Lola’s POV

Morgan Morrison.

The name alone made my blood boil.

He was an Alpha of the Red Shadow Wolf Clan, the most notorious playboy on campus, and Flint’s biggest rival, they are competing secretly.

To me, he wasn’t just another arrogant Alpha. He was trouble wrapped in a smirk.

I saw him leaning against the hallway wall, spinning his phone between his fingers like he had all the time in the world.

I walked up to him and said, “You should stop skipping Professor Neal’s class. It’s mandatory.”

He barely looked at me. “Got it.”

I frowned. “I’m serious. Keep doing it and…”

He cut me off with a lazy grin. “I’ll do it, alright? Don’t be so serious, glasses girl.”

I felt my jaw clench.

He tilted his head and added, “You do know I’m the strongest Alpha in the country, right? Everyone here respects me. You don't get to talk to me like that.”

I crossed my arms. “Not everyone respects you.”

Morgan took a slow step closer. “Then you must be blind. Or biased. Maybe both.”

“You cheated at the end of semester alpha fight against Flint,” I snapped. “Flint was stronger. He should’ve won.”

His expression didn’t change, but his eyes flickered with amusement. “Not my fault if your brother was off his game. You don’t like losing, do you?”

“I don’t like liars.”

He winked at me and moved closer. “You really dress like someone’s librarian, you know that?”

I opened my mouth to snap back, but he cut me off . “But you’re kind of cute when you are angry.”

I stared at him, refusing to move. “Alpha Flint is always the strongest Alpha to me.”

Then I shoved past him and walked away without looking back.

After school, Evelyn and I walked along the sidewalk. I hadn’t said anything for a few minutes, but my thoughts were still stuck on one person.

“I talked to Morgan today,” I finally said.

Morgan was popular at school. Everyone seemed to like him, especially the girls. I didn’t understand it. To me, he was arrogant, careless, and always breaking the rules.

He acted like he was better than everyone else, and yet half the girls in our class looked at him like he was some kind of prize.

I couldn’t see the appeal. He never showed anyone real respect. I just didn’t get why so many people wanted someone like that.

I was still fuming when I got home that evening. Flint, my adoptive brother, was already at the table with my adoptive parents. I sat down quietly, trying not to let my mood show.

We were halfway through dinner in the palace dining hall, where everything felt big and formal. The table stretched almost the length of the room, covered with white cloth and shining plates.

High ceilings arched above us, and gold-trimmed columns lined the walls. Mom, the Luna of the Moonlight Crown Pack, sat at the head of the table like a queen.

“So,” she said, glancing at Flint with a gentle smile, “how are things with Amy?”

I could tell she was pleased. She liked Amy a lot. Flint nodded politely. “She’s doing well.”

Mom hummed, then turned to me. Her voice carried down the long table. “What about you, Lola? Do you have a boyfriend?”

I blinked. “Me? No.”

She tilted her head. “Why not? You’re at the right age. Flint, maybe you can introduce her to someone.”

He didn’t even hesitate. “Alright.”

That stung more than I expected.

He said it so easily, like it didn’t mean anything. Like helping me find someone else was completely normal.

And that’s when it hit me, he really did see me as just a little sister. Nothing more. No boy who really cared, would agree that fast.

I stared down at my food, suddenly not hungry. A minute later, I mumbled something about homework and left the table without looking back.

After thinking about it, I decided to listen to Evelyn’s advice and agreed to go to the party with her, hoping it might help me clear my mind.

“Yes!” she said, cheering. “Now, about your outfit…”

I frowned. “What about it?”

“You can’t wear one of your cardigans or long skirts. You’ll look like a teacher. Wear the dress I gave you.”

I hesitated. “The off-the-shoulder one?”

“Yes. It looks great on you. You have a nice figure, Lola. You always cover it up like you’re scared someone will notice.”

“I don’t like showing skin.”

“That’s because you’ve never tried. You’re eighteen, not eighty. You should enjoy being young. Go out. Talk to people. Wear something that makes you feel confident.”

I stayed quiet.

“If you keep hiding, you’re going to stay in the same place forever,” she said. “You won’t experience anything. You won’t even get kissed.”

I rolled my eyes. “Thanks for the encouragement.”

“I’m serious,” she said. “You don’t have to be wild. Just act your age. A little fun won’t ruin you.”

After the call ended, I pulled the dress from my closet. It was folded neatly at the back of the shelf.

Red, off-the-shoulder, and fitted. Definitely not my usual style.

I held it up against myself in the mirror and stared.

The next evening, I changed into the dress, added a little makeup, and slipped on heels. I tiptoed downstairs, trying not to make any noise.

But the moment I stepped into the hallway, I ran into Mom.

She stopped and stared. “Is that… my daughter?”

“I’m just going to Evelyn’s for a while,” I said quickly.

She didn’t say anything at first. Then she smiled a little. “You look beautiful. Be careful, alright?”

I blinked. “You’re… not going to tell Dad?”

She shook her head. “Just be safe. And call if anything happens.”

My chest tightened. “Thanks, Mom.”

Just then, Flint came down the stairs. He stopped when he saw me.

Mom turned to him. “Take her with you, Flint. I’ll feel better knowing she’s not alone.”

Flint nodded. “Sure.”

But the moment we stepped out of the house, his face changed.

“You’re not going like that.”

I frowned. “Why not?”

He looked me up and down. “Do you know what kind of attention you’ll get? That dress makes you look like you want every guy in the room to hit on you.”

“I’m not asking for anyone’s attention,” I said, crossing my arms.

“Doesn’t matter,” he said. “They’ll still look. And they’ll think you’re easy.”

I stared at him. “That’s not fair. You don’t get to decide what people think about me.”

“I’m trying to protect you,” he said. “Change. Or at least wear this.”

He took off his jacket and held it out.

“I’m not wearing that. It ruins the whole outfit.”

“If you don’t, I’ll take a picture right now and send it to Dad.”

My mouth dropped open. “You wouldn’t.”

He held up his phone. “Try me.”

I was forced to agree, and we walked to the entrance of the party, where we saw Morgan make his entrance.