Three years had passed since Lilly's world collapsed, but the memory of Eric's farewell text still lingered like a scar. "It breaks my heart to say goodbye like this. I still love you, and I always will. Eric." The words echoed in her mind every time she thought of that night. Tonight was the freshers' welcoming party at Prestige University. Despite the noise echoing across campus, Lilly had no desire to celebrate. She had spent the last three years living like a shadow, drifting between her classes, the hostel, and the library. Her routine earned her the nickname "Ghost lady," and she was fine with that. She only agreed to go to the party because she had lost a bet to her best friend, Rose. Standing before her room mirror, Lilly adjusted the hem of her purple gown. She had almost talked herself into faking an illness, but a small part of her wanted to escape her boredom. "Lilly, it's time!" Rose called out from the doorway. Grabbing her purse, Lilly stepped out. With her hair pinned neatly and a touch of light makeup, she looked striking, different from her usual low-profile appearance. The hall was packed and glowing with light. Laughter and music filled the air as students mingled. "I'm going to find my boyfriend," Rose whispered, and instantly disappearing into the crowd. Left alone, Lilly felt a sudden surge of anxiety. She wasn't there to make friends or dance; she just wanted to mark her time and leave. Then her eyes landed on him. Eric Dallas stood just a few steps away, staring straight at her. The surrounding noise seems to fade into blur. Lilly froze, her heart pounding as his eyes held hers. For a moment, she felt the old pull between them. The shock snaps her back to reality, and she forced herself to break eye contact. What is he doing here? Panic stirred inside her. And why does he have to look more handsome? "Let's get this party started!" the DJ's voice boomed over the speakers, interrupting her thought. "Grab a partner and get on the floor!" The crowd cheered, but Lilly's mind was spinning. Before she could retreat, Eric stepped into her path, his hand extended. "Lilly." She looked up slowly. "Dance with me?" he asked softly. His steady gaze and familiar smile almost pulled her in, but Lilly cautioned herself. Not again. "No," she said, stepping back. Eric's expression fell, but he didn't give up. "It's good to see you. Lilly." He said, lightly touching her shoulder. She stiffened at his touch. "I've missed you," he added, his voice dripping like a whisper. Lilly turned to face him fully, crossing her arms. "Really? That's hard to believe." "I know I hurt you, and I'm sorry," Eric said, the word spilling out as if he had rehearsed them a thousand times. "I was a fool to let you go. Please, just give me a second chance." Lilly let out a cold laugh. "A second chance? You think you can just show up three years later and pick up where we left off?" "Lilly, please, let me explain..." Before he could finish, Lilly's eyes darted past his shoulder. Standing near the bar was Dave Charles, the campus' star basketball player and her classmate. He was sipping a drink, completely unaware of the scene unfolding nearby. An impulse took over Lilly. She was determined to shatter Eric's confidence, Lilly brushed past him, walked straight up to Dave, and pulled him down by his collar. Before Dave could react, she pressed her lips to his. The crowd around them gasps. Dave's eyes widened in sheer disbelief, his mind failing to process the sudden kiss. Out of the corner of her eye, Lilly saw Eric's jaw clench, his face darkening with anger and humiliation. She looks satisfied, but she knew she had to commit to the move. Lilly pulled back just an inch, leaning close to Dave's ear. "Kiss me back," she whispered. Dave stared down at her, his hazel eyes locking unto hers with an intensity that made her heart flutter. For a while, they don't move, then, without a word, Dave leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. The kiss hit like an electric spark, sending shivers down Lilly's spine. She felt herself melting into his arms, forgetting everything else in the crowded hall. When they finally broke apart for air, Lilly's cheeks burned. A sudden rush of shyness washed over her, she hadn't expected Dave to actually go along with it. She had only wanted to make Eric jealous, but the kiss had been undeniably real. "Dave," he said, holding out his hand with his eyes fixed on her face. Lilly offered a shy, small smile, suddenly feeling self-conscious about how bold she had just been. "I... I'm Lilly," she stammered, her face flushing red. "Nice to meet you, Dave." "Thanks for that," she added in a soft whisper. It had been three years since she had kissed anyone, not since Eric walked away. She stole a quick glance sideways and saw Eric watching them. Determined to keep up the act, she leaned in to Dave. Dave grinned, catching her glance toward Eric. "Anytime," he said smoothly. It was obvious he had already seen right through her plan. Across the room, Eric was gritting his teeth, his jaw tight with anger. Lilly felt a quiet sense of satisfaction. Her point was made: she wanted him to believe she was over him and had moved on. But looking back at Dave, Lilly realized she might have stepped into something much bigger than she bargained for. Dave's curious expression looked as if he was trying to figure her out. "What's going on, Lilly?" Dave asked, leaning down to whisper in her ear. "You're not just using me to get back at your ex, are you?" Lilly's heart skipped a beat. How did he figure that out so fast? She panicked for a second, but forced a cool, quiet smile. "Maybe... a little," she admitted softly. Dave looked into her eyes, and the world around them seemed to pause. Then, without warning, he leaned in and kissed her a second time. This time was different. It wasn't a show, he meant it. Lilly's eyes widened in shock.

