《She's the luna I want》


 Chapter 1

    Chapter 1


    JACE.


    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡®Alpha, I bumped into Lady Amara. She was running toward the forest line and told me not to follow her.


    I think something happened to her. She looked bad.¡¯


    I kept repeating the warrior¡¯s words in my head as my wolf, Zero, hiked up his speed, heading in the


    direction where we thought we could find her. My heart was pounding too hard, worried that something


    bad had happened to her. And, knowing Amara, she was thest female on the that would seek


    help.


    My name is Jackson Galhart, or you can call me Jace.


    Tomorrow, I will step up as the new Alpha of the ck Shadow Pack, something I have spent my whole


    life preparing for.


    Just a moment ago, I was standing on the training ground, watching as my father, Alpha Jacob Galhart,


    spent thest night of being an Alpha in friendlybat with his most trusted men, his Beta and


    Gamma.


    Pride rose in my chest as I watched my father disy all the skills he learned and acquired through the


    years. He was a great Alpha and even a greater warrior.


    He might be in his forties, but he was still capable of rendering anyone immobile with hisbat skills.


    But with him fighting both Beta Gavin and Gamma Aaron, who were almost on par with him, I doubted


    if any of them would end up submitting. They were by far the best fighters in this pack, and my only


    hope was that I, together with my Beta and Gamma, Tyler, and Austin, would be able to achieve what


    they had, if not surpass them.


    With the passing of the title happening tomorrow, I was supposed to be just taking it easy tonight. I


    blocked off my schedule this afternoon until the ceremony so I could have time for myself before I gave


    my all to this pack, but then one of the warriors reached out to me and told me about seeing Amara in


    the middle of the forest, near the Shadow Academy.


    It had been my mother¡¯s dream to build a fortress for teenagers who would be taught about shifter and


    human ways through a regr high school, and my father, with the support of his closest friends, the


    Alpha Circle, had made it a reality.


    Thus, the Shadow Academy was born.


    Twelve yearster, we had many students who resided within the academy under the protection of our


    pack. Most of the students here were Alpha heirs, including Amara, the firstborn Alpha Female from the


    Blood Moon Pack, Alpha Aeon, and Luna Alexa¡¯s only daughter.


    Amara was only sixteen, the same age as Catherine. And although she started as one of my closest


    friends, puberty tore us apart as I navigated my adolescent years with the males of my age, while she


    became closer with my younger sister.


    But it didn¡¯t mean I wasn¡¯t looking out for her. Amara and I had a special bond since we were pups. I


    had vowed to her that I would mentor her and would always protect her at all costs.


    And an Alpha never backed down with his words, so despite the gap between ustely, my eyes had


    always seen her, even without her knowing it.


    Zero howled to the moon as Amara¡¯s sweet scent hit our nose. I could also feel a sense of fear in her


    aura as we neared the clearing where she was.


    Amara was never one to show fear, even at difficult times. It was the reason why every female her age,


    and even those slightly older, looked up to her for advice.


    But if she was terrified at the moment, I could only imagine what she was going through.


    I found her two hundred meters away from her dormitory, lying on the forest ground, clutching her


    stomach and whimpering in pain.


    I let out a low growl at all the horrible thoughts that crossed my mind.


    Did someone assault her?


    My eyes roamed her body as I walked slowly toward her, hoping that I would not find any traces of


    blood or bruises that would tell me that she had been assaulted.


    Because heaven forbids, I will rip apart the person who touches her.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..


    AMARA.


    I whimpered loudly before breathing through my mouth as I curled my body into a fetal position. I was


    pain in my stomach.


    Shifters rarely have period pains, and I had never experienced one, so I was sure this was not it.


    "Aaaah¡­" I screamed as tears trickled down my face while my teeth chattered. The pain erupted from


    my spine to every bone in my body, and I felt like I was being ripped apart.


    I had no idea how to make the pain go away, but I just wanted it to stop.


    I don¡¯t even know what was happening to me.


    I heard movement in the bushes a few feet away ¡ª twigs snapped, leaves rustled and a wolf''s paws


    thudded against the ground.


    Someone was approaching. Please let it be someone that could be trusted.


    I had no idea why I ran inside the forest at the first sign of pain instead of telling the dormitory


    headmistress. Maybe because I was so used to being the tough one, I thought I could handle anything.


    But all the bravery in me was already slipping away.


    My eyes were blurry from the tears that just kepting, but I could make out an image of something


    approaching.


    A ck wolf.


    An Alpha wolf.


    I swiped the tears with the back of my hand before I pushed myself off the ground so that I ended up on


    all fours before I titled my head in the direction of the wolf.


    "Zero¡­" My voice croaked before my arms buckled and my body stumbled on the ground.


    Zero, the ck wolf, shifted before my eyes and was reced by his human.


    Jace.


    Jace rushed forward and held my arms as he gently lifted my body off the ground, carrying me in bridal


    style. If this were any other time, my heart would definitely flutter at the sight of him being naked, but


    my mind couldn¡¯t think of anything aside from the pain coursing through my whole body.


    "What¡¯s going on? Does it hurt somewhere?" He asked as he walked forward, his voiceced with


    concern.


    "Everywhere hurts."


    "Did someone... did someone assault you?" I saw his eyes dte as his jaw clenched. His grip on my


    body tightened before he pulled me into his chest, that I could hear the heavy beating of his heart.


    "No. I don¡¯t even know what¡¯s happening to me!"


    And then I screamed again! It was so loud that it made Jace stop in his tracks and drop to one knee


    before heid me on the ground.


    "Amara, I think you¡¯re shifting." He told me.


    Shifting? No one should be shifting. It wasn¡¯t even a full moon. But then, there were things in this world


    that couldn¡¯t be exined.


    "I just turned sixteen." I tried to say it in a straight voice.


    "And a firstborn Alpha Female¡­" He added.


    "Only male¡­ shifts¡­ early¡­" I spoke haltingly from the pain.


    In the world of shifters, shifting into our wolves for the first time happens on thest full moon before we


    turn eighteen.


    Except for male Alpha heirs such as Jace. They were expected to shift earlier, around the age of 14 or


    15. But I had not heard of a female Alpha heir who shifted at this age, so I was not sure if he was right


    about this.


    I was still lost in my thoughts when I felt his hand wipe the sweat from my forehead, and my panting


    turned into a soft moan. His touch gave relief to the burn I was feeling inside. "Touch me again, please.


    The burn lessens."


    "Like this?" He ced his palm on my forehead, and I nodded before pushing my head forward to be


    closer to him.


    Jace snaked his arms around my body and adjusted our position. He sat on the grounds, with me


    sitting on hisp ¡ª coiled and cradled like a baby in his arms.


    "We need to take off your clothes, or at least your shorts and your bra, so nothing will restrict you if


    you¡¯re shifting."


    Being naked in the middle of a forest was thest thing I wanted, but I nodded my head. I trusted Jace.


    He would never put me in danger or abandon me.


    As much as I wanted to move, I couldn¡¯t. My face was resting against his neck, seekingfort from


    his body and his scent.


    "Don¡¯t sleep. You need to shift¡­" His voice came out hoarsely.


    "It feels good here."


    "They stay there but don¡¯t sleep. Do you want me to take off your shorts?"

 Chapter 2

    Chapter 2


    AMARA.


    "Then stay there but don¡¯t sleep. Do you want me to take off your shorts? But I have to rip it apart if you


    don¡¯t want to move."


    "Yes, please," I replied in a soft voice.


    ws erupted from his nails before he ripped my shorts open. I felt the air on my ass as he tossed


    away the torn piece of cloth before his hand went up inside the back of my shirt.


    "I will just unsp your bra¡­"


    I nodded my head again with my eyes closed as I tried to steady my breathing. The burn was still there,


    but having Jace around helped calm my senses.


    "Shit.." I heard him mutter under his breath as his fingers fumbled on the sp of my bra.


    "Fuck. How on earth do I take this off?" His voice sounded annoyed, and I couldn¡¯t help but smile


    despite the pain in my body.


    I bent my arm and reached for my back, but before I could even touch my bra, I heard a piece of fabric


    rip, and I knew he had destroyed my favorite sea-blue undergarment. Same old Jace ¡ª sometimes he


    would get impatient.


    I lifted my arms and wrapped them around his neck as I hugged him tighter. I just want to go to sleep


    now. "That¡¯s my favorite," I mumbled against his skin.


    "You need to tell me where to buy those, and I¡¯ll buy you a new one. Damn those little clothes, why


    does anyone need to wear them anyway?"


    "Hmmm¡­"


    He untangled my arms from his neck before he held them and withdrew my body away from him. "How


    are you feeling? You look too pale?"


    "I¡¯m so tired and burning¡­"


    "You need to fight it if you want to shift sessfully."


    "It¡¯s painful."


    "What happened to the brave girl I knew who could take down anyone in her way? A little pain and


    you¡¯re giving up? Come on, Amara, you can do better."


    I was about to answer him back when a screeching pain erupted again from my spine as if it were


    being pulled out of my body. I screamed at the top of my lungs before I sank my teeth into his arm,


    biting him hard.


    "Mother fucker!" Jace growled, and it was the first time I heard him growl so loudly that it hurt my ears.


    I snapped out of my senses as my eyes widened, fear flitting in them. My bite must have hurt too much


    because his eyes were dting and his arm was too red with my bite mark. I was sure there were


    wounds as blood was visible in them.


    "I¡¯m¡­" I was not able to finish my words as my face twisted with pain, making me arch my body, and I


    stumbled backward.


    "Amara!" He growled again while I tried to crawl away from him.


    "Stop! Please make it stop! Goddess, please!" I pleaded through my cries and tears began trickling


    down my face as my body stiffened, but my elbows and knees were still buckling.


    Jace crouched in front of me, his eyes dting and his jaw clenching as he cupped my cheeks, his


    thumb brushing against the corner of my mouth. "You¡¯re doing great, brave heart¡­"


    I forced a smile when he used the term he would always call me when we were younger ¡ª when I kept


    climbing those tall trees even though I kept falling on my ass.


    "I don¡¯t know how to be brave tonight. It¡¯s too painful, Jace."


    "I¡¯m here. Do you remember what I always told you when you got scratches and wounds?"


    "The pain will go... away."


    "Right. It will soon be over and you will forget about the pain."


    I nodded my head as I bit my bottom lip a little too hard to suppress my cries.


    "Does your gum itch?"


    I nodded. "It¡¯s painful now¡­"


    "Open your mouth..."


    I slowly parted my mouth and closed my eyes. The pain was still too much, but Jace¡¯s hands on my


    cheeks were making me brave. He didn¡¯t let go and continued to caress my cheeks until I could feel my


    saliva dripping but I couldn¡¯t stop it.


    I heard movement as his hands withdrew, and tears fell from my eyes, although they were closed.


    Did he move back because my saliva was dripping? He was probably grossed out.


    I heard a piece of fabric being torn. I snapped my eyes open and saw him with a piece of my shirt, and


    he gently wiped the drool off the side of my mouth. And it just made me cry harder.


    "Hey, don¡¯t cry. You¡¯re making me feel so useless because I can¡¯t help you." His sounded hurt.


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    If he only knew I was crying because I wasn¡¯t expecting him to do this for me.


    "I promise you, once you meet your wolf, the pain will be worth it. So just hang in there, brave heart."


    He rested his forehead against mine, his peppermint breath fanning against my face. "Zero and I, can¡¯t


    wait to meet your wolf, Amara. I¡¯m sure she¡¯s as beautiful as you."


    Then it happened.


    A screeching pain erupted in multiple ces in my body ¡ª my shoulders, stomach, spine, limbs,


    knees, elbows, everywhere. I just wanted it to end, so I let another torturous scream escape my throat


    before I heard my bones snapping one by one.


    And the gums that had been painful and itchy for a while now began ripping ¡ª something wasing


    out.


    My eyes darted back to Jace as he scooted backward without taking his gaze off me. The wide, smug


    grin on his face and the pride flitting in his eyes gave me the assurance I needed. I was doing things


    right.


    Soon enough, my screaming filled the forest around us until it turned into a howl of triumph. Fur


    sprouted out of my skin, and my face elongated as fangs erupted from my gums.


    Before I knew it, I had already shifted.


    "Holy mother fucker! You¡¯re a ck wolf!" Jace eximed. His eyes rounded in awe, but he remained


    fixed on his spot.


    My head tilted down to look at my paws.


    He wasn¡¯t lying. I am a ck wolf. An Alpha wolf.


    Ice.


    My wolf¡¯s name was Ice. How ironic was it when I was all ck?


    Ice whimpered and slumped her body to the ground, telling me that she wanted Jace to approach us,


    but since we couldn¡¯t mindlink him, there was no way to let him know we wanted him toe to us.


    This felt so strange. My wolf was so happy to be out and kept chattering in my head while I remained


    silent and still in awe of everything.


    I have a wolf at sixteen.


    Ice tilted her head up, and our eyes locked with Jace¡¯s piercing blue eyes. He was no longer smiling,


    and the brooding Alpha that I see all the time was back.


    Where was the nice Jace earlier, the one that cradled me in his arms?


    ¡®Did we do something wrong, Ice?¡¯ I asked my wolf, confused at the sudden change in his mood.


    Ice didn¡¯t answer and just whimpered.


    And just like in a movie, Jace¡¯s face slowly twitched into a warm smile as he spread his arms open as if


    weing me for a hug.


    "Come here, brave heart. Don¡¯t bezy. Get up and practice walking¡­" His voice sounded excited, and


    it made Ice excited as well. She pushed her body up and bravely threaded her way to Jace, slipping


    and sliding twice before she was able to get her footing.


    "There you go! You¡¯re fucking beautiful! I wish I knew your name. But I guess I have to wait until Amara


    tells me." Jace¡¯s face looked so happy that I had no idea if I should be happy as well or get jealous.


    He liked my wolf, and I wonder when he will look at me that way.


    My name is Amara Grace Mikaelson.


    Firstborn Alpha Female. Sixteen years old. And yes, I¡¯d been harboring a crush on the eighteen-year-


    old, soon-to-be Alpha, in front of me. I had no idea when I started noticing that the hugs I was giving


    him were no longer the brotherly hugs that I was used to, that he had been upying my thoughts


    whenever I was alone, or that I hated all the females throwing themselves at him.


    But I kept it all a secret and acted as if he meant nothing to me.


    No one had to know. Especially not my best friend Catherine - Jace¡¯s younger sister.


    "Would you like to y? Run with me? Every young wolf needs to run after they shift for the first


    time¡­" Jace asked, his hand running and smoothing against my fur, and I was basking in the attention


    he was giving us, even if it was just to my wolf.


    "How about you lick my face if it¡¯s a yes, or push me away if it¡¯s a no? So¡­" He smiled, and his deep


    dimples offset his chiseled jaw.


    Could this male be more handsome than he already is?


    My eyes widened when Ice raised her paws and pushed Jace¡¯s shoulders so that he stumbled


    backward, but she didn¡¯t let go and instead hovered over him.


    ¡®What are you doing? I want to run with Zero!" I snapped at my wolf.


    Oh, Goddess! First day, and I was already fighting with her.


    Ice huffed in my head as if teasing me before her head leaned down and began licking his face.


    Jaceughed heartily before he cupped her jaws while she continued licking his face. "Aren¡¯t you a


    tease?"


    Yup! That¡¯s exactly what I was thinking.


    And I couldn¡¯t stop the smile that formed on my lips this time. Jace seldom smiled at me or anyone


    else, so it warmed my heart that he was smiling andughing at the moment, even if he was sharing it


    with my wolf and not directly with me.

 Chapter 3

    Chapter 3


    JACE.


    Zero spent a long time running around and ying with Amara¡¯s wolf, whose name we didn¡¯t even


    know.


    Amara and I came from different packs, which means mindlink doesn¡¯t work between us and our


    wolves. Although Zero could sense her aura and her emotions, like the excitement she felt at the


    moment, there was no way tomunicate with them.


    But despite that, our wolves seemed to enjoy each other¡¯spany so much that I didn¡¯t even notice


    that we had run too far from her dormitory. I wanted to tell her to turn around, but I had no way to


    We had been running for some time now when my mother¡¯s words dug into my head.


    ¡®Jace?¡¯


    ¡®Mom...¡¯


    ¡®It¡¯s dinner time. Your dad will be here soon. Where did you go?¡¯


    ¡®I went for a run. I think I will miss dinner tonight. Can I make it up some other nights?¡¯ I had no idea


    why I didn¡¯t tell her about Amara¡¯s shifting. Maybe a part of me just wanted to be the only one to know


    at this point.


    ¡®Are you okay?¡¯ She asked, her voiceced with worry.


    ¡®I am. I just want to be alone for now. Tomorrow night, my mind won¡¯t be mine alone anymore once the


    whole pack¡¯s mindlinks are passed on to me.¡¯


    ¡®I understand. Be careful, okay? I will set aside food for you.¡¯


    ¡®Thanks, Mom.¡¯


    ¡®I love you, Alpha.¡¯


    ¡®I love you too.¡¯ I smiled at the warmth of her voice before I cut off our mindlink.


    My mother, Luna ir Galhart, had never seen me pass the little boy that clung possessively onto her


    arms, and although it did suffocate me sometimes, I knew she meant well and had always my best


    interest at heart.


    When Dad finally decided to retire from being an Alpha the moment I turned eighteen, Mom was


    against it. She thought I was still too young to have the responsibility of an Alpha. Not that she thought I


    was not capable ¡ª she just didn¡¯t want to push and force me into taking responsibility if I didn¡¯t want to.


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    But I wanted this.


    And good thing that Dad couldn¡¯t be swayed.


    He was banking on me, and it was now all up to me to prove to my mother that I was prepared to be


    one.


    This Alpha title was the reason I spent my whole life trying to excel at everything I needed to do to


    prepare myself for this day, and I never allowed any females around me to throw me off track.


    I have a loving mother and a smart younger sister. For the time being, having them as the only females


    in my life was enough ¡ª until I met my fated mate.


    Zero stopped running all of a sudden, his paws firmly gripping the ground so he wouldn¡¯t crash into


    Amara¡¯s wolf as she was already slowing down.


    We let her run in front of us so I could see the whole perimeter and make sure she was secured.


    She must be tired as we¡¯ve been running and ying for a long time now.


    I immediately shifted back into my human form and walked around her until I ended up in front of her. I


    didn¡¯t miss her wolf¡¯s eyes as they lingered on my c*ck and I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle before I


    crouched down to the ground.


    "Eyes up here, kitten." I put my hand on her wolf¡¯s jaw and tilted her head. "Are you tired? We¡¯ve been


    running for a while now. You can rest."


    I was not even done with my words when Amara shifted back into her human form.


    Her eyes rounded before she mmed her body against mine, and it caught me off guard. Our bodies


    stumbled backward, but my reflexes were fast enough to secure her in my arms and catch our fall. Our


    bodies were pressed against each other, with her arms in between our chests.


    "I¡¯m naked." Her voice croaked.


    She threw herself on me to prevent me from seeing her naked, but the problem was that my d*ck was


    also naked. And I wasn''t sure it could remainid in the position we were in.


    I nodded my head before I closed my eyes, while she stayed still,ying on top of me. "I know there are


    clothes somewhere here. I¡¯ll pick up one but I need to stand up."


    She moved her body away from me, and I pushed myself off the ground without opening my eyes. I


    only had them open when I was already standing and was sure that she was out of my peripheral view.


    I had no problem with nakedness. I¡¯d seen females naked ¡ª on the few asions that I¡¯d been in bed


    with them and during ordinary days, when they had to shift or during training. I was sure it would be the


    same case for Amara, but I wanted her to befortable and not think I was taking advantage.


    In time, she would get used to being naked around males as she had shifted already. And if she


    became an Alpha, it would be an inevitable thing to do.


    I hissed at the thought of her being the only female and naked in a swarm of male warriors. She might


    be a future Alpha, but she was my little kitten. And I couldn¡¯t believe she was growing up already.


    I rounded the area until I was able to find a spot where clothes were left. There was only one set. It was


    a good thing that the shirt was too big for her, enough to cover up to her thighs.


    I came back to where she was and found her sitting with her back against the tree and her legs pulled


    up against her chest. She rested her chin on her knees as she hugged them. It was great that she


    crossed her ankles, covering her private parts from my view.


    "Here," I told her as I handed her the shirt. I was already wearing shorts.


    "Thanks, Jace." I heard her mumble while I walked to the other side of the tree and rested under it


    while she put on her shirt.


    "What¡¯s your wolf¡¯s name?" I asked.


    "Ice¡­"


    "Beautiful name. And she¡¯s beautiful too."


    "Prettier than me?" She inquired as she took a seat beside me.


    I chuckled as I snaked an arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer to my side. "As pretty as


    you. No need to be jealous of your wolf."


    Sheid her head on my shoulder as she let out a soft cackle. "Well, Zero is more mesmerizing than


    you."


    "Aha! Now that¡¯s not fair! I tried to make you feel good, and you couldn¡¯t return the favor." I snickered


    before my hand slid down to her waist and gently pressed my fingers against her soft skin. I knew she


    was ticklish on this part.


    Her giggles rang in the air as she squirmed beside me. "Stop¡­"


    But it only made me press my fingers harder onto her skin and begin tickling her while my other hand


    held her shoulder, keeping her from getting away from me as weughed together.


    Her body kept squirming and moving until her assnded on myp. My arms automatically wrapped


    around her waist and pulled her closer.


    I stiffened when I realized what I was doing and the position we were in.

 Chapter 4

    Chapter 4


    JACE.


    I stiffened when I realized what I was doing and the position we were in.


    Shit! I needed to stop.


    I did not remove her from myp, and she did not leave either, even after I stopped tickling her. Instead,


    she rested her back against my torso and slightly turned her body to the side so her cheek was resting


    on my shoulder, and her hair, which smelled of strawberries, pressed against my mouth.


    We stayed still in this position until I heard her breathing slow down.


    I let out a deep sigh before I spoke. "I should take you back to the dormitory."


    "How far are we?"


    "Thirty to forty minutes."


    "I don¡¯t think I can wait any longer. I want to sleep, and besides, the main doors are locked. I don¡¯t want


    to ring the headmistress and be interrogated."


