Chapter 6
1027 Words
~•Mark•~
Olivia was absentmindedly dressing in her room, so I hurriedly slipped out after seeing her náked.
Thankfully, she didn't participate in any pack activities because she had no wolf. She'd never celebrated her birthday either—we only assumed her age. My parents didn't know who Olivia's real parents were, except that she'd been dumped in a basket in front of the pack's orphanage.
I felt a pressing desire to protect Olivia, to claim her as mine. Maybe that's why my parents had adopted her.
Looking away from Emily's stern face, I smiled at Ava. "I came to shop for my lunch."
"That's fine, Mark. I'm sorry I missed your basketball game against the Red Ballers today. I was busy in class and couldn't make it," she said, her hand reaching out to touch my chiseled chest as she bit her bottom lip seductively.
Stepping away from Ava's touch, I replied, "It's nothing to worry about. Just a friendly match."
My voice was calm as I moved to create distance between us. Ava was the Alpha's daughter and had a charm that compelled single guys to lust after her—but I wouldn't fall for it.
"Alright," Ava bit her bottom lip. "Emily and I are leaving. We'll see you later."
She turned to walk away with my annoyed sister but paused. "Mark, that reminds me—will you attend Rita's birthday tomorrow evening? She's your coach's daughter and my best friend. Won't you come? We'll have lots of fun at the pack hotel tomorrow."
"Mmm." My brows furrowed. I'd thought Coach Tyler wanted his daughter's eighteenth birthday at home, but they were moving it to a hotel since Rita was becoming an adult.
Ava was twenty, and so was Emily. They didn't have fated mates and behaved as they liked—clubbing, partying, sleeping around.
I sighed. I couldn't control Emily. She was beautiful, and Mom had that responsibility.
"Fine. I'll be there," I mumbled, wanting to enter the eatery and shop for the ice cream and noodles I planned to buy Olivia for dinner.
"Aww, Mark, that's wonderful! See you tomorrow! Come on, Emily, let's go!" Ava squealed, grabbing my sister's hand and leading her away.
Emily glared at me once more, her brows furrowed. You wouldn't believe she was my sister. They disappeared from my sight.
Breathing with relief, I focused on the eatery and entered.
The sun was setting, the weather darkening as if rain was on the way. Inside the eatery lobby, cold air conditioning cooled my skin. I moved to the counter and shopped for two takeaway meals, two cups of ice cream, and fried chicken.
The thought of having lunch with Olivia at the hospital made me smile—even though the possibility of encountering my mother gnawed at me.
As I paid, the female attendant blushed and asked, "Excuse me, sir, aren't you the basketball star, Mark George? Can I have your autograph, please?"
Her brown eyes twinkled with desire. I got this admiration from most young she-wolves in the pack. If only Olivia could drool over me like that.
I smiled. "Of course."
"Thank you," she giggled, giving me her pen to sign on her right palm.
I could smell her arousal as my hand held hers. Several young women—both single and married—rushed over from the queue, forgetting why they were there.
"Star player, Mark! Me too!" they begged. The eatery became crowded, voices resonating like a marketplace, surrounding me.
My head ached at the thought of missing lunch with Olivia. I waved them off.
"No! Next time!" I growled, swiftly grabbing my two packages, paying, and dashing out. The young women chased me, but I hopped into my red car, shut the door, started the engine, and drove off.
"Phew! That was close!" I exhaled. My wolf sighed with disgust.
"Why do they keep gawking at you like that—single and married alike? Can't they wait to find their mates?" Logan murmured, displeased.
I was handsome, so I couldn't blame them. Those women were ready to bed me if I agreed.
Maybe they haven't seen a handsome basketball star like me before. Besides, I'm not the only star player in this pack. Why the lust? I agreed with Logan as I focused on driving.
"Tsk. It's because you're very handsome. I don't blame them," Logan replied seriously, and I smiled.
"Alright. If only Olivia would drool over me like that. She barely meets my gaze, and you know how much I crave her attention," I muttered, gripping the steering wheel as I navigated toward the pack hospital.
It was a 30-minute drive—past 4 p.m. The basketball match had barely lasted an hour.
Due to the incoming rain, the surroundings grew darker. It was the middle of the year when rainfall threatened to flood the lands and bless some territories.
"Hmm," Logan hummed. "Just give Olivia time. I believe she'll fall for us." His voice was confident. I couldn't wait for that day.
Arriving at the pack hospital, I drove into the grounds and parked. I reached for the package on the passenger seat and picked it up.
Locking the car, I made my way toward the entrance.
The Starfield Pack hospital was a powerful three-story building—opulent, constructed ages ago, yet still beautiful.
As I walked in, Dr. Sam emerged from the emergency unit on the left and locked his gaze on me. He wore green surgical attire, removing his nose mask as he marched up to meet me. He wasn't the only doctor here, but I was pissed he had interest in Olivia. How dare he invite her to his house under the excuse of helping her?
"Mark, what are you doing here again?" Dr. Sam asked sternly, walking over. He'd been my colleague in high school—after graduation, he studied medicine while I pursued sports.
"Mmm. I don't owe you an explanation for why I'm here. Excuse me," I replied, moving past him toward the female ward on the second floor to find Olivia.
Luckily, Dr. Sam didn't chase after me.
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