CHAPTER 68: THE GAME

Hailee’s POV

We sat on the blanket, and the food spread between us like something out of a movie. Dane popped open the sparkling drink and poured us both a glass, then handed me a sandwich with a little smirk.

"You’re not allergic to anything, right?"

I chuckled softly. "Nope. You’re safe."

We started eating in comfortable silence. It was surprisingly easy, being with him. No pressure, no pretending to be someone I wasn’t. At least... until he leaned back on one elbow and asked, "So, tell me about yourself."

I nearly choked on my bite.

I blinked, trying to stall with a sip from my glass. "Uh... what do you mean?"

He shrugged. "I don’t know. I want to know you. Like... the real you. Not just what people say about you at school."

I swallowed hard, my fingers tightening slightly around my glass.

He looked at me... eager to know more about me, and that was the problem.

Because the real me? I didn’t think I could tell anyone that.

Not yet.

So, I smiled... and lied.

"Well," I began, "as you probably already know, I’m the packhouse cook’s daughter."

Dane nodded, waiting.

"We’re originally from the Peculiar Pack," I went on. "Things weren’t... great there. My dad died when I was about ten. Illness. One of those weird ones the healers didn’t know how to fix."

His gaze softened.

"And after that, things kind of fell apart. My mom was treated badly—too many whispers, too many stares. She couldn’t take it anymore. So, four years ago, we packed up and moved here."

I shrugged like it didn’t matter, but the lump in my throat said otherwise.

"It wasn’t easy," I added, trying to smile again. "New pack. New rules. Being an omega and all."

Dane watched me in silence for a moment, then said softly, "That must’ve been hard."

I gave a small nod. "It was."

But he didn’t push. Didn’t question the cracks in my story or the parts I left out.

Instead, he just smiled, like what I said was enough.

"You’re strong," he said, reaching for another sandwich. "I mean it. A lot of people would’ve crumbled."

I glanced at him and gave him a warm smile. He seemed so different from the rude young man I met days ago... it felt like something had changed in him and now he was finally growing on me.

We talked a little more, laughed in between bites, and I could feel myself relaxing again. Dane was easy to be around—surprisingly thoughtful, nothing like the smug rich boy I’d assumed he was the first time we met. He didn’t try too hard.

After finishing his sandwich, he leaned back onto his elbows and let out a contented sigh.

"Alright," he said, eyes glinting with playful mischief, "I feel like we should play a game now."

I raised a brow. "A game?"

"Yeah," he said, sitting up straighter. "Picnic rule number one—you always end with some kind of fun. Card games, silly questions, something to laugh about."

I smiled. "You’re making up these rules as you go."

He grinned. "Guilty."

He reached into the basket and pulled out a small notepad and pen.

"Okay, let’s see... We could do ’Would You Rather,’ or maybe ’Two Truths and a Lie.’"

I shook my head, amused.

"Or... classic ’Never Have I Ever.’" He wiggled his brows.

I snorted. "I feel like that one always ends in chaos."

"Exactly," he winked. "That’s the fun part."

I tilted my head, pretending to consider—then, before I even realized I was saying it, the words were out.

"...Truth or Dare."

Dane’s brow lifted slightly, surprised. "Truth or Dare?"

I nodded slowly. "Yeah. That one."

He stared at me for a beat, then chuckled softly, shaking his head.

"Alright then, Hailee," he said, scooting closer and setting the notepad aside. "Truth or Dare it is."

Something about the way he said my name made my skin tingle.

This was probably a bad idea.

And yet I didn’t want to back out.

He looked at me, his eyes glittering with curiosity and challenge. "You go first. Truth or dare?"

I bit my lip, nervous and excited all at once.

"Truth," I said, trying to keep my voice steady, though my heart was doing cartwheels in my chest.

Dane leaned forward, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Alright... who was your first?"

I blinked. "First?"

He grinned wider. "Yeah. Who took your V card?"

My lips parted slightly in surprise. Of all the questions...

I hesitated. My mind flashed briefly to Nathan—but we’d never crossed that line. So I shook my head, my cheeks heating.

"No one," I said softly. "I’m... still a virgin."

Dane blinked, eyebrows rising slightly. "Seriously?"

I nodded, not sure if I should feel proud or awkward. "Yeah. I mean... does that surprise you?"

He tilted his head and smiled, something unreadable flickering in his eyes.

"A little. But it suits you. You’ve got that... untouched glow thing going on."

"Okay," I laughed nervously, needing to get away from that look in his eyes before I combusted. "Your turn. Truth or dare?"

He smirked. "Dare."

Without thinking, I blurted, "Take off your shirt."

He raised a brow. "Really?"

I gave a mock-serious nod, crossing my arms. "Rules are rules."

A crooked grin pulled at his lips as he reached for the hem of his shirt and pulled it over his head in one smooth motion.

My breath hitched.

Damn.

Lean, sculpted abs. Broad chest. V lines that disappeared into his jeans. And a faint trail of silver hair dusting down the middle.

It took everything in me not to stare, but my eyes definitely lingered longer than they should’ve.

"Like what you see?" he teased, catching me in the act.

I rolled my eyes quickly and looked away, my face burning. "Shut up."

He chuckled. "Your turn, Hailee. Truth or dare?"

I swallowed and said, "Dare."

His smirk widened. "Take off your top."

My eyes shot wide. "Excuse me?"

He shrugged casually. "You dared me. It’s only fair."

I bit my lip, suddenly very aware of my racing heart.

Slowly—maybe a little too slowly—I tugged the cream off-shoulder top over my head and dropped it on the blanket beside me.

That left me in my lace-trimmed bra.

Dane’s eyes flicked over me—slow and appreciative, like he was memorizing the moment.

His gaze was intense, but not in a gross or greedy way.

It was reverent. Like he was seeing something rare and couldn’t look away.

"You’re beautiful," he murmured, his voice husky.

I looked down quickly, smiling shyly as I played with the hem of the blanket. "Okay, stop staring."

"Can’t help it," he said, voice lower now. "You make it hard."

The air between us shifted, tension thickening. That easy, playful vibe from earlier had morphed into something else—something warmer, heavier. Flirty. Charged.

"Truth or dare?" he asked again, his voice barely above a whisper now.

My heart thudded against my ribs. I should say truth, but then...

"Dare." slipped out of my lips.

Dane leaned closer, just enough that his breath kissed my cheek. "Let me kiss you."