Ch. 18th Birthday 18 18th Birthday 18

Chapter 18 

(Lily’s POV) 

Lucien and I walked into the last class for the day, hand in hand. 

The silence that followed was heavy, like the calm before a storm. Every single head turned, and gasps filled the air. “Wociooooooh… 

I smiled and stared at Lucien lovingly. 

The teacher at the front. Mr. Cedric, an older man with a deep frown line permanently etched into his forehead, slammed a book on the desk. “Quiet” he barked. “Find a seat, both of you.” 

We nodded and made our way to an empty space by the window. My smile widened as my eyes flicked toward the other side of the classroom. Zion. 

He looked like he’d been punched in the gur- confused and angry. I looked away quickly, my heart pounding for reasons I wasn’t ready to admit. Just minutes before we entered the class, I had told Lucien yes. I had agreed to fake date him. Our plan was simple make everyone believe that we were in love. 

“No one must know it’s fake, Lucien had said, his tone serious. “Not even your friends. Especially not them. The plan only works if they believe it 

I had nodded. “Okay” 

Now, as we took our seats, Lucien leaned closer and whispered, “Do you think Mr. Cedric knows that his eyebrows move more than his mouth?” 

I choked on a laugh, quickly covering my mouth as I glanced at Mr. Cedric’s thick eyebrows. But then, I felt that hard stare again, like someone was boring into my soul. 

Zion was still watching. 

I smirked, but inside, I wasn’t wreck of emotions. Ravena whimpered “Please don’t do this. It’s hurting him.” 

Vaelith growled in response. “He hurt us first. You want to keep crying for someone who keeps choosing someone else?” 

“He’s our mate!” Ravena snapped. 

“And he doesn’t deserve us! Varlith hissed. “It would be foolish to let him keep walking over us 

I could feel their tension pressing into me. Ravena turned away, silent and heanbroken, while Vaelith grumbled and stared off in the direction. It was like watching two angry friends, stuck in the same room. The tension between then was thick. 

I sighed quietly and sat up straighter. 

opposite 

Mr. Cedric was talking about ancient war strategies used during rogue attacks and battle formations, but his words faded into a dull hum. I wasn’t really listening! 

My thoughts kept slipping back to Zion. And Lucien. And the choice I had made 

When the class finally ended, I breathed out slowly. It was finally closing hour, and I couldn’t wait to get out of school. 

Lucien stood before 1 could and 

“Lei me,” he said gently. 

picked 

up my books 

I nodded and thanked him with a soft unile. 

We stepped into the corridor, heading to my locker, I opened it and dropped a few of my heavier books inside. Around us, some of our classmates lingered, leaning on their lockers and whispering The others held their backpacks and watched us in silent awe. 

Incien noticed too, and reached for my hand again. 

We left the hallway and walked toward the school premises just as the sun began to set, casting long streaks of orange across the school grounds. Everything looked peaceful, but my heart wasn’t 

That was when I uw them. 

1/2 

Chapter Is 

Aria. Tobe and Dev 

They were waiting near the car park. But as soon as they saw Lucien’s hand intertwined with mine, their expressions changed. It was shock, confusion, and something in between disbelief. 

1 let go of Lucien’s hand and stepped closer. “Hey guys,” I said, trying to sound casual. 

They didn’t respond, rather, their eyes bounced between me and Lucien, I gave a tight smile. “Meet my boyfriend,” I said loudly for everyone nearby to hear. 

That was when I heard it 

“What did you just say!” 

Zion’s voice was sharp, and furious. I turned slowly to see him standing quite a distance, Celeste, her minions, and Kade were behind him. His eyes locked on mine, his chest rising fast. 

Celeste reached for his ann, and whispered that they should go home but he shrugged her off, stepping forward. 

Lucien chuckled lightly, and took a step towards him. He stared at Zion straight in the eyes “You heard what she said, I’m her boyfriend and we’re very much in love” 

Loud gasps rippled through the crowd. 

2/2