Chapter 6
1471 Words
In the following days, Thorne became a professional ghost; he would appear in class, deliver his lecture without even looking at me, and vanish surrounded by other professors before I could even catch his scent.
"Heavens, Maren, are you listening? I was saying how sexy Professor Thorne is," Naomi’s voice suddenly cut into my thoughts.
"They say he’s single but extremely selective. Can you imagine being the woman who makes that Alpha lose control? I’d let him ruin my life and thank him for it," said Meredith, another girl in class.
I felt a surge of jealousy so violent my wolf let out a low growl. I couldn't stand others talking about my mate like that.
"Don't you have anything better to talk about than that stupid professor?" I snapped venomously.
I was furious, jealous, and sick of dealing with this cursed bond. I should be with my mate right now! Not listening to other females think about sleeping with him while he ignores me. Rage consumed my body to the point of exploding.
My mom's call came just in time, easing my anger. But she wanted me to come home for the weekend to welcome Alpha Greg and Rector Owen, to thank them for allowing me, an Omega, to attend this elite school. I was reluctant, but had no choice but to agree.
I know why I can attend this school, which is only for high-ranking werewolves like Alphas and Betas. It's not because we're exceptional, but because my father sacrificed himself to save Alpha Greg; this is a privilege he earned with his life.
I love my dad and mom. I know how much they've sacrificed for this family, and I must repay them.
I chose an emerald green silk dress that left my shoulders bare and highlighted my curves.
The banquet arrived, and Mom had put a lot of thought into decorating everything. The atmosphere was one of forced elegance. Fresh flowers, expensive glassware, and the aroma of roasted meat filled the air.
"You look beautiful, Maren," my mother said, tucking a lock of my hair. "Remember, smile and thank Alpha Greg like the polite girl you are."
I nodded half-heartedly; after all, it was just a dinner. She smiled proudly, and seconds later, the doorbell rang. My mother smoothed her apron and opened the door.
"Welcome, Alpha Greg!" she exclaimed.
I approached the entrance to greet the guests but froze in the hallway.
Behind Alpha Greg, wearing a smug smile, appeared Kai. When he saw me, he almost stumbled; his gaze dropped to my cleavage with a hunger that disgusted me.
Kai brushed his perfect hair back and stepped closer, devouring me with his eyes. I pulled away with a glacial smile. "Wow. You came without Tina, what a surprise"
He frowned, but before he could respond, I waved him off dismissively. For a moment I thought my night couldn't get worse, but the air stopped a second later when the front door opened again and Rector Owen entered.
"Sorry we’re late," Rector Owen said, stepping aside. "My son was finishing some files at the faculty."
Son? A stinging curiosity filled my chest. I looked beyond the entrance.
What the hell? This had to be a bad joke.
The delicious aroma of expensive alcohol and sandalwood flooded my nostrils. I thought I was hallucinating, but my eyes landed on Thorne, crossing the threshold in a black shirt with the top buttons undone.
Damn, he looked incredibly handsome and manly!
"Maren," Rector Owen said, placing a hand on Thorne’s shoulder, "meet my son, Thorne. He just returned from abroad to join the faculty."
The rector’s son?
For a second, the air left my lungs as a rush of excitement and lust shook my wolf.
"Mine! Mine!" she roared in my chest like a b***h in heat.
Thorne, for his part, scanned the room coldly until his eyes crashed into mine. I thought he would greet me or mention the bond, but once again, he proved to be an i***t.
"A pleasure to meet you, Miss Maren," he replied, looking at me without any interest.
Those simple words almost sent my heart flying out of my chest. Was he acting like I was a stranger? The humiliation burned hotter than the bond. If he could be so cold, so professional, while my soul was screaming for him, then I was truly alone
After dinner, we went to the grand lounge, where my mother flattered Owen while Greg spoke of pack expansion plans.
Thorne remained silent, drinking his wine with lethal elegance, but I felt his gaze burning my skin every time I raised my glass.
"It’s lucky Thorne returned to the pack," Greg commented, breaking Thorne’s stare. "I’m sure you’ll find a good girl here to expand your lineage."
When I heard that, I almost choked on my wine, coughing clumsily. My mother gave me a light pat on the back, and I smiled, turning my furious gaze back to Thorne.
"The time hasn't come yet, Alpha Greg," Thorne said, his voice vibrating with a tension only I understood.
He was rejecting our bond publicly! He was telling everyone that I didn't exist.
I couldn't stand it another second. With my pride in tatters, I forced a smile and sat on the sofa right next to Kai. I had to prove to Thorne that I was still worthy of being his mate, even if I had to use the guy I despised the most to do it.
A smile formed on my lips. It was time to make Thorne regret his decisions. With a cynical grin, I raised my hand and gently stroked Kai’s arm.
“You’re very quiet tonight, Kai,” I murmured, leaning in just enough so our shoulders touched.
Kai blinked, startled by my sudden change in attitude. "What's the game, Maren?" he snapped under his breath. "Yesterday you yelled at me in front of half the university, and today you sit here like nothing happened”
"I was hurt, Kai, I felt alone, and seeing you with Tina... like that... I just snapped.” I lied, my voice dropping to a seductive purr that tasted like ash in my mouth. “But seeing you here... it reminds me of how easy things used to be”
That little lie was the bait. Kai’s expression shifted from confusion to a smug triumph. He leaned closer, emboldened by my words. I could see from the corner of my eye how Thorne’s entire attention was anchored to my movements
"I’m so glad you’re here, Kai," I said, licking my lips.
"Yeah, I thought you and I..." Kai whispered, placing his hand on my thigh, "...could resolve our problems."
"Oh, really? And how do you plan to resolve it?"
Thorne went rigid. His shoulders broadened, and the crystal glass in his hand creaked slightly. It was obvious he wasn't enjoying my closeness with Kai.
"We can go out tomorrow. Like old times. Just you and me," Kai insisted
His simple touch disgusted me, but watching Thorne’s aura turn dark and thick was like a drug. I was forcing myself to endure Kai’s contact because the alternative was admitting that Thorne had successfully discarded me.
"'I don't know...' I feigned hesitation, sliding my fingers a bit higher up Kai’s thigh.
I felt like I was betraying every one of my principles, but the need for my mate was stronger than my disgust.
But my gaze wasn't on him. It was fixed on Thorne. I saw his breathing become erratic. Thorne was no longer listening to the Rector. He was staring at my hand on Kai’s leg with murderous intensity. His teeth clamped his lip, and I could see the vein in his neck throbbing violently.
"I’ll do whatever you want," Kai promised, his breathing accelerating.
"I’ll go out with you, Kai," I said, faking a radiant smile while placing my hand over Kai’s, intertwining our fingers. "I’ve missed you so much."
But what the hell came out of my lips? The simple phrase of faking acceptance repulsed me, but seeing the fury in Thorne’s eyes was a delicious drug. He thought I was some foolish Omega who would just fold her arms while he rejected me.
But the game had changed.
"Perfect, tomorrow night I’ll come for you and—" Kai tried to say.
But at that exact moment, the crystal glass in Thorne’s hand shattered, making everyone in the room turn.
CRACK!
Thorne didn't move. His eyes, once clear, were completely black, filled with animal possessiveness.
"Son, are you okay?" Owen asked, concerned.
Thorne nodded and leaned down to pick up the shards.
I turned my gaze back to Kai, keeping an eye on Thorne out of the corner of my eye, pretending to be indifferent to him.
- Writer