Lilly was too shocked to react with the sudden kiss. But has the kiss deepened, Lilly found herself lost in it completely. The warmth spread through her, making her realized how much she had missed this feeling. By now, every pair of eyes in the hall was locked on them. Students were stunned. The quiet, low-profile Lilly, the girl everyone called the "Ghost lady" had just boldly kissed Dave Charles. Dave was the guy every girl on campus wanted, even though he only ever been with Sofia, the lead cheerleader and most popular girl on campus. When they parted for air, Lilly blinked, her face burning with embarrassment. She couldn't believe how carried away she had gotten. From the other side, Eric was practically boiling with jealousy. At first, he thought she was just trying to hurt him, but that second kiss looked entirely genuine. Sofia Mitla stood in the middle of the crowd, her eyes blazing with fury. Her tight red dress hugged her curves, and her long hair bounced as she marched toward Lilly like a storm. Everyone knew Dave and Sofia were together, including Lilly. But in her rush to get back at Eric, Lilly hadn't considered the havoc she would leave behind. She swallowed hard as Sofia approached. Seeing her boyfriend kiss another girl in public was bad enough, but seeing him kiss the campus "ghost lady" made it a hundred times worse. Lilly's chest tightened as Sofia stopped inches away from her. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" Sofa snapped, her voice trembling with rage. Whispers immediately filled the crowd. "Isn't that Dave's girlfriend?" "She's in huge trouble." "Did Lilly really just kiss Dave?" Dave narrowed his eyes, though a faint smirk touched his lips. His reputation as a playboy was well known, but no girl had ever dared to approach him so publicly because everyone feared Sofia. She isn't even a wolf, just a regular human. Sofia thought, bitting her lips angrily. Prestige University was shared by both humans and werewolves, though most human students had no idea the supernatural existed right beside them. "Sofia..." Dave started, stepping in to calm her down. Before he could finish, Sofia swung her hand and slapped Lilly hard across the face. Slap! The sharp sound echoed through the quiet hall. Lilly stumbled back from the force, clutching her burning cheek. She kept her gaze fixed on the floor, too humiliated and shocked to react. Eric's blood boiled as he saw her get hit. He instinctively wanted to rush in, but he knew Lilly would reject his help, so he forced himself to stand still. "You shameless thing!" Sofia spat, glaring at Lilly with total disgust. "You think just because you dressed up tonight, you can steal my boyfriend?!" Lilly opened her mouth, but no words came out. She hadn't been thinking straight, she only wanted to hurt Eric, not bring a public disgrace on herself. "I... I ..." she stammered. "You what?" Sofia sneered. "You kissed him right in front of everyone!" The crowd murmured louder. Seeing Lilly cornered and humiliated, Dave's relaxed expression hardened into something cold. To him, it had started as harmless fun, but Sofia had crossed the line. "That's enough, Sofia," Dave said, his voice dropping into a firm, commanding tone. The crowd froze. Shock flashed across Sofia's face. "What?" Dave stepped directly between them, shielding Lilly behind his shoulder. "I said that's enough!" A collective gasp echoed through the room. Even Lilly looked up, stunned to see Dave standing up to her. Sofia stared at him in utter disbelief. "You're defending her?" her voice cracked. Dave's jaw tightened. "Yes, I am." Sofia let out a bitter, angry laugh. "Dave, she kissed you!" "And I kissed her back," Dave replied calmly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Another round of gasps broke out. Lilly stared at his back, unable to process why he was protecting her. Behind, Eric was practically vibrating with rage, but he couldn't step in without making things worse for Lilly. "You're embarrassing me in front of everyone," Sofia whispered, hurt showing through her angry face. "You need to calm