    "You¡¯re with me. She won¡¯t argue with that, and besides, you shifted."


    "I don¡¯t want anyone to know I shifted."


    "They will still smell your wolf."


    "I should call Mom and let her know."


    "They¡¯re here tomorrow for my ceremony. You can tell them personally." I told her as I rested my head


    back against the tree, with my hands on the ground, gripping the dirt and earth. I wanted to keep my


    hands off of her.


    I waited for her to reply, and when she didn¡¯t, I tipped my head down to look at her.


    She fell asleep. It was nothing unusual. Females usually pass out after they shifted.


    Amara hadsted more than an hour running, which was already a record for females shifting for the


    first time, but then she was an Alpha Female.


    ¡®And only sixteen.¡¯ Zero growled in my head.


    He was frustrated that he could not connect with Ice, so he kept snapping at me. But what choice did


    we have?


    I adjusted Amara¡¯s position and let her sleepfortably in my arms. My stomach was growling. I


    didn¡¯t have lunch or dinner, but I didn¡¯t want to wake her up, so I sat still and closed my eyes. I would


    let her rest for a while.


    "Jace¡­" A sweet voice woke me up from a deep slumber.


    My eyes immediately snapped open, and my body jolted forward, making whoever was on myp fall


    backward.


    "Fuck!" I growled as I moved and tried to catch Amara, but she was already on the ground,ughing as


    she clutched her stomach.


    My eyes went to her exposed thighs, and if she moved her arms up, I would see something I was not


    supposed to see.


    Eyes on her face, Jace. I kept reminding myself.


    My forehead creased as I leaned forward and pulled her abruptly up from the ground, and my grip


    might be so tight that she grimaced and scowled at me.


    "Careful!" She snapped at me, tugging her arms away from my hold. "I forgot you were grumpy when


    you just woke up."


    "You startled me," I told her as I brushed my hand over my hair. "We should head home."


    "I can¡¯t. It¡¯s midnight."


    "Packhouse is just a 10-minute run from here."


    "Okay. I¡¯ll shift back."


    "Zero can take you on his back. Just hop on him. It¡¯ll be faster than having Ice run with him."


    "Grumpy old man." I heard her mutter under her breath, but I ignored her as I slipped the shorts off my


    body, folded them, and tossed them behind the bushes.


    "Eyes up, Amara. Not on my ass." I told her with a voice devoid of any emotion.


    "You have dimples on your ass." She giggled.


    "I¡¯d been told," I huffed as I crouched on the ground.


    "Who told you? Your girlfriend, or girlfriends?" she asked, her voice mocking me.


    Instead of answering, I shifted into my wolf.


    Girlfriends? I never had one, and I would never have one.


    The only one I wouldmit to is the one bestowed upon me by the Goddess. And I will wait for her,


    even if it takes forever.


    Zero slumped his body down to the ground so it would be easier for Amara to climb.


    "Of course, you will not answer." She huffed. "Mr. Alpha is always too nice not to talk about his


    females."


    I could imagine her rolling her eyes as she climbed on the back of my wolf.


    "You know you can tell me about your females. I can keep secrets, and maybe you can ask me about


    what a female wants in a rtionship. Maybe I can help you." She kept talking as she leaned her body


    forward and wrapped her arms around Zero¡¯s neck.


    Amara.


    Same old Amara. She would always dominate our conversations.


    I smiled despite myself as Zero rose from the ground and prepared to run.


    What made her think that a girl who just turned sixteen could give advice about females and


    rtionships to an eighteen-year-old boy?


    "I¡¯m smarter than my age, just in case you forget." She added, and for a while, I thought she was


    hearing my thoughts.


    But she was right, she was smarter than her age. I couldn¡¯t argue with that.


    ---------------------


    "You did not just walk in naked, with Amara almost naked beside you!" Austin¡¯s voice rang around the


    entrance of the packhouse, and my hand immediately flew to the back of his head, pping him before


    we ended up chuckling.


    Austin was my cousin and would step in as the Gamma of the pack with me tomorrow night, or tonight,


    to be specific.


    "Why the fuck are you still awake?" I asked, and my eyes darted to the big wall clock that read two


    o¡¯clock in the morning.


    "I just came home¡­" He winked at Amara, who had her arms crossed against her chest.


    "You will have a ceremony tomorrow, and you went out partying?" Amara asked him.


    "I have to be responsible starting tomorrow, so I went out and celebrated, which was the exact same


    thing you did. So you¡¯re no good too." He smirked before turning serious and shifting his gaze between


    me and Amara. "So, did you two... cross the friendship line?"


    "Fuck you. I¡¯m not like you. I don¡¯t bang everyone that wears a skirt." I scowled at him before taking


    Amara¡¯s hand and tagging her along with me as we headed for the stairs on the back side going to the


    basement.


    "Besides, I don¡¯t wear skirts," Amara added, giggling.


    I heard Austinugh. "She just turned sixteen, Jace! Uncle Aeon will kill you."


    Amaraughed beside me as we threaded down the stairs with our hands sped together.


    ¡®Amara shifted. She doesn¡¯t want anyone to know yet. So stop spreading rumors, or I will cut your balls


    and give them as a gift to thest female you fucked.¡¯


    ¡®You¡¯re fucking gross, man. But she shifted? At sixteen? Wow! She¡¯s a fucking Alpha!¡¯


    ¡®Where have you been, man? Everyone knows she¡¯s a fucking Alpha.¡¯


    ¡®I know. I just want to say it out loud. Anyway, I¡¯m off to bed. I just want to remind you again, that she is


    sixteen years old, so if you have any thoughts of...¡¯


    ¡®Fuck off and sleep.¡¯ I growled at him and cut off the mindlink at the same time we entered theundry


    area in the basement.


    "What are we doing here?" Amara asked.


    "Here." I handed her the Tweety Bird pajamas that belong to Catherine. "So you can sleep better


    because I don¡¯t know how many shifters have worn that shirt you¡¯re wearing."


    "Seriously? Is Catherine still wearing this? We went shoppingst week for nicer nightwear."


    "That will do for tonight. I had no ns on rummaging through my sister¡¯s skimpy and sexy pajamas."


    "Fair enough. So, can you turn around so I can change?"


    "Nah, I¡¯ll go and wait for you outside this room." I grabbed my sweatpants and walked out of the


    After I put on my pants, I went to the cupboard where extra toothbrushes and toothpaste were kept and


    took one set for her.


    "Am I sleeping in your room?" She asked as I handed them to her.


    I shook my head. "If we overslept, I¡¯m sure it will not do us good."


    "I used to sleep in your room."


    "Yes, you did, when you were seven, and I¡¯m ten. Not when you have boobs and periods already. The


    She giggled softly before responding. "You¡¯re no fun. I was just kidding. I can crawl into Catherine¡¯s


    bed."


    "You can take the guest room. She locks her room. Besides, if I¡¯m grumpy when I wake up¡­ You


    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    should know¡­"


    "That Catherine is the devil when her sleep is interrupted." She finished the words, and we both ended


    up chuckling.


    It had been a long time since I had a moment with Amara alone. And it felt good that being with her felt


    like there was no gap or missed time between us.


    "Come now, kitten. You need to sleep. Or do you want to eat first? My stomach was growling the whole


    night."


    "Of course eat! Is that even an option? I¡¯m famished!" She yfully red at me.


    "Yup. Let¡¯s go eat then!"


    "Race you to the kitchen, rockstar!" She eximed, using the nickname she gave me when we were


    younger, before dashing off towards the stairs.


    I couldn¡¯t help but shake my head and cackle as I ran after her, but knowing fully well that I would just


    let her win this race like the old times.

 Chapter 5

    Chapter 5


    ALMOST TWO YEARS AFTER.


    JACE.


    I climbed out of my four-wheel drive and adjusted my sunsses before heading inside the packhouse.


    It was fucking hot this afternoon, and I wanted to dip in the pool.


    I had our packhouse extended and rebuilt to make the indoor pool bigger, so I had a ce to hang out


    with the Alpha Circle.


    At this point in our lives, only a few of us were Alphas and the rest were still waiting for their fathers to


    hand down the title.


    All of my friends were Alphas of the South. I was the only one on the East Coast, and because my


    territory was big and too far from the South, I refused to leave it for a while, as I didn¡¯t have the luxury


    of time to travel back and forth just to see them. So instead, I forced them to see me from time to time


    and spend a day or two here so we could all catch up with each other.


    I tossed my sses and shirt, which I had pulled off my body on the couch, down the hallway of the


    heard giggles ringing in the air. Someone got in there before me, but I wanted to check to see if they


    were done already.


    I heard footsteps behind me before I could reach the extension to the pool. "Do you want to swim?"


    I tilted my head back to look at my Beta, Tyler, and my forehead creased at the sight of him carrying


    two tall sses of fruit smoothies.


    "Catherine asked you again instead of the Omegas."


    "No problem, man. I volunteered."


    I just nodded my head as we swung into the corner and the indoor pool came into view.


    Catherine was in the pool and immediately climbed out when she saw us. While Amara was standing


    there looking at her with her back to us. Her round ass was in my view.


    She was wearing a white string bikini that hid almost nothing. I¡¯d seen her many times in those bikinis,


    but this was definitely skimpier than thest one.


    This one looked like a fucking string with just a little piece of cloth attached to it.


    And I should stop staring.


    "There¡¯s my smoothie! What took you so long?" Catherine took the long ss from Tyler before


    mouthing a thank you to him.


    "The omegas are upied, so I had to do it myself."


    "Aren¡¯t you a sweetheart, Beta Tyler?" Amara said as she took a ss from him. "That¡¯s why Catherine


    is taking advantage of you."


    Of course, everyone knew that what Catherine wants, Catherine gets. She had an innocent smile and


    puppy eyes that could make anyone obey even her most absurd request. And Tyler wasn¡¯t immune to


    it.


    "Exactly." I shook my head before I faced Catherine. "How many times do I have to tell you, Tyler is my


    Beta, not your errand boy¡­"


    Catherine swallowed as her eyes turned ssy, and I knew what woulde next.


    "It¡¯s okay, Alpha. I¡¯m notining. I¡¯m done with my task, and¡­"


    I raised my hand to stop him from talking. Growing up, this was the scenario all the time. Tyler always


    had her back, and she was taking advantage of it.


    "I didn¡¯t force him. I asked if he could... I didn¡¯t order." Catherine stated as she looked at my Beta as if


    she was asking help.


    "It¡¯s okay. Seriously. Let¡¯s move on." Tyler looked at me, and I knew this look was a plea to let it go.


    "Are you done with the pool?" I asked instead, crossing my arms against my chest as my eyes shifted


    from my sister to Amara.


    "Flexing your muscles won¡¯t help you from throwing us out of the pool. We just started." Amara said.


    "Why are you here anyway? It¡¯s the weekend. You should be driving home." I asked her.


    Amara was in herst year in the academy, and she would usually head home on weekends.


    "Catherine wants to hang out," she answered back.


    "And where are Amber and Cassidy?" The other two females with whom they spend the majority of


    their time.


    "Cassidy is at the dorm. She needs to finish some project due on Monday." Catherine answered.


    Among the four of them, Cassidy was the most serious when it came to studying. But all of them were


    doing so well at school that I had noints at all. So I just let Catherine do whatever she wanted


    since she was in goodpany.


    "While Zach picked up Amber, and they¡¯re heading home," Amara added as she bent directly in front of


    me to pick up her drink from the low table, and I was sure she hiked up her ass a bit so I could see it.


    "You mean Amber demanded Zach pick her up, drive twenty-six fucking hours back and forth when she


    could have taken the train to head home or used her car to drive on her own?"


    "Zach is gentlemanly enough to do it. Unlike you, who snapped at everything. Goddess, Jace, loosen


    up." Amara rolled her eyes at me before sipping her smoothies, and my eyes got stuck on her lips


    because of the way she was sucking the straw.


    "Well, Zach wasn¡¯t forced to pick her up. And I think he likes being Amber¡¯s bodyguard." Catherine


    defended her.


    "Like you self-proimed Beta Tyler as yours?" Amara teased her.


    Tylerughed, but he didn¡¯t say anything. I knew my sister and him had been inseparable since birth,


    but I was not worried. Tyler was like me, he would never cross any lines with Catherine. And I would


    never trust Catherine with anyone as much as I trusted him with her.


    Only my Gamma was a man-whore here, and I was grateful that he was my cousin, so all the females


    in the packhouse were his rtives.


    "I¡¯m the only one without a bodyguard." Amara huffed.


    "You¡¯re probably stronger than any warrior that will be assigned to you," Tyler told her.


    "Except if he¡¯s an Alpha." Her eyes locked with mine, and I saw the mischievousness flitting in them.


    "Would you like to be my bodyguard, Jace?"


    "Alpha Jace, Amara." I corrected her.


    "He¡¯s so grumpy." I heard Cathrine murmur to Tyler.


    "Nope. Not calling you Alpha. You can wish that to the Goddess, but it¡¯s not happening. I¡¯m an Alpha


    too."


    "But you address Tyler as Beta, and Austin as Gamma Austin?"


    "If that makes you jealous, then maybe you should step down and be a Beta instead."


    I shook my head. It was a mistake to argue with Amara. I turned around and raised my hands in the air,


    ready to walk away from them. "I¡¯m out of here. Have¡­"


    I heard small and hurried footsteps behind me, and before I could figure out what was happening, my


    body was already flying towards the pool and creating a big ssh when Inded.


    "Mother fucker!" I growled the moment I surfaced out of the water.


    I squinted my eyes and looked at the two giggling females by the side of the pool.


    I usually don¡¯t have time for this, but since I have no work on the line at the moment, maybe it was time


    for a payback.


    I swam to the end of the pool and pushed my body up to climb out of it. Catherine and Amara shrieked,


    their eyes widening as they scrambled on their feet to run away from me.


    "Mission abort! Alien on the loose!" Amara shrieked as she giggled loudly and ran away from the area,


    while Catherine dashed to where Tyler was. And my fucking Beta knew where his loyalty lies - to the


    females of my family.


    He blocked my view of Cathrine, and I knew it was no fun arm wrestling with my Beta, so I chose the


    other option for revenge.


    Find the little cat who thought she could toss me into the pool without facing any consequences.


    "I¡¯ll get back to you, stinky!" I pointed at my sister, my eyes squinting before I spun my body around and


    walked to the direction where Amara head off, not minding that I was dripping water.


    "I don¡¯t stink!" Catherine yelled before Tyler¡¯sugh erupted in the air. I knew Catherine would be


    pissed off. Well, she started this.


    "I hate you, Jackson Galhart!" Catherine¡¯s scream reached my ear as I rounded the corner.


    It made me snicker. I had no reason to call her stinky, as Catherine was very high maintenance when it


    came to hygiene, but I just wanted to rile her up today.


    Now, where the fuck did Amara hide?


    Her sweet scent was so strong that even the chlorine mixture in the pool water didn¡¯t keep me from


    tracking her. I climbed down the stairs to the basement and opened the empty built-in closet at the far


    end, near theundry area. I found her on the top shelf, trying to fit herself in there.


    "Seriously, Amara? Get out there!" My brows furrowed before I motioned with my hand.


    "No. Not until you promise me you won¡¯t throw your wrath at me."


    "One!" My voice was slightly higher. "Two!"


    "Go away, Jace!" She red at me.


    "We¡¯re too old for hide and seek. Get the fuck out of there! If that copsed, you will spend the next few


    days fixing it, and I willmand everyone not to help you at all."


    "You¡¯re no funl!" She snapped at me before scooting her body forward so that she was now sitting on


    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    the edge with her legs hanging. "Catch me, I¡¯ll jump."


    "What? No way. You went up there on your own, now get back down¡­" I was not done with my words


    yet when my eyes widened and a growl escaped my throat.


    Amara jumped out of the closet, which was just eight feet off the ground, but she jumped right in my


    direction, so I was left with no choice but to catch her in my arms.


    "What the fuck were you thinking? We could have fallen and bumped our heads!"


    Sheughed heartily as her arms were locked on my neck and her legs wrapped around my hips, and I


    was very much aware she had a skimpy swimsuit. The tops of her breasts were shing right before


    my eyes.


    "And then we¡¯ll die and go to heaven. Correction, I will go to heaven, and you will go straight to hell.


    End of our story. Too bad you didn¡¯t even get the chance to meet the mate you¡¯ve been waiting for all


    your life." Herst words were full of sarcasm.


    I steadied my breathing as I tried to control myself.


    I knew I said I would wait for my mate, but that didn¡¯t mean females had never affected me. And Amara


    was so good at doing that.


    But I kept praising myself for my self-control, but the position we were in was too much.


    "You¡¯re having a hard-on, Jace."


    Shit.


    My lips pursed into a thin line, and I smiled at her before I spoke. "So better get off me so it won¡¯t get


    harder."


    "No. It feels good here." She chuckled softly and wiggled her ass, rubbing my erection slightly.


    "Amara¡­" I groaned. "I¡¯m going to drop you."


    "You can let go, and I¡¯ll still cling in here. I¡¯m good at that."


    I swallowed hard, contemting if I should drop her or remain in this position and just think of


    something else to calm my dick.


    But my mind refused to go somewhere else.


    "Cut it off, Amara. This is not funny anymore."


    She giggled and scrambled out of my hold. I let her go and let out a deep breath. I was not sure if the


    sigh was out of relief or disappointment.


    She ced a finger on my lips before she spoke, her eyes flitting with mischievousness. "Thank you for


    letting me get away without any punishment, Jace."


    I raised my brows, but I remained silent. I just wanted her to get away from me. Which she would


    usually do when I refused to acknowledge her.


    But it looked like she had no ns today. She removed her fingers from my lips and rose on her toes,


    and soon, her lips were brushing lightly against mine.


    I should have stepped back, but I didn¡®t. I remained frozen in my spot.


    She was teasing me. Like she was doing for thest two years.


    I wanted to close my eyes as her soft lips began sucking my bottom lip, but I didn¡¯t. I knew if I closed


    my eyes, I would lose it. So I just let her do what she wants while praying she would not press her front


    against mine because my dick was already painfully hard.


    Amara had never gone this far. She would hug and flirt with me, and she would steal kisses when no


    one was looking, but never this way.


    And I was slowly losing control. But I knew I shouldn¡®t.


    If I thought she would leave because of myck of response, I was wrong again. Her arms coiled


    around my neck as she withdrew her mouth from mine. Her hand went to my face as she trailed her


    fingers down my eyebrows and to the bridge of my nose.


    "I don¡®t know how you can control yourself so much. If I do this with other guys, I¡¯m sure I¡¯d already be


    pinned against the wall."


    I cleared my throat before I smirked at her. "Perhaps that¡®s why you enjoy doing this to me because I


    never budge."


    "Maybe..." she said it seductively while her fingers were ying on my lips.


    "I should ask for payment every time you steal kisses from me." I chuckled, trying to hide her effect on


    me. My eyes were just staring at her while she stared at my lips.


    "Name your price, Jace. I saved up so much I¡¯m sure I can pay you." She answered in a hoarse voice,


    and I was just about to counter her when all of a sudden her mouth crashed against mine.

 Chapter 6

    Chapter 6


    JACE.


    "Name your price, Jace. I saved up so much I¡¯m sure I can pay you." She answered in a hoarse voice,


    and I was just about to counter her when all of a sudden her mouth crashed against mine.


    For a long, suspended moment, I was left frozen in my spot, contemting, unsure of whether I wanted


    to pull her body away from mine or hold her tightly.


    She was crossing the line, and for some reason, I was just letting her.


    I closed my eyes as her soft and warm lips devoured mine, and I knew my control was slowly slipping


    away.


    My chest rumbled with a low growl as my hands cupped her ass and lifted her off the ground, while her


    legs automatically wrapped around my waist. My hand then moved to the back of her head, pressing


    her closer while holding her in ce, before my lips finally gave in and opened.


    I heard her sudden intake of breath before her hands grabbed my hair and pulled them tightly as she


    moved her lips against mine and kissed me as if she had no ns of letting go.


    And I was doing the same thing.


    I was kissing Amara as if I owned her lips and I was gripping her ass as if they were made for my


    hands.


    I moved swiftly until I was able to m her back against the cold walls of the basement and press my


    body onto hers.


    She began moving her hips, grinding her front into my growing erection, and I felt like cold water had


    sshed all over me.


    This was all wrong.


    I abruptly withdrew my lips from her, and it made her whimper in defiance before she snapped her eyes


    open. Her eyes dted, and the ecstasy present in her face just a moment ago had now warped into a


    scowl.


    "I can smell your arousal, Amara." Fuck! why did I have to say that out loud?


    "And I can feel your hard dick." She replied cockily, her eyebrows hiking up as she stared at my lips.


    "Exactly. We need to stop."


    "And why?"


    "Amara, enough." I dropped her to the floor, but her arms remained locked around my neck.


    "You want me, Jace. I see it in your eyes, and I can feel it in the way you kiss me."


    "But it doesn¡¯t mean I woulde and bang you."


    "Goddes, Jace! I¡¯m not even asking you to fuck me! What are you so afraid of?"


    "I¡¯m not your fucking mate!"


    "And so? I¡¯m not saying that I am."


    "Amara, look at you! What makes you think that at seventeen, the man you wanted will be the man


    you¡¯ll want in your twenties? Don¡¯t waste your time." I removed her arms from neck until shepletely


    let go.


    "Did you forget your mother was seventeen when she fell in love with Uncle Jacob? And that Aunt


    Janna was seventeen when she met Uncle Aaron. And do you want more names on the list? There¡¯s


    Aunt Andrea, Aunt Holly¡­"


    "Enough, and don¡¯t you dare forget how my biological grandmother ended up taking her own life! Her


    life was cut short because my grandfather left her for his fated mate! I don¡¯t have fucking time to y


    around just to drop any female the moment my matees around! And you should be doing the


    same fucking thing instead of pushing yourself at me!"


    "What makes you think being chosen is a bad thing?"


    "I just don¡¯t see the need for it! I have a mate!" I brushed my hand over my hair before leaning my hand


    on the wall. "Go, Amara."


    "Then if you want nothing to do with me, then let someone else have me! Stop acting like a possessive


    mate when you never wanted me!"


