Chapter 30

A few weeks had passed since my fight with Jessica and our memorable cookie-filled adventure at Grandma Jo's.

Thankfully, Jessica didn’t pick on me at school after she returned from being absent. However, the way she would look at me sometimes sent shivers down my spine.

I was wary of her true intentions.

Now the school was buzzing with anticipation for the

upcoming Winter Formal.

As I walked through the hallways, whispers filled the air, carrying the excitement of students discussing dresses, dance partners, and romantic possibilities. Winter Formal was just around the corner, and it seemed to be the topic of the day.

The whispers of my classmates reminded me of the invisible barrier that separated me from them.

Being wolfless, I carried the weight of their judgment and whispers, feeling like an outsider in my own school. It seemed as though my lack of a wolf had branded me as a curse, leaving me isolated and struggling to forge connections.

Therefore, events like Winter Formal felt like nothing but torture for me. And I hadn’t participated in events like it for years.

It was hard for me, but amidst the isolation, I found solace in the friendship of Lucas and James now.

They had become my anchor, the ones who accepted me for who I was without the limitations of societal expectations. Without them, navigating the halls of Shadow High would have been an even lonelier journey.

However, I couldn't help but feel a pang of insecurity when it came to Lucas. He was the epitome of popularity, a heartthrob who seemed to effortlessly attract the attention and admiration of others.

I had witnessed the way girls flocked to him, their eyes filled with longing and envy. The jealousy and judgment directed at me by those girls served as a constant reminder of my perceived inadequacy.

It was as if my friendship with Lucas had become a threat, inviting the disdain of those who wished they could stand in my place.

But despite the stares and whispers, I knew that Lucas and James were different. They saw beyond the superficial, and their friendship with me was genuine.

They didn't care about my lack of wolf or the judgments of others. They accepted me as I was, flaws and all. Wolfless, or not.

Lost in my contemplations, I was suddenly pulled back to reality by the familiar voice of Lucas. "Shana," he called out, his voice tinged with concern.

I turned to face him, and a somber expression greeted him. "Hey, Lucas."

He frowned, his eyes scanning my face. "What's wrong? You seem... distant."

I sighed, debating whether to share my inner turmoil with him. "It's the Winter Formal," I admitted reluctantly. "I just... I'm not as excited about it as everyone else. I don't think I'll go."

Lucas's brows furrowed, and he stepped closer to me. "Why not? It could be a chance for you to step out of your comfort zone, to have fun and make new memories."

I shrugged, my shoulders sinking. "I feel out of place like I don't belong there. I've never really been one for school dances or social events… since…I was thirteen."

“That is exactly why you should attend this one.” A soft smile tugged at Lucas's lips, his eyes reflecting a mix of determination and understanding. “You used to love these events as a kid.”

“Yeah, but–”

"Shana, sometimes we need to challenge our own self-imposed limitations. The Winter Formal could be an opportunity for you to reward yourself for all the hard work you've put into training," Lucas said with a determined voice.

I looked at him skeptically, unsure if I could truly embrace the idea. "Well…I don't even have a date," I said with a hint of resignation. "Who would want to go with someone like me? A wolfless freak."

"Don't call yourself that." Lucas shook his head sternly. "You're not a freak, Shana."

I sighed deeply. "Everyone else thinks so."

"After your fight with Jessica a few weeks ago, I don't think so." A mischievous glint sparked in Lucas's eyes, and he let out a chuckle. "But what if I asked you to be my date?"

My heart skipped a beat, caught off guard by his unexpected proposition. "You... you want to go to the Winter Formal with me?"

Lucas nodded, his expression earnest. "Why the hell not? We can go as friends, no pressure, and just enjoy the night together."

I hesitated, conflicting thoughts swirling in my mind. Part of me feared that I would be holding him back, preventing him from finding a romantic interest he truly desired. After all, he was the hockey captain, an Alpha with plenty of admirers at Shadow High.

I'm sure hundreds of girls were waiting for him to ask them. If I went with him, not only would they all hate me—but they would definitely question our relationship as friends.

Plus, what if there was someone else Lucas truly wanted to go with, but he was just offering to go with me to make me feel better? I couldn't make him sacrifice his own fun for myself like that.

"You're the hockey captain, Lucas," I said, my voice tinged with caution. "There are plenty of girls who would love to go to the Winter Formal with you. I don't want to intrude or be a burden."

Lucas's laughter resonated through the hallway, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "Shana, don't be ridiculous," he said, shaking his head. "I don't want to go with some random girl. I want to go with you."

I stared at him in disbelief, my skepticism waning. "Really?" I asked, needing confirmation.

Lucas's smile softened, his gaze locked with mine. "Yes, Shana. I think it would be fun for both of us. Like I said, we can go as friends and just enjoy the night, with no expectations or pressure."

"Are you sure?" I asked, still not fully convinced. "Because it's okay. I don't need to go with—"

"Shana," Lucas stopped me before I could continue. "I'm dead serious. C'mon, what do you say? Come to formal with me."

A mix of surprise and delight washed over me, and a flicker of hope ignited within my heart. It was as if a door had swung open, revealing a world of possibilities I had never considered before.

Maybe Lucas truly did want to go with me, and I couldn't deny that a flicker of happiness ignited within me at the thought. Out of all the people in our school, he had chosen me to be his date. It was a small victory in a sea of insecurities and judgments.

As I looked into Lucas's eyes, I could see the sincerity shining through. He wasn't asking me out of pity or obligation. He genuinely wanted to share this experience with me, to create memories together.

And I realized that his invitation held so much more than just attending a school dance.

With a hesitant smile, I nodded, my voice filled with newfound hope. "Okay, Lucas. Let's do it. Let's go to the Winter Formal together."

Relief washed over his features, a genuine warmth radiating from him. "That's the spirit, Shana! I promise that I will make sure you have a great time."

"How will you do that?" I asked.

"That's a surprise." He winked at me. "And who knows? Maybe this night will be the beginning of something extraordinary."

"Thanks, Lucas." I gave him a warm smile. "What would I do without you?"

"Probably just stay at home and watch movies all night instead of having fun at formal.”

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