5: MORE THAN FRIENDS

LISA’S POV.

I attempted to move again, but my feet remained stubborn as if a magnetic force held me in place.

I scanned the room, heart pounding, searching for a hiding spot, but none presented itself. The bed caught my eye, and despite the hassle, it seemed like a viable hiding place.

"Ronan," Kyle's voice boomed, too late. Kyle stood by the door, eyes shifting between Ronan and me. I took a few steps away from Ronan, trying to appear nonchalant despite the beads of sweat forming on my feet and my uncontrollably shaking legs.

“You’re not ready?” Kyle's eyes travelled down Ronan’s bare torso.

“What brings you here, Kyle” Ronan questioned.

“I’m here to congratulate you, of course.” Kyle stuffed his hands in the pocket of his baggy shorts. Congratulate him! For what? Ronan’s birthday was two months ago.

“You’re taking over today. Figured I should drop by before the ceremony,” Kyle explained. Take over? Ceremony? Big day. It clicked; it was Ronan’s succession ceremony. I had forgotten about it, assuming it was a rumour.

Ronan chuckled, “Thanks man a text or mind link would have sufficed”.

“Nah, what's the fun in that,” Kyle shrugged. “Besides, I wanted to go through the guest list with you one last time. I hope it's not a bad time?” His judgmental glare was on me again. “Seems you have company.”

Ronan's gaze followed Kyle's, and he wrapped an arm around my waist. “I’m sure Lisa won’t mind, or do you?” he asked with a raised brow.

“What? No, I don’t,” I let out a dry chuckle.

“Just wait for me in the study. I’ll be down in five,”

“Of course, alpha,” he said, giving Ronan a tight smile.

“Don’t call me that,” Ronan laughed.

“Not a chance. See you in five,” Kyle turned to leave.

“Are you okay?” he asked, placing a hand under my chin.

“I don’t know,” unease swirled in my stomach.

“Lisa?”

“What if Kyle tells your dad and we get in trouble?”

“Trouble?” Ronan raised a brow. “We are adults, Lisa. We can decide what we want for ourselves.”

He was right, but my adult status didn’t afford me the same liberties as his. I was scared I'd face punishment for making decisions.

“No buts. What others think doesn’t matter. I want you, and I plan on telling my parents about us,” Ronan declared.

“You’re joking, right?”

“Does it look like I am?” He frowned. “Look, Lisa, this is serious. I care about you, and I want us to be more than just friends with a fuck history or friends with benefits. I want to spend the rest of my life with you by my side, loving you”

His words hit me like a brick wall, and I froze, overwhelmed by the sudden intensity.

“Isn't it too soon? What if they don’t approve? We are not destined mates, you know?” I voiced my concerns about his parents not accepting me, they would prefer a strong mate for their son to bear a strong heir for them. Not some weak wolf that can’t even shift.

Despite my parents being strong wolves, they gave birth to a weak child like me. Weak wolves mating with non-mates often resulted in weak offspring—an undesirable trait for an alpha heir.

“I don't care about the fated bond thing. You're the only one I want.” He reached for my hands. “I know you're worried, but I’ll explain everything to my parents. They’ll understand.”

“What about the pack members? Even if your parents accept me, the pack won't. They aren’t fond of me.” they despised me and wouldn't accept me as Ronan’s wife much less their Luna.

“Do you want to be with me?”

“Yes,” I answered without a second thought.

“Then you shouldn’t think about what the pack will think. As long as we are happy, that's all that matters. They’ll always find something to talk about,” he reassured, cupping my face.

“I'm never letting you go.” He gave me a little squeeze before placing a kiss on my forehead.

“Thank you.” My eyes glistened with tears of relief as I wrapped my arms around him, realizing I had someone truly committed to me.

“I have to go,” I broke the hug.

“Where are you going?” He pulled me closer.

“The pack houses have duties,” chores, I wanted to say but stay silent. “We’ll talk later.” It took everything in me to break away from him.

“Stay here. Let’s go to the ceremony together.” He kissed my cheek, and I shivered at his touch.

“I would love to, but duty calls, and I can’t go to your coronation dressed in your clothes.”

“You look good in my clothes,” he smirked.

“Ronan!” I playfully hit him on the chest. “But promise me, you’ll be there on time.”

“No promises, but I'll be there,” I gave a quick hug before leaving.

***

Upon reaching the pack house, the usual chaotic noise greeted me. Taking a deep breath, I made a quick trip to my room, changing my clothes before going downstairs to do my chores, as always.

Unlike other days, everyone seemed too busy to bother me. A smile played on my face as I went about the chores—from the dishes to the piled-up laundry that I despised. Time passed faster than expected; the commotion had died down, and the pack house was almost empty when I came out of the laundry room.

Returning to my room, I prepared for the ceremony after a quick shower. I dressed in a simple black dress and comfortable flat shoes, twisting my brown hair into a low bun. I glanced at the mirror, satisfied with my appearance, and I made my way downstairs.

A sharp whiff of air hit me when I found Ashley and her minions by the front door. Ashley sneered at my dress.

“Look at her, thinking she’s something important,” Vale spat.

“Nice dress,” Gemma flashed me a smile. I parted my lips to thank her when she added, “Did you steal it from the trash?” The four girls burst into a fit of laughter.

“That was a good one, Gem,” Vale said between her laughs. Ignoring their jabs, I tried to walk past them with my head held high. This was the last time they’d get to insult me; I wanted to see their faces when Ronan and I make things official tonight.

“Hold on, servant, before you even think of going to the ceremony, my bathroom needs a good scrubbing. Go and clean it for me,” Ashley barked, standing in front of me.

“Okay,” I said, “but it will have to be after the ceremony.”

“It can’t wait. Go and do it now,” she crossed her arms her famous frown plastered on her caked-up face.

“It’s Ronan’s ceremony, missing this isn’t an option for me.”

“You think just because Ronan is friends with you, you can defy us? And go to the succession ceremony?”

It was more than friendship now I wanted to say, but I stayed silent. Curling my fingers into fists, I tried to calm the rage building up in my chest. I let out a sigh; this was the last time.

“Let me guess he promised you a spot on his council?” Gemma asks.

“Who even invited you?” Vale asks between her laughs.

“Ronan himself invited me, and I'm not going to miss the ceremony for anything. Your bathroom can wait until after the ceremony,” I push past them.

With zero care for what happens next, I had let them walk over me for so long, but not this time.