Chapter 3

"What the hell are you doing to me?"

Slade's voice came out harsher than he intended.

There was no answer.

The girl in his arms remained unconscious, her head resting against his chest as he carried her through the trees. Her hair brushed his jaw with every step, and the faint scent of her blood mixed with something that made his wolf restless.

His mate.

The word irritated him every time it surfaced.

He looked down at Sorscha's face.

She looked far too peaceful for someone who had nearly gotten herself killed.

Slade adjusted his hold when her body shifted.

Her eyes fluttered open for barely a second.

"Slade?" Sorscha whispered and Slades's steps faltered.

His name left her lips so softly that his body betrayed him.

A sharp pulse of heat went through him, and his cock twitched against his trousers.

His wolf practically surged against his skin.

Mine.

"Shut up," he muttered, though he wasn't sure whether he was speaking to the wolf or himself.

Sorscha's fingers curled tighter into his shirt, still unconscious and that only made it worse.

He looked down at her.

She didn't seem aware of what she was doing. Her grip tightened as if she were afraid he'd let her fall.

By the time Blackthorn's lights came into view through the trees, Slade had convinced himself of one thing.

He wasn't doing this for her.

He was doing it because dead students created problems.

The infirmary was almost empty when he pushed through the side entrance.

A middle-aged healer looked up from her desk and immediately frowned.

"What happened?"

"Forest."

That was all Slade gave her.

Her eyes dropped to the unconscious girl in his arms.

"Put her here."

He lowered Sorscha onto the nearest bed and stepped back.

The healer carefully examined her ankle, then her ribs, then the scratches along her arms.

Her expression changed.

"What?"

Slade's voice was impatient.

"She should have a fractured ankle."

"So?"

"It's not fractured."

The healer said pressing her fingers gently against the swelling.

"But it was when I brought her in."

The woman looked at him.

"I've never seen an injury close this quickly without magic."

Slade nodded slowly and turned toward the door.

He made it halfway down the corridor before stopping.

His chest tightened.

For one brief second, he could feel her through the bond.

Slade closed his eyes.

"Damn it."

---

[SORSCHA'S POV]

I woke up with a pounding headache.

For a few seconds, I stared at the unfamiliar ceiling above me.

Then everything came back.

I pushed myself upright too quickly and winced.

My ankle barely hurt.

"How long was I out?"

The healer sitting beside the bed glanced up from her notes.

"A few hours."

I was about to ask who brought me in when Slade walked in and the healer immediately left, giving us a space of ourselves.

His expression was unreadable, but the moment our eyes met, the bond pulled tight.

My wolf reacted immediately.

Mine.

I hated how quickly she responded to him.

Slade's jaw clenched.

"You're awake."

"You brought me here."

"Unfortunately."

The word stung more than it should have.

I pushed the blanket aside and lowered my feet carefully.

"You felt it. Didn't you?" I asked because I needed to be sure.

"What?"

"The bond."

His face went completely still.

"You knew."

"So?" Slade said in a tone that made me flinch.

"So.. we...we're mates." I stuttered and he started laughing.

His laughter held no humor.

"Don't say that." he said when he was done laughing.

"Why?"

"Because I don't want to hear it." He glared, stepping closer.

"You're an Omega."

"I clearly know what I am." I raised my chin.

"Do you?"

His gaze travelled over me, cold and dismissive.

"Because you seem to have forgotten your place."

Something inside me snapped and I spat:

"I didn't ask to be your mate."

"Neither did I."

"Then why are you acting like I chose this?"

His expression darkened.

"Because every time I look at you, I have to remember that the goddess apparently has a sense of humor."

My throat tightened as he moved closer.

"You disgust me." Even as he said those words, his scents messed with my head.

"You think being my mate makes you important?" Slade scoffed and I shook my head vigorously, trying to stop tears from spilling.

He leaned closer, his voice dropping.

"Good, because it doesn't."

Slade straightened.

"Stay away from me." He warned lastly and stormed out.

---

Someone had invited half the academy to a party.

I almost ignored it but I needed something to loosen up.

I changed into a black bustier top and a mini short. I pulled my hair back loosely, slipped into my sneakers, and stared at myself for a second.

I wasn't going to hide because of him.

The party was already crowded when I arrived.

I had barely taken three steps when someone bumped into me.

"Watch it, Omega."

I looked at the girl.

"You walked into me."

She laughed like I had complimented her and wandered away. She's definitely drunk.

"Damsel"

A male voice came from behind me.

I turned.

Caelan held out his hand.

"Dance with me."

"Why?" I teased placing my hand in his.

"Because I asked."

"And if I say no?"

"Then I'll ask again."

The moment Caelan pulled me onto the dance floor, I felt something piercing on me.

I turned sharply only for me to catch Slade staring at me. His expression was something I have never seen before. He looked like he would let loose at any second.

He stood from his seat, one hand disappearing into his trouser pocket as he stalks toward us with steady, purposeful strides. I keep my gaze on him, watching his every movement and struggling to suck air into my lungs.

I think he would just walk past me like he did the last time or so I wished.

