My curiosity was triggered.
“How?” I pushed, my voice softer now.
Another growl. This one sounded like it came from somewhere deeper—somewhere wounded. “Because it happened to me…when my mate went on a date with someone else, and they fucked. It felt like someone had punched me in my fucking heart.”
I gasped, both hands flying to my mouth. “Oh, Stephen! I’m so sorry!”
“I bet you are.” There was something strange in his tone—like maybe, just maybe, those words were meant for me.
“But why would she do that to you?”
At that, he blew out some repressed air. “She didn’t know we were mates yet.”
Oh. But how?
“But…did she know what she was doing to you?”
“I don’t think so.” His voice dipped again. Sad. Resigned.
“Maybe you should tell her. Explain. Make her understand that it hurt you…that itstillhurts.” Pause. “How about you? Have you kissed anyone else since you met her?”
“No.” His reply was reply. “Since I figured out she was my mate, I couldn’t. Not that I’ve been interested in any other girl. I just want her.”
Silence stretched and stretched some more, until Lucien cleared his throat to say something unexpected.
“Hey…Bunny Doc,” he said, a little lighter now. “I’ve been thinking.”
“Dangerous,” I muttered.
He chuckled. “After the game. What do you say…we finally meet up?”
I blinked.
“What, like, in person?”
He laughed. “Yes, Ivy. In person. I think it’s time.”
When we ended the call, I lifted my phone, looking at the calendar reminder.
The game. The Dark Diamonds vs. The Comets.
“You can do it, Yvaine. One more challenge,” I told myself, but I wasn’t any closer to believing it. “This is just another game. It’s no big deal.”
Except, it was a big deal.
LOGAN
“I know what you did last night.”
I glanced up at Callum as I raked my hand through my hair like it was grass. He showed me the incriminating scene, his black nail polish contrasting with the violet background on his screen.
It was a picture of me taken from the side, silver bag dangling from one hand, pack cap low, hoodie up. Tagged byCuchuri58.
“You went to Mua Mua Bakery the other night at 2:54 a.m.” He paused, lips flattening. “Without us.”
I did go to Mua Mua. Just not for me.
“Sorry, C.” I clasped his sweaty arm. “Next time, I’ll swing by your room with a delivery in the middle of the night.”
