Lilith's POV

The next morning, I woke up with a splitting headache. It was even worse than the one I’d had the previous night.

Holding my head, I let out a low wince.

“You’re awake.”

Reed’s voice made me snap my eyes open instantly, ignoring the sharp ache shooting through my brain.

Propping myself up, I saw him seated on the sofa, his gaze fixed on me. My cheeks flushed red as the memories of last night filled my mind.

I couldn’t believe I had given myself to Reed of all people.. and the strangest part? I didn’t regret it.

I flashed him a small smile, but he didn’t return it. Instead, a frown sat on his face, his eyes cold.

My brows are knitted. Why was he acting like this?

Does he regret what happened between us?

My throat went dry. “Last night…” I began.

“Let’s pretend it never happened,” he blurted out before I could finish.

“What?”

“It was something that should never have happened. A nightmare we should erase.” He stood up, his tone flat.

My heart pounded heavily. A nightmare? What we had was a nightmare to him?

I couldn’t believe my ears. Was this man aware he was the one who took my virginity? Okay, fine, I admit I threw myself at him, but how could he say such things?

“How could you say that? We just had a night of passion and all you can call it is this?” My voice cracked. I didn’t want to believe this was happening.

First, my mate cheated and rejected me. Now, the only person I thought I could find solace in turned out to be the worst.

“A one-night stand,” Reed corrected through gritted teeth. “This shouldn’t have happened in the first place.”

His words were breaking me because they made me realize that yet again, I had made a fool of myself.

Tears slipped down my cheeks as I watched him ruffle his hair roughly, then walk to the wall and punch it hard.

“Damn it! Kayden’s going to throw a fit when he finds out!” he growled.

Kayden? This was all about my brother? Was Reed really that much of a coward?

“You’re nothing but a bastard, Reed! Don’t you ever talk to me again!” I spat, tears burning my eyes.

I got to my feet and began putting on my clothes, tears blurring my vision.

I’m the dumbest person on earth.

I should have just gone back to the dorm. Now I've made a mistake, and all I’m left with is regret.

“And you know what?” I turned to Reed after I finished dressing. “You’re a freaking coward!”

With that, I headed for the door, but the doorbell rang and I froze in my tracks.

My eyes shot to Reed, forgetting my anger for a second. “Are you expecting anyone?”

Before he could reply, the doorbell rang again.

“Reed, are you still in bed?”

Kayden’s unmistakable voice made my breath seize.

What the hell was Kayden doing here?

I darted my eyes around the room, searching for a place to hide.

God, he can’t find me here like this. What excuse would I give for being in Reed’s room so early in the morning?

“Reed, I’m going to kick this door in if you don’t get your lazy ass out of bed!” Kayden yelled, banging his fist against the door.

“The window,” I hissed without thinking.

“Are you out of your mind? You’re going to get hurt,” Reed snapped, striding over to me.

“It’s better to get hurt than for Kayden to see me in your room. I shouldn’t have come here in the first place,” I muttered. “I caused all this.”

“Damn it!” Reed groaned as the dial lock on his door clicked.

Grabbing my hand, he pulled me toward his closet and shoved me into the spacious furniture.

“I’m sorry. I can’t let your brother find out what happened last night.”

He slammed the door shut, then yanked it open again to hand me my phone.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered again before shutting the door.

“Reed!” Kayden called, strolling into the room.

“I can’t believe you’re in here washing your face when you’re supposed to open the door.”

Kayden plopped onto the sofa, which gave a squishy sound.

“You know the password,” Reed shot back, sounding casual.

“Password, my ass. I had to dig through our old messages to hold on, man…” He paused.

I could imagine him sniffing the air.

When it came to recalling small things, my brother sucked at it. But detecting when something was off? Easy for him, although Wolves have heightened senses.

“Was Lilith here?” he asked, making my heart drop into my stomach.

“Why would she be here at this hour?” Reed scoffed.

