Chapter 41: Epilogue One

**Lily** (***A few months later***)

"I still think it's weird." I grumble and sit on Megan's bed with a pout.

Megan sighs and shakes her head. "Can't you forget it? This is suppose to be your happy ending." Megan claps her hands and waves them around frantically.

I frown. "What are you doing?" I ask slowly.

She looks at me. "It's suppose to be a gesture to look around." I give her a blank look.

"I couldn't help but overhear your conversation." Jesse barges in and plops himself beside me with a smirk.

"You always say that." Megan rolls her eyes. "We knew you were outside. You're the only one who smells like mangos."

His face falls. "Why does everyone keep saying that? I hate mangos!"

Megan gasps. "How could you?! Mangos are like heaven!" She slaps the side of his face.

Jesse rubs his cheek with a pout. "It's not my fault you were born with nasty taste buds!" He slaps her arm.

I sigh and rub my temples. "I still think it's weird and all."

"What's weird and all?" Victor sits his head inside, grinning.

"What?" I give him a blank look. It seems that's all I'm doing today, blank looks.

"You were talking."

"Oh. I didn't realize." I mumble tiredly. He stares at me for a few seconds, completely silent.

"Victor, if you keep on staring at Lily like that, Jeremy will kill you." Megan's voice brings us out the staring contest.

"What about me?" Jeremy strolls in and sits beside me, pecking my lips for a few seconds before pulling away. I stay silent.

"Okay, what did you guys do to her?" Jeremy glares at Victor and Jesse.

They stare at him in shock. Jesse gasps. "I find it rather insulting that you always think we did something. It could have been Megan or someone else." Jesse mutters.

I roll my eyes. "They didn't do anything. It's just some things came to my mind last night and it's bugging me."

"What is it?" Jeremy places a stand of hair behind my ear, eyes staring into mine.

The others stare at me except Megan who groans and hits me with her pillow.

"It's nothing." Megan shakes her head in my direction, her eyes silently pleading me to stay quiet.

I open my mouth but it's feels dry. "I don't want you guys to get the wrong idea. But I - "

"Just tell us." Jesse sighs.

"Have any of you guys noticed that Chase and Joanne have been more distant? They seem to be really into each other but they don't talk anymore, it's kind of mysterious and it's worrying me."

Jeremy taps his chin. "She's right. They can't be in the same room together without blushing or sneaking glances."

"Now that you mention it, Chase has been dating girl after girl. And Joanne keeps on making out with any guy that crosses her path. She tried to make out with me too." Victor adds with a shrug.

I raise an eyebrow. "Did you?"

"Did I what?" Victor blinks.

"Did you two make out?!" I exclaim.

Victor stays silent. We all stare at him in disbelief. He shrugs. "I was walking to my car, she pulled me by the collar, connected her lips with mine and bam, an hour passes by." He grins.

"An hour?!" My mouth hangs open.

"What can I say." Victor pops his collar and his eyes suddenly turn to what he calls his "*seductive eyes*". "I'm a chick magnet. These lips - " He runs the tip of his fingers over his lower lip. " - Are precious." Jesse cringes and slaps his face.

"What's with the word "chick"? For some reason, I always imagine a buffalo wing with angel wings when someone says that." Megan giggles at her thoughts.

"Why?" Jeremy gives her a weird look. She shrugs and giggles more.

"Ignoring that weirdness, we have to help Joanne and Chase get together!" I clap my hands.

"Why?" Victor rolls his eyes, "I personally think they would do better on their own. Joanne has a mate somewhere."

"Yeah, that's true. We can't just get Joanne and Chase to fall in love with each other. Then she meets her mate, leaves him and Chase will be broken... again." Megan's eyes pin me to my spot.

"Can't we just think about the present and ignore the future?" I mumble and cross my ankles.

"No." Jesse and Victor chorus.

"What if he's lonely?"

"He goes on dates constantly." Jesse quickly responds

"And maybe he doesn't have someone to talk to?"

"He has Alexis and Brandon." Victor chirps.

I groan. "What if he's in desperate need of attention?"

"You do realize Chase has girls all over him everyday, right?" Megan raises a brow.

I tap my chin in thought. "Fine, then... what if he wants to find the right girl but doesn't realize it's really Joanne?" I stare at Victor and Jesse with pleading eyes.