    My body went rigid at her words. Did she find out?


    "Stop telling every guy in the academy that shows interest in me to fuck off! Stop telling them Alpha


    Aeon will have their heads off because my father will never do that! I can take care of myself, and it


    shouldn¡¯t matter to you if I throw myself at a pack of wolves, because we both know I¡¯m not easy to


    conquer! Stop giving me the idea that you want me for yourself when you don¡¯t!"


    "I only did that because I have your best interest..." My words were cut short when I heard footsteps


    moving upstairs and toward where we were.


    Her chest was still heaving, her eyes ring at me, and if looks could kill, this pack would be left


    without an Alpha today.


    "Calm down..." I told her. Thest thing I wanted was to let anyone know about the conversation


    between us.


    "Amara¡­" Catherine¡¯s voice rang in the air as footsteps grew louder.


    "Here," I answered.


    Catherine came into view. Her eyes were shifting between me and Amara as she walked closer. "Is


    everything alright? Where did you hide this time?"


    "Up in the cupboard," I answered before I turned around and walked towards the stairs. "Tell your friend


    to stop climbing into higher ces."


    I heard Catherine let out a nervousugh before she replied. "Aren¡¯t you the one that told her she can


    keep climbing and aiming for higher grounds?"


    "It¡¯s different now. I won¡¯t be there anymore to catch her if she falls." I answered, and then I was gone


    from the basement.


    I knew my sister meant a different thing, but I meant what I said. Amara needed to stop, and I had to as


    well.


    She crossed the line I¡¯d been trying to avoid since she hit puberty. It was the reason I shifted my


    attention away from her and focused on hanging out with male Alphas.


    I had been attracted to Amara since we were younger. The child crush turned into admiration, but I


    knew better.


    My biological grandmother, Geraldine, was my grandfather¡¯s chosen Luna. They were doing well and


    had a son until his fated mate showed up.


    I had nothing against Jessica, my grandfather¡¯s fated mate. She was a lovely female and someone you


    wished you would have for a grandmother, but she was not mine. And although I loved Jessica, my


    heart grieved for the grandmothers I never met.


    Both my grandmothers were with their chosen before they met their fated mates, and life turned out a


    bit harder because they had chosen mates instead of waiting for their fated ones.


    I wanted Amara, but my desire to make sure I would not break her once my fated mate came along


    was greater than what I felt for her.


    I was just attracted, and the little kitten deserved more than just attraction. And I knew I couldn¡¯t give


    her more.


    But she was right ¡ª I should let her live her life without any interference from me. And I would do that.


    Since she shifted at sixteen, her aura had be stronger, and it was attracting Alpha males left and


    right. I had to use her father¡¯s name to warn them not to touch her because I didn¡¯t want them to think I


    was running after her. Or I had any intentions.


    And I thought it was working because, up until now, no one had been brave enough to court or date


    her, but I had no idea she was aware of what I was doing.


    Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    I punched the tiled walls in my bathroom while I soaked myself under the cascading shower. I knew


    what I needed to do, but I was having a hard time dealing with it.


    The kiss she gave me and the softness of her body awakened something in me ¡ª something I thought


    I could always control.


    I punched the wall once more before I let out a growl and rested my head on it.


    I¡¯m a fucking Alpha. I should act like one.

 Chapter 7

    Chapter 7


    JACE.


    I was in my office with Tyler and Austin. It was Saturday morning, and we never had a concrete


    schedule to follow on weekends, but we all showed up at my office early today and decided to catch up


    with each other¡¯s weeks while waiting for breakfast.


    Austin was still bbering about where he wasst night. We were all twenty years old now, but he


    was the only one with uncontroble hormones. He kept looking for his mate, but couldn¡¯t help picking


    up females to fuck along the way.


    Tyler had been giving me the look the whole time. He had always wanted to snap Austin out of his


    man-whoring ways. But we never interfered. Austin had never neglected his duty and had never faked


    a rtionship to getid.


    He fucks and goes. He only took females that had the same way of thinking as him.


    And it never bothered me at all, as long as he would not bring a female home.


    I had only set two rules for us when ites to females: no ying around with females of our pack,


    and never bringing a female home just for a one-night stand.


    And so far, since none of us were in a rtionship, no one has brought a female home yet.


    Austin¡¯s story was cut off when the door flung open and crashed against the wall, and Catherine


    stepped in, walking straight towards the center of my office with a dark expression on her face.


    "The heck, Cathy. Have you heard of knocking?" I snarled at her.


    "What did you do to Amara?" She asked instead of answering.


    "What? I¡¯ve been here the whole morning, and I haven¡¯t seen her yet." I told her. My forehead creased,


    but my heart began beating erratically. "Is she okay?"


    "She left."


    "And how is that my fault?" I scoffed.


    "After you found her in the basement, she was not in the mood to talk and hang out and refused to say


    anything. She went off to bed without dinner. And now she¡¯s gone."


    I didn¡¯t know that she didn¡¯t attend dinner, as I skipped dinner at home and ate with the warriors at the


    warriors¡¯ cafeteria to avoid her.


    I shrugged my shoulders and leaned back on my chair. "She had probably gone back to the dormitory."


    "She didn¡¯t. I just got off the phone with Cassie, and she¡¯s not there. And she¡¯s not answering my call."


    "I just mindlinked someone from the border," Austin spoke, and all heads turned to him. "She left


    around two o¡¯clock in the morning."


    "Two o¡¯clock!" I growled, and Catherine¡¯s body jolted up in surprise, but she didn¡¯t say anything. "And


    why the fuck did they let her go?"


    "Amara has an Alpha aura, Jace. I¡¯m sure they didn¡¯t allow it, but she has her way of making them


    follow her." Tyler exined, and it made sense. I had known Amara for breaking rules and curfew using


    her Alphamand.


    "And nobody informed us?" I asked.


    "Rx, Alpha. Studentse and go, so I¡¯m sure they didn¡¯t think we needed to be informed."


    "I thought this was part of our security protocol? You need to fucking talk with your men at the border,


    Austin. Amara is a minor, and I don¡¯t fucking care if she¡¯s an Alpha or not. They are not allowed to let a


    minor studying at the academy out of the territory at midnight! And alone!"


    Austin nodded his head.


    "If something happens to them, it will be on us. And if something happened to Amara, I won¡¯t go easy


    on the one that let her pass."


    "Copied, Alpha."


    "Make sure you discuss this thoroughly with them. And if these fucking Alphas usedmand on


    them, they at least have to let us know." I was referring now to all the young Alphas studying at the


    academy.


    "So what are we going to do with Amara?" Catherine broke the tension in the room.


    "I¡¯ll call Uncle Aeon," I answered with a voice devoid of any emotions.


    I was about to pick up the phone when a sweet voice came from the door, and all heads snapped to


    where the voice wasing from.


    "Hi. Breakfast is ready." Davina, my thirteen-year-old cousin and Austin¡¯s only sister was standing by


    the door, smiling widely as she shifted her gaze back and forth to all of us.


    I wanted to smile back, but my head was already spinning with all the negative thoughts in it. If


    something happened to Amara, I don¡¯t think I could forgive myself.


    "You can all go ahead and eat. I¡¯ll call Blood Moon Pack first and check on Amara."


    -----------


    AMARA.


    The music sted out from the radio of my car as I drove on the highway with my windows open. I let


    the wind blow through my sandy blonde hair as I basked in the warmth of the morning sun.


    I left the ck Shadow Pack territory at dawn, and after almost six hours of driving, I was already


    inside our territory, the Blood Moon Pack, and heading for the packhouse.


    I left Jace¡¯s packhouse in the middle of the night, and I didn¡¯t even leave a message to Catherine that I


    was leaving.


    I was so done with Jace and all his bullshit.


    A few months ago, someone told me the Alpha was reminding everyone to back off from me until I


    turned eighteen, as Alpha Aeon would not appreciate it.


    I heard whispers of other Alpha males crushing on me, but I thought they were just hearsay as no one


    had shown real interest in me, only to find out what Jace was doing.


    Which wouldn¡¯t be a problem as I only had my eyes and heart set on him. And I thought, despite the


    aloofness he was showing me, that I was special to him. Why would he push all these males away from


    me if not because of possessiveness?


    But then what happened yesterday was enough to conclude that I was nothing but a regr female to


    him. Someone that could make his cock hard but not enough to keep him interested.


    I pressed the brake pedal after I had driven my car into my allotted parking space. I was just in time for


    breakfast. I just had toe up with a reason why I headed home when I told them I was spending the


    weekend with Catherine.


    "Good morning, everyone!" I eximed excitedly as I took the sunsses off my face and ced them


    on the shelves at the entrance of the dining room. "What¡¯s for breakfast?"


    All heads tilted in my direction, and their faces registered surprise at my appearance. Except for my


    father, Alpha Aeon. He had probably scented me as soon as I stepped inside the house.


    I went directly to where my parents were seated and gave them both a kiss on the forehead before


    sitting down in my designated seat. Soon, an omega approached and handed me my te with


    omelets.


    "What are you doing here?" Alonso asked.


    Alonso was my fourteen-year-old brother and went to the academy as well. He just started this year.


    "If I knew you wereing home, I should have waited for you. Not safe to drive at wee hours of the


    morning." He talked as if he were older than me.


    "Thank you, Scooby! But I can take care of myself."


    "I have to agree with Alonso. Next time, you have to let us know you are arriving. What exactly


    happened? I thought you were staying with Catherine." Mom asked.


    "When did we change the greetings in this house from I¡¯m d you¡¯re home to why are you here?" I


    chuckled at my own words as I began filling up my tes with bacon.


    "Sweetheart, that¡¯s not what I meant," Mom said as she handed me the serving dish for sausages.


    "Why are your eyes puffy? Did you cry?" Alonso asked without taking his focus off the food he was


    Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    eating, and I wondered how he saw my eyes.


    "Probably just the wind, as I kept my windows down."


    "I hope you both know that Mommy still gives unlimited kisses and hugs for boo-boos," she said.


    "Mom¡­" I rolled my eyes, but I couldn¡¯t help but smile. I was sure a pep talk wasing.


    "I¡¯m not sure it¡¯s still unlimited. The old man there is getting grumpier and more selfish and wants all the


    kisses to himself." Alonso stated before he nced at my father.


    I chuckled because he was right. Dad still couldn¡¯t get enough of Mom, and if she spent too much time


    with us, especially at bedtime, he would appear like a grinch and steal our Christmas.


    "d you know where you stand, son." Dad chuckled.


    "I do, Dad. Besides, I¡¯m too old for hugs and kisses." He grimaced and feigned puking.


    "But it doesn¡¯t mean you can¡¯t tell me what¡¯s going on with your lives already. So, fess up, youngdy.


    Why are you home?"


    "Let it go, love. She will tell you when she¡¯s ready, or maybe there¡¯s really nothing to tell except that she


    misses home." Dad came to the rescue.


    "Thanks, Dad." I smiled warmly at him while doing my best not to get teary-eyed.


    "It¡¯s enough for me that you both always want toe home here, with or without any reason." He


    added.


    "Amara will, of course. She¡¯s the next Alpha of the pack. She can¡¯t go anywhere." My brother stated.


    "Is there bitterness in there?" I asked.


    "Seriously, no. I just hate that people keep teasing me for being a reserve. I don¡¯t want the Alpha post.


    It¡¯s all for Amara, and I just want them to back off and leave me to do my own thing."


    Here I was, thinking my situation was cruel and Jace was a total asshole, without even knowing what


    my brother was going through.


    Almost all Alphas were male. And regardless of whether the Alpha family has female firstborns, the


    Alpha title is mostly passed on to the first male in the family. But Dad had been vocal since day one


    that the Alpha title was mine.


    And Alonso warmed up to that idea, and I knew he was okay with it. Until he enrolled in the academy,


    where most Alpha males were taking stakes in the Alpha title from their families. Andtely, he has


    been bullied and addressed as the reserve Alpha.


    I wished I could give him the Alpha title, but I wanted this too.


    "I¡¯m sorry, Scooby." And I meant it.


    "Not your fault. I¡¯m just fed up." He smiled at me but I saw the pain in his eyes.


    "Do you want to discuss this with me after breakfast, Uno?" Dad asked.


    Alonso nodded his head. Which I expected. Dad never sugarcoated his words, and my brother always


    fared better with that.

 Chapter 8

    Chapter 8


    AMARA.


    "Okay, youngdy. Tell me what happened?" Mom stepped inside my room as soon as I let her in and


    sat on the foot of my bed. I was inside my nket with no ns of getting up.


    "What do you mean what happened?" I asked as if I had no idea what she wanted to know. I was just


    buying time because, up until now, I didn¡¯t know what to tell her.


    It was just five o¡¯clock in the morning, and I was supposed to be on my way back to the ck Shadow


    Pack so I would not miss my first ss at nine o''clock.


    "You told me yesterday that you would drive early today, so I let Gamma Edward drive Alonso alone


    "We don¡¯t have sses today."


    "That¡¯s not what you told mest night."


    "Can I skip school?" I asked almost immediately, biting my bottom lip as I waited for her response.


    "Only if you tell me why."


    "Mom¡­"


    "Am I failing you as a mother? I¡¯m not even going to ask for details, just any vague idea that you can


    give me will be enough."


    I sat up and pulled my knees to my chest before I hugged them.


    "You know I never got a moment like this with my mother. I wish I had, then I could tell her even those


    little things that made me cry."


    "Mom¡­" I didn¡¯t want her to feel bad, but I also didn¡¯t want her to know what happened to me. A part of


    me was embarrassed by the rejection. I didn¡¯t want them to see me as weak.


    "Or those people who make my life a living hell. So don¡¯t take this moment for granted. Because not


    everyone has a mother, or even if they do, some mothers don¡¯t even care. I will be thest person to


    judge you, Amara."


    "I¡¯m okay, it¡¯s just that¡­ I had a bad week."


    "I want to believe you, but you didn¡¯t sound like you were having a bad week when I talked with youst


    Friday. Something happened between that time and when you came home."


    I let out a deep sigh.


    "Fine. Catherine and I had a fight." I blurted out.


    I hope Catherine will forgive me. Because I had no idea why I kept protecting Jace, the asshole.


    "This is not the first time, so I¡¯m sure it will be fixed. Right, you want to fix this?"


    I nodded my head and felt guilty for lying. "Please don¡¯t ask why."


    "I hope it¡¯s not over a guy because no guy is worth ruining your friendship with Catherine." She let out a


    deep breath and looked me straight in the eye.


    I smiled at her and shook my head. "Yup. Nothing worth losing the friendship. I just want a breather. I¡¯m


    sure when I¡¯m ready I will approach her again."


    "Or she will approach you first."


    I smiled and nodded my head.


    "Does it hurt?" She asked, and I knew she meant about Catherine and me falling out, but the words


    struck directly into my heart and reminded me of Jace.


    My eyes watered as I nodded my head. "I don¡¯t even know what¡¯s wrong with me. Or what I did do


    wrong?"


    "People have different ways of approaching things. Different ways of thinking and different ways of


    handling situations, but at the end of the day, what matters is whether you¡¯re willing topromise to


    save a rtionship that is worth saving."


    "I feel like you¡¯re talking about you and Dad." I let out a soft chuckle.


    "It¡¯s applicable for everything."


    "You stayed andpromised even if he was hurting you." I pointed out.


    "I stayed because I loved him, and there was no one in the world I could trust but him. So I took all the


    pain because I was hoping he would be worth it in the end. And guess what? Dad is worth it."


    "I wish I could find someone who thinks I¡¯m worth it, or that I¡¯m worth taking the risk."


    "You¡¯re still young, not even eighteen. No need to rush into falling in love or finding a man to love you. It


    wille in its own time. For now, let me and your dad be the only people who can love you the most."


    "I¡¯m not rushing. I¡¯m going to be an Alpha, and he can wait until I¡¯m ready for him." I meant that.


    If I couldn¡¯t have Jace, at least I would have time to focus on preparing myself to be an Alpha. I knew


    Dad would not hand it to me anytime soon, as he took the Alpha post when he was already almost


    twenty-four.


    "Well, I¡¯m sure you can¡¯t tell your heart to wait if it¡¯s already there in front of you." Mom softly chuckled


    before she stood up, went to the side of my bed, and leaned in to kiss the crown of my head. "But


    enough of that, because I like the idea of you waiting longer so I can have you all to myself for a longer


    time."


    I wrapped my arms around her and rested my head on her stomach, inhaling her calming scent.


    "Thanks, Mom. Save me from Dad."


    "Your dad will neverin about you staying home longer than you should. He just wants to check if


    you¡¯re okay."


    "Then tell him his princess Alpha is okay." I untangled my arms around her and tilted my head to look at


    her, smiling warmly at the female I loved the most in the world.


    "I will. And maybeter, we can start discussing your big party. You¡¯re turning eighteen soon."


    I feigned a scowl and dropped my body onto the mattress. "You know I hate balls and big parties."


    "This one is non-negotiable, sweetheart. It is a Mikaelson family tradition to have aing-of-age party


    for every firstborn. And we are not breaking that tradition."


    "What if I meet my mate there?"


    "It will break my heart, but only because I want you to stay with me longer. But I know that whoever the


    Goddess blessed you with, he¡¯ll be perfect."


    "But what if I don¡¯t want him?"


    "Come back and ask me that again, after you meet him and decide you don¡¯t want him." She smiled


    warmly at me before walking toward the door. "Because I¡¯m sure whoever he is, you¡¯ll like him right


    away."


    ¡ª------------


    I spent the whole day lounging in my bedroom and only went out to eat meals because Mom insisted


    that I show up at the dining table or Dad might think there was something big going on. So I did.


    I also spent some time with Mom discussing my eighteenth birthday party, which was happening in less


    than two months. To be honest, I wasn¡¯t sure if I was excited about turning eighteen or not, especially


    with what happened between me and Jace.


    I knew I had promised myself I would move on from him, and I desperately wanted to do so, but a part


    of me kept looking back. After what happened, why do I still want him? And the idea of him not being


    my fated mate was still crushing my heart. It was the only thing I was banking on, but what if not?


    I needed to get away from him so it wouldn¡¯t hurt so bad, right? But how would I do that when the


    academy was in his territory and my best friend was his sister?


    ¡®Are you decent?¡¯ Mom¡¯s voice dug into my head just as I came out of the bathroom.


    ¡®I¡¯m in my pajamas. What¡¯s wrong?¡¯ My heart thudded loudly. I hope this was not a pack attack where


    we needed to hide in a bunker. I had experienced it twice when I was younger but not since I hit


    puberty.


    ¡®Jace is heading to your room. He wanted a word with you and to drive you back to your dormitory.¡¯


    ¡®What?¡¯ I yelled at her.


    ¡®Calm down. It¡¯s just Jace.¡¯


    ¡®But what is he doing here?¡¯ I ran to the vanity chair where I hang my robe and slipped onto it, tying the


    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    rope tightly. I was in my pajamas, but they were satin tops and shorts, so my nipples were visible


    against the cloth.


    ¡®They were concerned you missed school, and he said Catherine asked him to pick you up. So I¡¯m


    guessing Catherine felt guilty about your fight.¡¯


    I closed my eyes as I leaned my back against the wall. ¡®Mom, you don¡¯t send a man to your daughter¡¯s


    room. Why didn¡¯t you tell him to wait for me downstairs instead?¡¯


    ¡®It¡¯s Jace. I trust him. He will never take advantage of you. That man has the patience and control of a


    saint.¡¯


    I rolled my eyes at her words.


    ¡®But you¡¯re right. I¡¯m sorry. I got used to you allowing him in your room, so I didn¡¯t ask this time. Take


    him downstairs so you can talk.¡¯


    ¡®Okay.¡¯


    Mom cut off the mindlink just as knocks came in from my bedroom door. I really wanted to ignore him,


    but if I did, my parents would be suspicious, and thest thing I wanted was for them to find out what


    happened between us.


    I stormed to the door and opened it. My eyes squinted as I looked at Jace, who was leaning against the


    doorframe. He was looking at me with a face void of any emotions.


    He looked like a god with those chiseled jawlines and sapphire blue eyes. But then I remembered that


    he broke my heart.


    "Did you tell them anything?" I asked in a hushed tone.


    He shook his head, his arm still leaning on the upper part of the door frame, which made him tower


    over me. I opened the door wide, and he stepped in without saying anything.


    "What do you want?" I asked as soon as I closed and locked the door behind us.


    He turned around, hands inside his jeans pocket before he locked eyes with mine. "Picking you up to


    make sure you go to your ss tomorrow."


    "What are you now? Attendance police?"


    "If you¡¯re fucking mad at me, then just be mad at me. No need to throw away your studies just because


    of me."


    "Aren¡¯t you a conceited jerk? So you think, this is all about you? What if I got toozy to drive back


    today?"


    "Sounds like ame excuse after you told your parents that you and Catherine had a falling out while


    my sister was ringing my ear off, concerned about what the fuck happened to you."


    "Go home! I don¡¯t need you here!"


    "I¡¯m sure you don¡¯t, but I¡¯m not leaving your territory without you. So go pack your things! The earlier


    we start driving, the earlier we can reach the packhouse." His voice was slightly raised now.


    "So you think you can just boss me around?"


    "I know where this is heading. Stop with the I¡¯m an Alpha crap because I don¡¯t fucking care. If you don¡¯t


    "That¡¯s a ckmail!" My finger pressed hard against his chest as I cut him off from talking. "Don¡¯t you


    dare include my parents in this! And let me tell you this, Jackson Galhart, you have no right to interfere


    with my life and my decisions, especially after you rejected me. So fuck off, and let me handle this!"


    He let out a deep sigh before his hands brushed against his face. "Can you calm down?" His voice was


    back to normal.


    "If you want me to calm down, then go home."


    "Fine. I¡¯ll go home, but can we talk first?"


    "Aren¡¯t we talking already?"


    "Can we talk like adults? Calmly. Without you snapping at me."


    "I¡¯m not sure that¡¯s even possible."


    "Come here¡­" His hand coiled around my wrist before pulling me closer to him.


    His action caught me off-guard. I was not able to do anything when my body mmed against his and


    find myself wrapped up in his arms as he hugged me, with his chin resting at the top of my head.