down." Dave said. "You kissed another girl right in front of the whole school, and you want me to calm down?!" Dave stayed silent, and his silence hurt deeper than his words. Furious, Sofia turned her glaring eyes back toward Lilly. "Sofia, I'm warning you," Dave warned, his tone sharp. Without waiting for another scene, he reached back, took Lilly's hand, and pulled her out of the hall into the night air. The hall erupted into chaotic noise after they left. "Did Dave really just walk out with Lilly over Sofia?!" "I can't believe that." "Wow! Is Dave trying to be with the ghost lady now?" "Lilly, must be capable. She is standing up against Sofia." Sofia stood rooted to the floor, the public humiliation washing over her as every eye in the room stared at her. Sofia looked furious, as if she were ready to tear someone apart. For a split second, her eyes flashed with the distinct golden hue of her werewolf form. In the chaos of the hall, none of the human students noticed the split-second shift. Except for one person. Eric was staring right at her. His gaze locked onto hers, cold and sharp. She's not human, Eric realized. While discovering another werewolf, Eric's rage was focused entirely on the humiliation Lilly had just suffered. His blood boiled, and the oppressive aura of an Alpha began to radiate from him, suffocating the air around them. Sofia froze as the terrifying wave of energy washed over her. Her heart thumped against her chest as she recognizes the power radiating off him. She knew immediately: he wasn't just an ordinary wolf but an Alpha. And his eyes were fixed on her with dangerous intent.

Lilly couldn't believe Dave Charle, the most popular basketball player will stand up for her against his girlfriend, Sofia Mitla. Lilly could not stop staring at him as he holds her hand. As Lilly and Dave finally stepped away from the noisy party, he stopped and look at her face. "Would you like to take a walk with me?" Dave smile, asking in a soft whisper. "Umm, okay," Lilly replied with a gentle smile. The two walked hand in hand through the quiet night, their soft footsteps were the only sound breaking the silence. Eric had slipped out of the hall and quietly trailing behind Lilly and Dave. Hiding in the shadows. Lilly stopped and slowly turned to face Dave. Curiosity filled her eyes. "Why did you do that back there?" "Because you're worth it," Dave replied calmly, looking down at her. Lilly blinked, stunned by Dave's answer. "She's your girlfriend, and she's... sexy." Lilly muttered, stumbling over her words. "And you are pretty." Dave said softly, his hazel eyes locking unto hers. Lilly's heart skipped a beat. He's really a playboy. She chuckled. But something about the way he looked at her made her heart race. She felt completely drawn to his charming smile and piercing gaze, melting under his attention as if nothing else mattered. Hearing her heart beat nervously, Dave smiled, his lips curling into a gentle curve. He leaned in closer until his breath tickled her ear. "You're beautiful, Lilly," he whispered seductively. "Inside and out." A shiver ran down Lilly's spine, making her cheeks flush. No one had made her feel so alive since Eric left her three years ago. Lost in the moment, her eyes never left his as a soft smile broke across her face. "You're not so bad yourself, Dave," she replied, her voice softening. Dave chuckled low in his throat and pulled her closer, wrapping his arms securely around her waist. Lilly was surprised by how natural it felt, as if she were exactly where she belonged, right in Dave's arms. As they stood wrapped in each other's embrace, the rest of the world seemed to fade away. Dave leaned down, his lips brushing against her ear again. "I want to kiss you again." He whispered. Lilly's heart beat against her chest, but she gave a shy nod. Dave gently pressed his lips to hers. But just as they were getting lost in the kiss, a sharp voice cut through the night, instantly ruining the moment. "Well, well, well. Look what we have here." Lilly's eyes snapped open to see Eric standing a few feet away, his face twisted in