Chapter 6

[Mark's POV]

Olivia was dressing absentmindedly in her room, so I hurriedly slipped out after catching a glimpse of her naked.

Thankfully, she never participated in pack activities because she didn't have a wolf. She had never celebrated her birthday—we only assumed her age.

My parents didn't know who Olivia's real parents were, only that she was dumped in a basket in front of the pack's orphanage home.

I felt a pressing desire to protect Olivia, to claim her as mine. Maybe that was why my parents had adopted her.

Looking away from Emily's stern face, I smiled at Ava and said, "I came to shop for my lunch."

"That's fine, Mark. I'm sorry I missed your basketball game against the Red Ballers today. I was busy in class and couldn't make it," Ava said, reaching out to touch my chest as she bit her bottom lip seductively.

Stepping away from Ava's touch, I replied, "It's nothing to worry about. Just a friendly match."

My voice stayed calm as I moved back to create distance between us. Ava was our Alpha's daughter, and she had a charm that compelled single guys to lust after her, but I didn't want to fall for it.

"Alright," Ava bit her bottom lip and said, "Emily and I are leaving now. We'll see you later."

She turned to walk away with my annoyed sister, but she paused and asked, "Mark, will you attend Rita's 18th birthday tomorrow evening? She's your coach's daughter and my best friend. We'll have a lot of fun at the pack's hotel."

My brows furrowed. I had thought Coach Tyler wanted his daughter's 18th birthday celebration at his home, but clearly they were moving it to a hotel since Rita was becoming a new adult.

Ava was twenty years old, same as my younger sister, Emily. They didn't have fated mates and behaved as silly as they liked—clubbing, partying, sleeping around.

I sighed. I couldn't control Emily. She was beautiful, and Mom had that responsibility to handle.

"Fine. I'll be there," I replied, wanting to enter the eatery and buy the ice cream and noodles I planned to get Olivia for dinner.

"Awwn, Mark! That's wonderful! See you tomorrow! Come on, Emily, let's go!" Ava squealed, grabbing my sister's hand and leading her away.

Emily glared at me once more, her brows furrowed so hard you wouldn't believe she was my sister. She followed Ava until they were out of sight.

Breathing out with relief, I focused on the eatery and entered.

The sun had set, and the weather darkened as if rain was on the way. The cold air conditioning cooled my skin as I walked into the lobby. I moved to the counter and bought two takeaway meals, two cups of ice cream, and fried chicken.

The thought of having dinner at the hospital with Olivia made me smile, even though the possibility of running into my mother there gnawed at me.

As I paid, the female eatery attendant blushed and peered at my face. "Excuse me, sir. Aren't you the basketball star player, Mark George? Can I have your autograph, please?"

Her brown eyes twinkled with desire. I got that look from most young she-wolves in the pack. If only Olivia would drool at me like that.

I smiled. "Of course."

"Thank you," she giggled and offered me her pen and palm to sign.

I could smell her arousal as my hand held hers. Several other women—single and married—rushed over from the queue for autographs. They forgot why they came. They just wanted my attention.

"Star player, Mark! Me too!" they begged. The eatery grew crowded with she-wolves pleading for my attention. Their voices echoed, turning the place into a marketplace, and my head ached as they surrounded me.

The thought of missing my dinner with Olivia gnawed at me, so I waved them off.

"No! Next time!" I growled. I grabbed my packages, paid, and dashed out of the eatery. The women chased after me, but I hopped into my red car, shut the door, started the engine, and drove off to the hospital.

"Phew! That was close!" I exhaled, and my wolf sighed with disgust.

"Why do they keep gawking at you like that—single and married women? Can't they wait to find their real mates?" Logan murmured, clearly displeased.

I was handsome, so I couldn't blame them. Those women were ready to get in bed with me if I agreed.

"Maybe they've never seen a handsome star player before. Besides, I'm not the only star player in this pack. Why the lust?" I agreed with Logan as I focused on driving.

"Tsk. It's because you're handsome. I don't blame them," Logan replied seriously, and I smiled.

"Alright. If only Olivia would drool at me like that. She barely meets my gaze, and you know how much I crave her attention," I muttered, gripping the steering wheel as I navigated toward the pack's hospital.

It was a short distance from the eatery—thirty minutes—and it was past 4 p.m. The basketball match had barely lasted an hour.

With the incoming rain, the surroundings grew darker as mid-year approached, when rainfall threatened to claim the lands, flooding streets and blessing some territories.

"Hmm," Logan hummed. "Just give Olivia some time. I believe she'll fall for us." His voice was confident, and I couldn't wait for that day to arrive.

When I arrived at the pack's hospital, I parked and reached for the package on the passenger seat. I got out, locked the door, and made my way toward the entrance.

The Starfield Pack hospital was a magnificent three-story building. The opulent structure had stood for ages and still looked beautiful.

As I walked onto the hospital grounds, Dr. Sam came out of the emergency unit on the left and locked his gaze on me. He wore green surgical scrubs and removed his nose mask as he marched up to meet me. He wasn't the only doctor working here, but he pissed me off because he had interest in Olivia. How dare he invite her to his house under the excuse of helping her?

"Mark, what are you doing here again?" Dr. Sam asked, his voice stern. He was once my colleague in high school, but after graduation, he went to university to study medicine while I pursued sports.

"I don't owe you an explanation for why I'm here. Excuse me," I replied, moving past him toward the female ward on the second floor to find Olivia.

Luckily, Dr. Sam didn't chase after me.