Derrek's pov:
She kissed me… And I actually let her.
For a moment there, of utter and complete horror but also unparalleled elation, I thought she felt it — the pull. The mate bond.
I couldn't have been more wrong.
She only kissed me to make some boy jealous… And the issue was that I was the one feeling jealous instead.
Even worse, the moment I gently pushed her away, I saw the flicker of guilt — towards whom, I didn't know — and the confusion too. I soon learned her name, and even had a short, albeit tense, talk with her in the classroom she had stumbled in by mistake.
The rest of the day, I kept battling my instincts, though keeping myself in check proved harder and harder each passing minute.
Ash, my wolf, was furious, absurdly jealous, and different kinds of possessive as he howled in my mind for the one woman I could not have — Melissa Parkers.
I had heard the whispers — claiming she was wolfless — and while it was hard to believe, for she had a grace humans didn't possess, the fact that she didn't recognize me as her mate told me all I needed to know.
But not only was she wolfless, she was also the Beta's daughter… More importantly yet, she was my student.
My most primal instincts were giving me a hard time as I walked in the ranks, making sure to observe everyone, without being too focused on her.
It took all my willpower not to take her against the nearest flat surface, and claim her with everything I had. It would feel so fucking right. So good too. I knew it. I craved it… consequences be damned.
Only I knew better.
One wrong move would be enough to bring everything crumbling around me, and destroy the little peace I had carved out for myself.
Heavens, if I had to go down, I didn't want to drag her along.
I needed to resist her. And resist her, I shall.
The guy she decided to spar with got the upper hand in what appeared to be one fluid movement. He was one of the guys I would be looking out for… no matter how much his calling her princess grated on the last of my nerves.
I then decided to pair my mate up with the girl who had kissed her boyfriend. I remembered her face and her smug smirk.
Call me sadistic if you must, for even though she was annoyed, and had asked for a possible switch, I flat out refused… I just knew that my mate only needed a fair chance, and she would teach the bimbo a lesson.
She didn't disappoint, and it was hard not to draw her in a hug once she was done with her.
"Not bad, Parkers," was all I could muster.
I could swear I heard her heart pick up its pace, and I sure hoped it was because of me. Dare I hope?
No, you can't, I told myself stricly, making sure not to look back.
What would her smile even mean to me? She was a stundent, and I needed to remind myself that.
Soon, it was my turn to be a show-off, and I didn't hesitate to render the crowd speechless.
I didn't bother taunting the boys who had dared to talk back earlier, growling as I said pups. I hadn't meant the slip-up, but old habits died hard.
"And that's how it's done," I declared matter-of-factly. "You don't charge at someone like a hot-head." The jab was taken well by many of the students, though some groaned. "You don't attack recklessly. But if you attack, make it count." Some nods followed that stated. "And most importantly, you don't get distracted."
That one was for you, mate.
"Class dismissed," I then announced.
"We usually have a longer period," one of the far too desperate girls let out.
"Today's but a warm-up and a mild assessment," I flashed her a smile that was meant to be menacing, but she only smiled brighter.
Heavens!
"The real fun starts tomorrow."
** ** ** ** **
Melissa's pov:
"How about pizza?" I suggested in a soft tone of voice, popping my shoulder ever so slightly.
"You know I never say no to pizza," Billy offered me a small smile, meant to be warm and comforting, but it looked like he was hesitant to say what roamed his mind, "But I think it would be best for you to go home, have a damned long bath, and then hit the bed early."
He knew me well. I was trying not to face reality.
I didn't get to answer him before I heard a familiar honk. The car I had ridden in so many times stopped next to us.
"Melissa," Jake let out, and I felt like my name didn't belong on his tongue. "I can explain."
"Get lost, Grayson!" Billy wasn't in any mood to put up with Jake. He was done playing civil, it would seem.
"I didn't know your name became Melissa," he scoffed at him, taunting him.
I refused to look at him, keeping my eyes trained on Billy. I needed to be strong. I would not crack!
"She doesn't want to talk to you," Billy growled, and before he could do something we both might come to regret, I put a soothing hand on his arm.
"Let's roll, Billy," I declared, completely ignoring the jerk I had once thought I loved.
Jake stepped out of the car the moment I got into Billy's jeep.