I may be doing bad by getting involved in something that isn't my business. I just think Chase should finally get a real girlfriend and be happy with her. It'll make me feel guilty if he spends the rest of his life alone.

" ...Fine. But if your plan backfires, the blame is on you." Jesse threatens.

I nod enthusiastically.

**Chase**

"So you're single?" The girl bats her eyelashes and leans closer to me, her hand rubbing up and down my thigh. I gulp at the close proximity her hand is to my crotch and try to move the hand away.

"No," I lie. "She's at work."

"Really?" She raises a brow and I nod, smiling nervously. She kind of reminds me of Barbie.

"Where does she work at?" She narrows her eyes at me.

I gulp. "She works at um... this sx shop... downtown... yeah!" I stammer through my words and offer a *sweet* smile.

"A s*x shop?" She looks troubled. "Where all kinds of guys and girls can order her around?"

I look at her and nod despite being confused. She bites her lip and leans close to my ear to whisper, "Is she Bi?" I lean away and try to refrain from acting shocked.

This girl is definitely is hoe. She kept on giving the eye to an old man earlier and he was on a wheelchair. Not that guy's on wheelchairs aren't sexy, I have nothing against them. Except, I'm not gay so I can't really - yeah.

I stand up with a roll of my eyes. "I'm out of here."

She grasps my arm and tugs on it with a pleading look. "No! Please! I just thought we coul - "

"Chase!"

We both turn around and face Lily. I stare at her in surprise. It's been a few days since I've actually had a talk with Lily.

"Lily." I greet her with a smile and tug my arm away from Barbie with a small scowl.

"Chase! I'm so glad I found you!" She wraps her arms around my neck and clings to me, breathing heavily.

I try not to blush. We may not be together at all but she still still holds a small piece from my heart. Just a tiny one.

"Let's go on a date!" She suggests.

My jaw unhinges in astonishment. "W - what?" My face turns pink.

She pats my back and bounces in her spot. "Yes! Let's go the park and have a picnic." She smiles excitedly. I just stare at her.

"Who's this whore?!" Barbie gets in Lily's face, scowling.

Lily frowns and gives me a quick suspicious look. "Is she like..." Lily trails off and frowns again, devastated.

I wave a hand of dismissal in Barbie's face. "She's just a girl I meet at a strip club."

"What?" Lily stares at me with big eyes. I scratch the back of my neck nervously.

"Chase, who's this whore?" Barbie repeats with a glare.

I grit my teeth. "She isn't a damn whore. Now get the hell out of here before she beats your ass." I scowl at her.

Her mouth unhinges. "What?" She gaps at me like a fish, dumbfounded.

"Just go away." I sigh and sit down on the bench, rubbing my face.

"What's wrong?" Lily sits beside me and pats my back to comfort me.

"Nothing." I avoid her gaze and bring my hands down to my lap. Her soft fingers lightly push my chin up and my gaze meets hers.

"Is it about Joanne?"

"What?" I pull away and just stare at her, taken aback.

She bites her lip. "Everyone's noticed that you too barely speak. You can't be in the same place at the same time."

I gulp. "I - It's not that." I sigh again.

"Well, what is it than?"

I bite my lip and stay silent trying to come up with an excuse. "We aren't close anymore, simple."

She smiles faintly. "That's impossible. She used to be your s*x buddy." My eyes widen again in shock at her words. "She told me when we had a sleepover at my house last month. She's always had a bit of a crush on you, huh." Her eyes light up when they see the small redness to my cheeks.

I cough and look away. "That doesn't mean anything." I cross my arms and look at her blankly.

"Well so you wouldn't mind if she made it official with Luke." She whispers into my ear.

I glare at the floor.

She sighs. "Let's go on the date." She tugs on my hand and pulls me to my feet.

"A d - date?" I stammer out the words in horror. "But Jeremy - "

"What about him?" She looks confused.

"Did you guys like break up or - " I pause and pay close attention to her reaction.

Her face remains blank. "He's okay with it. It's just a friendly date or whatever you call it."

"Oh... " I offer her a fake smile and hide my disappointment.

I hear her sigh. "Chase, I really am sorry it didn't turn out like you would have hoped. I can't love you like that."

I nod in understanding. "I know. It's just - " I pause mid-sentence and shake my head. "Never mind, let's go."

I start walking ahead but I feel Lily's hand grasp my shoulder so I stop walking and turn to her. "What's wrong?" I raise a brow trying to hide my concern.

