Chapter 6:I Will Choose Her.Every Single Time.

The university clock tower stood in eerie silence.

Kai's shoulder bled freely, but he never looked away from the silver-haired man across the quad.

"You were promised... to me."

The words echoed across the battlefield.

Students who'd been hiding behind cars pressed themselves flatter.

Lila blinked in confusion. "I don't even know you!"

The man placed a hand over his heart and bowed elegantly. Even in the middle of destruction, he looked like he was at a gala.

"My name is Lucien Ashcroft."

"My family has waited nineteen years for your return."

Kai's voice was ice. "Leave."

Lucien smiled. "Or what?"

Kai stepped forward. The air around him thickened. "I won't ask twice."

The space between the two Alphas grew heavy.

Students nearby suddenly struggled to breathe.

Even the enemy wolves lowered their heads, ears back.

Lila had no idea what was happening, but she could feel it.

Power.

Raw Alpha power pressing down on her chest.

Elias quickly moved beside her, breathing hard. "They're using dominance."

"Dominance?"

"They're trying to force each other to submit," Elias explained quietly. "Whoever breaks first loses."

Lila frowned. "They're just... staring."

Elias chuckled weakly, blood on his lip. "To humans, yes."

Lucien finally laughed. "You've become protective."

Kai didn't answer.

"I suppose that's what happens when fate hands you a mate," Lucien continued, eyes gleaming.

Kai's expression didn't change. "I don't discuss my private life with strangers."

Lucien smirked. "Then let me give you some advice."

He looked directly at Lila. "The princess doesn't belong in a cage."

Kai's wolf snarled in his head.

*Mine.*

Lucien noticed the flicker in Kai's eyes. Gold, just for a second.

"So..." Lucien's smile sharpened. "It has already begun."

Without another word, he turned and disappeared into the smoke with his warriors.

He hadn't come to fight.

He'd come to make one thing clear:

He intended to win Lila.

The next morning...

Blackridge University reopened.

Officially, the previous night's attack had been explained as a gas explosion.

Students accepted the story.

Mostly.

Lila sat in Advanced Genetics, trying desperately to focus.

Professor Hayes wrote across the board: *DNA Inheritance Patterns*

Normally, she'd already be answering every question.

Today... she couldn't stop thinking about wolves. Moon-Blood. Kai.

The words *my mate* echoed in her head.

"Lila?"

She looked up.

The professor smiled. "Would you solve this?"

She stood automatically.

Within minutes, she'd solved a genetics problem that left the rest of the class staring.

The professor beamed. "Excellent, as always."

A student whispered, "She's a walking textbook."

Another muttered, "Does she ever get anything wrong?"

Lila smiled shyly and returned to her seat.

She had no idea someone was watching from outside the classroom window.

Kai.

Mason folded his arms. "You've been standing here for ten minutes."

"I know."

"Practice started eight minutes ago."

"I know."

"So..." Mason grinned. "...are we watching biology now?"

Kai frowned. "I was checking security."

"Through the classroom window?"

"Yes."

"You've never checked security through a classroom window."

Kai remained silent.

Mason laughed. "Our Alpha has a crush."

Kai looked horrified. "I do not."

"You've skipped hockey practice."

"I'm five minutes late."

"Twenty."

Kai checked his watch. "...Twenty."

Mason couldn't stop smiling. "You've never been late. Ever."

Kai frowned harder. "This is her fault."

Inside the classroom...

Lila packed her books.

The moment she stepped into the hallway—

A blonde girl blocked her path.

Ava.

The hockey team's social media manager. Perfect makeup. Perfect nails.

"So..." Ava folded her arms. "You're the girl everyone's talking about."

Lila blinked. "I don't know what you mean."

"Oh, please."

"I saw Kai standing outside your class."

Lila's cheeks warmed. "He was... checking security."

Ava laughed. "That's cute."

Then her smile disappeared. "Stay away from him."

Lila frowned. "I don't even know him."

"You've known him for two days."

"And somehow he's already following you."

Lila sighed. "I don't want any trouble."

"Then disappear."

Before Lila could answer—

A deep voice spoke from behind them.

"She won't."

The hallway fell silent.

Kai.

Still wearing his hockey practice jersey. Stick resting over one shoulder. Hair slightly damp.

Every student froze.

The captain had never walked into the academic building during practice hours. Never.

Kai walked straight past Ava.

He stopped beside Lila.

His eyes never left Ava.

"You'll apologize."

Ava stared at him in disbelief. "...What?"

"You heard me."

Students gasped.

Kai Hunter... defending a girl?

Ava looked devastated. "Kai... I've known you for three years."

"I know."

"And you're choosing her?"

Kai answered without hesitation.

"I'll choose her."

*Every.*

*Single.*

*Time.*

Lila's heart nearly stopped.

Kai blinked.

He hadn't meant to say that out loud.

The hallway erupted into whispers.

"Oh my God..."

"He actually admitted it!"

"The Ice Captain likes someone!"

Lila looked up at him. Her cheeks were bright red. "You really don't think before you speak... do you?"

Kai rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "...Apparently not."

For the first time, the terrifying Alpha Captain looked genuinely embarrassed.

And somehow... that made him even more attractive.

Just then, the university speakers crackled to life.

"Attention, students."

"This afternoon's championship hockey match against North Ridge University will proceed as scheduled."

The hallway exploded with excitement.

Kai groaned quietly. "Hockey."

Lila blinked. "You sound disappointed."

"I was supposed to be guarding you."

She smiled. "I think your team needs their captain."

Kai looked at her for a long moment.

Then nodded once. "I'll win."

She tilted her head. "So confident?"

He met her eyes. "I'd like you to be there."

Silence.

Mason nearly choked on his water bottle.

Kai Hunter... had just invited a girl to watch him play. Voluntarily.

Lila smiled. "I've never watched hockey before."

His lips curved into the faintest smile. "Then sit in the front row."

Before either of them could say another word...

A campus employee hurried toward them carrying a small black envelope.

"This was left for Miss Lila Bennett."

Lila opened it.

Inside was a single silver ticket.

On the back, written in elegant handwriting, were seven chilling words:

"Enjoy watching your mate... while you still can."