    "What happened to us? Aren¡¯t we supposed to be looking out for each other¡¯s backs? Are you just


    going to throw away almost fifteen years of friendship because of all this?"


    His voice sounded like he was in pain, and I couldn¡¯t help but close my eyes as my hands on his chest


    coiled into tight fists but I remained quiet.


    "I don¡¯t want to lose you, Amara."

 Chapter 9

    Chapter 9


    JACE.


    I couldn¡¯t concentrate the whole weekend. I knew I came off as an asshole to Amara for pushing her


    away, but I only did it to protect her from me.


    Perhaps I liked her more than she did, but I had nothing to offer her. If I knew that I would never meet


    my fated mate, I would give us a chance. I would take the risk, but I knew that someone out there was


    bound for me, and sooner orter I would meet her, and where would my kitten be the moment she


    appeared?


    I might forget everything I felt for her and move on, while she would curse me for breaking her heart. If


    there was anyone I wanted to save, it was Amara, and if that meant not crossing the line between us, I


    would do so even if it made me appear to her as a jerk.


    "What happened to us? Aren¡¯t we supposed to be looking out for each other¡¯s backs? Are you going to


    throw away almost fifteen years of friendship because of all this?" I asked her as my arms tightened


    around her body and I rested my chin on the crown of her head.


    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    It had been too long since I had held her in my arms. Amara had always been a tough female with a


    wild heart who knew how to carry herself well. And I knew in no time she would get over this heartbreak


    I gave her, but I couldn¡¯t find it in me to just ignore her.


    I drove Catherine to the academy this morning so I could have a word with her, but she didn¡¯t go to


    school, and Alonso told me she was supposed to drive today.


    After a few hours of contemtion, I called Uncle Aeon again, and he told me Amara had stayed home


    and was still upset about her falling out with Catherine.


    My poor sister was unaware that she was being used as an alibi instead of busting me. She was dead


    worried about Amara and had been ringing my ears off for whatever I did to her friend. That and my


    desire to make sure Amara was okay made me drive five hours to her territory ¡ª something I seldom


    do without thinking.


    I hated leaving my territory without any valid excuse, but I wanted this fix, and I wanted us to both move


    on from this without ruining the friendship I was so eager to save.


    "Is there something wrong with me?" She finally broke the silence between us. She wasn¡¯t hugging me


    back, and although it saddened me, it was better this way. She had her hands coiling into fists resting


    on my chest, creating a distance between our bodies.


    "No. You¡¯re perfect, Amara. But I want you to understand, I don¡¯t want tomit myself to anyone."


    "But what if I¡¯m okay with nomitments?"


    "No." I shook my head, and my hands went to her arms as I pulled her body away from mine and


    caught her gaze. "Don¡¯t ever settle for something without anymitment."


    Her eyes were welled with tears, but she was holding them back from falling. "I liked you, Jace."


    I swallowed, but I did my best not to show any emotions at all. "Will it be too hard for you to wait until


    you¡¯re eighteen?"


    "Am I not worth it? Not worth the risk? What do you want me to do so you will see me pass Amara, the


    girl you always follow around to make sure I don¡¯t fall and die from all the reckless things I do?"


    "Amara¡­"


    "It¡¯s your fault. You would always catch me and tell me what to do, even when I didn¡¯t need it. And now


    that I want you to catch me, you¡¯re running away. I need you now."


    "You never needed me even before. And you don¡¯t need me now. Always remember that you¡¯re a


    badass female with a wild heart. Feminine but strong. You¡¯re the type of female you would want to go


    to war with, not against. So don¡¯t let the idea of me ruin that. Don¡¯t let me stop you from being the


    Alpha Female that you were meant to be."


    "If I be an Alpha, do you think you will like me more?"


    "Amara," I cupped her cheeks and rested my forehead against hers. Her cinnamon breath fanned my


    skin. "You can be an Omega, a human, or even a demon like your cousins, and I will still like you¡­"


    "But not the way I want you to like me."


    "Two months, Amara, and you¡¯ll be eighteen."


    "And what if you¡¯re not my mate?"


    "I¡¯m sure you will find your mate earlier than me, and you will thank me for this."


    "What if I don¡¯t want him? Will you give us a chance?"


    "I need to find my mate, Amara. I won¡¯t be giving you any false hope."


    "I¡¯m willing to give him up for you, but you can¡¯t do the same. So I guess it¡¯s really a no. Because you


    will never see me past that friendship line."


    "Amara, we are just going in circles."


    "I just want the truth. You say one thing, but your action says otherwise."


    I scoffed but didn¡¯t say anything.


    "I don¡¯t see Kairo, Zach, or Ledger holding my face like this. And telling me I¡¯m just a friend. They


    would never do that because I am just a friend to them. And I don¡¯t think you will do this to Cassidy or


    Amber."


    I let go of her face as I let out a deep breath. I was getting pissed off already, but I was trying to control


    my outburst. I brushed my hands over my hair as I paced back and forth in front of her.


    "Fine. Do you want to hear the truth? All I can offer you is friendship, nothing more, nothing less. I¡¯ve


    been protecting you as much as I protected Catherine. That¡¯s all. I apologize if it seems to you that I¡¯m


    giving mixed signals. It was never my intention, and I will make sure that won¡¯t happen again."


    "Get out!" Her eyes dted as she pointed to the door. "Get out!"


    "I¡¯m not leaving until you agree toe home with me."


    "You can go to hell, and I won¡¯te with you! Now get out!" She turned her body around and was


    about to head for the door.


    My hands snaked around her wrist, tugging her back so she would look at me. "If I walked out of this


    damn and your father asked me what happened, I would not lie to him. I will tell him everything, and it


    doesn¡¯t matter anymore if he asks me to end my friendship with you, since this is already what you


    want!"


    Her hands began ramming on my chest before she stepped back, her chest heaving as she pointed a


    finger at me. "Don¡¯t you fucking dare tell my parents!"


    "Embarrassed, aren¡¯t you?"


    "Fuck you"


    "No, thanks!" I scoffed, and it made her re at me with too much hatred in her eyes. "Now get your


    ass moving and pack your things. I¡¯m giving you ten minutes toe down the stairs or I will tell them


    everything!"


    "I hate you!" She grabbed a throw pillow and threw it my way, hitting the back of my head before my


    hand could grab the doorknob. It didn¡¯t do anything but annoy me.


    "It still wouldn¡¯t change anything. Ten minutes, Amara. Either you go over there, or they will go up


    here." I opened the door and walked out, not giving her a second nce.


    She would probably refuse, but there was nothing I could do at this point.


    I slipped my hands into my jeans pocket as I walked down the stairs, recalling memories of me and


    Amara sliding down the railings before we ran off to the back of their house and into the forest.


    Dad would oftene here with Mom, and they would always take us, but Catherine would always


    cling to Mom, that¡¯s why I was the one asked to y with Amara.


    ** FLASHBACK. **


    Amara - 8 years old.


    Jace - 10 years old.


    "When I be an Alpha, I will conquer yournd!" She said it at the top of her lungs as she held on


    to the tree branch at the top of a low tree where she was standing while pointing a long stick in my


    direction.


    I was seated under the adjacent tree, my back against its trunk, while biting a small twig in between my


    teeth like a toothpick.


    "And what will you do with me? Kill me?" I asked her.


    "No. As a thank you for helping me climb trees, I will spare your life. But I, Alpha Amara Grace


    Mikaelson, will turn you, Jackson Galhart, into my ve."


    "Nice try, little Alpha. But I don¡¯t bow down to anyone. Especially not to a kitten who purrs, meow,


    meow!" Iughed after I mimicked a cat, and I knew it annoyed her whenever I did that.


    "Kitten? Watch me conquer you, Alpha Jace!"


    "Or watch me conquer you." I retorted back.


    "Will you take my territory?" She asked, her eyes rounding.


    "Yeah, I can do that," I answered in a bored tone.


    "And what will you do with me? Kill me?"


    "Nah, I¡¯m too nice to kill a girl. I will just send you away."


    "Why don¡¯t you make me your Luna instead?" She jumped down, and I let go of the breath I was


    holding the moment her feetnded perfectly on the ground.


    "No. Not possible. I have a Luna. I just need to find her." I answered her.


    "Well, Mommy and Daddy said being chosen is not bad either."


    "I know. But I want what my parents have, so... I want my fated mate."


    "What if I turn out to be your fated mate?" she asked as she slumped down on her ass beside me and


    pulled her knees to her chest, hugging them.


    "You should be studying instead of thinking about your mate." I pinched her nose before resting my


    hands on the top of my head.


    "You¡¯re doing the same thing."


    "You started it." I chuckled.


    "But you don¡¯t see me as your fated mate? Are you scared of me, Jace?"


    "Yes, very scared. Imagine you¡¯re my fated mate, and it means I have to spend the rest of my days


    running after you while you climb trees and jump down from them."


    She giggled heartily before she pped her little hand on the side of my head, making a low grunt


    escape my throat as she scampered on her feet to stand up.


    "Tag! You¡¯re it!" She yelled loudly before she began running away! "Catch me if you can, rockstar!"


    ** END OF FLASHBACK. **


    A smile crossed my lips at the memory of Amara and me. I didn¡¯t want to lose her, but it was up to her


    now.


    "Jace," Alpha Aeon¡¯s voice snapped me from my own thoughts, and I realized I was already on the


    ground floor of the packhouse.


    "Uncle Aeon," I greeted him.


    "I want a word with you if you have a moment."


    "Of course," I nodded my head and followed him into his office.


    He opened the door and let me in before closing it behind us, and moving toward his desk, while I


    remained rooted in the middle of his room, facing him.


    He leaned his back on his desk as he crossed his arms against his chest.


    "Is there something I should know? Amara never missed school in all those times she fought with


    Catherine."


    "It was Amara and me that had a fight, not them, but I think it¡¯s better if you ask Amara instead of me


    about what exactly happened."


    "Can I still trust you with my daughter?"


    I looked him in the eye before I answered. "Yes. I will always put Amara¡¯s best interests first, the same


    way I do for Catherine."


    "Whatever happened between you two, can it still be fixed?"


    "Yes. But it¡¯s up to Amara, Uncle. But regardless of whether she wants it fixed or not, I will always look


    out for her."


    "She can be a handful sometimes."


    "She is," I said, letting a smile grace my lips this time as I nodded my head.


    "Are you driving back with her?"


    I scratched my head, not knowing what to say when he spoke again. "I think she is. She just messaged


    me, asking where I am and where her mom is because she¡¯s about to leave with you."


    I nodded my head. "Uncle, do you think you can keep what I told you between us? I¡¯m not sure she will


    like it that I told you about our fight."


    "Does my girl terrify you, Jace?" His arm went around my shoulder before he guided me to the door.


    I chuckled at his questions before nodding my head. "She does. Amara can be too intimidating


    sometimes."


    He chuckled at my response as we walked side by side toward the entrance of their packhouse. "Did


    she tell you about her birthday? She wants either you or Zach to be her escort for that night."


    "Zach?" I repeated. Zach was my second cousin with Aunt Nadia and Uncle Riley, who were also close


    to her family.


    "Yes, Zach, but she said Amber might not like it, so she was leaning more toward you."


    I wanted to tell him she was probably using Amber as an excuse to justify choosing me.


    "I¡¯m not sure if she would still want that after thisst fight we¡¯ve had."


    "She will get over it, as she always does."


    I was about to say more when I heard footstepsing from the stairs, and both our heads turned in


    that direction. Amara was walking down the stairs with Aunt Alexa, holding a small duffel bag and


    wearing a short denim skirt ¡ª so short that I was sure it would show her ass if she bent a little forward.


    "I¡¯m ready to go if Jace is." She said this, smiling sweetly at everyone, including me.


    It looked like the kitten was not giving up the fight yet, because why on earth would she wear this when


    she usually doesn¡¯t wear this kind of clothing? This was going to be a long ride home.

 Chapter 10

    Chapter 10


    JACE.


    I waved one more time to the Alpha and Luna of the Blood Moon Pack before I maneuvered my car out


    of their packhouse grounds and drove towards the road that would lead me to the right border.


    As soon as they were out of sight, I rolled the windows up and nced at the female beside me.


    She had her eyes closed and her arms crossed against her chest as she leaned her head on the


    window beside her.


    "I have a jacket in the backseat if you¡¯re cold," I said in a low voice before turning my attention back to


    the road.


    She was dressed in a tight denim mini skirt and a spaghetti strap top, and I was sure the cold didn¡¯t


    bother her at all, but I was more concerned with myself.


    I might be limiting myself when ites to ying around, but I''m an Alpha wolf, and my libido was


    high, and with her legs on disy for the next four to five hours, I could only imagine the torture she


    would inflict on my dick. I had nowhere to release my heat, so I hoped she would either cover herself or


    refrain from teasing me.


    "Amara¡­" I called her attention again when she refused to answer.


    "Hmmm.." she mumbled her reply.


    "Are you going to ignore me for the next five hours?"


    "Five hours isn¡¯t hard. Imagine being ignored for the whole seventeen years," she said sarcastically,


    and it made my forehead crease.


    Here we go again.


    "Aren¡¯t we moving on from this?" I snapped at her.


    "I already did, but it doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m not allowed to talk about it." She adjusted her position and raised


    Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    her legs on the dashboard before smiling at me. "I know you hated when I put my feet in here, but I just


    want to stretch for a while."


    My gaze shifted from her face to her body and trailed down to her thighs and up to her feet before I


    returned my eyes to the road.


    "It¡¯s a dangerous position. You can get your legs amputated if we hit something or get hit by


    something."


    "I can shift into my wolf before impact." She giggled softly.


    "I see nothing funny in what I said."


    "Loosen up. At least if we die tonight, you¡¯ve gottenid already. I¡¯m still a virgin."


    My hold on the steering wheel tightened as I tried to erase all the thoughts she was dumping into my


    head. "Who said about dying?"


    "Oops, sorry. I forgot that no one is allowed to die until Mr. Jackson Galhart finds his fated mate."


    "Amara, can you fucking stop now?" I said it with a low growl.


    "Rx. It¡¯s just us. Let it enter one ear and leave the other, as you always do with me ¡ª see me and


    ignore me. Easy peasy." She said nonchntly as she put down her legs.


    I let out a deep sigh.


    Maybe if I remained quiet, she would stop as well. Why did I even bother to ask her if she nned to


    ignore me the whole time? Maybe that would have been a better scenario than this.


    We reached the border without talking, and I rolled my windows down. The warriors on the border just


    gave me a salute the moment they saw Amara beside me and told me we could pass already.


    I was about to roll the windows up when someone called my attention.


    "Alpha, good evening." The voice made me turn my head back, and I saw Hammond, approaching. He


    was just a year younger than me and the son of Uncle Aeon¡¯s Beta, Krane.


    "Hammond, good evening." I greeted him back.


    "Alpha, I just found out Amara is with you. Do you mind if I have a word with her?"


    I didn¡¯t answer but just cocked my head to Amara¡¯s side.


    I didn¡¯t look at them and focused my sight straight ahead while resting my forearms on the wheel.


    "Hello, there¡­" Amara greeted him in a perky voice as if she were so happy to see him, as she rolled


    down her window.


    "I didn¡¯t know you were leaving tonight. I could have driven you." I couldn¡¯t help but look at them, so I


    did, and I saw Hammond prompting his arms on the window frame ¡ª their faces were so close.


    "I didn¡¯t know too. But Jace came to pick me up."


    "Everything alright with you?"


    "Yes. Don¡¯t worry,ziness just got me today."


    "Okay. You don¡¯t have your car with you, so you know the protocol. Just call me anytime during the day


    or at night. I can pick you up anytime."


    "Yes, Beta¡­" Amara gave him a salute.


    "Okay. Be careful." He said, and I wanted to raise my eyebrow, but I let my face remain emotionless


    even after he acknowledged me. "Alpha Jace, drive safely."


    "Yes, sir," I answered in a cold tone as I revved up the engine almost immediately after. I hope they


    didn¡¯t notice I was so eager to fuck off from here.


    I pressed the button for all windows to roll up without waiting for Amara and Hammond to finish waving


    at each other.


    "Will he be your Beta?" I asked as I pressed the gas to amp up the speed.


    "Of course. I don¡¯t see anyone more suitable to be my Beta than him."


    "Good to hear. He seemed to care for you. A lot."


    "Is that jealousy I detect?"


    I scoffed but didn¡¯t reply.


    "You know his loyalty is with me, so I¡¯m d he cares for me."


    "He likes you."


    "Then good for me. At least I know Hammond is as virgin as me." She stifled a giggle, and as much as


    I wanted to scowl at her, I kept a poker face.


    "So you¡¯re going for him now?"


    "No. I¡¯ll wait for my fated mate. Damn all these boys around me."


    "Good for you."


    "If Hammond turns out to be my fated mate, I need a new Beta. I hope Scooby will ept it." She said,


    and it made my head snap in her direction.


    She looked serious with her words, and something hit my chest.


    She said she wanted me but never once mentioned that she hoped I would be her fated mate while I


    was clinging to my hope that she was mine.


    I let out a deep sigh and tried to clear my mind. If this was her way of making me jealous or lose focus,


    she was seeding. But I knew better not to let it get to me.


    "Did you tell Dad about what happened?" She broke the silence between us.


    "No."


    "Thank you." She said softly, and I felt guilty the moment those words left her lips. I was hoping Uncle


    Aeon would not slip and tell her about it.


    "Uncle told me about youring of age party." I tried to divert the conversation somewhere else.


    "Hmmm¡­"


    "He said you¡¯re choosing between me and Zach to escort you that day. Or am I out of the picture now?"


    She chuckled softly. "Zach would have been a good choice, but then¡­"


    "Amber." I finished for her. "They¡¯re not a couple, so it shouldn¡¯t be a big deal."


    "Couple or not, I value friendship more than anything. So it¡¯s a no."


    "Me too. I value friendship more than anything." I blurted it out.


    Fuck, why did I have to push that?


    She didn¡¯t say anything.


    So that was it? Not Zach? So was it me? Or not. I wanted to ask but remained quiet.


    "Maybe Hammond will agree, if not, I¡¯m sure my own brother will not be able to say no." She added


    after a while.


    "So I¡¯m really out of the picture." I chuckled, not letting her know that it hit me hard. Not because I


    wanted her but because I was hoping we could still save the friendship.


    "Maybe it¡¯s better that way. Hammond is not a bad choice." I added, saving what was left of my


    disappointed heart.


    "Yeah. There¡¯s also my Gamma, Sam. I have a lot of choices. Anyway, it¡¯s two months from now. I don¡¯t


    want to think about it yet."


    "But am I invited?" I asked, and this time I let a smile y on my lips as I nced at her.


    She tilted her head, and our gazes met. Her eyebrows slowly raised before a tease of a smile curled on


    her luscious lips. "Even if you¡¯re not invited, I¡¯m sure you will gate crash. Or if not you, I¡¯m sure the


    guys will kidnap you and bring you to my party."


    I chuckled as I nodded my head and turned on the radio, pointing it to her so she could choose her


    music, which she did without any hesitation.


    The next thirty minutes became too dragging as Amara wasn¡¯t talking. She was just staring ahead or at


    the window beside her, and as much as I wanted her to talk, I didn¡¯t want the discussion to go over the


    disagreement we had, so I just kept my mouth shut.


    Until she broke the silence between us.


    "Jace¡­" Her voice came out soft, and despite the soft music ying in the background, I heard her


    loud and clear.


    "Yes?"


    "How should I act around you now?"

 Chapter 11

    Chapter 11


    JACE.


    "How should I act around you now?" She asked.


    Her question made me take a deep intake of breath. "What do you mean?"


    "Am I not allowed to hold you or hug you? And if I do, will you think I¡¯m taking advantage?"


    I wasn¡¯t expecting that question. My eyes flew to her and met her gaze again. She wasn¡¯t smiling and


    just kept on biting her bottom lip.


    I smiled warmly at her. "You can still do that¡­ My arms and my hands are always open for you, it¡¯s just


    that¡­"


    "I shouldn¡¯t expect anything more. Right?"


    I was so used to her arguing with me that I knew if she used this tactic, I might lose.


    "Right," I answered, as I didn¡¯t know what to say more. I shifted my gaze away from her and moved my


    gaze forward.


    "I can do that. Not to expect anything. I just don¡¯t want to lose you."


    "You¡¯re not losing me, Amara. You can push me away and kick me out of your life, but I¡¯ll just be here.


    Waiting until you¡¯re ready to hold into my arms again."


    She didn¡¯t say anything, so I tilted my head to look at her. She was biting her bottom lip too hard as her


    eyes watered, and she was just looking at me, her arms crossed against her chest, and half of her back


    was leaning against the door.


    I smiled warmly at her before Iid out my hand. "Hey, kitten. You¡¯re not losing me."


    Her eyes darted to my hand and then back to my face again. She reached for my palm and entwined it


    with hers as I squeezed her gently before putting my attention back on the road.


    It felt good to hold her hand as if my hands were molded to fit hers. We stayed holding hands as they


    rested on her thighs, and I was doing my best not to brush my hand on her soft skin.


    And just when I thought everything was already calm, she surprised me again.


    I heard her seatbelt release from its hook after she let go of my hand. Soon, her arms went flying and


    coiled around my neck as she buried her face into it. She was kneeling on her seat, body leaning on


    me, and by reflex, my left arm automatically snaked around her to make sure she wouldn¡¯t fall. But my


    handnded on her ass cheek, as her skirt had already hiked up.


    It made my body go rigid for a few seconds, but it was enough time for Amara to m it into my face.


    "Your hand is on my ass."


    I dragged my hand down, only tond it on her upper thigh.


    That fraction of a second made me forget that her thigh was just below her ass.


    I removed my hand and raised it to her back instead, holding her in ce as she was having a hard


    time bncing because I couldn¡¯t keep the car from swerving.


    Soon, her body began shaking as her giggles erupted and echoed inside the car.


    "What are you doing?" I asked. I was not sure if I wanted to be annoyed or justugh it off.


    "I¡¯m sad. So I thought I wanted a hug," she answered, but I could hear her stifling herughter this time.


