Chapter 33: The Decision
Nathan’s POV
Just like Hailee had wanted, I made my way back to the festival. The place was jam-packed with people, not just from our pack but from the neighboring pack. The celebration was in full swing, but my mind wasn’t in it. I was worried, anxious about what Father and Hailee might be discussing. I wished we were both called to talk. I was scared that he might scare her.
"Damn it. He better not make things harder for me," I muttered to myself.
"And who’s about to make things hard for my favorite cousin?" I heard the amused voice of Dane. For a moment, I had forgotten about him.
I turned and looked him straight in the face. He had that annoying smirk that always got on my nerves.
"I don’t know what game you’re playing, but I want you to stay away from Hailee," I demanded, my voice sharp with possessiveness.
Dane let out a scoff, clearly unbothered by my outburst. "Well, this is new... I’ve never seen you like this, Nat."
"That’s because I’m in love with her!" I snapped, the words leaving my mouth without a second thought.
I noticed Dane’s brow furrow in surprise, but my attention drifted away the second I spotted Hailee heading our way. "We’ll finish this later," I muttered and moved past him, heading straight for her.
As I approached, I sensed something was different. Something about her felt off, like the air around her had shifted. And when our eyes met, I saw it—pain, plain and raw.
My heart sank as I wondered what my father must have said to her. God, it better not be what I was thinking. She reached me just as I stepped out from the crowd, her eyes clinging to mine like she’d been looking for me too.