CHAPTER SIX

River's POV

'You rejected our perfect mate, Lira Hale.'

My wolf growled relentlessly inside me. His voice was angry and disappointed like he had just lost everything that held so much meaning to him.

To be honest, I regret my actions too. I regret the way I treated our mate like she didn't matter.

I didn't plan on fucking Chloe on her birthday and definitely not inside her room. It was Chloe. She seduced me and I fell for it. 

Of course, I never planned on rejecting Lira. She might be innocent, weak and not as wild as I have always wanted but then... She's one of the most decent and smartest she-wolf I have ever met and I love her. Maybe I didn't love her deeply but I'm attracted to her and wish to keep her as my mate. 

But the moment, she slapped me when she caught me cheating, I lost my control completely and said hurtful words that I do not mean to her. I even said that I would marry Chloe. No... I have nothing to do with that slutty she-wolf almost every guy in college has slept with. The only thing I needed her for, is to give me wild, unforgettable sex and that is all.

I need to get my girl back. I don't know if she would ever agree to mate with with me again. But then... she should, right? She had no choice exactly because no man would agree to be with the woman an influential prince like me has rejected. No man would even want anything to do with her ever again.

A smile tugged at the corners of my lips at the realization that when Lira thinks about it properly and discover the odds against her, then she would have no choice than to come back to me. In fact, she'd be the one begging me and I'll tell her to knee for me for ever daring to slap me before I accept her back.

I was still thinking about the whole thing when Lucien stormed into my dorm. His eyes were blazing with anger and before I could utter a word, his fists landed on my face. 

I wanted to stop him from hitting me—to fight back. But a thought dropped inside my mind and I didn't stop him. I let him hit me to his heart content. Until his anger is justified. 

By morning, I was fully healed—thanks to my Alpha abilities—so I retrieved the CCTV footage and gave it to the Dean, ordering him to ensure Lucien Hale was expelled from the college.

Knowing Lira quite well, I was sure she won't be able to stay still and watch her dear brother get expelled. I know she would do everything to save him. And that's where I would come in. I would offer that she fall to her knees, return back to being my mate while I still keep Chloe as my whore.

Smart, right?

Yeah... I'm River Grayson, the heir to the Moonfang throne and I always get everything thing I want. Every damn thing.

Of course, the Dean has swung into actions and keeo me updated that Lucien expulsion has been finalised.

I smiled triumphantly, my eyes darting towards my dorm door waiting for Lira to burst in, crying for my help but twenty minutes passed and she isn't here yet.

My heart cracked open. This isn't going as planned. Or did I judge Lira wrongly? Is she going to stand by and do nothing to save Lucien?

I couldn't keep calm anymore, so I threw on a shirt and made my way to her dorm room. 

As I reached the College grounds, I saw her back turned at me and increased my pace—stepping closer to her.

"Well... Well.. well," I say, my voice carrying a hint of mockery.

A beat pass before she turns. Her expression harder than I'd ever seen in the pas two years that we spent together. Her eyes blaze with anger as if the mere sight of me make her skin crawl.

My heart clench at the thought that she must really hate me so much. But I carefully mask the turmoil inside me with a wide grin. 

I don't care if she hates me or not but she's MINE. And the earlier she realize that, the better.

"What did you want, asshole?" She spit, her voice cold.

"Relax... Little wolf." I smirk, moving closer in slow, deliberate steps. "You might want to be nicer… especially to the one person who can save your brother."

A beat pass before she burst into a mocking laughter—sharp and cruel—echoing through and attracting the attention of the students nearby.

The smirk on my face vanish into thin air, my brows knit in confusion as I wonder what is funny.

Why did she look so calm? 

She didn't seem like someone whose brother is on the verge of getting expelled.

Then she cup her mouth—trying to muffle her laughter. "Is that—what—you think?" She ask, her voice breaking from the weight of her laughter. "That you're the only person who can save my brother?"

I didn't understand what she's saying.

"Who else would save him?" I ask, confuse.

My mind spiral into chaos—already figuring out if there is anyone else who can save him, but no one else comes to my mind. Even Mother and Father knows better than to interfere in my business.

Her lips part to say something but she close it back and press her lips into a thin line. "Of course, there's no one else who can save him, your highness," she sneered. 

At this juncture, I'm speechless. I can't even think of anything else to say.

She continues. "I don't want to waste any more minutes talking to an asshole like you." She turns and start walking away. "Bye, ex-mate." She waves without looking back.

I stand there, stun. My chest slamming against my rib cage. My forehead clammy.

This is not going as planned.

She should be on her knees, begging me—not laughing in my face.

Then the phone beeps in my pocket. I reach for it and the caller ID is the Dean.

My eyes narrow in confusion.

He already told me Lucien Hale’s expulsion was finalized—so why the hell is he calling me again?

Moments pass before I answer the call.

"Yes," I growl, my voice louder than I intend.

"I'm sorry, your highness," the Dean say, his voice heavy with disappointment. "We couldn't expel Lucien Hale."

The words echoes in my ears with an intensity that make my stomach churn. I clench my fists so hard that it hurts, my chest rising and falling with anger.

"Why?" My voice is hard with unrestrained fury.

"Prince Rylan stopped us," the Dean replies.

I almost want to laugh.

What is the old hag saying?

Prince Rylan?

Old age must be telling on him already and that's why he's seeing things.

It can be anyone else but definitely not Rylan. Rylan is rotting away in god knows where.

"Rylan?" I repeat, the words tasting bitter on my lips. "How can Rylan be here?"

"He's back, your highness," he says firmly. "Our hands are tied. I'm sorry...."

My hands grow weak around the phone and it's slips to the floor. Rage course through my veins as the words reverberate through my being.

He is back.

I clench my fists tightly and a guttural growl roll out of my throat. "Rylannnnnn....."