He stopped directly in front of us.

His party jacket stretched over broad shoulders, and I hated myself for noticing how good he looked in it

Disclaimer, that's not me noticing.

Slade's gaze dropped briefly to Caelan's hand and the next thing he did was grabbing my wrist and wanting to whisk me away from here.

"Let go of her." Caelan's voice rose as he caught my other wrist.

"You really don't want to do this alpha prince. Do you?" Slade smirked. There was something mocking in the way he said the title.

"She was dancing with me." Caelen eyes spikes with anger but Slade's eyes never left mine even as he spoke his words.

"Let go of me." I pulled my wrist free from Slade and he stepped back.

His expression softened and remorse seem to flash across his eyes as he finally backed away or maybe I was hallucinating about his expression. Maybe not.

[SLADE'S POV]

After Sorscha, the second person I hated most is Caelen. I'd have ranked Caelen first but his offense isn't as grievous as that of Sorscha. Caelan and I used to be in the Oddson circus until he did that very thing that made us kick him out. He broke our brotherhood code. Yuna had been the only woman I'd ever loved. I gave her everything she asked for and supported her.

Then she'd slept with Caelan behind my back and walked away when I needed her most. I was dealing with my older sister death.

Perhaps, I wasn't lucky when it comes to relationship and that's why I decided to stick to Astrid.

My eyes landed again on Sorscha and Caelan's hand was brushing her skin deliberately. Foolish her, she is not aware.

I nearly choked on my beer when she turned her ass to his groin area all in the name of vibing to whatever shitty song the DJ was playing. She's a pretty cool dancer and hot one, hard to admit.

"Who's she. You've been eye fucking her for a while now" Lysander asked as he refilled my beer.

"Thanks" I ruffled my hair and he leaned even closer.

"Stop deflecting and answer my question" Lysander glared.

"You know that's not going to work on me. I'm not Lucian" I scoffed.

"Stop being a fucker" Lucian rolled his eyes and sank deeper into the couch.

[SORSCHA'S POV]

I needed air.

The music had become too loud and every time I turned around, I seemed to find Slade watching me.

So I slipped through the back doors and stepped into the garden after lying to Caelen I needed to use the rest room.

My eyes are closed as I let the music take me away from my physical shackles.

Music is the only thing that keeps my head afloat and somehow manages to keep the fog at bay.

I didn't hear him approach. I had only noticed him when his shadow fell across me.

My eyes flung open immediately.

Slade pushed away from the tree he'd been leaning against and walked toward me.

The way he stalks towards me is nothing short of a predator. He stops when his chest nearly brushes against mine.

This close, I can breathe the stench of vodka on him, strong and

unyielding like everything else about him.

He’s drunk. No, he’s wasted.

Usually, if someone were to stare at me the way Slade is right now for

more than five seconds, I would be compelled to run away. It’s sinister and filled with so much anger.

"I hate you, Sorscha."

Ouch.

I try to think that I already know that bit of information, that he’s always

made his feelings crystal clear, but hearing him say the words is equal to adding salt straight to my open wound.

"I hate your eyes and your fucking hair." He reached up and caught a strand of my hair between his fingers.

"Then stop touching me," I breathe out.

Slade's fingers lingered for another second before he let the strand fall.

"I should but you keep making yourself noticeable all the fucking time."

"I..i wasn't doing anything."

"You were dancing with him." I thought I saw hurt in his eyes.

"I'm allowed to dance."

"not with that bastard" Slade's voice lowered.

"Go away, Slade." I pushed against him but he grabs me by my wrist and forces me back against him.

"Call my name again" he slurs.

"Slade"

My breathing cuts off when he cradles my cheeks with both his hands

and brushes his lips against mine.

It’s soft, so soft, I think I’m going to die from the feeling of it.

He groans deep in his throat as he possesses my lips.

Tingles erupt down my spine as I open my mouth with a moan. Slade

loses all softness then. His tongue finds mine and he kisses me with a

ferocity that leaves me soundless, breathless, and spineless.

I gripped his shoulders, completely caught off guard by the tenderness that had replaced the hatred in his eyes.

My hands fingered his thick hair

as he grabs my face tighter, kissing me harder and faster.

From the outside looking in, it must seem like he’s sucking my soul out

of my mouth, and that’s probably what he’s doing.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think he’d kiss me, or that he’d be this

passionate about it, as if I was the only kiss that matters in his life and –

As fast as he starts, he wrenches away from me with a deep, pained

growl. My back is still against the tree, my legs shaking, and I couldn’t move if

I wanted to.

He glares down at me like I’m his worst enemy before he drags a hand

through his hair. "Fuck!"

"Fucking fuck."

"What the hell?" I murmur out loud

His eyes met mine again.

Whatever softness had been there was gone.

"Don’t you ever, and I mean ever tempt me again."

"What?"

"Get the fuck out of my sight. Your face disgusts me."

A sob catches in my throat.

I hate him.

I hate him so fucking much.

"Now!" he growls and I don’t have to be told twice as I turn on my heels and run out of the garden.