    "You did that on purpose." I told her in a low voice.


    "What did I do wrong?"


    "You can hug me even without kneeling up on your seat."


    "But then I won¡¯t be able to smell you. Your neck smells good." She mumbled against my neck, her


    warm breath making goosebumps rise from my skin.


    "I didn¡¯t shower for three days¡­"


    "Quit lying. I know how you smell when you don¡¯t shower. You smell nice, the way you do whenever


    you showered."


    My eyes rounded as I snapped my head in her direction, making her move away from my neck and


    slump her body back down to her seat as sheughed heartily.


    "The fuck, Amara. Should I be scared of you?"


    "I was just kidding. But your aftershave smells nice. Is that the one I gave you on yourst birthday?"


    She was talking while my hand was already moving to grab her seat belt and buckle her up.


    I nodded my head to answer her question. "But that one was gone, so I bought a new one the same as


    the one you gave me."


    The scent was a blend of bergamot and Brazilian rosewood. I had others that smelled good as well, but


    since it came from her, it¡¯s been the one I¡¯ve been using the most.


    "You should have told me. I can buy you a new one."


    "Yes, Mom. Next time, I will let you know." I chuckled before winking at her, making her roll her eyes at


    me, but she was smiling widely now.


    It looked like she was okay now, or she was just like me, just good at hiding her emotions. But it didn¡¯t


    matter to me at this point, at least we were moving forward.


    ¡ª-------


    We made some pit stops, and with me just driving at maximum speed, we made it to the dormitory


    before midnight.


    The main door was already locked, but the security personnel manning the main door allowed us


    entrance without ringing the headmistress, which was my aunt, Luisa since I was with Amara.


    "I can take that," she said, referring to her duffel bag that I was carrying. "You¡¯re not allowed here."


    "Nah. I¡¯ll carry it. Let¡¯s see if anyone wants to mess with the Alpha of the ck Shadow Pack." I swung


    the bag on my shoulder and began walking towards the main stairs. "Move now. I¡¯ll drop you off at your


    room."


    "Scared I might tip over or fall from the stairs?" she asked as she walked beside me.


    "I¡¯m more terrified that you will run away after I leave that door. I have to make sure you¡¯re in your room


    or your dad might kill me if you went missing."


    "So how sure are you that I won¡¯t run away after you leave my room? Perhaps you should stay and


    watch me sleep."


    I chuckled at her reply. "Maybe I should tie you up in your bed."


    "I didn¡¯t know you were into bondage. But I¡¯m open to that." She answered yfully, and the thought of


    her tied up in bed made me swallow.


    I decided to remain quiet, or she might say more that would give me a heart attack.


    We got to the second floor of the dormitory and were about to walk up the stairs when I heard a door


    open.


    "Jace?" Aunt Luisa¡¯s voice came, and it made me and Amara halt walking. She might have been in her


    office and been informed of my arrival.


    Aunt Luisa was my mom¡¯s cousin. She and Mom were the ones who started this dormitory, and even


    though she had people working for her now, she still held the title of the headmistress and made sure


    to be hands-on with everything rted to this dorm.


    I watched as she walked towards us before pulling her into my arms and kissing her cheek as I hugged


    her. "It¡¯s almost midnight, what are you still doing here?" I asked.


    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    "I¡¯m the one who should be asking you, what are you doing here, Jace? No boys are allowed in my


    dormitory after six in the evening, and just because you¡¯re the Alpha doesn¡¯t mean you can break the


    rules." She said it in one breath.


    I knew this wasing.


    This was the reason I had always been good at keeping up with rules and responsibilities. Growing up,


    my parents ¡ª down to my grandfathers ¡ª and uncles and aunts made sure I would not be treated


    special just because I was an Alpha heir.


    I smiled sheepishly at her as I scratched my head.


    "I told him he is not allowed here, but he said who has the guts to mess with the Alpha?" Amara


    dropped me in an instant, but I could see mischievousness flitting in her eyes as she pointed at me.


    My aunt chuckled softly before he feigned pinching my ear. "Well, Jackson, go home now and leave


    your girlfriend with me. I will make sure she gets to her room."


    "She¡¯s not my girlfriend." I scratched my head again.


    I saw the color drain from Amara¡¯s face, and I didn¡¯t know what to say more.


    "Well, I¡¯m not your aunt too, right?" Aunt Luisa rolled her eyes at me, and that only meant she didn¡¯t


    believe me. "Go now before other girls see you here and startining about why their boyfriends


    are not allowed here."


    "Fine. Goodnight," I pressed a kiss on my aunt¡¯s forehead. "Drive safely, or do you want me to wait for


    you outside so I can drive you home?"


    "Thank you, honey, but your uncle Damien is just outside. Now, give your female a goodnight kiss


    before someonees around and sees you."


    I swallowed hard, and I was about to shake my head when the kitten in front of me squinted her eyes


    beforeunching herself at me. She rose on her toes, hands clutching my shirt, as she pulled my upper


    body lower and pressed a kiss on the corner of my lips.


    "Goodnight, boyfriend." She winked at me before grabbing the duffel bag in my hand and hooking her


    arm with Aunt Luisa, and they began walking away, leaving me dumbfounded.


    What the fuck was that? I shook my head as I wiped the wetness she left on the side of my lips with my


    thumb.


    I turned my body around and was ready to walk down the stairs when I saw six females, around 15 or


    16 years old, standing in the middle of the stairs looking at me, giggling as they stared.


    I smiled at the females before passing them.


    I was used to getting female attention and hearing them giggle at my sight, but I was more concerned if


    they heard me being addressed as Amara¡¯s boyfriend.


    Thest thing I wanted was for someone to throw gas on the fire that I was so adamant about putting


    out.

 Chapter 12

    Chapter 12


    AMARA.


    "Okay, spill it out." Cassidy dropped her books on the cafeteria table as she swung her legs to get onto


    the bench and sat beside me.


    "Spill out what?" I asked as I forked the spaghetti and twirled it around, shoving it all at once into my


    mouth as I shifted my gaze between her and Amber, who chose to sit in front of us.


    I knew what they wanted to ask because I had been asked about it throughout the morning, but I just


    kept my mouth shut and refused to give any details.


    However, I wasn¡¯t sure if I could do the same thing with them.


    "Just say it if it''s true or not. You and Alpha Jace." Cassidy spoke in a hushed tone this time.


    "Everyone¡¯s talking about seeing you both kissing each other in the women¡¯s dorm and the


    headmistress sending him home," Amber added.


    I almost choked on my food, but Cassidy opened my bottled water before handing it to me.


    I gulped the water loudly before putting it down.


    The rumor was definitely exaggerated, and I was one hundred percent sure it came from the females


    that were standing by the stairsst night.


    "I wasn¡¯t kissing him. I just kissed him goodnight on his cheek. That was it." They didn¡¯t need to know I


    kissed him a little too close to his lips.


    "Why would you kiss Jace?" Amber asked, her eyes rounding.


    "Don¡¯t you kiss Zach goodnight?" I asked back.


    Amber shook her head a little too much as a red tint crept across her cheeks. "No. He would just give


    me a side hug but not a kiss."


    "She¡¯s lying," Cassidy whispered. "They took so long to get out of the car each time Zach dropped her


    off, so I was sure there were kisses involved. Unless they¡¯re just ying rock, scissors, and papers


    inside."


    "If they want to keep a secret, who are we to judge?" I said it nonchntly.


    "So I¡¯m the only one without a guy." Cassidy feigned disappointment.


    "There are too many males around, Cassie. Pick your choice. I¡¯m sure they will all fall to their knees


    and offer you the world." I told her.


    "Haha! Nice try. Maybe I liked girls." She blurted out, and my eyes widened as my head slowly snapped


    in her direction.


    "Don¡¯t believe her. She just wants to avoid questions." Amber rolled her eyes at Cassidy.


    "How sure are you?" Cassidy challenged her.


    "As sure as I can be." I heard you moaning a guy¡¯s name in the middle of the night, and I am one


    hundred percent sure you were doing something under your nket."


    Cassidy¡¯s face flushed red as her mouth parted, and I couldn¡¯t help but giggle as I leaned my elbow on


    the table, rested my face on my hand, and looked at her. "So who¡¯s the lucky guy?"


    "Well, if Cassidy pays me..." Amberid out her hand in front of her. "I¡¯ll keep my mouth shut."


    "Wait... that¡¯s not fair! We are talking about Amara and Jace."


    "Well, that¡¯s what you get for nosing around me and Zach."


    "So we are keeping secrets now?" Catherine sat down beside Amber with a scowl on her face.


    I didn¡¯t even notice she arrived.


    "I told you everything about what I feel for Tyler. And you guys are keeping your crushes on me and


    baiting me with all those lousy guys just to keep the real names out. Well, I know Amber and Zach,


    even if they keep saying they¡¯re best friends. But you, Cassy, and especially you, Amara, why hide it


    from us or me?"


    "First, mine is just a crush. I will soon get past that stage and forget about him, as I did with all my other


    crushes. So the real culprit here is Amara because we didn¡¯t even realize they were heading that way."


    I rolled my eyes at Cassidy for pointing everything toward me.


    "So you and Jace? Is it for real?" Catherine asked before she feigned puking.


    "What¡¯s with that face?" I asked, chuckling softly.


    "Of all people, why Jace?" He scrunched up her nose like she smelled something bad.


    "Why not? Jace is handsome." Amber said.


    "And sexy," Cassidy added.


    "E¡­ stop. He farts and doesn¡¯t shower every day... and sweaty." Catherine¡¯s face looked


    disgusted.


    "Just like Tyler. Tyler farts too, in case you¡¯re not aware." Amber retorted.


    "Besides, a sweaty Alpha Jace looks so sexy," Cassidy added, and she looked dreamy.


    I threw a re at Cassidy.


    I had no idea she was fawning over Jace. Was it Jace¡¯s name that she was moaning while touching


    herself? I needed to find that out because I didn¡¯t like it.


    "Gotcha!" Cassidyughed as she pointed her finger at mine. "If looks could kill, I¡¯m dead now ¡ª virgin


    and dead."


    I couldn¡¯t help butugh with her this time, but I still needed to find out who the man was that she was


    crushing on to be safe.


    "So Amara will just ignore me? Or do I have to ask Jace? I¡¯m sure he¡¯s not going to give me a straight


    answer." Catherine let out a sigh.


    "He¡¯s not my boyfriend," I said tly.


    "Oh. Now I¡¯m disappointed." Cassidy pouted, but I was sure I was more disappointed than her.


    "But... don¡¯t tell anyone that we are not a couple. Just smile at those people asking you and tell them to


    ask us instead." I added as I shifted my eyes between the three of them


    "What¡¯s going on?" Catherine asked.


    "I¡¯ll tell you more, but I want to meet the Alpha first so I can tell him we are being paired up. And to shut


    his mouth before he tells someone we are not together." I pushed my te away, having lost my


    appetite while looking at Catherine. "Is he home? Can you mindlink him and ask him if I can talk to him


    today after school?"


    "He¡¯s here," Catherine answered as she opened the wrapper of the sandwich she had bought.


    "What?" My heart began thudding loudly as my eyes scanned the whole cafeteria.


    "Not here, but in the admin building. He asked me where you were. Someone asked him about you as


    well."


    "Oh, Goddess. Did he say no?"


    "He didn¡¯t answer me, but knowing Jace, he¡¯ll probably keep mum about it."


    "So what did you tell him when he asked about me?"


    "I said I don¡¯t know, and I¡¯ll meet you here."


    "So where is he now? Can I see him? I still have forty minutes before my next ss."


    "At his office," she answered in a low voice. "Do you like Jace?"


    "What question is that? I have always liked Jace." I softly chuckled as I ced my te and bottled


    water on the tray. I wanted to act like the answer was nothing more than friendship.


    "I know you do. It¡¯s just weird if my best friend and my brother..."


    "I¡¯m sure it¡¯s weird for Jace too if his Beta and his sister got together," Cassidy told her.


    "Besides, Cathy, didn¡¯t you hear Amara? She said they¡¯re not together." Amber added.


    "Exactly." I stood up from my seat and blew kisses at them before picking up the tray. "See youter,


    queens. I will hunt the Alpha first."


    "Good luck, Amara. May the odds be in your favor!" Cassidy yelled after me, and some of the people


    Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    around looked at me.


    I shook my head and smiled at everyone who was looking at me before cing the tray in the


    designated area and rushing out of the cafeteria.


    I only have thirty minutes left.


    I ran out of the building and towards the administration building, where Jace had an office. I was hoping


    he was alone so I could speak with him before my next ss.


    But just like always, something always gets in the way.


    The moment I turned toward the corner that would lead to his corridor, the door to Miss Sybille¡¯s room


    opened, and she stopped walking and crossed her arms against her chest as she stared at me as I


    approached. "Just the female I wanted to see."


    She was also my teacher for my next ss, mathematics. Which I loved and hated at the same time. I


    was good in math, just that I didn¡¯t like the teacher, maybe because she spent her time flipping her hair


    rather than discussing numbers or because she had a past with Jace while they were still both students


    at the academy.


    If I was not mistaken, she¡¯s 22 years old now, two years older than Jace.


    "Good day, Miss Sybille. See you in our sster." I greeted her, smiling as I passed by her, not


    minding the words she said earlier about wanting to see me.


    Her hand coiled around my wrist, and I did my best not to growl at her when she tugged it.


    I stopped walking and discreetly pulled my arm away before turning back to look at her. "Yes, ma¡¯am?"


    "Can I have a word with you, Amara?"

 Chapter 13

    Chapter 13


    AMARA.


    "Can I have a word with you, Amara?" Miss Sybille asked.


    "Hmmm¡­ Can we talk during ss or maybe after ss? I need to be somewhere right now before


    our ss starts." I answered in a respectful manner.


    "I¡¯m sure you¡¯re heading for that door?" She raised her eyebrows and pointed at the end of the corridor,


    where Jace¡¯s office was located.


    I was still thinking of ways to get away from her when I heard a door open from behind me and Jace¡¯s


    aurae surging in.


    I bit my bottom lip and prayed to the Goddess that my "friend", Jace, would not embarrass me in front


    of one of her females.


    I slowly turned my body around to face the Alpha I was looking for. I felt my heart drop and my panties


    drop too at the sight of him leaning against the door, looking in our direction. And I was sure I was not


    the only one who was gawking because I heard another rapid heartbeat beside me.


    He looked so fresh and sexy, even if his face was showing no emotions at all.


    I swallowed hard and was about to tell him that I wanted to speak with him when he beat me to it.


    "Do you need more time with Amara, Ms. Carter? I wished to speak with her as well." Jace asked her.


    "Umh¡­" She was about to say something but I cut her off.


    "I just told Miss Sybille that you were expecting me in your office, Alpha Jace." I tilted my head to look


    at Miss Sybille and smiled at her. "I¡¯ll go now, ma¡¯am."


    "We have a ss in twenty-five minutes, Alpha Jace." She said as I walked toward Jace.


    "I¡¯ll make sure she¡¯ll be there on time, or will she get a detention if she arrives five or ten minuteste?"


    "I¡¯m sure we can work it out, Alpha." She answered sweetly, and my eyes rolled so that I didn¡¯t even


    notice Jace was looking at me.


    I turned around and smiled at her before I responded. "I¡¯ll be there on time, Miss Sybille."


    She nodded her head, but her eyes were on Jace. I turned my body around again and stepped inside


    his office, but I didn¡¯t move forward and waited for him to close the door.


    "Come in," his deep baritone voice echoed around his office as his handnded on my back, pushing


    me to walk forward so that I had to keep my knees from buckling.


    Damn, Amara. I¡¯d been with Jace alone a lot of times, so there was no need to be rattled.


    "Thanks for saving me there. She wanted to speak with me." I broke the silence between us.


    "Cath mindlinked me and said you¡¯re on your way here, and I was wondering why it¡¯s taking you so


    long. So I checked. Sit down." He pointed at the chair in front of his desk.


    I watched as he leaned his ass on his table and if I sat on the chair, it meant my eyes would be parallel


    with his crotch. And as much as that would be a lovely sight, I wanted not to lose my focus as I spoke


    to him.


    So instead, I scooted my bottom up the table so that I could sit beside him.


    "I¡¯ll stay here, as I want to see your face when I talk with you,"


    "You wanted to speak with me?" He went straight to the point.


    "It¡¯s about the rumors spreading on the campus, about you and me being a couple."


    "Will it get you in trouble?" He asked.


    "No. You¡¯re not a teacher here. And besides who would mess with the Alpha?"


    He chuckled, "But we need to straighten up that rumor. I don¡¯t want to deflect it when they ask me as


    I¡¯m not sure how you would take it if I tell them we are not a couple."


    "I appreciate that. But can we just let it spread and not say anything about it?"


    "And why is that?"I didn¡¯t miss the way his forehead creased as he asked.


    "First, if people think I¡¯m your girlfriend, then you don¡¯t need to worry about females running after you.


    Then you can just focus on finding your mate."


    "I have never worried about them, and they are not that many, to be honest." He let a smile slip his lips


    and I tried my best not to get distracted by his dimples.


    "Stop being modest. I can count all the female teachers in the academy that have been raising their


    skirts whenever youe around."


    "They do? Damn, I¡¯d never seen those. It would have been a fun sight."


    "You know why you never saw them?" I raised my brow. "Because you were busy scaring males to stay


    away from me."


    "Oh, really now?" He chuckled and I had to stop myself from being disappointed with his response.


    "Yes. So let¡¯s work together. Don¡¯t stop the rumors of us being a couple, and I¡¯m sure I can put all those


    Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    females in ce to stop running after you. Plus, those males you were scaring off, they won¡¯t bother


    me at all."


    "You¡¯re just doing it for your own good."


    "Of course I am." I punched the side of his arm with my coiled fist before I continued. "Don¡¯t worry, you


    don¡¯t have to do anything. You don¡¯t even have to hold my hand or kiss me. Well, you can if you want,


    but what I¡¯m saying is, don¡¯t deny it or confirm it either. Just shut your mouth and smile. Like how a


    gentleman will respond when asked about his girlfriend and the private things they do."


    "And what if it reached your parents?" He asked.


    "I will tell them about us."


    "About us? What about us?" His forehead creased.


    "That it¡¯s nothing but just hearsay."


    "You¡¯re ying with fire, Amara."


    "I know. And I¡¯m so excited about it!" I eximed as I jumped out from his desk and moved to stand in


    front of him before extending a hand. "Do we have a deal, Jace?"


    "I¡¯m not getting anything from this deal, so I¡¯m not sure if I¡¯m up for it." He answered as his brows hiked


    up.


    "Well, you can get free kisses and free hugs, unlimited as much as you want." I shed him a wide


    smile.


    His lips twitched before waves ofughter echoed around us, and the way his eyes were telling me he


    was amazed by my boldness made me giggle too.


    I was so done waiting for him to fall in love with me.


    If I couldn¡¯t make him like me more than as a friend, then I had to change my tactics, right?


    What Amara wants, Amara gets. It might be a long way to get there, but I had to try.


    "Jace." I punched his chest softly before extending my hand again. "Deal? I¡¯ll make sure no hearts will


    be broken, and no expectations will be crashed. All in the name of fun before I graduate."


    He let out a deep sigh before taking my hand and shaking it. "I¡¯m not sure why I¡¯m letting you lure me


    into this deal when I have nothing to gain¡­"


    I didn¡¯t let him finish his words when I tugged his hand toward me, crushing my lips against him.


    I cupped his face to prevent him from pulling away as I kissed him. It took a split second before Jace


    kissed me back, and a moan escaped my throat at the sensual way he was kissing and nibbling my


    lips.


    His hand flew to the nape of my neck as he gripped my hair and pressed my head closer to him.


    Jace is still a man with a high libido, and as bad as it might seem, I wanted to use it to my advantage.


    So before things got heated up, I let my hands crawl onto his chest and slowly push his body away, and


    I withdrew my mouth from his.


    His mouth was still parted, his eyes flitting with confusion, but I ignored them. Instead, I smiled at him


    and licked my lips before patting his chest and stepping backward.


    "I don¡¯t want to bete for ss. I¡¯ll see you around, boyfriend. And if you¡¯re still hereter, I¡¯ll be out by


    three thirty. Myst ss is sports, so you can pick me up at the gymnasium." I said in one breath.


    I didn¡¯t give him time to speak as I turned around and opened the door.


    I rushed out as fast as I could before he realized what he had gotten himself into and took the deal


    back.


    Amara - One point.


    Jace - zero.

 Chapter 14

    Chapter 14


    JACE.


    I went home right away after my conversation with Amara in my office. I just gave in to the young


    Alpha¡¯s maniption, and I had no idea why I did.


    I knew better, she was taking one step closer to staking her im on me, and I was just letting her.


    She will be eighteen in two months and would probably meet her mate soon. She made it clear anyway


    that no hearts would be broken.


    Maybe I could just give in a bit and make the most of the two months before fate separated our lives


    My heart clenched at the thought of Amara finding her fated mate soon.


    In a shifter¡¯s world, scenting our mates only happened once we turned eighteen. Only if both parties


    were eighteen or older and were able to shift and summon their wolves out. This was because both the


    humans and their wolves needed to be of age before the mate bond could be activated.


    So even if Amara already had her wolf at sixteen, her human body would need toe of age for her


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    to scent her mate and for her mate-scent toe out of her body.


    And females would usually find their mates earlier, or the moment they turned eighteen, while males


    would find theirster in life, but of course, there were instances where men found theirs at an early


    age as well.


    But it would be better if Amara found hers before I did.


    I was sure I could keep myself together until my own fated mate came, rather than the other way


    around.


    Zero howled in my head and shared my sentiments. He liked Amara too, but like me, he knew our mate


    was somewhere out there.


    Two months.


    I had no idea how I would refrain from touching her, but I had done so for years. It shouldn¡¯t be a


    problem. Except that recently, my attraction for her has kept getting stronger.


    It started when I saw her shift at sixteen. I kept telling myself that it was probably because I saw her


    almost naked that it awakened something in me. But I knew it was more than that. I was hoping to be


    the only one who could see her naked and be the one to own that body.


    But fate had someone in store for me. And breaking Amara would be unfair to her and to my fated


    mate, knowing I had no intention of iming anyone except for my moon blessed.


