Chapter 4

The Dare

Lena’s POV

I did not know how to breathe for a moment.

This was what Kade had said to me; and it rang in my ears like a bell in the empty house, “I love you.’ My heart didn’t know how to believe it. My body stood still, waiting for the truth to shift, waiting for the moment to break or bloom.

“What… what are you saying, Kade?” I asked, blinking hard, afraid I had imagined it.

He leaned closer. “Lena, please. Just tell me you love me too.”

He even lowered his voice, as he did not want anyone to listen.

My lips opened and I could not hold the words back, too much, too right. “Yes. Kade, I love you. I always have.”

He smiled gently. We both nodded, like we were sealing a promise in silence. But inside, something didn’t feel right. It was strange. I’d waited so long for this moment, imagined it, begged the stars for it and now that it was here… it didn’t feel warm. It felt like standing in a dream with one foot sinking into cold water.

Yes, I tried to set my doubts aside. I put out my hand for him so I could hug him tight and let my arms close around him.

He hesitated, just for a second but then returned the embrace. That’s when I saw them.

Dax, Kade’s best friend, was coming down the hall with the rest of their group. Camilla Vale followed right behind them, her lips spread into an arrogant little smile. It was not surprise, nor was it jealousy in her eyes, it was something else. Some thing that turned my stomach.

“Whoa,” Dax said, his voice full of glee. “Kade, you actually did it! You made her confess.”

I pulled back instantly, confusion snapping through my chest.

“What… what do you mean?” I turned to Kade. “What is he talking about?”

Kade stepped forward, his eyes wide. “Lena, I can explain, just let me—”

“No,” I said, voice trembling. “Tell me. Did you only say those words… because of a dare?”

He didn’t answer right away. That was enough of an answer.

“There’s more to it. Please…just listen,” he said, reaching for my hand.

I pulled it away.

Behind him, Dax laughed. “Don’t be like that, Lena. It was just a game. Camilla dared him to make you confess. That’s all.”

A game. Of course.

Of course, it was a game to them. Not a moment. Not a memory. Not the heart I had built so carefully and handed over so quietly.

I took a step aside. I did not care to show them my face. I did not want to have my heart fall at their feet before their very eyes.

“I hope you enjoyed yourself,” I said coldly. “When you are through playing I will go back to work.”

Dax said, “Don t be like this. You’re overreacting.”

No. I wasn’t. I was finally reacting the way anyone would if they had just been torn apart.

I didn’t look at Kade again. I turned, walked toward the kitchen, and disappeared behind the swinging door.

---

Milo was stacking dishes when I entered. He looked up and frowned.

“Lena, you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“I’m just tired,” I said quickly. “Feverish, maybe.”

“You want me to ask the manager if you can clock out early?”

“That would be… great, actually.”

He gave me a small nod and set the dishes aside. “I got you. Give me a second.”

The minute he got up, his hand shook. I rested my back against the counter and let my eyes glaze over. I wasn't going to get all teary-eyed. Not here. Not in front of them. But the pressure behind my chest was getting heavier by the second.

I kept reminding myself: You will cry later. Not here. Not now. Just leave.

Milo came back and gave me a thumbs-up. “You’re free to go.”

“Thanks,” I hissed.

I stopped halfway as I headed for the door, and saw Kade there. He held his hand in front of mine and grabbed my hand once again.

“Lena, I never meant to make things like this. I mean what I said, I swear.”

I pulled my hand away sharply. “What now, Kade? Another dare?”

“No,” he said quickly. “I do care about you. I just… I didn’t think it would go so far.”

“Do you love me, or do you love winning?”

He didn’t answer. And that silence spoke louder than anything else.

“I need space,” I said, and walked out the door.

---

I fell apart the moment I got into my house.

I threw my bag against the door, and fell down on the floor, and cried and cried. I was sobbing, acute, painful, and solitary.

I thought I had grown used to being hurt. But no one ever really gets used to it. They just get better at hiding the scars.

“Lena? Are you home?” My mother’s voice rang from the kitchen.

“Yes, Mom. I’m here,” I called back, wiping my face quickly.

“Come help with the dishes. Jace will be home soon, and I want the table ready before he gets here.”

Of course. Jace. Her golden boy. My brother, the pride of the family.

I stepped into the kitchen and saw the stack of dirty dishes already waiting for me.

“Sky’s getting placed today,” she said happily. “I always knew he’d be something special.”

“That’s great,” I said quietly, turning on the faucet.

“Your father’s proud of him too,” she added. “Let’s hurry. He’ll be tired when he gets home.”

She gave my back a quick pat and walked out.

I washed the dishes without speaking and the soap hurt my chapped hands. It was not the dishes that I wanted to scream but I knew the truth.

This was not going to change. I could work harder than everyone. I could be quieter, kinder, stronger, sharper and it wouldn’t matter.

I wasn’t Jace. I wasn’t Thorne. I wasn’t someone to be proud of.

But I could still dream. I was still hoping that somehow, someday, someone will accept me, not because they were dared to, not because they feel sorry about me but they would see me as someone valuable.

And maybe, just maybe, when I found my mate… all of this would end.

Maybe I’d finally belong somewhere. Maybe I’d stop feeling like a burden.

“Four more days,” I whispered to myself. “Just four more days.”

Then the Red Moon would rise. And maybe everything would finally begin.