Chapter 17

Aliyah's POV

I woke up the next morning in that suffocating detention cell, my back ached from the uncomfortable bed. The guard unlocked the door at dawn as he grunted something about me leaving the cell too early. I grabbed my stuff and bolted, I didn't want to stick around for any of it.

As I headed to the small bathroom they gave me in the cell, it was terribly tiny but at least I got to have a bath---- my phone buzzed. It was Tyler.

"Missed me already, mate? Hearing's in two days. Don't fuck it up."

I rolled my eyes and texted back: "Delete my number."

His reply came instantly: "Can't. Bond has got us linked. See you in class."

Great. Combat class with him teaching. Just what I needed.

I skipped breakfast and hustled to the lecture hall for literature first. Skylar was already there, pacing around the front of the class, his emerald eyes scanning the room. He spotted me as I slipped into my seat, and his gaze hardened--- the usual pure disgusted look, like I was a freaking stain.

"Miss Marcus," he said sharply as class started, not even bothering with a hello. "Late again? Or is punctuality beneath you now?"

The class went silent. I straightened up. "I'm in detention, Professor, remember?" I was feeling cranky this morning so Professor Skylar, you're good looking but I'm not in the mood.

He crossed his arms. "Well, you assaulted a fellow professor. You should take responsibility."

"I was trying to defend myself," I shot back. "And you know it." I hated the way my voice sounded vulnerable.

He stepped closer to my desk, his voice was low but cutting. "What I know is you're a nuisance. Now open your book to page 147. And try not to daydream about stupid fantasies this time."

Snickers rippled through the classroom. My cheeks burned, but I flipped the page without another word.

Asshole.

He hated me--- he hated the bond, he hated everything about me.

Again, asshole.

Class dragged on with him lecturing about ancient werewolf lore, his voice was smooth and he looked so cool, explaining the lore so effortlessly. Now that was my Skylar.

Good looking. Charismatic. Knowledgeable. Smart. And a very good lecturer.

My daydreaming was suddenly interrupted by a voice that was edged with annoyance. "Miss Marcus, interpret the mate bond in this context."

"It's unbreakable," I replied. I hadn't been paying attention but I usually read ahead of every class. I needed to maintain my CGPA to keep my scholarship. "Even if one side rejects it." I added.

His jaw ticked. "Incorrect. Bonds can be severed with council approval. Next."

I bit my tongue. My answer was still correct, his was just another option that was very rare.

Message received, asshole.

After class, I bolted. Staying in the same room with Skylar was too much torture. No way was I dealing with more of his cold shoulder.

Next up: combat with Tyler. The gym was packed, students were scattered around in their workout gear. Tyler stood at the front, his low bun tied back, smirking like he owned the damn place.

"Alright, wolves," he called out, clapping his hands. "Today we're sparring one-on-one. The goal is to focus on defense. Now pair up!"

I grabbed a spot with some random beta guy, but Tyler's eyes locked on me immediately. "Marcus! Front and center. You're sparring with me."

What?

Whispers erupted. I groaned and walked up. "Why me? Pick someone else."

He winked, it was so subtle that only me caught it. Then he whispered again that only me heard it as his mate. "Because you're feisty. Show 'em how it's done."

"Fuck you." I whispered back and he smirked cockily.

We circled each other on the mat. He lunged first, grabbing my arm in a mock hold. I twisted free, shoving him back. "That all you got, Professor?"

He laughed, dodging my kick. "Ooh, sassy. Come on, hit me like you mean it."

I swung, but he caught my fist, pulling me close---- way too close. His warm breath hit my ear. "Hello, mate. I missed you last night. Did you dream about me?"

"Shut up," I hissed, kneeing his thigh. He grunted but held on, flipping me onto the mat. Now pinned under him, our faces were now inches apart and I felt it.

The spark. It was electric and it made my pulse race fast.

Fuck this stupid mate bond, because why was my pulse racing for.... Tyler Deville? I hated his annoying ass.

"Yield?" he whispered, with that annoying smirk on his face

"Never." I bucked up, rolling us over so I was on top. The class gasped.

He obviously allowed me to roll us over.

Tyler grinned up at me. "That's my girl. But watch the hips though, we don't want to give the wrong idea. God forbid your colleagues find out we're mates." I heard the sarcastic tone in his voice.

"Get over yourself, you prick!" I punched his shoulder lightly and jumped off, breathing heavily.

That was when I realized that the room was now dead quiet, there were stares everywhere.

He stood up too and dusted off. "Good job, Marcus. Next pair!"

As I walked back, I heard a girl muttered, "What was that? Was it only me who felt the tension?"

Another whispered, "It was like they were flirting. Ewww. Weird."

I ignored them, but Tyler caught my eye and whispered, "Were we flirting?"

I flipped him off behind my back.

Class continued with more drills, but Tyler kept pulling me in for "corrections," his hands kept lingering a second too long.

The prick wouldn't just leave me alone.

"Footwork is sloppy, sweetheart."

"I think it's fine, asshole."

He chuckled. "Love when you call me names. It means I'm winning."

After, as everyone filed out when the class ended, he cornered me by the lockers. "About that deal---"

"No," I cut in, snapping at him. "I'm not accusing Skylar. I'm not doing that shit. I told you before."

He leaned in and said in a low voice. "Come on, Aliyah. He's playing you. He is stringing you along with his 'you're my student' bullshit while he continues to fuck Whyte."

I flinched at his last statement.

"Jealous much?" I shoved past him.

He grabbed my wrist gently. "Damn right. Because I see what he doesn't--- you're fire. And I'd burn for you."

I yanked free, rolling my eyes at him, "Save the charm, Professor Tyler. I'm not falling for it."

He smirked. "You already have. Admit it."

I stormed out, without saying another word to him.

Lunch was quick---- I just grabbed a sandwich and headed to the library to study. Kelly spotted me from across a shelf and marched over, arms crossed.

"Aliyah! We need to talk."

I sighed. "Hey, Kelly."

She glanced around. "Becca has been acting weird. She keeps sneaking off. And Leah... that bitch is back in class like nothing happened, but she's dodging me. At least she knows better to cross my way."

"I will talk to Becca and fuck Leah," I said, biting into my sandwich.

"I just need you to be careful, Whyte is plotting something again--- I heard her talking to the dean."

I ran my hand through my hair, "For goddess sake, can she stop all these and focus on her job as a professor??"

The unnecessary back and forth was getting tiring. Skylar didn't even like me back!

Kelly suddenly clapped her hands, "Right! I heard a gist! We're getting a transfer student."

My brows rose. "A transfer student?" Rising Moon College never accepted transfer students in the middle of a semester. Ever.

"Strange, right? Rumors have it that her father is a prominent Alpha. I bet she's chic and very cool. Can't wait to meet her!" Kelly was buzzing with excitement. "Anyway, I have to go. See you later. "She said and walked off.

As dusk hit, I headed back to the detention cell. I was thinking about how tired I was of that fucking small space when I heard footsteps crunched behind me. I had barely turned around to check when a blur tackled me to the ground.

What the---

A rogue wolf?!

The red eyes shone and it snarled at me.

I widened my eyes and shifted my claws ready for attack but before I could, it attacked me and bit my shoulders deep.

I growled loudly as the excruciating pain traveled all over my body.

"My master sends regards." The rogue wolf growled and disappeared into the woods, leaving me on the ground, already bleeding out.

Wait, why was I not healing?

I tried to move but the pain swallowed me. I could feel myself losing consciousness and that was when I realized the rogue wolf did not just bite me. It poisoned me.