    I closed my eyes and rested my forehead on the steering wheel.


    I went home and did some paperwork before hurrying back to the academy. I had no fucking idea why


    my feet decided to move on their own and drove me here.


    So yes, now I was seated inside my car outside the Shadow Academy gymnasium, waiting for Amara


    to finish herst ss.


    Some students had already gone out of the gym and passed by the area where I was. Some identified


    my car, and I saw them whispering with each other. Showing up here only meant one thing ¡ª I was


    doing my part to y the boyfriend that Amara wanted me to y.


    A knock on my window snapped me out of my thoughts and made my head tilt to the left. I saw Cyrus


    outside, a wide grin on his face as he waited for me to roll down my window.


    "Hey, fucker! What are you doing here?" Cyrius greeted me, and we shook each other¡¯s hands before


    he yfully threw a punch at my arm.


    Cyrus is the next Alpha of the Blue Meadows Pack and Tyler¡¯s cousin. He was also Amber¡¯s twin


    brother and almost the same age as Amara.


    They were probably in the same ss for sports, as he was just wearing jersey shorts and a t-shirt.


    "Just picking up someone. Have you seen Amara inside?"


    "She was chatting with some females. She¡¯ll probably be out soon. So it¡¯s true you¡¯re a couple now?"


    I chuckled but didn¡¯t say anything and just rested my arms on the wheel.


    "What the fuck happened to waiting for your mate?" He chuckled as he swung his backpack on his


    shoulder.


    This was the thing, I didn¡¯t even think about what I would tell the guys if they asked about us, as I had


    been vocal about not going into a rtionship.


    "Amara is not my girlfriend," I told him, as I never lied to this man.


    "And what are you doing here?"


    "I don¡¯t know. Just keep your mouth shut when someone asks. I¡¯m just protecting her from all the other


    alpha males out there."


    Heughed. "As if Amara needs protection. That female can wipe out all the males that stand in her


    way. In case you¡¯re not aware."


    "I know."


    "So quit with the bullshit. You like her. End of the conversation." He snickered.


    "Fuck you." I chuckled back.


    "I¡¯d been wanting to fuck, but mine is not yet of age. I have to wait for a fucking long time."


    "Back off. If I see you even throwing a nce at her, I will castrate you."


    He raised his hands and stepped backward, chuckling as he did. "You and I, Jace. We both have the


    same respect for the females we want. She¡¯s safe in my heart until she shows up as my fated mate


    even if I have to wait for many years."


    I smiled and gave him a salute before he turned around and walked toward his car.


    Cyrus was just like his father, Alpha Caspian, a gentleman in every aspect, so when he told me about


    the female he wanted, I was sure she was safe because he would never take advantage of her.


    I was doing my best to do the same thing. Except now that Amara was soon toe of age, I couldn¡¯t


    help but see her whenever I closed my eyes. Andtely, seeing her include all these dirty thoughts.


    I smiled despite myself. Dad was the exact opposite of me. He never wanted a Luna or a mate, so he


    fucked around and tasted every female that came his way. Until he met Mom, and she ruined every


    other female for him.


    My head snapped up, and I turned to the entrance of the gymnasium when I heard female voices


    chattering, and I was right, Amara was among them.


    I opened my car door and stepped out before closing it behind me.


    I had my sunsses on, so I was free to roam my eyes over her porcin skin. I leaned back against


    my car and watched as she waved goodbye to her ssmates and made her way to me. I crossed one


    leg over the other so my cock, which was starting to wake up, would not be evident in my pants.


    My kitten was wearing short shorts and just a sports bra, with her small duffel bag slung over her


    shoulder. She had her sandy blonde hair up in a tight ponytail, and with just a smile on her face, she


    already looked like a top supermodel even with just average height.


    No wonder she had many admirers.


    Tough luck for them ¡ª her eyes were just on me.


    And how I wished I could offer her more.


    I slid my hands into my pockets to prevent myself from grabbing her waist as soon as she stopped in


    front of me. Her eyes beamed as she cocked her head to look at me.


    "I didn¡¯t know you were going to pick me up. If I had known, I should havee out earlier."


    "No harm done. Get inside the car so I can drive you to your dorm."


    "Are we not going to eat out? I love Aunt Luisa, but the dorm food sucks sometimes. I should tell her


    that."


    I chuckled. "Nothing beats homemade food."


    "I¡¯m sure of that. How about you cook for me one of these days? I know you can whip up a good meal."


    "One of these days," I answered curtly.


    "Great. Who knows someone can make the ck Shadow Pack Alpha follow an order?" She flipped


    her hair after I took her bag from her hand, and we walked over to the other side of the car.


    I chuckled at her words and just kept my mouth shut.


    "Well, only Amara can. No one else. Right?"


    "Hmmm¡­" I mumbled. I didn¡¯t want to say anything that would just escte or backfire in my face.


    I opened the backseat and threw her bag before opening her car door. I had no intention of doing the


    "Get in now," I told her, shaking my head, but I let a smile grace my lips.


    "I didn¡¯t get any kisses yet." She said at the same time she turned around to face me. She rose on her


    toes and ced a soft kiss on my lips without any warning.


    My chest rumbled with a low growl, and she immediately climbed into my pickup, hiking her ass higher


    than it should have been while giggling as I closed her door.


    This was fucking wrong. I just threw myself into a bigger hole.


    I let out a sigh before I went to my side of the car and slipped in.


    "So where are we eating?" She asked nonchntly as if what she did, didn¡¯t give me a boner.


    "We¡¯ll go to your dorm first, and you need to change clothes," I answered as I maneuvered the car out


    of its parking ce.


    "What¡¯s wrong with this? I didn¡¯t even sweat as I wasn¡¯t part of the females who went for the volleyball


    match today." She exined. her forehead creasing.


    "It¡¯s not the sweat. You¡¯re not going out in those clothes, it¡¯s like panties and a bra."


    "Well, it still hides my pussy and my breasts, so what¡¯s the big deal."


    "Change your clothes or you¡¯ll be eating dorm food alone."


    "Such a grumpy ass."


    "And yet you still choose me to y this game with you."


    "I will not answer that." She snapped back at me, crossing her arms across her chest.


    "Good."


    "If I change clothes, then it will take time."


    "I have time."


    "Aren¡¯t you an Alpha? You¡¯d been cking offtely. Yesterday, you drove ten hours to pick me up and


    take me here. And then today again."


    "I have a capable Beta and a Gamma who can step up if I ck off."


    "Or I¡¯m just that special you forget being an Alpha when I¡¯m with you."


    I chuckled and shook my head.


    "I¡¯m bad for you, Jace."


    "Yes, you are."


    "But you¡¯re still here. I wonder why..."


    I wondered why as well. I wanted to tell her, but I didn¡¯t.


    Amara was too intelligent to manipte me with her words into admitting that I liked her. But it was not


    going to happen.


    "We¡¯re here. Now get dressed, and I¡¯ll wait for you here."


    "You cane with me upstairs too and watch while I change clothes. I¡¯m sure my roommates won¡¯t


    mind." She winked at me.


    "Amara!" I growled at her because of the thought she put into my head.


    Sheughed heartily before climbing up on her seat to get her duffel bag from the back. Her action put


    her round ass and smooth legs in my peripheral view. I know she did it on purpose.


    I brushed my hand over my face and leaned my elbow on the window, but I couldn¡¯t stop staring at her


    while making sure my face was devoid of any emotion.


    Why was it taking too long for her to pick up her bag?


    "I can¡¯t reach it." She said it as if she could read my mind.


    I let out a sigh and slipped my arm in between our car seats without her taking her body away, so my


    skin was brushing against hers. After I grabbed her bag, she returned to her seat and thanked me


    before opening the car door and stepping out.


    "I¡¯ll be back soon. Please keep your eyes on the steering wheel until Ie back. Or those females will


    meet their demise." She wiggled a finger as if she could scare me.


    "Yes, ma¡¯am," I replied just to avoid further conversation. "Hurry up now."

 Chapter 15

    Chapter 15


    AMARA.


    I had never changed clothes as fast as I did today. I knew how much Jace hated waiting, as Catherine


    told me about the many times he left her when they needed to be somewhere because she was taking


    time to fix herself.


    And as much as I wanted to look extra beautiful for our ¡®first date¡¯ I was left with no choice but just to


    apply a sheer lip gloss and put my hair down after slipping into regr jeans and a midriff top.


    As much as I wanted to show some skin today, I didn¡¯t want to push my luck too far. It was enough that


    he was taking me out to eat somewhere.


    And that he picked up from school.


    And that he allowed me to call him my boyfriend ¡ª even if this was all an act.


    I rushed out of my room and bumped into Amber, who was about to head to the room she shared with


    Cassidy.


    "Hey! Why are you in a hurry?" She blocked my way, so I had no choice but to stop.


    "Jace is waiting."


    "I knew it. I saw his car. So are you heading to the packhouse? Can Ie?"


    "No. We will eat out!" I ced a soft kiss on her cheek and was about to go when she grabbed my arm


    and pulled me.


    "Can Ie? I hate eating dorm food." A mischievous smile yed on her lips.


    "No!" I red at her before she burst intoughter.


    "Oh, Goddess! You should see your face. Now tell me this is just a game, Amara Grace. Because I¡¯m


    one hundred percent sure you¡¯re crushing on Alpha Jace." She spoke in a hushed tone before letting


    my arm go.


    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    "Whatever you feel, keep it to yourself. Like how you keep your feelings for Zach a secret." I kissed her


    cheek one more time before I walked and ran toward the stairs, not waiting for any response from her.


    "Curfew is at seven." She ran after me as if I didn¡¯t know this.


    "I know. I got ample time to head back." I waved at her one more time before I disappeared at the stairs


    to rush out, only to see the daughter of the Moon Lake Alpha, Alice, also living in the dorm, talking with


    Jace.


    She was outside the car, and Jace just rolled his window down, but the way she was holding on to the


    window frame just ignited jealousy in me.


    I tilted my head up and smiled at the other females I met along the way until I got to where Jace¡¯s car


    was waiting.


    "Hi, Alice!" I greeted her, but I didn¡¯t look at her.


    I went directly to the passenger¡¯s side and opened the door. I heard her say hi back then, but I didn¡¯t


    acknowledge or look at her this time.


    "You¡¯re back. That was fast." Jace smiled at me as I sat beside him.


    "Because I know you don¡¯t like waiting," I answered him, as I buckled up.


    "Thanks." He said this before tilting his head to look at Alice again while turning his engine on. "Lady


    Alice, we have to go now."


    "Sure," she responded sweetly and stepped back. "We can catch up some other day, Alpha Jace."


    Jace just nodded his head before he rolled up his window and began maneuvering the car out of the


    dormitory ground.


    He didn¡¯t say anything, and I wanted to show him that I was irritated with Alice, but I couldn¡¯t keep


    myself from talking.


    "Do you like it when females address you as Alpha Jace?"


    "What¡¯s with the question?"


    "Why have you never addressed me as Lady Amara?"


    He chuckled before he turned his head to look at me. His forehead creased, but a smile was written on


    his face. And for some reason, I was under the impression his good mood had something to do with


    Alice.


    "What¡¯s with your weird question?"


    I didn¡¯t answer.


    "Would you rather I call you Lady Amara than Kitten? Than brave heart? or simply Amara? I can do


    that¡­ Although I like kitten better. It suits you better than Lady Amara."


    I rolled my eyes and kept my focus straight ahead with my arms still crossed on my chest. I had no


    right to be jealous, but I couldn¡¯t help it. I was sure if I opened my mouth, I would sound like a brat, so I


    tried to shut it for now.


    "Hey, is my girlfriend jealous?" He asked after a while.


    And although a smile was tempting to crack on my face, I did my best to remain with a poker


    expression and ignore him.


    "Lady Amara¡­ Nah, I don¡¯t like the sound of it."


    Silence.


    "Come on, if you don¡¯t talk with me. We¡¯ll turn around, and I¡¯ll drop you back to your dorm." He was still


    chuckling and having fun with this.


    "Kitten. Come here, purr at me."


    That was it, a smile slipped and curled on my lips, and no matter how I kept biting my bottom lip, I


    couldn¡¯t help smiling.


    "There. That¡¯s way better than a scowl."


    "I sound stupid here talking on my own. Don¡¯t ignore me."


    "Sorry, I just don¡¯t know what to say."


    "She came and knocked on my window. It¡¯ll be rude if I don¡¯t roll my window down."


    "Okay. I¡¯m not even asking."


    "I¡¯m telling. Otherwise, I might get dumped, and it¡¯s not even twenty-four yet."


    I tilted my head to look at him, a smile ying on my lips. "You''re enjoying teasing me."


    "I never had a girlfriend, so I¡¯m not used to handling jealousy."


    "Who said I¡¯m jealous?" I red at him yfully, before chuckling softly.


    "Oh, my bad. I assumed."


    "Is there any reason I should be jealous?"


    "With her? No."


    "Got it. My onlypetition is your mate."


    "Amara¡­" He let out a sigh as if saying, ¡®here we go again.¡¯


    "Chill! I¡¯m cool with that. Where are we eating?" I diverted the topic.


    "Do you like something fancy, or are you up for some grilled meat at a simple food ce?"


    "Let¡¯s go to your favorite ce. I¡¯m not a picky eater."


    "I know. That¡¯s what I like about you. I don¡¯t need to bring a red carpet when I go anywhere with you."


    Yeah. And yet not enough to make you like me.


    I wanted to say that, but I didn¡¯t. Jace was giving me more than he should have. I should be happy with


    that.


    "We¡¯re here." He said after a while, and it snapped me out of my thoughts.


    Great. A burger joint. Well, what should I expect? Jace enjoyed dining at simple ces such as this.


    I got out of the car the moment he stopped and watched as he fit his car into thest parking spot


    before jumping out.


    I walked ahead of him and pushed the door open, and the smell of grilled barbecue and hamburgers


    weed me and made me hungry. No wonder he chose this ce, the smell alone was appetizing.


    Someone whistled, and I knew I shouldn¡¯t be looking, but it was toote to realize what my head was


    doing. My head was already tilted in the direction of a booth where four males and two females were


    seated, and from the looks of it, it was Joshua that whistled ¡ª one of the annoying jocks on the


    campus, and future Alpha of the Eclipse Pack, the pack next to my territory.


    "Amara¡­ Amara. Damn, you keep getting sexier." He licked his lips, and he raked my body up and


    down.


    I rolled my eyes and prepared to ignore him so that he wouldn¡¯t ruin my evening. But before I could


    walk away, the door behind me chimed, and I felt an arm circling my waist, pulling me closer to his


    body.


    "If you have nothing good to say, I suggest you keep your mouth shut," Jace spoke, and his deep


    baritone voice was so sexy that it was the only thing I could focus on.


    "So it¡¯s true, you and Amara are dating?"


    "Do you have a problem with that?" Jace snapped back, and I could feel him rolling off his Alpha aura.


    "No." He raised his hands, but I could tell that he wasn¡¯t at all afraid of Jace. He was cocky and


    arrogant, just like his father. "I just thought I¡¯d say you¡¯re lucky to snatch and fuck a female with a


    body¡­"


    In a matter of seconds, Jace vanished from beside me, and I just saw him in front of Joshua. His hand


    coiled against his shirt as he pulled him up from his seat.


    "One more fucking time you say something inappropriate to Amara, whether in my presence or not, I¡¯m


    going to forget that I¡¯m the Alpha of this territory, and I will fucking crush your face."


    The crowd inside this ce was already looking at them while I remained rooted to my spot. I was


    thankful Jace said that because Joshua had been annoying metely, sending me messages asking


    me to go out with him when he was dating females left and right. But of course, I knew what he wanted


    from the beginning ¡ª it wasn''t just me ¡ª he wanted my pack.


    And I was sure as hell that I didn''t want him anywhere near me or my pack.


    Joshua didn¡¯t say anything while the males around him were trying to pacify Jace.


    Jace gave him a few more warnings before he let him go and left his booth. He then went back to me


    and held my arm, guiding me to the empty table at the other end.


    "Rx. I¡¯m okay. I¡¯m sure I can take care of myself." I told Jace as I slipped inside the booth and


    watched as he slid and sat next to me.


    "Was he always like that?" He asked, his forehead creasing.


    "He has always been cocky with me, but he has never said my name and fuck at the same time, so


    maybe it was triggered by the news that we are a couple."


    "I didn¡¯t know he likes you."

 Chapter 16

    Chapter 16


    AMARA.


    "I didn¡¯t know he likes you," he said, and it made me raise an eyebrow.


    Did Jace think he knew every guy who was crushing on me?


    "Maybe not me, but my territory. His father has been proposing to Dad for an arranged iming and


    merging of packs once we were mated."


    "What?" A scowl formed on his face. "I¡¯m sure Uncle won¡¯t agree."


    "Of course, he didn¡¯t. Besides, I want to be my pack¡¯s Alpha. I¡¯m not handing my title to my mate."


    He nodded his head before he shot them a hateful nce.


    My arm went around his shoulders while the other cupped his face to tilt his head to look back at me.


    "Don¡¯t let him ruin our time together."


    "You need to tell me if he ever approaches you this way again, or anything else he will tell you." The


    scowl was still on his face.


    "I can handle it for sure."


    "I¡¯m sure you can, but I still want to know. I just need one fucking wrong move from him and I will kick


    him out of the academy." He turned his head to look at them, so I just released my hand from his face,


    but I didn¡¯t remove my arm from around his shoulders.


    "Aren¡¯t you showing favoritism now?"


    "You might think it that way, but if he can do it to you, an Alpha Female, what more for other females


    with lower ranks?"


    Yeah, right. So much for thinking it was just me he was concerned about.


    "Okay¡­ I will let you know. Can we enjoy this night and not let him bother us? I might never get this


    chance to dine out with you again, so please... smile?"


    He turned his head so abruptly that I was not able to move my head back, and the next thing I knew,


    his lips were closing in on mine.


    My eyes widened before I caught sight of Joshua and the females with them looking into our booth.


    Well, who was I toin? I silently thanked them for looking as I closed my eyes.


    The heat rose from my stomach to my chest the moment Jace¡¯s lips brushed over mine and all of my


    beings reacted to him instinctively.


    My toes curled as a low whimper left my throat, while my free hand gripped his shirt tightly. I was


    kissing the Alpha in front of me with all the passion I had for him, not minding at all that we were in a


    public ce.


    Jace bit my bottom lip before withdrawing from our kiss. "Was that better than a smile?" He asked, a


    wicked grin tugging on his mouth.


    I nodded my head, and my thumb ran against his lips, wiping away the sheer lipgloss that had


    transferred there. But Jace surprised me one more time when he took my thumb inside his mouth and


    began sucking it.


    My pussy throbbed, and I swore to the Goddess that if he didn¡¯t stop, I might have an orgasm from all


    the tingles I felt at the moment. His action and his eyes were hypnotizing me. It made me want more.


    He bit my thumb before parting his lips, and I took it as a signal to remove my finger.


    "I think we should order..." I mumbled as I smiled, but I was sure it was an awkward one.


    "That sounds like a good idea." He smiled sheepishly, making those dimples visible before he turned


    his body around and waved for the server while I withdrew my arm from his shoulders.


    I was trying to control the beating of my heart, but I was not going to deny that I was enjoying this.


    "I¡¯ll have a double grilled cheeseburger with bacon and chicken wings with different kinds of dipping


    sauce. And a big ss of local beer."


    "Got it." The male server said before turning his attention to me. "And for thedy?"


    "I¡¯ll order the same thing. And some French fries into it."


    "Except for the ss of beer. Give her arge ss of apple juice." Jace butted in.


    It made my eyes squint, but I didn¡¯t say anything until the server left after he repeated our orders.


    It was only then that I protested.


    "Not fair. I can drink beer. I won¡¯t get drunk. I have a wolf already."


    He pinched my nose with two crooked fingers before he replied. "I¡¯m still the Alpha here. Let me be a


    responsible one. Thest thing I want to hear is people using me of allowing a minor to drink beer


    when the state does not allow 17-year-olds from consuming one."


    I rolled my eyes but nodded my head in agreement.


    Two months, and I would be able to drink beer legally in his eyes.


    ------------------


    JACE.


    The simple dining out extended into a night movie.


    Amara obviously used her charm on me, and being the good boyfriend that I was, I caved in and drove


    us to the movie house after we spent more than two hours at the diner.


    I would think of the consequences tomorrow because, as much as I hate to admit it, I was having fun.


    I had never been on a date. I had never taken anyone on a dinner date except for Mom, a day after I


    turned eighteen, and up until now, she was the only female I dated.


    But then I was not sure if this counted as a date.


    I paid for the meal and the movie tickets, and I didn¡¯t argue when she sped our hands together or


    when she leaned her head on my shoulder the whole time we were watching a movie. And I might have


    wrapped an arm around her, holding her closer. That looked like a fucking date. Right?


    I removed my arm from around her as the closing credits for the movie rolled up and the main lights


    were switched on. I leaned forward and brushed my palms against my face before checking the time on


    my mobile phone.


    I missed two calls, one from my Beta and one from my Gamma. But there were no messages. They


    were probably checking where I was. All they knew was that I was with Amara to eat somewhere, but I


    forgot to let them know we went for a movie.


    I opened my inbox and sent Tyler a message to let him know I was still alive and would be home soon.


    The fucker just replied with a thumbs-up sign and an emoticon with heart eyes.


    I chuckled and shook my head before slipping the mobile back into my pocket and tilting my head to


    look at Amara, who was still leaning back on her seat just looking at me.


    "I should get you back to your dormitory. It¡¯s almost nine-thirty in the evening."


    "It¡¯s way past my curfew." She said, but she doesn¡¯t look bothered at all.


    "I know. I can talk to the security, and I¡¯m sure, likest night, they won¡¯t have any issues with it."


    "Except the females would see meing homete again¡­ with you. At least if I don¡¯te back


    there tonight, they won¡¯t know I was not even inside my room."


    "And what are you suggesting?" I asked but I already knew where this was heading.


    She smiled widely. "I¡¯m sure some packhouse will wee me wholeheartedly for the night, as I heard


    their Alpha is too nice and will never abandon a female in the middle of the night with nowhere to go."