"I want you to wear this." She hold up a pink folded cloth.

For a minute, I just stare at it blankly until it makes sense. "You want to blindfold me?" The surprise is clear in my voice.

She smiles sweetly. "Took you a minute, huh?" She tries to wrap the pink cloth around my eyes but I take a step back.

"Not ever. It's pink." I take another step back shaking my head. "Pink is not my color."

Lily gives me a pointed look and places a hand on her hip, her gaze serious and unwavering. "So? Brown isn't my color but I still wear it." Her expression turns stern.

"Only your feet, Lily. You only wear brown boots, that's the only brown thing you have." I return the stern look.

"Just put the damn cloth on before I get Alexis." Lily smirks as the blood drains down my face.

Alexis has been in a very bad mood since her boyfriend dumped her for another girl. She slapped Brandon twice for saying "hello" and kicked his crotch three times for passing gas. Not to mention, she punched me in the stomach two times for taking a shower during her time but it was really my time. I understand breakups can be very upsetting but this girl takes it to a whole other level.

"Okay fine." I raise my hands up in surrender and let her place them around my head covering my eyes. I sigh at the total darkness that surrounds my gaze.

"Can you see?"

"Gee, I don't know Lily. Ask me when there isn't a cloth over my eyes!" I hear her chuckle but I just pout to myself. I feel her grab my arm and pull me towards, well, I don't know.

"Where are we going? And don't tell me it's a freakin' surprise. I hate surprises." I walk slowly, letting her hand on my arm lead the way.

I hear her soft giggle. "We're going to the park."

"And you blindfolded me 'cause..." I urge her to talk.

"I don't know. I just thought it'd be fun to take you like this." Her answer doesn't amuse me.

We walk on for what feels like miles but in reality the park is only fifteen minutes away so about a mile and a half.

Lily's hand suddenly leaves my arm and I panic.

"Lily? Lily?! Li - " I hear a thud and pause, freezing up completely when a sweet cinnamon scent hits my nostrils.

Joanne.

I quickly rip the blindfold off my eyes and gasp at the sight of Joanne. Joanne stands alone, a blindfold on her eyes. A light pink casual dress adorning her curves. Thin spaghetti straps followed by a v-neck line showing off her chest. Her long glossy legs going on for miles. Not to mention her pink thin lips covered by the her favorite lipstick.

I just stare at her with my mouth agape, confused.

She sniffs before her figure tenses and a shaky breath leaves her lips. "Chase?" She takes a small step closer to me but stops and tenses again. I just stare.

Sure I've seen Joanne naked before but this time it feels new. And I know why.

I finally find my voice and speak up, "Yeah?"

"What are you doing here?" She slowly takes off her blindfold and her eyes meet mine. The intensity in them surprises me and causes me to momentarily freeze.

She slowly moves her feet towards me, her eyes slowly observing the room. And like an idiot, I just keep on staring at Joanne.

"Why are we in the cabin?" Her eyes meet mine again. I didn't even notice we were here...

"Lily brought me here, what about you?" I slowly take a step closer to her and she seems to follow my movements.

"Jeremy brought me here. He wanted to hang out but as soon as we got here, he placed a blindfold over my eyes and said he'd be back." She takes a step closer to me and I do the same.

The atmosphere is thick almost unbearable with the awkwardness floating around.

"Oh, Lily said the same thing except she put the blindfold on me before we got here." I take another step closer, a few more inches away from Joanne. If either of us take another step, I know we'll be lip to lip.

"Just kiss already!" Victor's voice causes us to look around the cabin. A yelp follows his voice with a slap. A cute blush covers Joanne's cheeks lightly and I resist the urge to pinch her cheek.

"Shut up!" Lily.

"Lily?" I look around trying to find the source of her voice. "What is this all about?" I'm not angry just shocked about the outcome.

Never would I have thought she'd actually bring me to a cabin... with Joanne.

"Well, we just thought you'd like to work things out." Jeremy's voice echoes across the room.

"There is nothing to talk about!" Joanne snaps but quickly shuts her mouth and looks away from my gaze. My chest tightens a little.

"Yes there is. Now declare your love for each other and hurry up. I have a cartoon to watch in ten minutes." I can tell by the more serious tone it's Jesse. My eyes find an intercom at the corner of the room.

"What?" Joanne seems shocked. I just silently stare at her, the events of our last real conversation playing in my head.

