Chapter 8 Burried pain and Lingering Shadows

Lily sat motionless beneath the towering oak tree, her body trembling as waves of grief crashed over her. For so long, she had buried the pain, locking it away beneath layers of endurance. But now, as memories of her father flooded her mind, she couldn't stop the tears from spilling down her cheeks.

The cool morning breeze rustled the leaves above her, but she barely noticed. Her hands dug into the damp earth beside her, as if grounding herself would keep the emotions from swallowing her whole.

Fred knelt beside her, his gaze heavy with concern. He had seen many forms of suffering, had endured loss himself, but seeing Lily like this-so broken, so fragile-stirred something deep within him.

"Lily," he said softly.

His fingers hesitated for a second before gently brushing away a tear from her cheek. The warmth of his touch startled her, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she closed her eyes for a moment, letting herself breathe.

"I-I just can't stop thinking about it," she whispered, her voice trembling. "My father... Liam took him away from me. He made my mother a widow. He left me to suffer under Morgan's rule. Do you know what that feels like?"

Fred inhaled deeply. He did know. Too well.

"Yes," he admitted. "I do."

Lily turned her tear-filled eyes toward him, searching his face for any sign of deceit. But all she saw was truth-pain mirroring her own.

"Liam doesn't even know me," she continued, her voice thick with emotion. "But his actions... they destroyed my life. I lost everything because of him. My father was everything to me."

Fred reached for her hands, squeezing them gently. "You're not alone, Lily," he said firmly. "I know it feels that way, but you're not. I'm here."

His words sent a strange warmth through her chest. She wanted to push it away, to bury it like she did everything else, but his presence made it impossible.

She let out a shaky breath, staring at their entwined fingers. "I miss him," she murmured.

Fred's grip on her hands tightened slightly. "I know," he whispered.

For a moment, they sat there in silence, the weight of unspoken grief hanging between them. The only sound was Lily's uneven breathing and the distant chirping of birds.

Then, her phone rang.

The sudden noise shattered the fragile moment. Lily jolted and wiped at her face hurriedly, her fingers fumbling as she checked the screen.

Annie.

She swallowed hard and pressed the answer button. "Hello?"

"Lily! Where are you?" Annie's voice was thick with worry. "Class started already, and you're nowhere to be seen! Are you okay?"

Lily's stomach twisted. She had completely lost track of time. "I-I'm coming now," she said quickly.

She pushed herself up, brushing dirt off her clothes. Fred stood with her, watching her carefully.

"I have to go," she murmured.

Fred nodded, though his eyes held something unreadable. "Yeah. I'll see you later?"

Lily hesitated, then nodded. "Yes."

She turned to leave but paused. "Fred?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Yeah?"

She swallowed. "Thank you."

A small smile tugged at his lips. "Always."

With that, she rushed toward the school building.

---

As she hurried down the hall, her mind still tangled with thoughts of her father, she barely noticed the figures in front of her.

Until she collided into one.

The impact sent her stumbling back, and a cruel laugh echoed in the hallway.

"Watch where you're going, wolfless freak."

Lily clenched her teeth, immediately recognizing the voice.

Lucia.

The blonde stood before her, arms crossed, her expression smug as always. Two of her friends flanked her, their laughter like nails scraping against Lily's nerves.

"You look a mess," one of them giggled. "Where have you been so early in the morning?"

"Or should we ask who you were with?" Lucia smirked. "Oh, wait. I already know. You were with Fred."

Lily stiffened but remained silent.

Lucia stepped closer, her green eyes dark with jealousy. "Stay away from him," she hissed. "Fred is mine. He's just being nice to you because he pities you. Don't get any ideas."

Lily sighed, exhaustion washing over her. "I don't have time for this, Lucia."

She pushed past them, ignoring their taunts as she hurried to class.

---

By the time she arrived, the teacher was still lecturing. She slipped into her seat as quietly as possible, avoiding the curious glances from Annie and Joe.

The moment the teacher left, they pounced.

"Where were you?" Annie demanded, concern in her eyes. "I was worried!"

Joe smirked. "Or should we be asking who you were with?"

Annie's eyes widened before she gasped. "Wait! Don't tell me-you were with Fred?"

Lily sighed, rubbing her temples. "It's not what you think."

Joe wiggled his eyebrows. "Oh, come on. We see the way he looks at you. You're telling me he's not your mate?"

Lily stiffened. She didn't answer.

Annie leaned forward, whispering excitedly, "Then why hasn't he marked you yet?"

Lily's heart clenched. She didn't know the answer to that herself.

Seeing her expression, Annie's excitement faded. "Lily, what's wrong?"

Lily hesitated. Then, in a low voice, she whispered, "I was thinking about my father."

Annie's playful expression immediately softened. "Oh, Lily..."

She reached for Lily's hands, squeezing them gently. "I know it still hurts. And I know there's nothing I can say to take the pain away. But I'm here for you, okay?"

Lily nodded, swallowing hard. "Thank you, Annie."

From across the room, Lucia scoffed. "Aww, how touching. The wolfless princess still crying over a father who's long gone."

Annie turned and glared. "Shut up, Lucia."

Lucia smirked but said nothing else.

Lily ignored her. She was used to it.

---

After class, she met Fred again.

But instead of continuing their heavy conversation, he did something unexpected.

He cracked a joke.

Lily blinked at him. "What?"

Fred grinned. "Do you know why history teachers never trust stairs?"

Lily frowned. "What?"

"Because they're always up to something."

Silence.

Then, despite herself, a small laugh escaped Lily's lips.

Fred's grin widened. "There it is. I knew you had a laugh hidden in there somewhere."

Lily rolled her eyes. "You're an idiot."

"But I made you smile," he pointed out.

Lily sighed but felt a bit lighter. "Thank you, Fred."

He softened. "Anytime, Lily."

Before she could say anything else, her phone rang again.

Her mother.

Lily sighed. "I should go."

Fred nodded, though he watched her carefully. "Will you be okay?"

She hesitated. "Yeah. I think so."

Fred didn't believe her, but he let her go.

As Lily walked away, a weight settled in her chest.

She still hadn't told Fred how Alpha Charles had really died.

And she still didn't know if she was ready to say it out loud.