    I chuckled as I stood up. "You are so good at manipting this Alpha."


    "I know. So is that a yes?"


    "Yes. What choice do I have?"


    She stood up and began walking ahead down the aisle of seats while I followed her.


    "Will I be sleeping in your room?" she asked after a while.


    "Nice try, kitten. But no. I have a lot of guest rooms. And don¡¯t push it."


    She raised her hands, her shoulders shaking a bit as she stifled herughter. "Fine. My ss is at nine


    o¡¯clock tomorrow."


    "You can go with Catherine."


    "Her ss is at eight in the morning. But yeah, I can try waking up too early." She replied, letting out a


    sigh.


    "I can drive you too, or if not, if somethinges up, you can use one of my cars."


    "Thanks, Jace." She beamed at me and slowed down from walking.


    "No worries. It¡¯s all good." I told her as I moved beside her, and we walked down the stairs of the


    cinema building together.


    And just like earlier when we left the grill joint, she slipped her hand into mine, and I sped our hands


    together, holding her as we walked toward the area where I parked my pickup.


    I knew she was manipting me to do what she wanted, but as long as we were not crossing the line, I


    had no issue with it.


    After the incident with Joshua earlier, it made me realize that agreeing to be her boyfriend until she


    turned eighteen was the right choice to make.


    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    It was the only thing I could do to ensure that she would end up with her mate, and not with someone


    who just wanted to y her.


    I knew Amara could handle and protect herself, but I wasn¡¯t sure if she was still able to think rationally if


    I kept pushing her away. And thest thing I wanted was for her to take the bait and jump to the first


    man that would show interest in her.


    if there was anyone that deserved Amara, it would be his mate. And I would make sure she would end


    up with him.


    Two months.


    Or until she found her mate.


    But before that, I had to make sure to guard my heart and hers, while we ventured into this so-called


    pretend rtionship.

 Chapter 17

    Chapter 17


    JACE.


    My Beta and Gamma were still in the office when I arrived home, so I sent Amara on her own to


    choose whatever guest room she wanted to take. I saw her hesitate, but she must have seen that I was


    not to be swayed this time, because she didn¡¯t argue and went up the stairs on her own.


    I waited until she disappeared from my sight before I headed to my office.


    "The Alpha is finally home!" Austin eximed the moment I opened the door and stepped inside.


    "Why are you still here?" I asked. My eyes shifted between him and Tyler as I walked to my chair. They


    were not doing anything but drinking.


    Tyler slid a ss of whisky on my table, and I caught it in time before it hit the edge.


    "We want to know what you were up to that you abandoned us for thest seven hours," Tyker said.


    "Seven hours?" I nced up at the clock. It was almost ten in the evening.


    "You left around three, and you said you¡¯d be back before dinner time."


    "Did you fuck Amara?" Austin asked, a coy smile ying on his lips as he sipped his whisky.


    I threw the pen that I was ying with my fingers as I chuckled. "Just because I was gone for hours


    doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m screwing someone."


    "Well, you never went away for a long time unless you needed to be somewhere."


    "So where did you do it? Forest? Because I¡¯m sure Aunt Luisa would not allow you in her room."


    "We just watched some movies. If you¡¯re doubting that," I paused and pointed a finger at Austin. "Call


    the movie house tomorrow and check."


    "So you went on a fucking date!" Austin eximed. "Weird, man. We are not made for dates. Well,


    except for Tyler."


    "Tyler?" My brow hiked up. I didn¡¯t know my Beta was dating someone.


    "Shut up, Austin. It was not a date?"


    "Am I missing something? Are you dating someone?" I asked Tyler, but it was Austin who answered.


    "He took Catherine out to dinner."


    "When?" My eyes were staring at my Beta.


    "It¡¯s not a date, man. She just didn¡¯t like the food and wanted to eat somewhere else."


    "When?" I asked the same question.


    "Last night."


    "Last night. She decided she didn¡¯t want the food when I was not home and couldn¡¯te back before


    midnight."


    "We just ate out." Tyler raised his palms in the air before he scowled at Austin, and then turned his


    eyes to me. "I swear, Alpha, I didn¡¯t touch even her hair."


    "Just her pussy probably." Austin chuckled.


    A growl erupted from my throat, but I was sure the one that came out of Tyler was louder. And in


    seconds, he already had Austin¡¯s shirt in his hand.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    "Sorry. Fuck! I overdid it. I didn¡¯t mean to say that to Catherine. I was just joking." Austin¡¯s expression


    turned serious. He might have seen something in Tyler¡¯s eyes that made him change his stance on the


    topic.


    Tyler let him go before brushing his hand over his hair and looking at me. "I¡¯m keeping my word. I¡¯m not


    taking advantage of your sister. I would never do that. I¡¯m going to bed."


    He turned around and was heading for the door when I stopped him.


    "Stay," I said in a firm voice.


    "I¡¯m sorry, man. That was below the belt. I would never disrespect Catherine, but I took the joke in the


    wrong direction. I would never joke about it if I knew you were taking advantage of her." Austin


    exined in one breath.


    "I don¡¯t mind jokes, Austin. But let¡¯s leave the female out of it. You can threaten to castrate my balls and


    feed them to the wolves. I won¡¯t mind, just not Catherine."


    "Got it. I guess, Amara too." He said and sighed.


    "All females, Austin. If we¡¯re talking about females in general and just joking around it, I think that¡¯s fine.


    But individually, let¡¯s not get to that."


    Austin pushed his body up from the couch where he was seated and closed the distance to where Tyler


    was, offering his hand for a handshake. "Can we move on from that bad remark? I love Catherine with


    all my heart, so that was really foul."


    Tyler let out a deep breath, before taking his hand and pulling him in for a hug. "You need to apologize


    to the brother. I was sure a punch could havended on you if I was not the first one that reached you."


    A smirk tugged at my lips as I chuckled. Tyler was right, if I hadn¡¯t seen himunch at Austin, I would


    have done the same.


    Austin scratched his head before turning to look at me with apologetic eyes. "I know I¡¯m the shittiest


    here. No more sidements on your females or any females. Period. Alpha, are we good?"


    I nodded my head.


    "Am I still allowed to ask questions about you and Amara?"


    "She¡¯s not my girlfriend, but¡­" I rubbed my palm against my face. "We are pretending that we are. So


    those fuckers would back off from her."


    Tyler chuckled before leaning his back against the wall and slipping his hands inside his pockets.


    "Come on, Alpha. Amara can handle herself on her own."


    "I know. I just want to make sure she ends up with her fated mate, not any other male around."


    "Does she want that as well? Or she wants you?" Tyler asked.


    "Having a chosen is not bad," Austin added.


    "Unless you end up meeting your mate while you already have a chosen, and you end up hurting one


    of them," I told them.


    "I get that, but just be careful. Pretending to be her boyfriend is putting your foot across the friendship


    line, and you might just realize you have dragged the other foot too. You¡¯re protecting Amara, but who¡¯s


    protecting you from falling in love with her, Jace?"


    "I can protect myself."


    "If you say so."


    ¡ª--------


    I kept reying in my head the conversation I had with Tyler and Austin in my office. Although they


    respected my decision to y along with Amara, they were not sure I could keep my end of the bargain


    as I never had any females around me in close proximity as I was allowing Amara.


    I knew I was taking a big risk, but two months wasn¡¯t that far. Then I would know if she was my mate or


    not. And if not, I would move on, even though the idea terrified me.


    A knock on my door snapped me out of my senses, and I immediately smelled Amara¡¯s sweet scent.


    I stood up from lying down in my bed, grabbed the shirt that I had already taken off, and pulled it on my


    body. I had no n on tempting the kitten tonight, as I was sure I would be the one who would have a


    hard time resisting her.


    "Yes?" I asked the moment the door opened, and I leaned my arm against the door frame.


    She smiled at me and clutched the bathrobe tightly against her body.


    "Do you have clothes under that robe?" I asked, but I knew the answer already. I forgot to take her to


    theundry room, where some clean clothes are stored until they are brought up to our rooms by the


    omegas.


    She shook her head.


    I retreated to my closet and picked up a shirt before tossing it to her. She caught it with one hand


    before mouthing her thanks.


    I wondered why she didn¡¯t go and check on Catherine, as I was sure my sister was still awake when we


    arrived home.


    "Anything else you need?" I asked as I stood in front of her.


    "Can I sleep here?"


    "No," I answered instantly.


    "I¡¯m not asking to have sex with you."


    "I know. But it¡¯s still a no."


    "I¡¯ll behave."


    "I¡¯m sure you will. But what if I can¡¯t?"


    "I¡¯ll make you behave." She said, her nose scrunching up, and I was sure she didn¡¯t trust her own


    words.


    I chuckled and shook my head. "Go to bed, kitten. It¡¯s midnight, and you have school tomorrow."


    "What are you scared of? I used to sleep in this room, on that bed." She pointed at my super king-size


    bed.


    "Nah. That bed is new. No one has slept there except me. Besides, everybody slept here when we


    were pups because we were watching movies."


    "I want to hang out too, and watch movies."


    "I have work tomorrow."


    "You¡¯re no fun!" She rolled her eyes at me, and turned her body around, clutching the shirt I gave her.


    "Once I¡¯m taken and imed, we¡¯re not allowed to hang out anymore."


    "I know." I let out a sigh and watched as she walked down the corridor toward the stairs.


    "Goodnight, kitten."


    "Goodnight, rockstar." She replied in a low, defeated voice, and hearing it pained me as well.


    I closed my door the moment she was out of my sight and turned off all the lights before pulling my shirt


    and sweatpants off my body, tossing them on the chair nearby, and sliding inside my nket.


    If Amara believed she could run me over and force me to do her bidding, she was mistaken.


    Or she was right.


    After ten minutes of tossing and turning in my bed, I finally gave up. I stood up from my bed and picked


    up my clothes, pulling them on before grabbing a pillow from my bed and heading out of my room.


    I had no idea what room she took, but I guess I had to rely on my nose to sniff her out.


    I stopped by the third floor, but her scent was too faint there, so I went down to the second floor directly


    and followed her scent. I stopped by the door where her scent was way too strong, and knocked three


    times.


    Silence.


    Maybe she was asleep already.


    In ten minutes?


    Or maybe not in her room? But where the fuck was she?


    My eyes darted to the room at the end of the corridor.


    Austin¡¯s room was on this floor, Tyler¡¯s was on the third floor, and Catherine and I were on the fourth


    floor.


    I shook my head and pushed the idea away that she was in Austin¡¯s room. Austin was not stupid to


    cross Uncle Aeon. Or me.


    "Amara?" I spoke in a low voice, contemting if I should knock again or just go.


    And then I heard little footsteps. She was still awake.


    The door to her room opened and revealed Amara, who was looking at me with her eyebrows hiked up.


    She had my shirt on already.


    Her gaze shifted from my face to the pillow in my hand.


    I raised the pillow and smiled sheepishly at her. "I can¡¯t sleep without this pillow."


    "Okay. Thanks for letting me know."


    And then we bothughed in a hushed tone before she opened the door widely and I stepped in.


    "You can¡¯t sleep, huh?" She asked as she locked the door.


    "I was thinking you were upset with me."


    She shrugged her shoulders and turned off the main lights, leaving just the dimmedmps, but it was


    enough for me to see her as she went to the right side of the bed while I remained standing in the


    middle of her room, facing her bed with a pillow in my hand.


    She then tapped the space beside her. "Come, let¡¯s sleep. My eyes are falling already."


    I chuckled and tossed the pillow on my side of the bed before I pulled my shirt over my head and just


    left my sweat pants on as I had no boxers on before climbing to the bed beside her.


    She slid her body down the bed and clutched the nket to her neck. "Goodnight, Jace."


    I could hear the fast beating of her heart.


    And even if I knew I should just sleep and behave, the temptation of pulling her into my arms was too


    strong.


    "Do you want me to move closer?"


    "Okay."


    "Are you nervous?" I just had to ask.


    "No."


    She was lying. Her aura was dwindling.


    "Come here, so I can hug you."


    "We¡¯re not having sex, Jace." She blurted out.


    "No, we are not. I promise."


    She let out a deep sigh before she inched closer, and my hand slipped under her body before I pulled


    her into my chest, because she was taking too long to move.


    "I just realized I¡¯d never been with a man in a room alone like this."


    I was right. She might be bold and reckless at times, but she was still not used to this. But it was


    refreshing to see this side of her.


    "Do you want me to go back to my room?" I asked her.


    "No. But will you promise to behave?"


    "Are you scared of me?"


    "No. I¡¯m scared of myself, Jace."


    I smiled as I pulled her head close to my heart. "You¡¯re doing a great job, and I¡¯ll make sure to remind


    you if you lose control. And I promise I will behave tonight."


    "Goodnight, Jace."


    "Goodnight, Kitten."


    I felt her tilt her head up as I lowered my own, which caused her mouth to brush against my lips.


    She was probably meant to kiss my cheek, but then I tipped my head down to look at her.


    We stayed frozen. Just our lips pressed against each other until the kitten in my arms wed my chest


    with her fingers, moved her lips against mine, and began kissing me sensually.


    My mind told me to withdraw and just peck her lips, but my body wasn¡¯t in agreement.


    Just five seconds.


    My hand went to the back of her head and held her in ce while I kissed her back.


    The kiss went on for a long time, and while Amara let her hands skim and trail against my naked chest,


    I restrained my hands from moving anywhere to touch her.


    A soft moan escaped her throat, and it snapped me back to my senses.


    If I let another minute go by, I know I would lose control. So I parted from her mouth and smiled at her


    before pecking her lips one more time and hugging her tightly in my arms as I mumbled against her


    hair. "Let¡¯s sleep¡­"

 Chapter 18

    Chapter 18


    JACE.


    A soft moan reached my ears, and my arms automatically wrapped around the petite female beside me


    while she snuggled against my neck. Her warm and wet mouth trailed down my skin as she suckled


    and nibbled it.


    My hand lowered until I reached the hem of her shirt. I slipped my fingers under the fabric until I was


    able to cup her round ass. She had no underwear.


    I usually don¡¯t dream of Amara this way, and I wanted to take advantage. At least in my dreams, I could


    cross the line as much as I wanted to.


    I squeezed her ass tightly, pping it, and it made a low growl reverberate from my chest.


    My kitten purred and wrapped one leg around my body. I didn¡¯t waste time and let my hand crawl lower


    until it reached her wet pussy.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    I knew my dream would be over soon, but I wanted to feel her. a


    She was fucking wet.


    I slid my middle finger into her wet entrance, pushing my finger deeper inside her, and I could almost


    hear her juices squeaking from my intrusion as if it were the real thing.


    I began ramming my finger in and out of her while letting my thumb slide in between her ass cheeks.


    I was enjoying the warmth and tightness of her pussy and I couldn¡¯t stop a low grunt from escaping my


    throat.


    "Jace..." she whimpered as her body stiffened as if she were just beside me...


    Fuck!


    My eyes snapped open when it hit me that I slept beside Amarast night. I tipped my head down and


    saw her staring at me, her eyes wide open, and the guilt crashed over me so hard that my body jolted


    and so did my hand ¡ª withdrawing from her and rolling to my side of the bed, that I ended up falling to


    the floor.


    "Jace!" She yelled before I saw her head peeking from the bed while Iy t on the floor, staring at her


    confused face.


    "What are you doing?" It was the only thing I could think of to say. But I meant to ask myself and not


    her.


    "I thought I¡¯d wake you up as it¡¯s almost six, and you usually work at six. But you''re not moving, so...


    I..." She was stammering. "I tickled your neck."


    With her mouth.


    I nodded my head before I pushed my body up from the floor without looking at her, and grabbed my


    shirt from the nearby couch. I put it on before I turned around to face her, cing a hand on my waist.


    "I should go. You can go back to sleep, breakfast is at eight."


    "I know breakfast is at eight."


    "Okay." I swallowed and motioned with my thumb toward the door. "I¡¯ll go."


    Guilt was still washing over me like a tidal wave, and I had no idea if I should apologize or just ignore it.


    I chose thetter.


    "Your pillow," she said before I reached the door.


    "Of course." I smiled at her and watched as she tossed it my way before catching it with one hand. I


    immediately unlocked the door and walked out, not even throwing another nce at her because I was


    sure she was disappointed with me.


    I couldn¡¯t even own up to my own actions.


    I thought it was a dream, as I would never touch her in that manner, even if I wanted to.


    I brushed my hand over my face when Amara¡¯s pussy scent made my cock twitch ¡ª I didn¡¯t even


    realize I was walking down the stairs instead of going up to my room.


    A smirk tugged on my lips before I slipped my middle finger into my mouth and sucked it.


    That was fucking tasty.


    I was still sucking when I heard footsteps from the other side of the hallway as I reached the end of the


    stair. I pulled my hand from my mouth and watched as Beta Tyler walked in with a coffee in his hand.


    "What¡¯s with the pillow?" He asked as we walked side by side toward my office.


    "Huh?" I was baffled by his question until I realized I was still holding my pillow.


    He chuckled before he continued. "If you want to sleep more, then go back to bed. No early meeting so


    you can catch up on your sleep."


    "I¡¯m good, man."


    "Are you sure?" He opened the office door and let me in first. "You smell of Amara."


    "What? We just sleep."


    "I didn¡¯t say anything. Just that you smell of her. Maybe go shower before Catherine smells you and


    she freaks out¡­"


    Or get the idea that she was allowed to do this with Tyler? I added it for myself.


    I nodded my head at him before turning. "I¡¯ll be back."


    "Alpha," His voice sounded serious, and it made me halt my walking. I was sure I would receive some


    serious words from my Beta. "Are you sure of what you¡¯re doing? Are you not putting yourself in a


    bigger hole?"


    I didn¡¯t reply. Instead, I walked out of my office with his words ringing in my head.


    I knew where he wasing from.


    Even without saying anything, I knew Tyler loved my sister from the very beginning. He had never paid


    attention to or shown loyalty to any female except Catherine, but his parent¡¯s fate was the only thing


    holding him back from taking a step forward to tell her how he felt about her.


    Tyler grew up believing he could not reject his fated mate ¡ª that the Goddess had given his parents a


    beautiful gift when she forgave them for their mistakes. And that he was not allowed to make the same


    mistake again of rejecting his mate.


    He was taught that his fated mate was the only one he was meant to be with.


    We had the same belief, but for some reason, my Beta had more control than me.


    ¡ª--------


    AMARA.


    I showered and put on the clothes I had yesterday, but I didn¡¯t have any underwear as I didn¡¯t want to


    use them again.


    This was not the first time I wentmando anyway. It might be a little ufortable with jeans, but I


    think I could pull it off until I had time to go back to my dorm. But even if I had been ready to get


    moving, I was stuck in ce.


    I¡¯d been staring at the bathroom mirror for quite some time now, and I was still unsure of how I should


    approach Jace after what happened this morning.


    I went overboard by waking him up with those kisses on his neck. I was expecting an outburst and


    scolding, so when he started touching me, my body reacted weirdly.


    But I hoped he didn¡¯t stop touching me. His finger felt so right inside my pussy that the moment he left


    the room, I got up, locked the door, and proceeded to touch myself.


    Just a few seconds of him inside me got me addicted, and just the thought of it was making me wet.


    I let out a deep sigh before grabbing my small purse. I exited the bathroom and scanned the whole


    room. After making sure everything was tidy and the bed was perfectly fixed, I headed for the door.


    This was it. Either Jace would ignore what happened or he would scold me for tempting him.


    ¡®Don¡¯t cry if he scolds you. You just kissed him, which he¡¯s been doing with you all night, it was him that


    crossed the line when he put his finger inside you.¡¯ Ice told me, giving me the confidence I needed.


    Right. He was the one at fault here. Not me.


    I skipped down the stairs and headed for the dining room. I could already smell breakfast, and it made


    me hungry. I was about to turn to enter the kitchen when I bumped into Catherine.


    "What are you doing here?" Her eyes were rounding, but she didn¡¯t stop walking.


    "I was outter than curfew, so I asked your brother if I could stay here."


    "But you know I¡¯m leaving for school before eight. I can¡¯t wait for you or I¡¯ll bete." She said as she


    walked backward, heading for the main door.


    "I¡¯m okay. Jace will have someone drive me to school, or if not, I¡¯m sure I can find a way."


    "Okay. See you at break time." She waved before turning around and rushing out of the packhouse


    while I made my way to the dining room, only to stop on my track when my eyesnded at the head of


    the table.


    Jace was already seated, and beside him were his Beta and Gamma.


    "Good morning, Lady Amara." Beta Tyler greeted me.


    "It¡¯s Amara, Beta Tyler. Am Ite?" I asked, shing them a wide smile as my gaze shifted between the


    three of them.


    "No. We just sat down. Come and eat with us." Gamma Austin smiled and tapped the seat beside him.


    I saw Jace¡¯s forehead crease.


    Oh, well, I could seat beside the Beta or the Gamma, or on the other side facing Jace, but maybe


    pushing my luck a bit wouldn¡¯t hurt.


    "Thanks," I smiled at Austin and sat beside him before taking the te that the Omega handed me.


    "Catherine left. How you will get to school?" Tyler asked.


    I was about to say the same thing I told Catherine, but Gamma Austin butted in.


    "I can drive you. I don¡¯t have any schedule untilter."


    I would rather have Jace drive me, but if he doesn¡¯t want to, what choice do I have? I was about to nod


    my head when he finally spoke.


    "I¡¯ll drive Amara."


    "Don¡¯t you have an appointment this morning?" Tyler asked.


    "I do. But I¡¯ll drive her."


    "I can do it, Alpha." Austin insisted. "Otherwise you¡¯ll be rerouting. You should be on the other side¡­"


    "I¡¯ll drive Amara."


    "Are you sure? I don¡¯t mind." Austin again.


    "I brought her herest night, then I should be the one driving her back to the academy."


    "Cut it out, Austin. The alpha said he would do it." Tyler said, a coy smile stered on his face.


    "Perhaps we should ask Amara whether the Alpha or I should drive her."


    "Your charm doesn¡¯t work with Amara. You should have known that for years." Tyler chuckled.


