Chapter 5

<Torture>

ADRIAN 

I couldn't sleep that night. I kept pacing. Luckily, Eli was off partying somewhere, so he wasn't there to witness my turmoil.

Every time I closed my eyes, I swear I could see him and hear him in my head. My wolf prowled inside me, restless, angry that I’d let Lucas walk away. The bond had sunk its claws in, and I was losing my grip on control.

By morning, I looked like hell.

“Rough night?” Eli asked as I took the seat he had reserved for me at breakfast.

“Yeah. You can say that,” I said, moving my food about on my plate.

“Too much birthday champagne?”

“Something like that.”

I wasn’t about to tell him the truth—that my sworn rival, Lucas Rayne ne, was my fated mate. The idea was ridiculous, even to me. My parents would lose their minds. The pack would see me as weak, maybe even unfit to lead. And Lucas? He’d probably rather rip his own throat out than claim me.

“Hey,” Eli said, snapping his fingers in front of me. “You good? You’re zoning out.”

“Yeah. Just tired.”

He gave me a suspicious look but didn’t push it. I was grateful. I didn’t want to talk. I didn’t want to think.

But I couldn’t stop thinking.

College was worse.

I walked into our lecture hall, trying to shove my wolf’s instincts down, and froze. Lucas was right there leaning against the wall as he talked to someone. 

He looked good. Really good.

Unlike me, he looked like he was well rested, and that smile on his face was definitely a smile of someone who had had a full night of sleep.

And to think I thought he was having it worse than me.

The person he was talking with said something that made him laugh, and I felt a bitter wave of anger roll around in my chest.

“Hey, get a hold on yourself.” I snapped at my wolf, but he wasn't listening. 

He was completely focused on Lucas, and I felt his bond tugging on mine like it was calling out.

He probably felt it too, because he looked up, his eyes gluing on mine. His smile instantly fell and he turned away, pretending like he hadn't just been looking at me.

I bit back my anger and walked past him like I didn't care either, although I don't think I did a really good job pretending.

Later that day, I tried to focus on the lecture, but it proved impossible. Everywhere I turned, I could perceive Lucas' scent.

He was sitting behind me though, so that couldn't be helped. Except I wanted to get up and grab the attention of the whole class in the name of switching my seat, I had to manage.

Everytime he moved in his seat, my wolf would follow, and every time I heard someone else speak to him, a wave of jealousy would wash over me.

What the heck was going on? This was absolute torture.

Class was already half gone when a note was dropped on my desk.

I know you're staring, the note said. 

I slowly turned around and noticed Lucas smiling at me.

I quickly folded up the paper, feeling myself go red from both anger and …. some other feeling I couldn't name.

Immediately the class was over, I grabbed all my stuff and headed for the door, trying my absolute best to avoid Lucas.

I had almost succeeded in escaping when Lucas grabbed my arm, stopping me.

“Relax, Birthday Boy,” he drawled. “You’re jumpy today.”

“Let go.”

He smirked. “Why? You smell like you’re about to bolt.”

What the fuck? Was this the same Lucas I was talking to yesterday? Because it sure doesn't seem like it.

“Look, Lucas. I don't know what all this is about. I just want you to know that I'm not interested.” I said and snatched my arm out of his grip.

His smile fell and he looked at me with anger. 

“You mean you’re not interested in your mate?” he whispered, just loud enough for me to hear.

Shit. He got me with that one.

“Mhmm.” He nodded, taking a step forward. “I've been thinking a lot about how much I hate this and how much I hate you.”

“Well, that's not much different from what you said yesterday,” I shrugged, “so why are you bringing it up again?”

He took a step back as he let out a small laugh. “I'm bringing it up because I want you to know that I'm not yours, and I will never be.”

His words hurt me, but I was not going to admit it.

“Okay.” I nodded. “Keep telling yourself that.”

“I don't have to tell myself anything.” He snapped at me. “Because I mean it.”

He turned and left, and there I was. My fists clenched, my breath laboured and my heart pounding in my chest.

My wolf kept howling and pacing, and it was a struggle to not shift, but one thing was sure. It didn't believe him. I didn't either.

I went to the forest that night to shift and run. Something that now seemed to be becoming a routine.

Tonight though, it felt different. It felt like I was trying to outrun something. His scent, his memory, I couldn't tell.

But no matter how far I ran, I couldn't shake it. Not even in the freezing cold in the middle of the forest miles away from school.

The bond still called to me, no matter how far I went. Lucas Rayne was my mate.

And I was starting to realize I couldn’t fight it forever.

This was torture, and there was really nothing I could do about it.

How could I get him to accept the bond when he had already made himself believe he hated me? 

It was almost impossible.

Almost. Because I knew that if he was feeling the same thing I was, then he wouldn't be able to reject the bond so easily.