"Melissa," he drawled my name, and I felt like puking. How could I have not seen the deceit in those eyes? "Baby… It's not what you think."
"Let's hit the road, Billy," I then urged my best friend, having to keep pretending I wasn't hearing Jake doing me more harm than good.
The engine soon roared to life. We left that cheater in the parking lot, standing dumbly there.
"On a second thought, pizza sounds heavenly right now, princess," Billy let out in a soft tone of voice.
He held up his hand to me and, sniffling, I took it gratefully.
I didn't even have to say I was hurting... He knew it already. He didn't look at me. He didn't try to stop my crying either. He just allowed me to mourn the relationship I had thought was it for me. He gave me time to process the betrayal, as he kept driving on and on.
Before long, his stomach grumbled, and I couldn't help but giggle.
"Hey, what are you laughing about?" He mock glared at me, to which I simply gave him an innocent look. "I was promised pizza…"
"And we'll be getting pizza alright," I assured him with a small smile.
"Before anything, you should first use the wipes I have over there to clean your face," he pointed at a small bag. "I mean I don't mind the look… but I would rather people didn't see you like this. Like anything but the princess you are."
I giggled and obliged him.
"May this be the last time you cry over someone!" He cheered. "You deserve better. You deserve a total hunk… If the new teach wasn't… well, a teacher, I would totally tell you to go for it."
I could never, I told myself on a sigh.
Jake wasn't half as handsome and had betrayed me. Mr Blackwood, albeit a no-nonsense kind of teacher, might just be one of those players who had vowed never to settle. After all, how else could someone explain the fact that he didn't bear a mark?
Could it be that he didn't find his mate? A part of me argued.
"Don't even joke about it," I told Billy in earnest. "He's a teacher, and I am a student. And we could get into so much trouble."
"Delicious trouble indeed," he chuckled whole-heartedly.
Soon, he parked the car in front of the one small Itlian place we never failed to go to — Dino's pizza. It wasn't rush hour just yet, and we were lucky enough to find a table by the window. We asked for our regular order without even looking at the menu.
"Are you excited about the festival?" Billy asked after a moment of silence.
"Why would I be? I don't have a wolf, remember?" I rolled my eyes at him.
"There's more to being a werewolf than just shifting, you know?" He argued right back. "Besides, you're an excellent runner and there are many competitions which don't need a wolf… It'll be fun," he assured me. "It's the first time our pack hosts it in over a decade."
"I know," I drawled, biting on my bottom lip.
I was just about to reply when the door opened. In came the very man I was doing my damnest not to fantasize about.
Mr Blackwood was wearing a black t-shirt that stretched against his taunt chest, and combat pants. He looked absolutely dashing… He was good enough to eat.
"Did the pizza come?" Billy turned around before I could stop him.
I let out a small groan of dismay.
How could I be so obvious?
"Oh, Mr Blackwood, here for pizza?" He greeted him cheerfully.
What did he sound so cheerful for? I couldn't understand. Why was he even trying to get his attention? It was obvious that the man didn't swing that way. After all, his gaze alone made me feel things that should be illegal. I hadn't even felt this way about Jake throughout our relationship.
To my utter and complete mortification, the man made his way to our table.
"Mind if I join you?" He asked, a smile stretching his lips, his dimple showing.
Yes, we do actually, I was tempted to say but the words never left my mouth.
I was such a coward… or at least that's what I thought of myself as Billy moved to the side, allowing Mr Blackwood to sit across from me.
I looked up at the man, and found his gaze already settled on me. I fought a blush and bit on the inside of my cheek to prevent it.
Heavens, what was wrong with me? I had never reacted so strongly to a man, much less a stranger.
My core throbbed, and I gulped down my mortification and dread, and let out dumbly, "So, pizza?"
"I don't know," he retorted shrugging. "Should I?"
"Oh, definitely," Billy's response was almost immediate. "Best in town."
"Pizza it is then."
His smile left me breathless for a moment there.
I suddenly regretted inviting Billy. I wasn't sure my heart could take this man's smile, or the heartbreak that might follow it…
What heartbreak? A part of me argued. He's off-limits. He's your teacher for heaven's sake!
But the way my body seemed to respond to his proximity told me everything I needed to know… this year might be packing more troubles than I ever expected.