    "I haven¡¯t tried this year. Who knows Amara is my fated mate?" He turned his head and winked at me,


    but I could tell he was just teasing me. "So what do you say I drive you to school? I¡¯m not as grumpy as


    Jace. I¡¯m sure we will have fun in the car."

 Chapter 19

    Chapter 19


    AMARA.


    "So what do you say I drive you to school? I¡¯m not as grumpy as Jace. I¡¯m sure we will have fun in the


    car." Austin asked.


    I couldn¡¯t help myughter this time, but I tried to stifle it by covering my mouth with my hand.


    Austin hadn¡¯t changed at all. Even at almost twenty-one, he would still try to hit every female he came


    across.


    "Aheemm¡­" Jace cleared his throat a little too loudly, and all heads turned to him. His gaze was on his


    food as he kept eating, but then he spoke. "Amara, eat. Or you¡¯ll bete for your first ss."


    "Yes, Daddy¡­" I answeredzily.


    It was supposed to be a joke, but it didn¡¯t appear like that to Jace and Austin.


    Jace¡¯s face morphed into a scowl while Austin¡¯s eyes twinkled.


    "Why the fuck that sounded sexy?" Austin shed me a wide grin that made dimples appear on his


    face. "Can you say that to me this time?"


    His words made my eyes widen. These guys took the daddy differently.


    "Austin!" Tyler called his attention before he snickered.


    "What?" He chuckled.


    "Stop that. Or the punch the Alpha withheldst night willnd on you soon."


    "Amara and I are just having fun. Right?" Austin looked at me, nodding his head as if urging me to


    agree with him.


    "Amara eat. We¡¯ll go in five minutes." Jace butted in.


    "Five minutes?" My eyes widened before my forehead creased. "What can I eat in five minutes?"


    "If you haven¡¯t been entertaining Austin¡¯s flirtation, I am sure you¡¯re done with breakfast by now." He


    put his fork down, letting me know he was done with food as he sipped his coffee.


    "Are you going to drive me to school? Or Austin?" I asked innocently.


    "I said I would."


    "Are you sure you¡¯ll be fine with the Alpha? I¡¯m more fun than him. I don¡¯t scowl."


    A loud scraping of the chair¡¯s feet erupted in the air as Jace stood up from his seat. "Eat faster. I¡¯ll wait


    for you in the car." He didn¡¯t even look at me as he walked out of the dining room.


    No one attempted to breathe. No one said anything until he was out of sight and we could no longer


    hear any footsteps.


    "Eat, Amara," Tyler said, pushing the tes of bacon in front of me.


    I shook my head and stood up. "I¡¯ll grab food at the cafeteria, I don¡¯t want to anger the big, grumpy


    wolf," I told him as I got up from my seat. "See you around!"


    "Amara!" Austin called my name, and I tilted my head to look at him. He threw a banana without a


    warning, but thanks to my fast reflex, I was able to catch it. "Eat something. A grumpy Alpha and a


    hungry Female Alpha are a badbination."


    I chuckled softly at his words. "Thanks, I¡¯ll keep that in mind."


    "Hopefully that trick will help my cousin move faster and admit he likes you." He added, and my eyes


    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    widened. "If not, let me know. We can do more. I¡¯m good at pretending too."


    I walked back and nted a kiss on his cheek, thankful that he seemed to be on my side. I waved at


    the Beta before walking away.


    "And that, my friend, is how you get the girl. You pretend to help her out until she can¡¯t resist you


    anymore." Austin told Tyler, but I was sure he was joking as he said it while I was still in the dining


    room.


    Myughter erupted in the air as I shook my head. Not just because he was joking about it, but


    because it was the same strategy I was using with Jace ¡ª pretending to help him away from his


    females until he could no longer resist me.


    A wide smile was still on my face as I skipped down the steps of the packhouse going to his car. Jace


    was leaning against his car, with his sses on and his hands inside his pocket, looking at the heavens


    above.


    "I¡¯m ready!" I stopped in front of him.


    "You didn¡¯t eat."


    "Austin gave me his banana." I wiggled my eyebrows at him.


    "The fuck." He grunted before grabbing the banana from my hand. He opened the door at the backseat


    of his car and tossed the banana inside before grabbing a ck hoodie.


    "Put this on." He pushed it over my head before pulling it down, and I had no choice but to slip my arms


    on it.


    "Why? It¡¯s not that cold."


    "I¡¯m sure some of your dorm mates saw you going out with those clothes you have. So they won¡¯t know


    you didn¡¯t go back therest night."


    "Okay." I didn¡¯t argue more, as I loved the smell of his hoodie. And he probably didn¡¯t like that it was a


    midriff blouse.


    Conservative Jace.


    I didn¡¯t wait for him to ask me to go inside his car. I went around and climbed into the passenger seat


    and buckled up, enjoying his scent around me. I saw him use this hoodie all the time. Well, he wouldn¡¯t


    be getting this back anymore. I had no ns to return it. This was all mine now.


    He drove the car out of the parking lot, and we weren¡¯t even a minute away from the packhouse when


    my stomach decided to growl.


    "Oops, sorry." I giggled before I unbuckled my belt and kneeled on my seat, bending to reach the


    banana in the backseat.


    "What are you doing?"


    "I¡¯m hungry," I said as I sat down and began peeling the banana skin. "I want to eat Austin¡¯s banana."


    He hissed as his forehead creased.


    "It¡¯s not Austin¡¯s banana. I paid for all food inside the packhouse." He snapped at me.


    Such a grumpy morning bear.


    I suppressed my giggle before I tilted my head to look at him with a poker face. "Then let me repeat


    that. I¡¯m hungry, and I want to eat your banana, daddy!"


    "Amara¡­" A growl rumbled in his chest as his jaw clenched


    "I¡¯ll behave now." I had to inch back to the door as I was not sure if I had reached the danger level of


    his piss-off meter.


    He didn¡¯t answer, but his hands on the steering wheel tightened, so I just ate silently, ying with the


    banana in my mouth whenever I felt him looking at me.


    "Can you finish that now so we can talk?" He spoke in a low voice.


    I tilted my head to his side and saw him looking at me.


    "Like this?" I shoved the remaining half of the banana into my mouth.


    Jace¡¯s eyes rounded as if he couldn¡¯t believe what he saw. Well, the banana was big, and I was putting


    on a big show here.


    Our eyes locked for a few seconds as I kept chewing the banana until his mouth twitched into a smile


    before he ended upughing, making me giggle as well.


    "Goddess, Amara!" He eximed as his focus went back to the road. "You¡¯ll be the death of me."


    I didn¡¯t answer because I was still trying to get the banana down my throat, but my shoulders were


    shaking because I was trying not tough.


    We stayed in silence as he drove, but I didn¡¯t mind this time as his mood was better. He no longer had


    the scowl on his face.


    When we entered the gate of the academy, Jace broke the silence and began talking without looking at


    me.


    "About this morning¡­"


    "We don¡¯t need to talk about it."


    "Right. But I want to tell you that¡­"


    "You¡¯re upset that I kept kissing your neck?" I cut him off again.


    "What are you talking about?" he asked.


    "Hmmm¡­ What are you talking about?" Of course, I knew what he meant.


    "My hands on your¡­"


    "Pussy." I said and I saw him swallow. "And how have you left me hanging? Don¡¯t worry, I touched


    myself after you left. So no harm done."


    His grip on the wheel tightened, and I couldn¡¯t help but giggle again.


    Oh, Goddess. I didn¡¯t know I would have so much fun teasing him this morning.


    "I was just kidding. I slept when you left the room. So don¡¯t worry about it."


    "Right." That¡¯s all he said as he put the car to a stop in front of my building.


    "Yeah, right. So next time, make sure you finish what you started so I won¡¯t entertain other bananas


    than yours." I said it in one breath, and his head slowly turned in my direction.


    I swear I saw his eyes dte before they returned to their sapphire color.


    I smiled at him and leaned forward, letting my lips brush against his.


    He didn¡¯t kiss me back this time, and although it was a shot to my ego, I didn¡¯t make a big fuss about it.


    But my shoulders dropped as I pulled away from his lips and opened the car door. "Thanks for the ride


    and the hoodie."


    I only have my purse with me, and I only have fifteen minutes before my first ss. I still had to run to


    my locker to get my things.


    "Amara," Jace called me as I was about to head to my building.


    I turned around and saw him walking toward me, and before I could make out what he nned to do,


    he had already bridged the gap between us, and his hands cupped my jaws before he crushed his lips


    against mine.


    Time stopped, and I forgot where I was or what I was supposed to do. So instead, I closed my eyes


    and let his mouth do all the work, parting my lips open to wee his tongue.


    And just when I was starting to melt in his kiss, the hot and cold Alpha pulled away from my mouth.


    "Have a good day." He smiled as if what he did was just an ordinary thing that happens every day.


    "You just kissed me in the middle of the quadrangle where there are many faculties and students


    around."


    "I know."


    "And one of the students could be Alonso."


    He scratched his head, and I wanted tough because I knew he didn¡¯t want this to reach my parents.


    "Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m sure he¡¯s not here. His first ss is sports. He¡¯s in a different building."


    "Got it." He stepped forward and cupped my face again before kissing me briefly, but despite the kiss


    being short, it was sizzling, burning me from the inside.


    "I have to go. I don¡¯t have any underwear, so I need to grab an extra pair from my locker so I can put


    one on."


    His eyes dted as his jaw clenched, but before he could say anything, I turned my body around and


    walked straight to the building at a fast pace.


    Amara - 100


    Jace - 0

 Chapter 20

    Chapter 20


    AMARA.


    The day went by draggingly slowly. And my disappointment just heightened because Jace was


    nowhere after ss hours.


    I expected him to be there to pick me up, but I guess I had unrealistic expectations.


    Or he was just busy. Austin and Tyler did say this morning at breakfast that he needed to be on the


    other side of his territory, so it might have taken his whole day.


    But I missed him.


    I had to stop myself from going to their packhouse to avoid appearing too aggressive. It was enough


    that he spent the whole afternoon and night with me until my first ss this morning.


    Oh, well. There will be other days.


    I walked toward the dorm from myst ss with some of my ssmates, and my mind was just


    floating in the air until one of them asked me about Jace.


    "I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t hear the rest of your question," I asked Ca, the one who asked about Jace.


    "You and Alpha Jace are dating, right?"


    "Hmmm¡­" I mumbled.


    "Well, Alice was saying in the breakroom this morning that it doesn¡¯t matter if you are dating, as Alpha


    Jace will never cancel on her at her party."


    "I don¡¯t think I understand what you mean," I told her.


    "Alpha Jace agreed to be Alice¡¯s escort for her 18th birthday." She added, and she sounded too proud


    that she knew about it.


    My heart thudded loudly but I didn¡¯t let my emotions show on my face. Was this what they were talking


    about yesterday? And he didn¡¯t tell me?


    ¡®But why would he tell you?¡¯ Ice asked sarcastically, but she sounded hurt and annoyed too.


    "She said he agreed months ago, so I asked if it¡¯s still a thing because of you, and she said yes, as he


    didn¡¯t say anything when they talked yesterday." This time, Jocelyn added


    "Oh, so they¡¯re talking..." Ca said.


    I wanted to roll my eyes at the malicious way the words came out of Ca¡¯s mouth. Why did I even


    walk with these two? I should have walked alone and been at peace.


    ¡®But then you will have no idea about this.¡¯ Ice said, and again, she was right.


    "Well, I¡¯m sure it¡¯s nothing personal, as Jace and Alicia¡¯s father have an alliance. And it doesn¡¯t mean


    anything except that he¡¯ll be there on her birthday." I answered nonchntly, even if I wanted to punch


    someone already.


    "Unless she turns out to be Alpha Jace¡¯s mate," Ca said.


    "Hey, stop it! Can you be a little more sensitive? Amara is here!" Jocelyn snapped at her.


    "I know, but I¡¯m sure Amara is aware of the reality of life, and it doesn¡¯t mean Alpha Jace will leave her


    for Alice."


    Yeah, right. I was sure he would drop me in an instant if Alice turned out to be his mate.


    "He could be Amara¡¯s mate too," Jocelyn added meekly.


    "Who knows? He could be mated to either of you. That¡¯s the reality of shifters¡¯ lives." I smiled at them.


    "But at the end of the day, what matters is who you choose to be with ¡ª your fated or your chosen."


    "It¡¯s not good to reject a fated mate," Jocelyn said.


    "Rejection will not be created if it¡¯s not possible or allowed. Remember in morals ss, at the end of


    the day, Selene would always let us make our choices? There might be consequences for some


    actions, but life is how we make it. Either you let fate control you or you make your own fate."


    I winked at them before waving as I turned around to leave them. Someone from reception motioned


    for me toe over as soon as we entered the dorm lobby.


    Which I was thankful for as I didn¡¯t want to walk the flight of stairs with them pushing the idea that Jace


    could be anyone¡¯s mate because I knew he would never choose me if his mate suddenly appeared.


    "Hello, you asked for me?" I smiled at the pretty woman working behind the counter.


    She nodded her head as she smiled back at me. "How was your day, Amara?"


    "Just lovely!" I answered in a chirpy voice. No one had to know my day sucked.


    "Perfect! And I hope this will make it more perfect!" She beamed at me before her hand reached for


    something underneath the counter, and my eyes widened when a bouquet of flowers came out of it.


    "Wow! Is that for me? Say yes, or I will be disappointed." I giggled softly.


    She chuckled as she nodded her head. "It was delivered here, but I¡¯m not sure where it came from.


    Security checked them, so it¡¯s safe, and there¡¯s a card attached, so I¡¯m sure that will tell you."


    My heart fluttered at the idea that this one mighte from Jace. I¡¯ve never received one from anyone


    before.


    I took the flowers from her and thanked her before heading for the stairs, running and walking at a fast


    pace as I wanted to reach my dorm room right away.


    I shared my bedroom with Collette, but more often than not, she was not around all the time as she


    was eighteen and hooking up with one of the warriors from this pack. So I was sure she was spending


    her nights with him most of the time. And I was left all alone in my room, which I preferred.


    Collette was really nice, but then she talked so much about Marshall, her boyfriend, especially at times


    that I only wanted a moment of peace.


    I unlocked the door to my room and slipped in. I excitedly ced the flowers on my bed and took the


    card from it, opening it slowly while my heart was thudding loudly.


    Please let it be from Jace.


    I squinted my eyes before they rounded when I read the message.


    ¡ª--


    Amara,


    Sorry about what happened. I¡¯ll do my best not to do that again.


    - J


    ¡ª--


    A smile curled on my lips as I hugged the card to my chest. Was he apologizing for slipping his fingers


    into me? Well, I didn¡¯t mind at all, but it was so sweet that he thought of apologizing for that through


    flowers.


    I kissed the card before dropping it beside the flowers and dropping to my knees on the floor. I pulled


    the duffel bag under my bed and looked for the cell phone that I had. I knew I hadn¡¯t taken it from there


    yet since I came home Monday night. As I never bother with phones, I had myptop, which I use more


    often. And I only had this phone so Mom and Dad could call me directly, but thest two nights with


    Jace made me forget about it.


    I found it, and I immediately took a snap of the flowers before attaching a short message that I could


    send to Jace. I had his number, of course, and I hope he will check his phone soon.


    Amara: Hello, boyfriend! Thanks for the flowers, and I¡¯m not upset about what happened. :)


    Sent.


    I threw the phone on my bed before I locked the door and began stripping off my clothes to put on a


    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I usually just lounge indy joggers and a tank top inside the dorm. This time I chose deep green pants


    and a white top.


    My phone pinged as I was pulling up my hair into a tight ponytail, but dropped it instantly to pick up the


    phone. Only for the smile on my face wiped out the moment his message came in.


    Jace: I didn¡¯t send you flowers.


    Amara: What?


    I hit send right away.


    Jace: It¡¯s not from me. Who sent it?


    Amara: I thought it was you.


    I stared at the flowers as if I wanted to burn them. Why make my heart flutter only to crash it?


    I began typing again.


    Amara: Is this some kind of joke?


    Jace: I was about to ask the same thing. Was this a strategy to make me jealous?


    I threw the phone at Collete¡¯s bed before grabbing the flowers and tossing them in the trash can. If he


    was joking, it was a cruel joke.


    Ping.


    I let out a deep breath before proceeding tob my hair and fix it in a high ponytail.


    Ping.


    Ping.


    Ping.


    "Arrgg¡­" I grunted and gave up on trying to fix my hair and just grab my phone.


    If this were another day and Jace kept messaging me, I would be ecstatic, but the fact that the flowers


    didn¡¯te from him and the idea of him escorting Alice was enough to make my blood boil.


    Jace: Now, you¡¯re not answering.


    Jace: Didn¡¯t it say anything about where it came from?


    Jace: ?


    Jace: Stop ignoring me.


    Amara: It says J, so I thought it was from you.


    Amara: But of course, you will never send me one. I should have thought of that before getting all


    excited.


    Amara: It¡¯s all good, forget about it.


    I waited for a response, but it didn¡¯te. So that was it. He forced me to answer, and now he was


    ignoring me.


    I began to type, asking questions about Alice and her 18th birthday, but decided against it and deleted


    itpletely before throwing my phone onto my bed.


    I decided to just ignore it as I didn¡¯t want to sound aggressive, but one day I would ask him about it.


    I was already doing some schoolwork when a knock came on my door. And my body went rigid. I could


    smell Jace.


    What was he doing here?


    I scrambled from my bed and straightened up my clothes before heading for the door.


    And I was right ¡ª Jace was behind the door, leaning his arm against the door frame as if he owned this


    ce.


    Well, technically, he did own this ce.


    "What are you doing here?" I asked.


    Instead of answering, his eyes went past me and roamed around my room until they focused on one


    corner. I followed his line of sight and saw the trash bin where I dumped the flowers.


    Jace slid in, and I locked the door while I watched him pick up the flowers.


    "What are you doing?"


    "Why did you throw it?" He asked as he bent forward again to pick up the card.


    "I don¡¯t even know where it came from?"


    "J."


    "Exactly, so I thought it came from you and that you wanted to be mysterious. I forgot you¡¯re not the


    flower type of guy."


    "Joshua."


    "What?"


    "He¡¯s probably apologizing for disrespecting youst night."


    I approached him and snatched the flowers from his hand before discarding them once more. "More


    that I don¡¯t want it."


    I turned to face him and saw his gaze lingering on the top part of my breasts, which were protruding


    from my tank top.


    "What are you doing here?"


    "I was nearby, so I thought I checked on you."


    "Me or Alice?"


    "What? What has Alice got to do with this?"


    "I don¡¯t know. Maybe you need to make ns on what color you need to wear to match her ballgown


    for her birthday." I told him sarcastically as I walked toward my bed.


    "Amara. You¡¯re not expecting me to cancel that just¡­"


    "No. Of course not. I¡¯m not asking you to change anything about your life to amodate me. We are


    just ying along, but I was hoping I knew beforehand before someone told me about it."


    "It¡¯s not a big deal."


    "Okay, if you say so¡­" I rolled my eyes, arms crossed against my chest.


    He was about to say something when the doorknob rattled and Collete came in, wrapped up in her


    boyfriend¡¯s arms. They were kissing, and I was sure she was unbuttoning his jeans.


    My eyes widened before they shifted to Jace, who still had a face void of any emotions.


    He cleared his throat, and it was only then that the two untangled from each other, shock and


    embarrassment registering on their faces.


    "Alpha," Marshall nodded his head to him. He was one of Jace¡¯s warriors.


    "What are you doing here?" Colette asked me, her eyes avoiding looking at Jace beside me.


    "This is my room too," I chuckled softly.


    "I know but... You were not herest night, so I thought maybe you¡¯ll spend time with the Alpha


    again¡­"


    My mouth opened, but Jace¡¯s hand grabbed mine before I could speak.


    "We¡¯ll leave you alone for now. But Amara will be sleeping here, so you can¡¯t stay here." He was talking


    directly to Marshall.


    "Yes, Alpha. I won¡¯t stay overnight."


    Jace was already dragging me out, and I just let him.


    "Not in my bed, Colette!" I reminded my roommate, my eyes yfully ring at her, and she chuckled


    softly in response.


    "I promise¡­" She finally responded before Jace closed the door behind us.


    "I have homework to do," I told him as we walked toward the stairs, his hand was still holding mine, and


    I totally forgot I was pissed off with him.


    "We¡¯ll just eat somewhere, and it should be enough time so you can get back to your homework."


    "But Collette and Marshall are still there."


    "They won¡¯t stay long. Marshall will send me a mindlink once they¡¯re both out of there."


    "Oh Goddess, did you tell them not to fuck in our room?"


    "Maybe I did."


    "How could you?"


    He snickered, but he didn¡¯t reply, and I saw some girls in the lobby looking at us as we walked down


    the stairs. Alicia was there too.


    So I tilted my head up and clutched his hand tighter. But we had to stop by the front door.


    "It¡¯s raining¡­" I grimaced. It was just drizzling, but I was sure my clothes would show splotches of


    water if we ran under it.


    "Will you multiply if you get wet with rain?" He asked, his head tilting down as he looked at me with a


    coy smile on his face.


    "Maybe," I rolled my eyes yfully. "And that will be too handful for you."


    He let go of my hand much to my disappointment, only to make my heart soar higher when he


    unzipped his bomber jacket and tucked me inside, his arms wrapped around me with his jacket


    covering my back and front while my head was on his chest.


    "Ready?" He asked, but he was already walking, taking me with him.


    I couldn¡¯t help but giggle as my arms wrapped around his body and my little feet tried to catch up with


    his strides as we walked down the steps of the dormitory.


    He opened his car door, and let me inside before handing me the tissue holder to wipe away the little


    rain that got to me while he stayed outside my door.


    "This is kidnapping," I told him.


    "Really now," he said as he ced his hands on his hips and shed me a smug smirk. The rain on his


    hair and the drops falling down his face and shirt were making him look sexier. "I¡¯m sure within 30


    minutes, you¡¯ll be begging this kidnapper not to return you to your dorm."


    "You wish!" I chuckled, rolling my eyes at him.


    But he was right ¡ª not even a minute yet ¡ª and I didn¡¯t want him to return me to my dorm.


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