Lily suddenly thought of Tiffany. She had rushed ahead to talk to Garrett and Adam and forgot to bring Tiffany over. Lily turned and waved her over, "This is my good friend and classmate Tiffany Fizsefa."
Tiffany approached and maintained her composure as she noticed how Lily was practically glowing and standing very close to Garrett. She had assumed that Adam was Garrett, but when Lily continued to fawn over the disfigured man next to Adam, Tiffany was horrified.
The rumors were true. This man's face was far worse than she expected. Tiffany quickly gave herself a pep talk. 'She has to really like this man. Okay, Tiffany. Keep it together. This is your best friend's lover. She likes it, you love it.'
"Fizsefa," Garrett repeated. "Fizsefa as in the Fizsefas of the Moon Shine Pride?"
Tiffany's heart sank for a moment as she realized the connection. "Oh hell, please tell me my brother hasn't gotten into trouble again?" Tiffany questioned. Her brother was always getting in trouble and she would have to clean up his mess.
"No, not at all. I am surprised to see a werecat here. We don't see many and we especially don't see them friends with werewolves," Garrett said with a light laugh, understanding Tiffany's irritation with having to deal with an unruly sibling.
Tiffany couldn't help but inject a touch of sass into her response. "Well, it's a hobby of mine to break societal norms and you wolves aren't as bad as people say," she said, offering her hand to shake his. "Thank you for taking care of Lily when I couldn't."
Garrett reached to shake her hand, but heard a low growl coming from Adam. Garrett looked at him with a curious expression and was shocked by the intensity coming from Adam. He was upset with him and Garrett said through the pack link, 'Why are you growling? What is going on with you?'
When Adam didn't respond, Garrett snapped his teeth at him and Adam immediately stopped growling. Adam dropped his gaze and walked away to the front of the car. He leaned against it with his back towards them.
Tiffany gave Lily a confused expression and Lily shrugged as she had no idea what happened between the two men.
"Is everything okay?" Lily asked.
"Everything is fine. Adam hasn't been feeling his best lately," Garrett answered.
Lily knew Garrett was lying as Adam was fine just a few minutes ago, but she said nothing. She would ask him about it later to avoid making the situation even more awkward.
Garrett turned his attention back to Tiffany. He nodded politely to her but didn't shake her hand. It was probably for the best. Garrett was beginning to not like skin-to-skin contact with other women except for Lily.
"Sorry. I forgot. Cat culture is a little different than wolven. Well, we should be on our way," Tiffany said.
"Well, it was nice to meet you Tiffany. You should come over for dinner as I would like to get to know the best friend of my mate more," Garrett stated.
Tiffany nodded, smiling stiffly. Lily did not notice that. She waved goodbye as Tiffany led her to the elevator that would take them into the building. Tiffany practically snatched her into the elevator.
"What's wrong with you?" Lily asked.
"His face..." Tiffany took a moment to compose herself before continuing, "I knew he would be disfigured, but good Goddess, he looks like a bus hit him!"
Lily offered a dismissive shrug. "Oh, come on, Tiffany. It's not that bad."
Tiffany couldn't comprehend how Lily could be so nonchalant about Garrett's appearance. "Lily, I think you might be experiencing Stockholm Syndrome. You can't give up your whole life for your family. You're young, and you're going to live over a hundred years. That means you'll have to see that face forever! Trust me, you can find another way out. You're beautiful and charming. You deserve someone better!"
But Lily remained resolute. "I'm quite satisfied with Garrett," she replied firmly.
Tiffany was astonished. "Why?" she blurted out, unable to hide her surprise.
Lily's voice softened as she explained her reasoning. "I don't want to go back to my previous life. In the short time I've spent with Garrett, I've been happier than I have in a very long time. Besides, if I don't become Garrett's mate, my father will sell me off again. It's only a matter of time before my sister, Brandy, burns through the money again. Garrett gave me a chance to leave, and I chose him. I don't think he's that terrible. I'm satisfied, and I believe Garrett will treat me well. After all, I won't have any competition for him."
Tiffany's heart ached slightly as she listened to Lily's explanation. She knew that Lily had experienced the fickleness of the world, subjected to the coldness of her profit-seeking father and stepmother, and enduring the constant bullying from her sister. Tiffany realized that for Lily, being with Garrett was a better alternative than remaining in her original family.
"Lily, aren't you afraid you'll regret it later?" Tiffany asked gently, concern evident in her voice.
Lily's eyes met Tiffany's with unwavering determination. "I won't regret it. Even if Garrett treats me poorly in the future or rejects me for his fated mate, I won't regret it. At least I took a chance on happiness and chose my own destiny."
"Then, I will support you every step of the way," she said, her voice filled with unwavering loyalty. "His face isn't that bad honestly."
"What the hell Tiffany?" Lily exclaimed.
Tiffany smirked as the elevator dinged as they reached their floor. She walked out, but held the door. "I had to make sure you were really into that guy. I couldn't let you go through with this if I wasn't one hundred percent sure and it is clear that he's into you too. You have nothing to worry about that. See you later, Lily" Tiffany responded and then let the elevator doors close.