Chapter 2
1548 Words
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Cassidy POV
The rich aroma of sizzling bacon slowly pulled me from sleep.
I groaned softly, burying my face into my pillow for another few seconds before opening my eyes.
Sunlight streamed through the curtains, bathing my bedroom in a warm golden glow.
For a brief moment...
I forgot about last night.
Then the memory of Lysander kissing Jossie crashed into my mind.
"...Damn."
I rubbed my forehead before climbing out of bed.
After taking a quick shower, I slipped into a cream-colored sweater, light blue jeans, and white sneakers. I tied my long curls into a loose ponytail, grabbed my phone from the nightstand, and headed downstairs.
The moment I reached the kitchen, I was greeted by controlled chaos.
My oldest brother, Harris, sat at the table reading the morning newspaper while sipping coffee.
Across from him, Geo was scrolling endlessly through his phone, occasionally laughing at something on the screen.
Meanwhile, Tez leaned back in his chair with his boots propped on another chair, tossing pieces of toast into his mouth like he hadn't a care in the world.
Our mother moved around the kitchen effortlessly, flipping pancakes while humming softly.
"Dad already leave for patrol?" I asked.
Harris folded the newspaper.
"About an hour ago."
I nodded before pulling out my chair.
"Morning."
"Morning," the three of them answered almost in unison.
Mom smiled warmly.
"Good morning, sweetheart."
I sat down, reaching for a glass of orange juice.
"You hungry?"
"Starving."
"I figured as much."
She placed another pancake onto a growing stack.
"How was the party?"
I paused.
"It was..."
I searched for the nicest possible word.
"...Okay."
A lie.
A complete lie.
It had been an absolute train wreck.
My mother looked over her shoulder.
"Just okay?"
I shrugged.
"It wasn't really my scene."
That much was true.
Before anyone else could speak—
Tez burst into laughter.
Not a chuckle.
A full-bodied laugh that nearly made him choke on his toast.
"Hell no."
He pointed at me while still laughing.
"That ain't why she's saying it was just 'okay.'"
Geo looked up from his phone.
"Oh?"
Tez grinned from ear to ear.
"Our little doctor here walked right into the middle of Lysander making out with Jossie."
The room went quiet.
Mom slowly set the spatula down.
"...Seriously?"
I took another sip of juice.
"Unfortunately."
Tez shook his head.
"I heard the whole damn party was talking about it."
Geo let out an exhausted sigh.
"Lysander really has no shame."
"He hasn't had any for a while," Harris replied calmly.
Tez leaned forward on the table.
"I swear that dude follows Jossie around like she's the Moon Goddess herself."
I rolled my eyes.
"Don't remind me."
Mom crossed her arms.
"That girl has brought nothing but trouble since she was little."
Geo nodded.
"Everyone knows it."
Silvermoon Pack wasn't exactly subtle when it came to gossip.
Jossie's mother had broken one of the oldest werewolf traditions years ago by abandoning her fated mate for a human. The pack council had punished her severely, stripping away her wolf and banishing her from pack affairs.
According to countless rumors, she'd spent years filling Jossie's head with bitterness and resentment toward the pack.
Whether every rumor was true or not, one thing was certain.
Jossie thrived on attention.
Especially male attention.
Tez snorted.
"And somehow every i***t with a pulse keeps falling for her."
Geo laughed.
"It's actually impressive."
"No," Harris corrected.
"It's embarrassing."
Mom placed a plate of pancakes, eggs, bacon, and fruit in front of me.
"I've watched that girl create problems for years."
She sighed.
"If revenge really is what her mother wanted, then sending Jossie into the middle of the pack certainly caused enough chaos."
Tez grabbed another strip of bacon.
"Chaos? That's putting it nicely."
He looked over at me.
"You know the varsity guys at Silvermoon University practically fight over who's gonna flirt with her next?"
"I've noticed," I answered dryly.
"They act like they've never seen a woman before."
Geo smirked.
"And Lysander's leading the pack."
I quietly cut into my pancakes.
"I honestly don't care who he dates."
Three pairs of eyes immediately turned toward me.
Tez raised an eyebrow.
"You sure about that?"
I looked down at my plate before answering honestly.
"I care that he's my mate."
I took a slow breath.
"But if he's going to spend his life chasing after someone else..."
