Chapter 5

Many of our friends were present; they understood Yara’s tone at once.

Whispers spread rapidly.

I felt suffocated by it all.

Lilian, all innocent eyes, stood weakly beside Xavier.

“Xavier, I… I didn’t mean it like that.”

Her voice small, tearful, trembling.

Soon someone posted Lilian’s Facebook updates and photos from the event to the campus Reddit board.

Xavier’s fame on campus was considerable—he was like a shining star, every move watched.

The post went viral:

【Nothing’s impossible with Leader Xavier!】

【Other people’s things always look better—even Mate.】

【Exactly! I want what’s taken. What’s yours looks best!】

Comments piled up like wildfire.

As the Pack’s Alpha, Xavier drew more and more attention.

And Lilian’s secret was out.

Walking through campus, she became a target of stares.

Those looks—sharp as knives—stabbed at her.

Her face drained of color; tears brimmed as she ran back to her dorm.

Her roommates, seeing her, immediately sprayed moon-grass disinfectant—its acrid scent filled the air.

“Ugh, disgusting. The dorm’s filthy again. That dirty thing who steals someone else’s Mate brought her germs in—I’m going to puke.”

Their voices were loud, full of contempt.

Lilian bit her lip, trembling, and fled.

Her lips went white from the pressure.

Behind her, ridicule and mockery pursued:

“Shameless.”

“So gross.”

Each word like an arrow stabbing her back.

Her face burned with humiliation; tears streamed down.

Finally, she ran to the lab where Xavier was working.

He had just finished an observation; exhaustion clouded his eyes.

Seeing her crying, surprise flashed across his face.

“What happened?”

His tone low, with a hint of concern.

Lilian wept harder, speechless for a while.

Tears fell like strings of pearls.

“Xavier… I…”

Her voice barely audible, every syllable dragged out.

“I’m scared. I don’t want to talk anymore.”

Xavier rubbed his temples, faint irritation showing.

He didn’t question further—only handed her tissues quietly.

When she finally stopped crying, she began haltingly:

“I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. I caused you trouble.”

“I was just too nervous yesterday. When you helped me fix the data, I was so happy…”

Her tone small, trembling, pitiful.

“I didn’t expect Nora would be so angry. I’ll apologize to her again. It’s all my fault.”

Her every word soaked in grievance and self-blame.