Chapter 63 Chapter 63

Chapter 63 Chapter 63
His lips moved slowly, reverently, like he was trying to memorize every inch of my mouth. His breath was warm against my cheek, his thumb brushing softly along my jaw. I felt his tongue asking for entrance, and when I gasped, he deepened the kiss. I found myself kissing him back, slipping my hand into his hair almost without thinking.

It was soft. Warm. Gentle. But it wasn’t him. It wasn’t Sebastian.

I shoved him off, stepping back with a gasp, heart hammering. My fingers flew to my lips, still tingling from the pressure of his kiss.

“Aiden" I whispered, breathless. “I—We can’t be doing this.”

He looked stunned. His eyes wide, lips parted like he couldn’t believe what had just happened either. “I’m sorry—I didn't know—”

I bent down quickly, grabbed my bag and Warren’s jacket. “I have to go,” I whispered, seeing the pain flicker in his eyes as I turned and rushed down the stairs, heart still racing.

Aiden kissed me. He said loved me.

Yes, I’d noticed the little changes about him since Sebastian and I had been together. But I never imagined he really felt that way.

As I got down from the stairs, I could feel my eyes still ached with tears earlier. I couldn’t let anyone see me like this, so I ducked into the nearest restroom.

Splashing cold water on my face, I gripped the edge of the sink and stared at my reflection.

My lips still tingled with the memory of his kiss.

No. Stop thinking about it.

I forced a neutral expression onto my face, just as my phone vibrated. I dug it out of my bag and saw a message from Cassie:

“Where are you? The afternoon lecture was moved to this morning.”

I sighed, not bothering to reply.

When I stepped out, I headed straight to my class. The lecture hadn’t started yet, but a few students were already seated.

Cassie was at our usual spot on the second row, her eyes glued to her phone, a wide smile lighting up her face.

That smile… Who was she chatting with? Was it a guy? Had she found her mate and hadn’t told me?

I walked over quietly, sat beside her and then cleared my throat.

“Who’s that?” I asked.

She almost jumped, pressing her phone against her chest. “You scared me, Ruby!”

I arched a brow. “When are you going to tell me?”

“Tonight,” she said, cheeks flushed. “I’m meeting him tonight. So you’ll get to meet him too.”

She smiled faintly but her gaze sharpened, scanning my face. “What... What’s wrong with your eyes? You look like you’ve been crying.”

I shook my head quickly. “No, I’m fine. Just tired, that’s all.”

Cassie didn’t look convinced, but I changed the subject fast. “Have you seen Warren today? I still have his jacket.”

She stared at the jacket for a beat.

“You mean the new guy? No. But I can ask Brielle. she knows his friend.”

“Okay…” I murmured, opening my bag to pull out my book.

“You sure you’re okay?”

I nodded. “Yeah. I’m—”

The lecturer walked in, saving me from finishing that lie. I tried to focus as the class began, but my mind was spinning—Sebastian, Aiden, the kiss. Throughout the classes we had for today, Cassie kept muttering about Aiden not coming to class, trying to call him, but he wasn’t picking up. I pretended to be worried too even though I knew it was because of me.

After our final class, we headed toward the hockey arena for the game between Marie Hill and our school. Students were already swarming in that direction, some wearing face paint and holding banners. Across the parking lot, I spotted students from Marie Hill unloading from their buses.

Cassie scrolled through her phone as we walked, then suddenly gasped.

“Oh my Goddess, Ruby!”

“What?” I asked, heart skipping.

“Lizzy got called into Mr. Marcus’ office this morning… and she’s suspended for two months!”

Relief washed over me, but so did unease. As much as I believed justice had been served, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her sick mother. I hated that she would be affected too.

"I think this is better than expulsion" I murmured.

"Whatever. I wish she'll finally be gone from here" Cassie rolled her eyes.

"Aleast this will be a warning to others who are bullying omegas" I told her.

Just then, we ran into the guy Brielle had told us was Warren’s friend. Since Warren wasn’t in school today, I handed him the jacket to return.

As we got closer to the arena, Cassie chatted excitedly about the game and the party tonight. I could tell her excitement had more to do with the guy she was planning to meet.

I pretended to be excited too—laughing and nodding along—but inside, I wasn’t.

Ever since the kiss with Aiden, the guilt had been clawing at my chest.

It felt like I had already betrayed Sebastian.

But I had to keep up the act so Cassie wouldn’t start asking questions.