Chapter 9 The Kiss

• Jennifer's POV:
• "Daisy!" I gasped, turning to her in shock, trying to stop her from doing something reckless. But before I could, Daisy linked with me through our telepathic connection.
• She told me, "Jennifer, don't you want Claude and Maya to be jealous? If Brian is your boyfriend, no one in the pack would dare look down on you!"
• I didn't respond, but Daisy kept pushing. "Jennifer, trust yourself. You deserve the best! I bet you anything; Brian likes you!"
• What nonsense! Brian is my brother. He only takes care of me because he feels bad about everything that has happened to me. There's no way he likes me.
• I knew Daisy thought I was the most wonderful werewolfess in the world, but that didn't mean everyone saw me that way. At least nobody else would ever think I'm good enough for Brian.
• I snuck a glance at Brian. He stood there, frowning.
• Maya sneered from beside him, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You two are such fakes. As if Brian would ever look twice at someone as lowly as Jennifer. He'd have to be blind."
• Claude chimed in with disdain, "Jennifer, did you really tell Daisy that Brian is your boyfriend? How could you make such a lie?"
• Their mocking words and smug expressions fueled a burning anger inside me. What gave them the right to decide I wasn't good enough for Brian? Aside from strength, Brian and I looked perfect together!
• I knew I was beautiful and with a great figure to match. Standing next to Brian, I didn't feel out of place.
• A voice inside me urged me to grab Brian's arm and asked him to pretend to be my boyfriend. However, my rational side told me no. Brian shouldn't be dragged into this mess.
• My feet felt rooted to the ground as I watched Daisy's eyes turned blank. I could guess she was trying to communicate with Brian now. I quickly grabbed her arm and whispered, "No, Daisy, don't do that."
• She snapped out of it, frustration clear in her expression. She sighed deeply and muttered, "Jennifer, you should listen to me."
• I shook my head again, telling her, "I don't need to find myself a better man to prove my worth."
• Daisy froze and said no more. Maya laughed triumphantly and mocked, "See? Brian doesn't care about you at all!"
• Claude was also looking down at me and added, "Jennifer, do you know why I left you? That's because you're dishonest."
• Their words hurt, but I wouldn't change my mind. I turned to Brian and offered him an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, you can leave. I—"
• Before I could finish, Brian suddenly wrapped his arm around my waist and flashed me a dazzling smile.
• "I went a little wild the other night. Are you feeling better now?" He asked, his tone warm and teasing, enough to melt anyone's defenses.
• I couldn't deny it—having a man as handsome as Brian look at me so gently put me into a momentary daze.
• But as his words sank in, my face flushed.
• What nonesense is he talking about? Nothing happened between us!
• "No, I ... " I started to explain, but Brian didn't give me the chance. He reached out, gently tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear. His gaze was soft and tender. "Next time, I'll be more careful. I won't hurt you."
• I don't know why, but his touch sent a wave of nervousness through me. I couldn't stop my face from turning red.
• Wait—what did he say? Next time? We didn't even have a first time, so where's the next time coming from?!
• My brain short-circuited when I caught everyone's dumbfounded stares. Brian ... what on earth are you doing?
• "No way! Jennifer, there's no way Brian is your boyfriend!" Maya was the first to recover. She shrieked in disbelief, her face contorting with jealousy.
• Brian wasn't just handsome; he exuded charisma that far outshone Claude's. He was the dream of every werewolfess in the pack. Seeing me with someone so much better than Claude clearly drove Maya crazy.
• "Stop it, Maya!"
• Claude tugged at her arm, his brow knitted deeply.
• "No, I don't believe it! Unless I see them kiss!" Maya looked almost hysterical. "Everyone knows Jennifer was once an Alpha's foster daughter. Of course, Brian would lie for her!"
• It made sense. Brian probably helped me for that reason alone, even though I didn't need it. But that was the end of it—there was no way he'd do something like kissing me. I knew he was waiting for his mate.
• The atmosphere grew tense and silent. Maya's smug smile began to spread. "I knew it, there's no way—"
• Her voice cut off abruptly, and my body froze in shock, eyes wide in disbelief. Warmth spread across my lips.
• He … kissed me!
• In front of Claude, Maya, and Daisy! Not to mention other wolves shopping nearby!
• This … this is insane!