Lola’s POV

I stood frozen in place, my heart racing and my cheeks burning. Flint didn’t say anything. Not even a word to deny what Amy had accused him of. He didn’t even look at me. He just walked away, leaving Amy and me alone in the hallway.

I stared at his back as he disappeared around the corner. My hands were shaking. I wasn’t sure if I was more embarrassed or hurt. Probably both. Amy turned to me with a satisfied smile, blocking my path.

“Don’t get the wrong idea,” she said, tilting her head. “You’re just his adoptive sister. That’s all you’ll ever be.”

I didn’t respond.

“You think just because you live under the same roof, he cares about you that way?” Her voice lowered as she stepped closer. “He doesn’t. He never did. So keep your little crush to yourself and stay away from him.”

Her words were sharp, but they didn’t surprise me. Amy had always been like this.

Back in high school, she was the reason I used to eat lunch in the library.

She’d pull little stunts like switching my seat in class, hiding my gym clothes, whispering lies about me to other girls. Never enough to get caught, but always just enough to make me feel small.

I had never told anyone. I’d let it slide, over and over, until she got bored. But not this time. “I’m not afraid of you anymore,” I said, looking her straight in the eye. “If you try to mess with me again, I’ll push back.”

Amy’s smile dropped. “Don’t test me,” I added. “You have what you want. Don’t come looking for a fight.” That seemed to bother her more than anything. Her tone changed, getting colder. “You think he cares about you now? Please. He spent the night with me. We’ve done more than kiss.”

I didn’t flinch, but my stomach turned. Amy smirked like she’d won something, then walked away without another word. I stayed there a few seconds longer, then bent down to pick up the pages of my thesis and walked off without looking back.

Each step felt heavier than the last. The paper in my hands was shaking, but it wasn’t from the wind.

I told myself it didn’t matter. That I had no right to care. But the truth was, it felt like something had cracked open inside me. The person I trusted most, loved most might have given himself to someone else.

And I wasn’t even allowed to ask why.

When I got home, my father was in the dining room. “Lola, come eat with us,” he said.

I walked in slowly, trying to keep my face blank. Flint was already at the table. So was Amy, sitting next to him like always. She smiled like nothing had happened.

I sat at the far end and stared at my plate. I wasn’t hungry.

I kept thinking about the kiss. Flint hadn’t said anything. Amy had acted like it meant nothing. And now they were both here, pretending everything was fine.

Flint didn’t even glance at me.

I didn’t know what hurt more.Was it what happened, or the way he ignored it afterward.

Dinner dragged. I barely ate and didn’t speak. When I was done, I stood up. “Thanks, Dad. I’m going upstairs. I’m tired.”

He looked at me. “You okay?”

“I’m fine,” I said, and left.

Upstairs, I sat on my bed, replaying everything. The kiss. His silence. Amy’s face. I kept wondering if he ever thought about it again. Or if it really meant nothing.

Later, Dad knocked on my door. “We’ve got something planned for tomorrow,” he said.

I looked at him.

“It’s your birthday.” he said.

He sounded excited. He said he and Mom had invited some close friends for a small celebration. I thanked him and closed the door. I didn’t ask for a party. I didn’t feel like celebrating anything.

Still, I got out of bed early the next morning and did my best to look presentable. Mom helped me get dressed in a long, soft blue dress she had picked out. It fit well and flowed gently when I moved. She braided my hair with silver pins and told me I looked beautiful.

When I finally stepped out of my room, the house looked completely different.

Balloons hung from the ceiling, flowers lined the stairs, and fairy lights wrapped around the door frames. The living room was full. Dad hugged me the moment I stepped in. “My little girl’s growing up.”

“Thanks, Dad,” I said, giving him a small smile. I looked around. Evelyn waved from the couch. Some of our close friends were chatting near the fireplace. But what surprised me most was the presence of Alpha Brandon and Luna Katelyn.

And then I saw Morgan.

He stood near the kitchen in a black button-down shirt, his sleeves rolled up, a silver chain hanging loosely from his neck. He looked more like someone from a gang than a guest at a birthday party.

He was staring right at me, I quickly looked away. Luna Katelyn smiled at my father. “She’s grown so much.” Alpha Brandon nodded. “You raised a fine young woman.” I said thank you.

Then Flint approached. He stopped a few feet away and said quietly, “Happy birthday. Enjoy the party.” His voice was polite. I looked up and saw that his eyes were already on me. But when our eyes met, he turned away.

Morgan stepped closer. “Happy birthday, little princess.” I didn’t respond. I tried to move past him. “You clean up nice,” he added with a smirk. “Didn’t know you had that in you.” The adults laughed softly.

I glared at him.

Alpha Brandon raised an eyebrow at Morgan. “Watch your mouth.”

“Yes, sir,” Morgan said, holding his hands up. My mother chuckled. “He’s just teasing. It’s fine.” I didn’t find it funny.

As the clock neared midnight, Luna Katelyn walked over and tapped Morgan’s arm. “Go get the gift from the car.” Morgan nodded and headed for the front door. Flint followed him behind. Everyone gathered around me near the cake.

The lights dimmed slightly. My mother smiled as she handed me a match. “Make a wish.” I closed my eyes. I want to find my mate. I want a new start. Something real. I opened my eyes and blew out the candles. People clapped as I picked up the knife and cut the first slice.

Dad beamed. “Perfect.” Mom helped with the rest of the cutting. She handed me a plate. “Take this one to Morgan.” I hesitated. “Okay.” I stepped outside.

The cool air hit my skin immediately.

I spotted Flint standing off to the side, holding a piece of cake in one hand and staring down at the grass. I turned away, but then I froze, something changed.

A scent hit my nose like rain and forest, my heart skipped a beat, then it started racing, my legs moved on their own, I couldn’t stop them, I walked forward, pulled by something I couldn’t explain.

I felt Flint's gaze on me. My wolf was pulling, pushing, calling. My wolf growled excitedly inside me, "Mate." I was shocked, I had found my mate.