Bound by the Moonlight

Chapter 5 – The Future Alpha’s Game

Jade's POV

Two days.

If hell had a name, it would be Advanced Pack Theory.

Not because of the subject—though discussing pack structures, history, and Alpha bloodlines isn't exactly thrilling—but because it’s the one class I share with Hunter Ashford. And like clockwork, the moment I walk through that door, my stomach tightens like I’ve swallowed a fistful of stones.

I took my usual seat in the far back corner, hoping today he’d just ignore me. That was the thing about Hunter—he could destroy you with a look or a single word, and I never knew which I’d get.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t lucky today.

“Careful, guys,” Hunter said loudly as he sauntered into the room, that arrogant smirk plastered on his face. Did anyone bring a flea collar? I think something followed me in.”

A chorus of laughter erupted from his friends. My hands clenched around my notebook. I didn’t look up. I never did. Looking at him only made things worse.

Hunter took his seat directly across from me, like he always does now. Ever since… that day. The day I felt the mate bond click into place. He hadn’t acknowledged it—no words, no glance that hinted at recognition—but I knew he felt it too. He had to.

And that made his cruelty cut even deeper.

“Jade,” he drawled mockingly, as if tasting my name and finding it distasteful. “You planning to actually answer something today or just sit there like a mute rodent again?”

I bit the inside of my cheek, hard enough to taste blood. I didn’t respond. I couldn’t. If I spoke, my voice would tremble, and I refused to let him see that. Not again.

Mr. Hammond, our instructor, breezed into the room with a clipboard and a distracted look. “Alright, settle down. We’re starting with bloodline evaluations today. Everyone will present a brief summary of their lineage and notable pack roles in their families.”

A low groan spread through the room, but I froze.

Bloodline?

I didn’t have anything noteworthy to say. My parents were Omegas. My grandparents were Omegas. No warriors, no Betas, no one with influence or power. Just a long line of nobodies barely scraping by on the edge of pack society.

When it was my turn, I stood slowly, heat burning my face.

“Jade Thorne,” I said softly. “Omega-born." No… no recorded high-ranking relatives.”

Silence. I looked at the floor, wishing I could melt through it.

Then Hunter chuckled.

“Well, that’s a shocker,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Anyone else surprised? No? Just me?”

More laughter. More whispers. Someone snorted.

My fists clenched at my sides. My wolf stirred in my chest, growling low, a flash of something sharp and ancient flaring in my mind—but I shoved it down. Not now. Not here.

Mr. Hammond barely flinched. “Thank you, Miss Thorne." Take your seat.”

As I sat, I caught Hunter watching me out of the corner of his eye. For a second, something flickered in his gaze. Something not cruel. Something almost conflicted. But it vanished quickly, masked by that same smug smirk he always wore around me.

Why? Why was he doing this?

He had to feel it. The bond. That magnetic pull whenever we were near each other, like gravity twisting itself around us. Even now, I could feel the phantom ache in my chest, the longing of my wolf calling to his.

But instead of coming closer, he mocked me like I was trash. Like I didn’t matter.

Maybe I didn’t.

Maybe the Moon Goddess made a mistake.

When class ended, I bolted from the room, ignoring Ashley calling my name down the hallway. I needed air. I needed to breathe before I broke apart in front of everyone.

I pushed open the doors and stepped out into the forest trail that bordered the school grounds. My feet crunched over the fallen leaves, my lungs finally expanding in the open air.

Why does he hate me so much?

The question echoed in my mind, over and over, like a wound I kept picking at. I knew the answer. It wasn’t me—it was what I represented. Weakness. Powerlessness. The opposite of everything he was.

He didn’t want an Omega mate.

He wanted someone who matched his strength, his lineage, his Alpha pride. I would never be that.

A cold breeze swept through the trees, and I wrapped my arms around myself.