Stuck with the enemy

Chapter 64: Pick up Lines

Derek's Story

Maybe Deniz was right after all. I wasn't going to fall in love with Adeline, but perhaps I needed to treat her with more kindness. After all, she was my fiancée, the future Luna of our pack. It wasn't about what I wanted—it was about what needed to be done. We were already tied together by fate, so why not try to make this work? It seemed like a small thing to invite her to dinner, but maybe it would help us find some common ground.

I picked up my phone and, after a moment's hesitation, sent her a text:

What do you think about having dinner together tonight?

I pressed send before I could second-guess myself. There. I had taken the first step. I hoped it wouldn't be too awkward, but if Deniz was right, this might help me figure out how to navigate this strange, uncomfortable relationship.

Deniz's Story

We were in the car, the city lights blurring past as Adeline sat beside me, her phone screen glowing in her hands. Suddenly, her face lit up, a smile spreading across her lips.

"Deniz, you're a genius," she said, turning her phone towards me so I could see the message.

What do you think about having dinner together tonight? – Derek.

I raised an eyebrow. So, he was trying to be nice now. She had that smug, self-satisfied look in her eyes as she showed me the message. "Can you believe it? He finally asked me out!" She practically beamed with pride, as if she'd won some kind of victory.

I smiled politely, but there was a twinge of discomfort. I hadn't expected her to get so excited. I couldn't help but notice Amalia in the seat in front of us, staring at us, her eyes narrowed. She had been helping Adeline for weeks, giving her advice, yet I had apparently done what she couldn't in one single day.

"Deniz, if tonight goes well, you can ask me for anything you want," Adeline said, her voice playful as she glanced at me.

But before I could respond, Amalia's voice cut in. "But—"

"Amalia, please," Adeline interrupted, a sharpness creeping into her tone. "Look at yourself. Learn. She's done in one day what you couldn't do in weeks."

Amalia lowered her head, clearly irritated, but she didn't say anything more. I felt a pang of guilt, but I also knew that I had achieved my goal, even if it meant stepping on someone else's toes.

"I didn't do much," I said softly, trying to ease the tension. "You've been giving advice for so long, you deserve the credit too."

Amalia lifted her head, her eyes meeting mine with a hard, cutting look. My words clearly didn't help, and I could sense her growing frustration. But deep down, I was trying to be honest. I didn't plan to upset her.

Adeline, on the other hand, was too busy basking in her own self-assuredness. "You know what? My beauty and kindness have worked wonders," she said, her smile practically glowing. "Deniz, I know kindness is good and all, but I really believe Derek likes beautiful and smart women—like me."

I couldn't hold back my irritation. I almost snapped at her, but I knew better.

I quickly glanced at Adeline, she just smiled, completely unfazed. In fact, she seemed pleased. Something about her calmness only irritated me more.

As we continued our drive, my mind was swirling with frustration. Adeline was acting like she had the world at her feet, and I was starting to get fed up with her behavior.

I turned inward, my thoughts drifting to Derya. "Maybe I should have just let Clara smack her yesterday," I mused silently. "At least that would have taught her a lesson."