CHAPTER 78: AGREED

Hailee’s POV

"Can we talk?" I said to Dane, who had just reached the edge of the field, his brows lifting slightly in surprise at the sound of my voice.

He blinked, then gave a slow nod. "Yeah. Of course."

We stepped aside, away from the noise and laughter around the bleachers, into a quieter space near the edge of the woods. The soft hum of the game preparations faded slightly behind us.

Dane turned to me, arms crossed over his chest, but his expression was open. Calm. Steady. But beneath it... I could tell he was bracing himself.

"You look nervous," he said, a tiny smirk tugging at his lips.

I let out a breathy laugh. "I feel nervous."

He waited, giving me the space to speak first.

"I spoke to Callum," I began. "Told him everything. About how I feel. About... not knowing how to choose between you guys."

Dane didn’t seem surprised, but I saw the way his jaw tensed just a little.

"And what did he say?"

I hesitated. "He said... he’s willing to let me date all three of you. To figure it out."

Dane’s eyes narrowed, just slightly. "And you want that? To date all of us?"

I nodded slowly. "I don’t want to lie to any of you. I care about you, Dane. Deeply. But I also care about Nathan. And Callum. It’s confusing and unfair and probably selfish... but it’s the truth. I don’t want to make a decision just to protect someone else’s feelings. Not when my own heart’s still figuring it out."

He was quiet for a long moment.

Then finally, he said, "At least you’re being honest."

I swallowed, unsure if that was disappointment or relief in his voice.

But then he stepped closer—so close I could feel the heat rolling off his chest.

His voice dropped, soft but intense. "Hailee... I love you."

My breath caught.

He reached for my hand, holding it. "I love you so, so much. And if dating all three of us is what you need to figure yourself out... if it means you’ll have clarity at the end of it—then I’m willing. I’ll wait. I’ll fight. To prove I love you more."

My heart clenched, warmth spilling through my chest.

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice trembling. "Thank you for understanding. For not walking away. I don’t deserve it, but... I’m really grateful."

He gave me a soft smile—gentle, almost shy—and then tugged me forward, one hand settling behind my neck as he leaned in.

Our lips met.

It wasn’t rushed or frantic. It was deep... slow... passionate. Like he was pouring every unspoken feeling into that kiss, branding it into my soul.

When we finally pulled apart, breathless, he rested his forehead against mine and smirked.

"I’ll see you after the game," he murmured, brushing his thumb across my cheek. "I need to go change for the game."

I laughed quietly, the tension in my chest easing a little.

"Okay," I whispered.

And with one last look—one that said more than words ever could—he turned and jogged off toward the buzzing field, leaving me standing there with a fluttering heart and trembling hands.

Callum and Dane were done.

Now, it was Nathan.

The thought of him made my stomach twist. I didn’t know why, but something told me his reaction wouldn’t be as easy. Not like the others. Nathan had always been the wild card—the one who felt things too deeply but hid it behind sarcasm.

And tonight, I had to face him.

The inter-pack games had already begun. The air buzzed with excitement, banners fluttering, chants echoing across the large open field. There were tents set up with snacks and drinks, music pulsing low in the background, and the bleachers were already packed with students and elders alike, their eyes darting between the different arenas.

Three main sports were being played tonight: basketball, football, and finally, the highlight of the night—combatting.

The male basketball game was first. Our pack against the Lotus pack.

And Nathan... he was one of the players.

I spotted him the moment I reached the stands, standing with his team near the court in his black and silver jersey, number 7 stamped boldly on the back. His curly dark hair was damp with sweat already, his long arms stretched above his head as he warmed up. He looked... intense. Focused. But not quite himself.

Our eyes met for just a second—just one heartbeat—and then he looked away.

My chest tightened.

He was avoiding me.

I moved down the bleachers, slipping into a seat closer to the court. Lila came to sit beside me a few minutes later, handing me a soda and nudging my shoulder.

"Okay, I’m nervous," she whispered. "Not for the game—for you. You look like you’re about to walk into battle."

I gave a shaky laugh. "It kind of feels like I am."

The whistle blew, and the game began.

Nathan was fast—faster than I remembered. He darted across the court with practiced ease, weaving between defenders, passing smoothly, driving the ball toward the hoop. But even as the crowd cheered and the scoreboard climbed, I could see the tension in him. His shots were just a little too aggressive. His movements a little too sharp.

The more I watched, the heavier my heart felt. He was angry. I knew him well enough to see it—in the way his jaw clenched when he missed a shot, in the way he didn’t look at the sidelines once. Not even when the coach yelled his name.

Not even when I was sitting right here.

Halfway through the second quarter, he got fouled hard by one of the Lotus Pack players and stumbled, landing on his side. A low gasp rippled through the crowd.

I stood without thinking.

But before I could move toward the court, he was already getting up, waving off the coach and brushing himself off like nothing happened.

Still, he didn’t look my way.

"Damn," Lila murmured. "He’s pissed. You sure you still want to talk to him tonight?"

I clenched my fists in my lap. "I have to."

When the game finally ended—with our pack winning by twenty points, all thanks to Nathan’s aggressive playing.

Nathan walked off the court, a towel slung over his shoulder, his face flushed and unreadable. The others clapped and high-fived, but he barely acknowledged them. He just grabbed his water bottle and headed toward the locker room tunnel.

This was my moment.

I pushed up and hurried after him.