CHAPTER 7: HEAT AND HOSTILITY

Samantha’s POV

My first kiss? Dreamy as hell. Kyler didn’t hold back—he kissed me like he owned me, and my poor, quivering lips didn’t stand a chance. One hand tangled in his hair, the other on his shoulder, I found myself sprawled over his lap beneath the desk as he ravished my mouth.

And then...

Thwack.       

A paper ball landed right inside my top—smack in the middle of my cleavage.

Then—flick!

My forehead stung as Dre “casually” walked past our table to “retrieve his pen.”

That romance-slaughtering whore.

“Tone it down, freaks,” he hissed as he passed by. Says the classroom sex-pest himself.

Kyler chuckled and gave me one last peck before helping me up.

“Sorry for the ambush,” he said with a grin. “You’re just too pretty. Would you… maybe join me for lunch back at my pack house?”

Already?

I blinked, caught off guard. Wasn’t this moving fast?

And before I could respond—

“We accept!” Dre butted in, beaming like a golden retriever on crack. “Don’t mind her—her brain bulb’s still flickering. I’ll drag her along.”

My mouth flapped open uselessly as I shot him the filthiest glare I could muster. Traitor.

He just smiled wider. This bitch wanted war.

Kyler beamed. “Perfect! You two can come with me and Xeon after class. You can freshen up at our place.”

“Stay the night if you want,” Xeon added. “We’ve got spare rooms—though I’d rather cage my cutie with me.” He winked.

Dre blushed like a damn debutante. Virgin bride aesthetic, minus the virginity.

“You can keep him forever,” I muttered. “He’s overstayed his welcome at our pack anyway.”

Thunk!

A ninja star landed in my chest. This. Bitch.

“What the hell?!” Kyler and Xeon both shouted, forgetting we were still in class.

Detention slips hit their desks before I even ducked under mine.

“Are you okay?” Kyler asked, ignoring the Chemistry teacher’s scolding.

“Oh yeah, this is normal,” I laughed awkwardly, yanking out the bloody weapon.

Kyler grimaced, then gently traced his fingers over the wound. It healed faster than usual—faster even than my wolf’s usual pace.

My eyes widened. “How…?”

“We’ve got time for stories after class,” he said, chuckling. “Assuming the prof lets me survive.”

I laughed—and instantly earned my own detention.

Figures.

Meanwhile, Xeon turned to Dre. “Why would you hurt your Alpha?”

“You’ll understand once you live with her,” Dre muttered.

Thunk! A compass slammed into his forehead.

Bullseye. Hell yes.

Kyler blinked between us. “Should I be worried I’ll get caught in the crossfire?”

“Nah. My aim’s perfect,” I smirked. “His is sloppy.”         

“Wanna bet?” Dre asked, already reaching for something else.

“Try me, Beta dear,” I hissed.

“YOU,” the professor snapped, pointing at Dre. “THE ONE GRINNING AT MISS STONE. DETENTION FOR YOU TOO.”

Dre paled. Kyler smothered a laugh. We all shut up.

Despite the chaos… this was kind of fun.

I had a hot mate. Dre had a horny mate. And I had a feeling this little foursome was gonna cause a lot of trouble together.

* * * * *

Samantha’s POV

“Why is everyone looking at me like they either want to eat me or kill me?” Xeon whispered as we grabbed trays in the cafeteria.

“You stole their favorite heartthrob,” I replied.

“And they wanna eat you,” Dre added, licking his lips dramatically. “Because damn, you’re yummy.”

He realized too late he’d said that out loud.

“Uh—I-I’m gonna go get water,” he mumbled, fleeing in the opposite direction of the cooler.

I deadpanned. “Cooler’s the other way, genius.”

A beet-red Dre sheepishly turned around and corrected his course, ears glowing like taillights.

Xeon was dying laughing as he followed his lovesick disaster.

Meanwhile, Kyler and I found a table. Just the two of us. And suddenly... I was shy.

What was happening to me?

“You’re not eating?” he asked, tilting his head. Then he fed me one of his fries and pinched my cheek. “You look so cute when you overthink.”

And just like that—the cafeteria froze.

Everyone stared.

WHAT. THE. FUCK.

It was like we’d grown second heads.

Before I could die of embarrassment, my Beta stepped in.

“You can stop staring like they’re feeding each other poles and globes, people!” Dre snapped. “It was just a fry!”

Xeon cackled. “Poles and globes, huh?”

“Shut up,” Dre muttered, face still pink.

“Cute,” Xeon grinned, digging into his food.

* * * * *

Samantha’s POV

Later, we were back in class—spread out by the teacher, of course—when the door slammed open.

BOOM.

In barged Xereus, the Alpha of the Night Walker Pack, a walking slab of rage and muscle. Before anyone could react, he grabbed Kyler by the collar and punched him square in the face—right in front of the teacher.

The poor woman screamed and ran for help.

Blood dripped from Kyler’s lip.

“Come near Stone again, and I’ll end you,” Xereus growled.

Wait. What?

Kyler raised a hand, signaling for Xeon, Dre, and me to stay back.

His fingers—long and strong—immediately distracted me.

They looked like they could go so deep in my—

NOPE. NOPE. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?!

“You’re horny. Admit it,” my wolf piped up.

SHUT UP.

Back to the drama.

“Don’t tell me who to talk to,” Kyler said coolly. “Especially not you, Xereus.”

Wait—they knew each other?

“You so much as touch her,” Xereus hissed, “mate or not—I’ll make her mine.”

The room went silent.

Murder. Threats. Testosterone. You could cut the tension with a blade.

Kyler didn’t flinch. “Separate me from my mate when you’re the Moon Goddess herself.

Otherwise, shove your murderous ass out of here before I lose my temper.”

My heart fluttered at his possessiveness.

Xereus sneered. “Says the assassin who blew up my Wolfsbane factory and killed my Drug Lords.”

Oh. Oh shit.

This was deeper than a crush.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Kyler replied, calm as a storm before it breaks.

“But if someone did, I’m glad. And even if I weren’t her mate—Stone would never choose you.”

Right then, security burst in. Xereus was dragged away, still glaring, still snarling.

And I sat there, stunned, heart pounding.

Because damn it...

I think I was falling for the assassin who just kicked the devil’s ass in my name.