The familiar scent of paper and coffee enveloped me as I stepped into Lily's bookstore. She stood by the philosophy section, gesturing wildly at a leather-bound volume while her customer—a man in his thirties wearing an expensive suit—hung on every word.
"This book will change your entire perspective on mortality," Lily declared, her blonde curls bouncing with enthusiasm. "Heidegger argues that authentic existence requires confronting death. You strike me as someone unafraid of difficult truths."
The man was already reaching for his wallet. He'd buy whatever she suggested—Lily had that effect. She didn't just sell books; she sold possibilities, making each customer feel chosen for enlightenment.
Her eyes found mine across the store. The book tumbled from her hands. "Katherine!"
She vaulted over a stack of new releases, launching herself at me with the force of a small hurricane. I caught her, laughing as we spun.
"Sir, that'll be forty-seven dollars," she called over her shoulder. "Receipt's in the bag. Life-changing, remember?"
She handed the bookstore over to her assistant and dragged me to the café next door, practically vibrating with curiosity.
"Spill. Everything. Now." Lily leaned across the table, green eyes sharp. "You're the future Luna, mated to the gorgeous Alpha. The annoying Beta who hated you is suddenly your bodyguard. You're here on mysterious business without said Alpha."
She pointed an accusatory finger.
"My intuition is screaming that something delicious is happening."
"Lily—"
"And the Beta left you alone, which means he trusts you or he's an idiot. Given what you've told me, he's not an idiot." She grabbed my hands. "Talk. Before he returns and ruins our girl time."
"Fine." I glanced around the nearly empty café. "But this stays between us."
I told her everything.
The mask I wore. Gabriel's possessive protection. The weeks alone with Nate. The kiss. My wolf's return. The approaching war. Evelyn Barrett.
Lily's applause echoed through the café. Every patron turned to stare.
"This is perfect!" She bounced in her seat. "You marry the Alpha because hello, mate bond and pack security. But you keep the Beta as your lover—someone who sees the real you. Have beautiful Alpha babies, be the perfect Luna, then sneak off for passionate encounters with the one who makes you feel alive!"
"Lily, for God's sake—"
"What? It's ideal. Gabriel gets his gentle Luna, Nate gets the fierce woman he fell for, you get both kinds of love. Everyone wins!"
"That's not how wolf relationships work."
"Then wolves are idiots." She waved dismissively. "Human women have been managing multiple men's egos for centuries. You're just doing it with more teeth involved."
"But I love Gabriel."
"Of course you do." Lily's expression softened. "But you also want Nate. Both things can be true, Katherine."
"They can't."
"Says who? Some ancient wolf law?" She squeezed my hands. "I cannot wait to meet this Beta who's got you so twisted up."
The rest of lunch was Lily's dating disasters—three failed setups this month alone. Then we returned to the bookstore, where she reluctantly returned to work while I browsed the romance section, trying not to think about love triangles.
The door chimed.
"You're early," I said without looking up.
"Actually, I'm exactly on time."
I turned. Nate stood in the doorway, all dark authority in his leather jacket, looking wildly out of place among the pastel book displays.
Lily materialized instantly, sliding between us with predatory interest.
"You must be the Beta." She extended her hand. "Lily Welch. The best friend with no filter."
"Nate Williams." He shook her hand carefully. "The bodyguard with too many filters."
"Interesting." Lily circled him slowly. "Katherine says you're annoying."
"Frequently."
"Also controlling."
"When necessary."
"And that you see through people's masks." She stopped directly in front of him. "So tell me, Beta Williams—what do you see when you look at me?"
Nate's eyes narrowed, accepting the challenge.
"A woman who uses chaos as camouflage. You're louder than you need to be because it stops people from looking deeper."
"Go on."
"You're testing me the way I tested Katherine. But where I was looking for deception, you're looking for worth. You want to know if I deserve her trust."
"And do you?"
"No." The admission came without hesitation. "But I'll protect her anyway."
Lily's grin turned sharp. "So you're in love with her."
The bookstore went silent. Even the traffic outside seemed to pause. "That's not—"
"Please." Lily waved dismissively. "I've sold enough romance novels to recognize the reluctant lover when he walks through my door. The question is—what are you going to do about it?"
"Nothing." Nate's voice could have frozen flame. "She belongs to my Alpha."
"Belongs." Lily tasted the word like wine. "How delightfully medieval. And if she wanted to belong to herself?"
"Then I'd help her achieve that."
"Even if it meant losing her?"
"Especially then."
They stared at each other—Lily all bright challenge, Nate all dark control. I stood frozen between them, watching my two worlds collide.
"Well." Lily finally broke the standoff. "This is going to be interesting."
"Did I pass your test?" Nate asked.
"I'll let you know later."