Claimed by the Quarter Back Alpha

CHAPTER 8 : Unwanted

The classroom door yawned open when I stumbled in, heart hammering from sprinting across campus, bag slipping off one shoulder, ponytail already coming loose.

Perfect timing.

"Nina Carter."

"Yes, sir."

Breathless, but loud enough.

The teacher glanced up from his attendance sheet, gave a curt nod, and went back to it.

I slid into a middle-row seat, shoving damp hair off my neck, trying to slow my breathing. First morning in the new apartment and I'm already late. Great start.

The teacher finished roll.

"Alright. Let's begin."

The door opened again.

Every head swiveled.

The rugby pack strolled in like they owned the oxygen in the room.

Ryder first-spinning a baseball lazily in one hand, backpack dangling off one shoulder, cocky grin already in place.

Then the rest.

Then Dave.

Grey hoodie, grey joggers slung low on narrow hips, black bag slung across broad shoulders. Sleeves pushed up to mid forearm, revealing the dark ink curling around corded muscle tattoo lines sharp and deliberate, catching the fluorescent light every time he flexed.

Murmurs erupted instantly.

"Oh my God, that's him."

"Dave looks so f*****g good today."

"Did you see the new ink? I'd let him mark me with it."

Front row, Tessan whipped around at the whispers, eyes locking on Dave like a heat seeking missile. She flipped her hair, lips curving into that practiced smile as he passed.

The pack didn't acknowledge the teacher. They claimed the back row like it was their throne.

Ryder dropped into a seat, still tossing the ball.

Dave slid in beside him long legs stretching out, slouching back, hoodie riding up just enough to flash a strip of hard lower abs when he shifted.

Then his gaze swept the room.

And landed on me.

The air turned arctic and scorching at the same time.

No surprise in those storm-gray eyes. No curiosity. Just raw, simmering irritation... and something darker flickering underneath.

I held the stare chin up, refusing to blink first.

The kitchen argument flashed: his thumb on my pulse, breath against my ear, that almost-kiss that left me throbbing and furious.

His jaw ticked. Once.

I crossed my arms tight enough to push my breasts up against my top and looked away first.

Great. Now I had to deal with him at school too.

The teacher turned to the board.

"Today we start a new project. Biology partners. Topic: osmosis and diffusion. Pairs will present next week."

Groans rippled.

He started calling names.

My attention drifted against my will to the back.

Dave slouched deeper, barely listening, one hand resting on his thigh, fingers drumming slowly. The motion drew my eyes to the thick muscle under grey fabric, the way joggers clung just right when he shifted.

Typical.

Then-

"Dave Walker... and Nina Carter."

My head snapped up.

"You've got to be kidding me," I breathed.

Behind me, Ryder chuckled low.

Dave didn't flinch. Just leaned back further-like the universe had personally offended him by putting us together.

The bell rang minutes later.

Class exploded into chatter.

"Big game tomorrow."

"Ridgewood vs Whitmire SC-rugby finals!"

"Easy win," Ryder called, tossing the baseball high.

A shadow fell over my desk.

I looked up.

Veronica Hill.

Arms crossed under her chest, pushing cleavage higher, smug smile already weaponized.

"Well, well," she purred loud enough for half the room to hear. "Look at you, Nina. Snagging the hottest partner in class."

I didn't stand. "It's random assignment, Veronica."

"Sure it is." She leaned in, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper that still carried. "Because you definitely didn't beg the teacher to pair you with Dave. Everyone knows you're desperate for his attention... maybe desperate to get under him too."

Heat crawled up my neck anger, embarrassment, and something traitorous that made my thighs squeeze together at the mental image.

"You think I want anything to do with him?" I snapped.

Veronica laughed sweet poison. "Oh please. You've been eye f*****g him since day one. Just don't be surprised when he doesn't notice. He has better options." Her eyes flicked toward Tessan, then back. "We have cheer practice after recess. Don't be late... again."

She sauntered off, hips swaying.

Tessan leaned forward. "She's such a bitch."

"I know."

Something hard cracked against the back of my head.

"Hey!"

I spun.

Dave still in his seat casually caught the baseball that had just bounced off my desk and rolled to the floor.

"Oops," he drawled, voice low and lazy. "Wrong target."

Fury ignited in my chest.

"You did that on purpose!"

I shoved my chair back, ready to march over and

Tessan grabbed my wrist. "Nina. Don't."

"I swear I'm going to "

"Not now," she hissed. "Don't ruin your chances."

"I don't have chances with him," I muttered through gritted teeth.

Still, I forced myself to sit.

From the back row, Dave watched the whole thing-eyebrow lifted, lips curved in faint, mocking amusement.

I glared.

"You're an asshole."

His gaze dropped-slowly-to my mouth. Then lower. Lingering on the way my crossed arms pressed my breasts together, the rapid rise and fall of my chest.

The mate spark flickered hot, insistent, racing under his skin like a current straight to his core.

He didn't smile.

Just held my stare a beat longer long enough for heat to pool between my thighs before looking away like I was beneath his notice.

I grabbed my bag, stood.

"Come on," Tessan said, tugging me toward the door.

As we left, she glanced back and smiled at Dave.

He gave her a lazy, fake smile in return.

Which somehow pissed me off even more.

The hallway felt too small, my skin too tight, pulse still hammering from that one lingering look.

Paired with Dave Walker.

For a whole damn project.

This was going to be hell.

The kind of hell that felt dangerously close to something else.