I checked my phone. Two hours until Sylas dropped the graduation edition of the school paper. Tomorrow, The Moons would release their own article, but beyond that, I wasn’t sure what came next.
I still hadn’t heard how things went when Sonia was locked out of her office this morning, but I’d gotten wind of some juicy details. Apparently, Sylas had found all kinds of incriminating stuff on her computer-unauthorized lunches charged to the department, petty cash siphoning. Seriously, who could even trust anyone these days? It was like honesty had become a foreign concept.
Then there was Nina from the registrar’s office. She’d played her part perfectly, making sure no one knew it was her, or me, who had taken Quinley down. The little snake had been busy finding shady ways to make extra cash, and while I hadn’t wanted to take the credit, the satisfaction of watching her unravel was enough for me.
Ivana had a reporter on standby to cover it. I didn’t know exactly when it was going to go down, but I knew it would be soon. Careers were likely going to get wrecked in the process, but hey, it is what it is. That’s my motto-it’s become almost a personal branding statement. “Facts don’t lie, people do.” Maybe I should put it on a t-shirt.
I wandered into the dining hall, grabbing a tray of food I normally wouldn’t have touched. A soda followed-another thing I never usually drank-but today felt like the kind of day where all my old habits just didn’t fit. There was a sense of finality in the air, and I couldn’t ignore it.
“Reporter gains ten pounds-not from feasting on her enemies, stay tuned for the crime report!” I thought, half-joking with myself.
I knew the twins would want answers soon. Would I go home first, or just move in with them? How soon should I make my official announcement to the pack? Rose was restless inside me, curled up tight as usual, sensing my anxiety. I didn’t need her attitude right now, especially with everything swirling in my mind.
My body was already aching to be near my mates. Being away from them was becoming unbearable. I could feel their stress, their uncertainty, and I knew it wasn’t just about finals. I hated that-didn’t want their pack or their family seeing us vulnerable. If we were doing this, it had to be with a united front. My mates would never show weakness, especially not because of me.
At least I didn’t have another exam until Wednesday, but I did have a paper due Friday. That was something I could handle later-right now, it was all about putting one foot in front of the other.
I stuffed my face, not really caring how full I was, until I couldn’t move. I distracted myself with my phone, scrolling aimlessly until I saw someone entering to drop off copies of the paper. It was our biggest moneymaker, just twenty-five cents for an issue, and everyone on campus read it. The ads paid for everything, and the more copies we sold, the more we could charge.
I let out a slow breath and tapped my fingers on the table, trying to decide how much longer I wanted to sit here. I needed to do something, but I wasn’t sure what.
“Daytime run?” Rose suggested, suddenly more alert.
I mulled it over. It wasn’t a bad idea. A good run would clear my head. Between the constant flood of texts, emails, and social media buzz surrounding my articles, I knew today would be an absolute storm. And tomorrow? It was going to be a nuclear bomb.
I ran back to my apartment, threw on a loose dress, and shot the twins a quick message in our group chat.
Me: Rose needs to stretch her legs. I need to get out of the line of fire. I’ll text you later.
I silenced my phone and set it on the counter before rushing out. I didn’t want to get stuck in a conversation or have them try to join me. I needed space.
Rose and I ran until we were both exhausted. She proudly caught a rabbit, though she was disappointed our mates weren’t there to see it. I reassured her that she could do it again, and that made her happy.
“Lily, we’ll make new dreams,” Rose mused as she lay in the sun, resting her head on her paws. She yawned, content.
“Dreams are meant to change,” I whispered back.
Yesterday, I had been offered a year-long internship with The Full Moon Times. My mates, as if I wasn’t even in the room, negotiated it so I could work from home four out of five days a week. Interns didn’t do much reporting, mostly junior editing or fetching coffee, so it wasn’t like I’d be missing out on much by not being present. Would the other interns hate me for the special treatment? Probably. Did I care? Hell no.
I also found out that they weren’t replacing the old editor who was retiring. Ivana said two of her nephews would be picking up his slack, which was a blow to my plans. Still, it wasn’t the worst thing. My plate was already full enough.
Caden didn’t know I was listening, but I overheard him telling Ivana about the house he was working on for “us.” He was nervous about telling me, and that stung. I wanted him to show me everything he was doing when I got back. It wasn’t in the city, but it didn’t matter. It would be our house, something we could build together. That idea thrilled me.
Caleb had been quieter lately, speaking only when spoken to as we worked. Ivana, ever the reporter, kept asking personal questions, but that was part of her job. She was curious about when I would renounce ties to my pack and officially join Blood Moon. Honestly, I didn’t think it would take long. Maybe this weekend. It would definitely please Kieran, Ethan, and Sophia. And honestly? I’d just marked my mates in front of everyone-nothing to fear anymore. It felt freeing.
“Well, it’s settled!” Rose chimed in, her tail wagging. “We’ll move out of the apartment and in with them!”
“Into their parents’ house…” I mused. Awkward. But it would work for now.
“How long does it take to build a house?” I wondered aloud. I had no clue. I wasn’t sure if I could stay in the packhouse either. I didn’t exactly love being around people.
*Baby? You out here?* I heard Caleb’s voice through the mind-link.
Rose perked up, her head lifting. Not many people from my pack were on campus, so I hadn’t even considered that I could mind-link with them. It felt like a sudden shift.