“But the perfume, that’s my little sister’s signature perfume. I know everything about her…”

“I know that. You don’t need to tell me. Maybe I should remind you that it’s not only your sister who uses that perfume.”

Silence.

“Please ignore it just this once, Kayden, please,” I muttered, silencing my phone, knowing that would be his next move.

Just as I thought, his name began flashing on my screen.

“You’re calling her?” Reed asked.

“Yes,” Kayden affirmed. “I don’t believe you one bit…”

“Then check my room and bring out your sister,” Reed challenged.

I almost screamed and stumbled out of the closet, it was better to step out than be caught, when Kayden smacked his lips.

“I believe you, but that doesn’t mean I trust you,” he laughed, slapping Reed’s shoulder.

“You’re sick,” Reed muttered, pushing his hand off, but instead of stepping aside, Kayden hugged him like he was his lifeline.

“I’ll catch up with you later. I dropped by because you weren’t answering your phone, and now Lilith’s doing the same,” Kayden added.

“My two favorite people decided to mess with me,” he joked.

“She’s probably on her way to class. She can’t miss class when she has a dumb brother to teach basic calculus,” Reed said lightly.

Kayden countered back, but I didn’t hear it; they’d both left the room.

About five minutes later, Reed returned, pulling open the closet door.

Stumbling out, I took a deep breath, wiping the sweat from my face.

“I’m sorry about everything.” He tried to touch me, but the glare I sent his way made him step back.

Without waiting to hear another word, I left his room.

When I got back to the dorm, Serenity was on the phone, but the moment she saw me, she threw it on the bed and rushed to my side.

“Are you okay?” she asked, pulling back to look into my eyes for a few seconds before squashing me in a tight hug again.

“I’m fine.” I fell onto my bed and kicked off my shoes.

“Your brother called a few minutes ago. I told him you pulled an all-nighter so you’re asleep,” she said, making a small smile spread across my lips..

“You’re okay, right?” she pressed.

“I’m fine.” I nodded, rubbing my nape.

The look Serenity gave me made it clear she had something to say but didn’t know how.

I was going to ignore her, but curiosity won and I joined her on her bed.

Just as I was about to start a conversation, there was a knock on the door. At first, I thought it was Kayden, but when a feminine voice came through, I crossed the room, only for Serenity to block my path like she had yesterday.

“What’s gotten into you?” I asked.

“I’m feeling bad right now,” she mumbled, tugging at her hair.

“What?” My patience was slipping..

“It’s Lexy, she came this morning when she learned you went to confront Gavin yesterday.” She took a brief pause. “She’s the girl in the video.”

“Lexy?” My voice trailed off, my eyes widening in shock.

“Open the door, will you?” Lexy, my best friend, yelled, pounding her fist against the door.

“I’ll tell her you’re not back yet,” Serenity said, but I wasn’t even listening.

Lexy. My best friend was the one Gavin cheated on me with. I couldn’t believe my ears. I didn’t want to believe it was true.

Serenity was going to speak to Lexy through the small opening in the door, but Lexy pushed her aside and walked into our room.

Good. Because if she hadn’t come in, I would’ve gone to her and demanded her side of the story, because this couldn’t be the truth.

Lexy stood in front of me, a smirk dancing on her lips.

“By now, you probably know the truth, so there’s no use pretending,” she grinned.

“You did that?” My voice shook.

“Yeah.” She shrugged, then grinned wider. “And I heard Gavin rejected you.” She clicked her tongue. “Poor you.”

Tears pooled in my eyes. God, why was this happening to me? Why was my heart getting broken by all the people I held dear? Why?

“Get out.” My voice came out as a low whisper.

“Of course I will. But get this warning straight into your skull.”

She moved closer.

Serenity tried to stop her, but Lexy shot her a glare, then turned her attention back to me.

“You’ve had your share. Now it’s my turn. Stay away from Gavin,” she said slowly.

With her eyes glinting with satisfaction, she turned and walked out of the room.

Tears slipped down my cheeks, and Serenity immediately gathered me in her arms, consoling me gently.

But I was far from being consoled.