rage. Dave's arms tightened protectively around Lilly's waist, keeping her close. "Eric, what are you doing here?" Lilly asked, trying to keep her voice steady. "I could ask you the same thing," Eric sneered, his eyes locked onto Dave. "Who's this guy? Your new toy?" Eric was enraged that Lilly kissed Dave right in front of him, jealousy consuming him. Dave's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenching tightly. "I'm someone who actually cares about Lilly, unlike you," he said in a low, dangerous tone. At the party, Eric had an uneasy instinct nagging at him whenever he looked at Dave. He knew there was something strangely familiar about him. Now he knows: he's not human! He's a werewolf and not just a werewolf but he smells like an Alpha. Eric frowned, his mind racing. He knew every member of his own pack, which meant Dave belonged to their sworn enemy's pack. The Moon-crest pack. In New York, only two werewolf packs dominated the territory: the Silver-belt and the Moon-crest. Knowing Dave belonged to that very pack, Eric felt his rage explode. He took a menacing step forward, his hands curling into tight fists. "You think you can just walk in here and steal her away from me? I don't think so." Lilly's heart sank as she realized a fight was brewing. She let out a frustrated sigh. "Eric, stop! This isn't about you and me anymore." But Eric ignored her. Overcome by anger, he lunged at Dave, throwing a sharp punch straight at his face. Dave dodged the blow with binding speed. The moment Dave moved, Eric froze. Eric threw another hard blow, but Dave blocked it effortlessly with his fist. Lilly screamed, trying to pull them apart, but it was useless. Then, as their power clashed, a deeper instinct flared in Eric's senses. The scent hit his nose hard. Dave wasn't just an ordinary Alpha. He's a Lycan. "You!" Eric 's thunderous voice rumbled across the parking lot, sharp enough to ring in their ears. Dave turned slowly, keeping a firm, protective grip on Lilly's hand. His dark eyes narrowed. "Eric... is there something you need?" Dave already knew Eric had discover who he is. He knows my name! Eric's rage reached a breaking point. Lilly stepped back, feeling uneasy at the sudden change in Dave's posture and the dark aura coming from both guys. "What is going on with you two?" They both don't answer. Instead, Dave leaned down and whispered something quietly into Lilly's ear. Leave this to me and go home. She frowned, but nodded and hurriedly walked away, leaving them alone. Eric shot forward and grabbed Dave roughly by the collar. "You're crossing the line," Eric growled through gritted teeth. "Looks like she disagrees," Dave taunted, a smirk touching his lips. "And who are you to tell her what to do? You're the one who abandoned her, aren't you?" "I left to protect her!" Eric growled, his eyes flashing a vivid amber under the streetlights. "You think I wanted to walk away?" "You had your chance," Dave snarled back, mocking him. "Now she's with me." Without warning, Eric shoved him hard. Dave staggered backward, but caught his footing with his supernatural strength and instantly lunged back. Their bodies collided in a chaotic way, flying fists, claws and fangs clashed. They couldn't fully shapeshift with the campus security nearby, but their Alpha strength surged to the surface. Dave threw a wild punch, following it up with a vicious uppercut that sent Eric sliding backward. Eric wiped a trail of blood from his lips and let out a dark, dangerous laugh. "You're strong," he admitted. "But she's not yours." "She will be," Dave growled, his voice deepening with his wolf aura. "Unless you want to lose more than just a few teeth." With a fierce roar, Eric charged again, tackling Dave violently into the side of a parked car, triggering the loud alarm of the car siren. Their glowing golden eyes met. "Who is there?!" The campus guard shout from afar. "This isn't over," Eric hissed, pulling back and leave before the campus guard could arrive. Dave stood near the car, his chest heaving as he stared after him. "It just started!" Dave shouted into the night.