I looked up.
"...I'm not going to spend mine chasing after him."
The table fell silent.
For the first time that morning, no one had a joke to make.
Harris gave a small approving nod.
"Good."
Mom reached across the table and gently squeezed my hand.
"You deserve someone who chooses you without hesitation."
I forced a small smile.
"I know."
Deep down...
I was beginning to wonder if that person even existed.
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Silvermoon University buzzed with its usual morning energy.
Students crossed the sprawling campus with backpacks slung over their shoulders, some rushing toward lectures while others gathered in small groups, laughing over cups of coffee.
As I walked through the front gates, a few familiar faces greeted me.
"Morning, Cassidy!"
"Good luck on your anatomy exam later!"
"Hey, Doc!"
I smiled politely and waved.
"Morning."
"Thanks."
Despite everything happening in my personal life, I had never let it interfere with my studies.
Within the pack, I was known for two things.
Being the Beta's daughter...
And being the student most likely to become Silvermoon's youngest surgeon.
While other students spent weekends partying until sunrise, I spent mine in the medical library, volunteering at the pack clinic, or practicing surgical techniques.
Some called me boring.
Others called me obsessed.
I preferred disciplined.
One day, the wolves who laughed at me would be lying on an operating table praying someone like me was in the room.
As I approached the medical sciences building, I adjusted the strap of my bag.
Almost there—
"Cassidy."
I stopped walking.
I knew that voice.
Without even turning around, my mood immediately soured.
Lysander Greys.
I sighed quietly before continuing toward the entrance.
Footsteps hurried after me.
"Cassidy."
His hand caught my wrist.
I looked down at it.
Then slowly raised my eyes to meet his.
"What?"
His brows furrowed.
"You left the party."
"I did."
"You didn't even tell me."
I blinked.
"...Were you expecting me to interrupt your make-out session?"
For a brief second, he looked caught off guard.
"It wasn't—"
"I really don't care."
I gently but firmly pulled my wrist free.
He stepped in front of me, blocking my path.
Students immediately began slowing their pace.
Nobody openly stared...
But everyone was definitely watching.
"Cassidy, you're acting weird."
I couldn't help it.
A short, humorless laugh escaped my lips.
"Weird?"
His expression tightened.
"Yeah."
I studied his face for a long moment.
Then...
I slowly tilted my head away from him.
Not dramatically.
Just enough to avoid the lingering scent clinging to him.
Perfume.
Sweet.
Artificial.
Jossie's.
Even after an entire night...
He still smelled like her.
The scent made my stomach churn.
A look of unmistakable disgust crossed my face.
Lysander noticed immediately.
"...What's that look supposed to mean?"
I finally looked back at him.
"You smell."
His eyebrows knitted together.
"What?"
"You smell like another woman."
The words were calm.
Flat.
Matter-of-fact.
"I'd rather not breathe that in."
His jaw clenched.
"It isn't what you think."
I folded my arms.
"Oh?"
He opened his mouth.
Then closed it again.
For someone who usually had an excuse ready, he seemed surprisingly speechless.
I raised an eyebrow.
"Nothing?"
"Cassidy..."
"No, go ahead."
I gestured for him to continue.
"I'm curious."
"What explanation could possibly make me forget watching you kiss Jossie in front of half the pack?"
A heavy silence settled between us.
Students were definitely pretending not to listen now.
One group had completely stopped walking.
Another pair whispered to each other while glancing in our direction.
Lysander lowered his voice.
"We need to talk."
I shook my head.
"I have class."
"This is more important."
"No."
I stepped to the side.
"So is my education."
He moved again, blocking me once more.
"Cassidy."
Something inside me snapped.
"Move."
My voice wasn't loud.
It didn't need to be.
The coldness in it made several nearby students glance over.
For the first time since we'd become mates...
I wasn't pleading for his attention.
I wasn't asking questions.
I wasn't trying to understand him.
I was simply...done.
His shoulders stiffened.
"You've never spoken to me like that."
"And you've never respected me like a mate."
His expression froze.
I looked him directly in the eyes.
"So I guess we're both experiencing something new today."
Without another word, I walked around him and headed toward the medical building.
This time...
He didn't try to stop me.
Behind me, I could still feel his gaze lingering on my back.
But I didn't turn around.
Not once.
- Writer
