💘 HIS RELUCTANT MATE 💘 (Hate To Love You)

Crazy pants

CHAPTER THREE >>>

_JAYDEN’S POV_

"Let me go, or the next one goes straight into your mouth," she muttered, daringly.

My hands dropped from her collar as I wiped my face, seething with rage.

"Punk," she added with a final glare before turning away, leaving me fuming with disgust. I nearly retched.

I wiped the spit off with a handkerchief and tossed it aside, jaw clenched tight. By the time I turned back, the girls were already gone. My eyes flicked to my shattered windshield, and a slow, wicked smirk curved my lips.

"I'm going to ruin her. I swear it. She's going to regret ever crossing me," I muttered darkly, venom lacing every word.

Oddly, my wolf remained calm.

That was unusual. Jake hated being challenged—hated disrespect, especially from a female. Under normal circumstances, he’d be raging, clawing for dominance. But now? Silence.

Almost as if reading my thoughts, his voice finally echoed through our mind-link.

‘This could’ve all been avoided if you’d just apologized when she asked nicely.’

‘And why the hell would I apologize? It’s not like I killed someone! No one f**king died!’ I snapped, disbelief coloring my tone. My own wolf was siding with that human?

‘You got her friend hurt. And she’s not like the others. You should’ve seen that coming. Honestly, I’m just glad she didn’t aim for your d**k,’ Jake added with a hint of amusement.

Rage flared in my chest. My wolf. Was. Laughing.

Fury surged through me like wildfire. I slammed my hands against the car’s hood with a force that left a dent in the metal. A loud bang echoed across the lot, drawing the attention of nearby students.

Craig gave a low whistle. "Damn, Wolfie. That car didn’t deserve that."

"Chill, man. You’re causing a scene," he added, flashing a charming smile at the gawking bystanders.

Gabby let out a long sigh. "Honestly? You were in the wrong, Jayden. You almost hit her friend. You should’ve just apologized."

My head snapped toward him, eyes glowing faintly with fury. "Whose f**king side are you on? Mine or hers?"

Gabby raised his hands in surrender. "Neither. Just telling the truth."

Nikki remained silent, his gaze unreadable as he watched us.

"Ride’s over. We’re heading back," I growled, sliding into the driver’s seat and starting the engine.

Craig chuckled, shaking his head. "Close to 500 grand just to replace that window—crazy pants really did you dirty."

Nikki climbed into the car without a word. I peeled out of the lot, tires screeching, not giving a damn about leaving Gabby and Craig behind.

They could find their own way back to the hostel.

They deserved it for taking her side.

In the rearview mirror, I caught one last glimpse of them standing there, dumbfounded.

"Wolfie! Jayden!" Gabby called after me, but I didn’t stop.

I didn’t care.

They could walk or flag down a cab.

Right now, the only thing I could think about was revenge.

She was going to pay for humiliating me.

And I was going to enjoy every second of it.

The entire drive back was a blur.

Every turn of the wheel felt mechanical, each breath heavier than the last. My wolf still wouldn’t shut up, rambling on with amusement instead of fury—so I did what I always did when I couldn’t handle his voice. I shut him out completely.

Silence.

Finally.

I pulled into the parking lot behind the hostel and slammed the car door harder than necessary. Nikki trailed behind, silent as always—cool, unreadable, the calm to my storm.

I didn’t stop to talk. I made a beeline straight to my sculpting room.

I needed space.

I needed control.

I needed to destroy something that didn’t talk back.

I was so goddamn angry, I couldn’t even stand the thought of someone telling me I should’ve apologized to that lowly little human. The audacity. The nerve she had. The way she looked at me like I was nothing.

I was going to make her beg. On her knees. She’d wish she’d never crossed paths with me.

I could already picture it—that spark in her eyes dimming the moment she realized who I really was. The fear. The regret. She’d learn. They all did.

I’d find her.

And I’d make her life a living hell.

I was still caught in the heat of that thought when the door to my sculpting room flew open.

“Wolfie... I want you to deal with someone for me,” Clara said, stepping in like she owned the place.

I didn’t even glance at her. “Get out. I’m not in the mood.”

“But—”

“Out. Now,” I snapped, cutting her off coldly.

She froze for a second, then scurried out like the coward she was.

Good.

I didn’t want anyone near me. Not until I calmed the storm inside.

Not until I find her.