<h4>Chapter 102: The Decision</h4>


    Hailee’s POV


    With a shaky voice, I spoke. "Hi, Peter."


    There was a pause on the other end, followed by the sound of a long, heavy exhale.


    "I shouldn’t be telling you this..." his voice was low, urgent, "...but I just feelpelled to."


    A knot twisted in my stomach. "Peter, you’re scaring me. What’s going on?"


    "I overheard something tonight," he said, his words quick and clipped. "They’re not waiting for you to finish yourst papers. In fact, by tomorrow, they’ll be asking you—and Violet —toe back."


    My stomach dropped. "What? Why?"


    "That’s not all." He hesitated, like saying it out loud might make it worse. "They’re thinking of having the marriage happen this weekend."


    I gripped the phone tighter. "No... no, that’s not possible. They can’t—"


    "It is what’s happening, Hailee," he cut in, his voice sharp. "I wish I was wrong, but I’m not. The conversations are already in motion. They’re making ns."


    My chest tightened, and I was having difficulty breathing. "Peter..." I didn’t even know what I was asking for—help, answers, a way out.


    "I’m telling you so you’re not blindsided. You need to be ready. Because once they say it, there’s no taking it back."


    I ended the call with trembling fingers. My heart was pounding so hard, it almost drowned out my own thoughts.


    No... I whispered to myself. No, that’s not happening. I can’t get married to Robert... marrying Robert is like a life sentence of pain and emotional torture, and I won’t let that happen.


    Then, like a cold de slicing through the panic, one thought came crashing in.


    Robert can’t marry someone who’s already been fucked by another man.


    My breath hitched, my mind spinning so fast it made me dizzy.


    I have to get fucked tonight.


    I have to lose my virginity.


    The words echoed in my head, shocking and undeniable. My fingers clenched around the phone still in my hand, my pulse hammering in my ears. If Robert found out I wasn’t pure—if he knew someone else had touched me—he wouldn’t marry me. He couldn’t. That wasw.


    But who?


    Nathan? Callum? Dane?


    Who?


    I didn’t have time to think this through. By tomorrow, my life could be locked in a cage.


    Tonight was my only chance, but who do I go to? Callum... should I go to him? Without thinking, I left my room through my window.


    I jumped down and began walking toward the path that led to Callum’s apartment... my head was spinning. I was confused... it was almost past midnight, and the streets were silent except for the asional car that hissed past. I had taken a few steps away from my house toward Callum when suddenly I froze mid-step, the cool night air biting at my skin. My feet felt rooted to the pavement, like the earth itself was holding me back from taking another step toward Callum.


    Why him?


    Why was I going there?


    My chest rose and fell in quick, uneven breaths. Callum would... maybe he’d do it. Maybe he’d understand. But deep down, something in me recoiled—like my body already knew he wasn’t the one.


    I turned my head slowly, my gaze drifting toward the distant glow of the pack house. It loomed in the dark like some unshakable fate, but instead of fear, an odd pull surged through me.


    Nathan.


    I couldn’t exin it—hell, I didn’t even try. My legs just... moved. One step, then another, and before I knew it, I was walking in the opposite direction, away from Callum’s apartment and toward the path that led straight to Nathan.


    The streets were almost empty now, save for the asional rumble of a car passing in the distance. Shadows stretched long across the pavement, and my heart hammered against my ribs.


    I didn’t think about what I would say when I saw him. I didn’t think about whether he’d even be awake or want to do it. All I knew was that something inside me whispered—no, screamed—that it had to be him.


    And I kept walking.


    By the time I reached the gigantic iron gates of the pack house, my legs ached, but I barely noticed. I knew it waste—toote for anyone to simply let me in without permission. From where I stood, I couldn’t see the guards directly; they were tucked inside the gatehouse. But I could hear the faint shuffle of boots on the floor and the low murmur of voices behind the ss.


    Pulling my phone from my pocket, I scrolled until I found his name and pressed call.


    He picked up almost immediately, his voice steady, not the least bit sleepy. "Hailee? Are you home?"


    My throat felt dry. "No... I’m outside the pack house."


    There was a pause, like I’d caught him off guard. "Outside?"


    "Yes," I said, my gaze on the small, lit window of the gatehouse where a shadow moved.


    He let out a short breath, the kind that hinted at curiosity more than annoyance. "Sure. Hold on."


    Through the ss, I saw one of the shadows lean forward, probably listening to his orders through their earpiece. A momentter, there was a loud metallic click, and the massive gates groaned open.


    "Come in," Nathan said, still sounding faintly surprised. "I’ll be waiting."


    I exchanged brief greetings with the guards, their curious stares following me, but I ignored them. I just prayed no member of the royal family saw me.


    Inside, the living room was quiet except for the silent guards stationed in every corner. No one stopped me. I took the stairs, my pulse quickening with every step toward his room.


    The hallway was dim and silent, and as I approached Nathan’s door, I felt nervous... was I really doing this?


    Reaching his door, I sucked a deep breath and wanted to knock, but the door opened before I could lift my hand.


    As the door opened, Nathan appeared, and the moment I held his gaze, I realized all my tension—my nervousness—was gone.


    Nathan opened the door wider and stepped aside for me to go in, and after I did, he shut the door. But I didn’t waste a second. I turned around, moved closer in quick strides, and sealed my lips with his.