Chapter 0002

[Gale's POV]

I stand alone, staring out into the crowd of graduates who have already begun to drink. After all, tonight is a night of celebration. We have finally passed our military courses and can begin our lives as warriors for the king's army. This feat is something we've worked towards for many years, yet I can't find it in me to even want to enjoy myself.

Taking a sip of my drink, I try to relax, but I can't.

Even if I spent my entire life preparing to serve the kingdom of Langley, I didn't expect to have to work beside the great alpha heir, Chance Tutor. Why him of all the possible people? The universe was truly torturing me.

With his ruggish good looks and cold demeanor, he is every woman's dream. Well... every woman but me.

Personally, if I could spend the rest of my life without seeing him, I wouldn't lose a wink of sleep.

You see, there is a painful secret between Chance and me. We are mates, but he rejected me long ago.

From the beginning, we were never meant to be. His heart has always belonged to another, and due to his strong sense of responsibility, she will forever be all he wants and needs.

Letting out a sigh, I fight to keep images of that night at bay. Even now, just the thought of it sends excruciating pain through me. With each passing day, I hoped it would get better, but so far it hasn't.

"Are you okay?"

Turninf, I watched as Griffin approached with two drinks in hand.

"I'm fine." I assured him, reaching out and taking his offer. "I just don't like things like this."

I was thankful that after this graduation event, I wouldn't have to attend anything else as a guest. At least I could handle doing security detail.

"It's almost over." Griffin smirks, taking his place beside me.

"Mmm."

Maybe this was almost over, but the thing I dreaded most wasn't, and from what the captain told me, Chance requested me specifically. Why he would do that was beyond me, and as nothing more than a warrior, I had no room to argue.

"You're brooding again."

Tensing, I snap my gaze to Griffin, who is watching me carefully.

"I guess I'm more on edge than I thought."

"Is this really about the ceremony or does it have to do with your assignment?"

Busted, deflating, I let a chuckle escape me.

"You caught me."

After calming down for a few days, I finally confided in Griffin about what happened between Chance and I. I had hoped that revealing my inner turmoil would help me feel better, but it still hurt like hell.

"If it bothers you that much, why not speak to the captain?"

"And say what?" I couldn't just go to him and say I didn't want to work with Chance because he rejected me as his mate. "As a fresh graduate, I have no footing to make requests."

Instead of responding, Griffin gives me a look that I couldn't quite name, and as he opens his mouth to speak, a drum beat begins to play, bringing forth the start of the ceremony.

Turning away from Griffin, I fix my gaze ahead and see the captain standing on the makeshift stage ahead. And beside him, staring directly at me with amusement and anger, was Chance.

[Chance's POV]

"Attention!" Gavin booms, drawing attention to the stage where we currently stand. "Attention!"

Letting a huff escape me, I block out his noise and focus on the thing that is currently irritating me.

Her wide silver eyes stay locked on me as she realizes that I'm watching. However, there isn't an ounce of remorse on her face about getting close to another man.

'Ours.' Fray growls, sending waves of rage rolling through me.

Ignoring Fray, I continue to watch as the woman slowly starts to look away.

"Welcome everyone!" Gavin calls, beginning the recruits' graduation ceremony. "It is with great pride that I congratulate each and every one of you on your success in the field of battle!"

Already bored with the same speech as last year and the year before that and the one before that, I tune out what is being said and begin to go through the motions of handing out diplomas as each name is called.

I only zone in when her name is called and she begins to make her way up to the stage.

When she arrives, her eyes dart around nervously, looking everywhere but at me, and that only increases my irritation with her.

"Congratulations." Gavin murmurs, reaching out and shaking her hand. "You've done outstanding."

"Thanks," she whispers. "You've been a great teacher."

Once she is finished, she steps in front of me and starts to grow tense.

Unable to control my emotions any longer, I reach out and grab her hand, pulling her close and letting my lips come close to her ear.

"Are you intentionally trying to test me, Gale?" I growl.

A small gasp of shock escapes her and her eyes grow wide with both shock and confusion.

"What do you mean?" She breathes while trying to break free.

"If you want your friend to remain in one piece," I begin, tightening my hold on her hand, which is still firmly grasped in mine. "I suggest you learn to keep your distance."

Finished speaking, I release her and hand her the diploma that is sitting on a table beside me. "Congratulations." I smirk while she stumbles away in a daze.

'Claim her!' Fray hisses while we watch our mate make her way slowly away from us.

'No,' I snap. 'She isn't worthy of being anything more than a toy.'

At my words, Fray lets out a frustrated growl and begins to slink back into the recesses of my mind, leaving me to continue watching Gale's luscious ass sway away from me.

"I look forward to our time together." I mutter, picturing all the things I intended to do with her now that she was in my grasp. This would be punishment for thinking she could reject me.