"She's right." I turn to Joanne. "We have to talk."

"It's a "he" asshole!" Jesse shouts through the intercom and I cover my ears at the loud noise.

Joanne winces but stares at me with a frown. "Chase..." Joanne trails off and guilty stares at me, "I'm sorry, okay? I knew I was selfish to ask you for that. I knew I was but I let the situation get to me."

I gently place a hand on her shoulder mostly because I really need to touch her. "It wasn't your fault. Your wolf was doing all the talking."

"Yea but - " She turns away from me and sighs. "I wanted it too." Her voice is soft, barely above whisper.

My heart warms up and I can't help but wrap my arms around her waist and rest my chin on her shoulder. "Me too." I inhale her scent.

"I'm so lost." The intercom interrupts us again and I curse the voice of Exel.

"Shh!" A yelp follows with a loud screech and I suddenly feel like ripping the intercom to shreds.

Joanne turns back to me and pulls away. "Then why did you walk away? I waited for your call but it didn't come. Three days later, I'm dating every guy possible trying to forget." Joanne's voice cracks a bit and a tear slides down her cheek.

My heart clenches and I wipe the tear away with my thumb. "I wasn't over what happened. I am now though, I just needed some time to think." I admit and stare into her eyes.

"Okay can someone just explain this to me? I'm just as lost as Exel." Megan's voice echoes across the room this time and I sigh in annoyance.

"Megan shut up! Let them make up, my plan is working!" It's Keely who squeals into the intercom.

"What? This was my plan." Lily's voice sounds accusing and I can't help but feel amused. Joanne's lips curve into a small smile and I find myself smiling at that little expression.

"Technically, we look alike so you can't possibly say it was you. You could have been speaking to a mirror or heard me say this."

"You've been hanging around with Victor and Brandon, haven't you?" It's Alexis who asks the question.

"Are you all here?" I find myself annoyed by the sound of their voices bouncing off the walls and into my ears.

"Yes." They all chorus together.

"So, are you going to explain what's going on?" Jeremy, always to the point.

I exchange a look with Joanne, asking for permission to tell. She stares right back and I know she wants me to decide.

"Just don't gasp and go all dramatic on me, okay?" I raise an eyebrow at the intercom even though they can't see me. At least I think they can't.

They all agree but I know they probably will. It's the people who gasped when Alexis told them about her boyfriend. Nothing can ever not be dramatic around them especially Victor.

I sigh and open my lips." She's my second chance mate."

Silence.

One... two... three.

"Oh my gosh!" Cue, squealing.

"I knew it!"

"That's so cute!"

"Aw!"

"Guys!" I groan and cover my face, "You guys swore." I can't stop the grin that etches my lips.

"You knew we wouldn't."

"True." Joanne agrees. "It was pointless to even ask."

"Whoo, yay, hooray. Now kiss or whatever so we can go home. My show is waiting."

"Jesse!" The others scold him.

"You don't have to be here." Joanne speaks aloud, clearly telling them to leave.

"We won't leave until you kiss!"

"We won't kiss when your spying on our kiss. That's just too distracting." Joanne scowls and crosses her arms.

"Would you do it if you were under a mistletoe?" I don't miss the mischief in Victor's voice.

"What?" Me and Joanne both look up and indeed, a plastic mistletoe hangs right above us.

"I swear that wasn't there before." I mumble and scratch the back of my head, Joanne nods in agreement.

"Just kiss already!"

"But it isn't Christmas, mistletoes only work when it's Christmas." Joanne replies smugly and grins at me. I grin back even though I want to kiss her senseless.

"Come on, Chase looks like he wants to devour you." Keely teases.

Joanne blushes and bites her lip. I wet mine and softly push a strand of hair behind her ear. Her face reddens.

"Just one." I lean close to her and stare right into her eyes, asking for permission. She shakes her head and I try to hide the hurt in my eyes. I lean away and swallow roughly. Her hand gently wraps around mine and she squeezes it lightly, sparks slowly ignite and I sigh in bliss.

"I want our first kiss to be special." Joanne answers more directly at me. I smile and squeeze her hand back in reassurance.

"Weren't you guys friends with benefits?"

"Right." Alexis agrees. "I caught you making out behind the bleaches like ten times."

"So did I. Not to mention I also walked in when you gusy were doing the deed." Brandon whispers the last part.