“Yeah, but I’m sure you already have my scent,” I said playfully, trying to sound coy.
Caleb popped through the trees, a familiar wolf. He immediately pressed his head against mine, making Rose swoon with affection.
*Caden’s still in class, but you should come back. Have you eaten? I was going to order dinner,* he said, and I realized how late it must have gotten.
“I caught a rabbit,” Rose bragged, only to get bashful when she saw the amused look Caleb gave us.
*”Oh, that’s hot. So proud of you, sexy. You’re amazing-but I knew you would be,”* a voice teased, deeper and rougher than Caleb’s usual tone.
*I’m Rose,* she said, brushing her head against his side, her nose inhaling his scent.
*I’m Fang,* he replied, his tone playful, a low growl escaping.
Fang?
I pushed Rose back, making her cock her head, confusion evident in her posture. *Fang?* It wasn’t exactly a common name-arrogant little shit.
*Baby, I wanted to tell you…* Caleb stepped forward, his paw raised in an attempt at explanation.
*Let me guess, Caden’s wolf is Hade,* I snapped, cutting him off.
He dropped his head, refusing to meet my gaze.
Oh, you sneaky little ass!
I made Rose whirl around and take off, though it wouldn’t matter-he’d follow us anyway. When I reached my dress, I heard commotion in the distance. Tossing it over my head, I darted through the woods, curiosity overtaking me. Full-on investigative mode kicked in, though I silently cursed not having my phone to record what was unfolding.
Flashing red and blue lights came into view.
“This is bullshit! Someone set me up! I want a lawyer,” a voice roared as I rounded the building.
Quinley Hawthorne… in *handcuffs*. Oh, this was a sight for sore eyes. I rubbed my hands together, staying out of sight.
“Set you up? You were running a whole operation-selling grades and getting people’s marks changed! Several professors are going to lose their jobs because of your schemes. You’d sleep with them and blackmail them,” the university president spat, fury emanating from him.
“And what about the designer drugs? What even *are* all these pills?” a female cop demanded, holding up evidence.
Ohhh, I didn’t know about *that*! Covering my mouth to muffle my laugh, I sensed Caleb’s presence behind me and hoped he was at least dressed.
“Well, there’s something you don’t see every day,” he murmured.
“What the hell did you even see in her?” I snapped, glancing back at him.
“We never slept with her, I swear! She just… helped us unwind,” he admitted, his hands lightly resting on my arms.
That eased me a little. The thought of them *inside* her? Hell no.
I turned to face him, stepping further behind the building, my arms crossed and my expression sharp.
“And where’s my apology for the Fang and Hade thing?” I demanded, my irritation flaring again.
“Maybe you’ll hear one in a minute,” he muttered before dropping to his knees.
I scoffed and moved to step away, but he grabbed my hips, his grip firm. Before I could react, he shoved me against the wall, spreading my thighs apart. His mouth found me, his tongue working magic as my head hit the wall, all coherent thoughts evaporating.
The risk, the thrill-doing this in public-was insane. Yet here I was, catching my breath after an earth-shattering orgasm, my mate nibbling my neck as I leaned against him, weak-kneed. His name inked on his arm caught my eye, and I traced it with my finger.
“I shouldn’t have done that,” he murmured, his voice still husky with desire. “It was at the start of the week. We were still figuring things out, and I thought it was funny.”
The sounds from the parking lot began to fade as people dispersed.
“Don’t be mad at Caden,” he added, cupping my face and holding my gaze. “It was my idea. The second time he just listened, but the first? He wasn’t even there.”
“You can’t always expect orgasms to fix everything,” I teased, batting my eyelashes.
Okay, maybe they fixed a lot.
If public sex became our thing, we were definitely in trouble. But the thrill of it? Hmm…
“They certainly help, *mate,*” he said, kissing my nose.
I swatted him playfully as my stomach growled. Rose’s earlier rabbit snack wasn’t cutting it. Without a word, he took my hand, threading our fingers together as we walked toward the greenhouse.
I finally noticed he was wearing shorts-barefoot, just like me.
“You know,” he began, “we should set your friend Briar up with Liam. He seriously needs a woman in his life.”
I laughed, biting my lip.
“She’s not his type,” I said matter-of-factly.
“What’s his type? Wait, did he say something? No-don’t tell me. Actually, tell me!” He stopped, placing his hands on my shoulders, his curiosity burning.
I laughed so hard my stomach ached.
“He’s not gay, Caleb. Not even close,” I said, leaning in to kiss him lightly.
His expression turned wary.
“Did he do something? Hit on you? I’ll skin him alive,” he growled, gripping my face.
I calmly removed his hands, resting them on my hips as I kissed him softly. His tension melted, and I marveled at the power I had over him.
“Liam’s the most loyal guy on the planet,” I reassured. “He didn’t do anything. He’s just… particular.”
Taking his hand again, I continued walking.
By the time we got home, Caden was there, and talk of Liam faded. Bullet dodged.
I hugged and kissed Caden, delighting in Caleb’s mild jealousy as he hovered in the kitchen, clearly annoyed he wasn’t the center of my attention.
“Caleb, order dinner while Caden shows me this house business,” I said, clasping Caden’s hands in mine. “No interruptions-and no talk about my articles in the paper.”
A broad grin spread across Caden’s face.