"Our first real kiss together. This isn't just for lust now." I speak confidently and smile at Joanne. She beams at me.

"You guys, they're right. We can't force them to kiss, even with a mistletoe." The others agree with Lily.

"Wait, where's the mistletoe?" Joanne seems confused and I look up too. Hell, no freakin' mistletoe. I may be going crazy.

"What mistletoe?" We both jump when all their faces pop on the screen of the TV in front of us.

"The hell..." Joanne clutches my hand tighter and I do the same.

"How the hell did you guys manage to do that? I've been trying to do the same and scare the crap out of Brandon for years." I stare at them in awe.

"Lily did. She organized everything." Jeremy places a kiss on her forehead. Even in the screen, I can see the big blush in her cheeks.

"Everything?" Joanne and I exchange a look not before spotting a bright blue curtain swing open behind us.

A table set for two stands in the middle of the small corner. Food and drinks neatly placed around the table with two candles in the middle, lighting up the room. In all, the scene sets a romantic mood.

"You guys did this... for us?" Joanne seems to be surprised. I stare at them too. They all beam and I suddenly feel like hugging Lily but she's in a TV so I obviously can't.

"Lily did most of the planning but we set everything up. Don't expect this to be expensive, we got you Chinese and Mexican food since we blew up the pack's kitchen. Now we are absolutely banned from cooking at the Red Dawn kitchen." Megan chortles at her jock.

They chuckle along, Joanne and I join in.

"Anyway, have a good date! Tell me the details later!" Megan excitedly jumps in her spot. Joanne beams.

"We also set a bag full of condoms on the red bag behind the couch." Victor whispers as if the others couldn't hear.

"Victor!" Lily scolds him, "We told you not too!" Lily smacks the side of his face. Victor pouts and rubs his cheek.

"Thanks for everything but now we have a date to attend." I hold out my arm for Joanne to take. She blushes and grabs my arm. I turn to the TV and grin at them mischievously. "Goodbye!" They start to protest but I quickly click on the off button and the screen turns dark.

Joanne laughs and we walk towards the table. I pull the chair out and look at Joanne. "Ma' Lady." Joanne blushes and sits on the chair.

I quickly sit across from her and smile nervously. "So?" I start with a smile.

"So?" She nervously twirls a strand of hair on her pointer finger.

I gulp and open my mouth but nothing comes out. I feel sweat start to form in my forehead. "Is it hot in here?" I grab a few napkins and wipe my forehead. She grabs a few too and wipes her hands with a nervous chuckle.

I cough and she coughs too.

I blink and she blinks back.

Slowly, we both break into smiles.

"Where's the romance? I ain't feeling this movie." Jeremy.

We both look towards the TV and our friends stare at us from the screen, popcorn in their laps.

Victor agrees. "Me too. Now they are just staring at us. This movie is boring."

"Guys!" I groan and face palm.

"Please?" Joanne pleads and sighs.

"Guys they're right. This isn't suppose to be like this. Sorry." Keely mutters. The screen goes black again.

"Finally!" I cheer.

The screen turns on again. "That's not nice!" Megan screeches. The others murmer in agreement.

I stand up and look straight at them. "Leave us alone!" I turn it off. I stare at the dark screen for a few seconds and sigh in relief when it doesn't turn back on.

I turn my head to Joanne and smile. "Let's continue." I try to make my voice seductive.

"Gross!"

I jump at the noise behind me and glare at the TV filled with familiar faces.

"Chase, you sound like you have a sore throat."

I grit my teeth and shake the TV violently. Somehow wishing it would loose signal or something so they don't interrupt again.

"Shaking the TV isn't going to make us go away."

"That's it!" I unplug the TV and stare at the dark screen for about a minute.

"Chase?"

"Huh?" I glance at Joanne who seems like she wants to burst into laughter.

"They're gone. Staring at an unplugged TV screen won't bring them back." A soft chuckle comes out her lips and I can't help but smile at her.

"Let's continue now, for real." I sit back across from her.

"For us?" Joanne holds up a glass of orange juice in the air, smiling hopefully.

I smile and raise my glass as well. "To us."

"*And* us!"

We both groan at the sound of the intercom.

**_**

Hey everyone! This is the second to last chapter! I am so sad to see Lily gone but I can proudly say the story went the way I felt it should have. I want to thank all of you for supporting me. Thank you so much!

Please make sure to leave any comments or questions you have, thank you.