Chapter Five

Kaidora's POV 

Zane stands in my path, blocking the entrance to my dorm like a predator who's cornered his prey. His stormy grey eyes bore into mine with an intensity that makes my skin crawl. 

“I said, we need to talk,” he repeats, his voice low and dangerous. 

“And I said I have nothing to say to you.” I try to step around him, but he moves with me, maintaining the distance between us. “Get out of my way, Zane.” 

I am not supposed to raise my voice. I am supposed to be submissive, but right now, Zane or whatever his name is, is testing my patience. I don't know if he's doing this intentionally, but I'm on the verge of losing it. 

“Not until you hear me out.” 

My hands clench into fists by my side. I hate him. I hate all werewolves. But something about Zane makes my blood boil in a way that's different from the others. Maybe it's his arrogance or the way he looks at me like I'm a puzzle he's determined to solve. 

Or maybe it's the way my body reacted when I touched him last night at the arena. 

“Fine.” I cross my arms over my chest. “Talk. But make it quick.” 

“Not here.” His eyes flick to the students walking around the dorm. “Somewhere private. Unless you want an audience for what I'm about to say.” 

A mixture of rage and fear courses through my veins. What could he possibly have to say that requires privacy? 

Against my better judgement, I bob my head. “The old tree behind the library. Five minutes.” 

An annoying smirk tugs at his lips. “I will be waiting.” 

My heart pounds heavily as I watch him walk away. This is a mistake. Everything about this screams danger. But I need to know what he wants. What's so important to make the future Alpha come to my dorm. 

Five minutes later, I'm standing under the old tree. Zane is already there, leaning against the trunk with his arms crossed, looking far too comfortable for someone who's about to have a confrontation. 

“Well?” I demand, staying several feet away from him. “What's so important that you had to drag me out here?” 

He pushes off the tree and takes a step towards me. I force myself not to cower or take another step back. 

“I know what you are,” he says quietly. 

My heart practically jumps out of my chest. “What?!” I exclaim, my eyes widening in shock. 

“Don't play dumb, Kaidora.” He takes another step closer and I can smell his scent again. “I followed you this afternoon. Saw you in the maintenance building with your little collection. Saw what you were doing.” 

Panic claws at my chest, and I swallow hard, keeping my face blank. “I don't know what you are talking about.” 

“No?” His lips curve into a cold smile. “Then let me be more specific. I saw the herbs. The perfumes you use to mask your scent.” He leans in close, so close I can feel his breath on my face. “And I smelled your real scent. The one underneath all those layers.” 

My heart drops. No, no, this can't be happening. Six months of careful planning, of hiding, of staying in this hellhole, and it's all falling apart because of him. 

“You are human,” Zane says and the word hangs between us like a death sentence. 

For a moment, I consider denying it. But what's the point? He already knows. And if he knows, it means I'm dead. 

“So what?” I snap, anger replacing my fear. “Are you going to drag me to your father? To the pack elders? Get me killed for daring to step foot in your precious college?” 

“No.” 

“What?” I blink. 

“I'm not going to expose you.” He steps back, giving me space to breathe. “I'm going to male you a deal.” 

A deal? With a werewolf? 

My heart races as I try to understand his angle. 

“What kind of deal?” 

"My father has given me an ultimatum,” he says, his expression hardening. “I need to show up with my mate before the next full moon ceremony in three weeks, or I lose everything— my position as future Alpha, my hockey career.” 

My eyes narrow at him. “And what does that have to do with me?” 

“Everything.” His grey eyes lock on mine. “I need you to pretend to be my mate. Just long enough to satisfy my father and secure my position.” 

I stare at him like he's lost his mind. “You want me to pretend to be your mate? Me? A human?” 

Although, I understand everything about werewolves, because I'd been researching them since I was fifteen. But Zane asking me to be his mate now feels… absurd. 

“My father won't know you are human if you keep up your disguise,” he says smoothly. “You've been fooling everyone for six months. You can do this.” 

“This is insane.” I shake my head, backing away. “Why would you even ask this? You could ask any she-wolf in the college to pretend to be your mate. Why me?” 

He's quiet for a moment and I see something flicker in his eyes. Something I can't quite place. 

“Because you are the only one I can trust to keep this arrangement purely transactional,” he finally says. “You hate me and it looks like you hate werewolves too. You aren't going to develop feelings or try to make this real. And in return for your cooperation, I keep your secret, I don't tell anyone what you really are.” 

“So this is blackmail.” The words taste like bile on my tongue. 

“Call it what you want.” He shrugs. “But we both know you are going to agree. Because what's your alternative? Let me expose you and watch everything you've been working towards crumble? It looks like you have a target, Kai.” 

Huh? Kai? 

I hate that he's right. I hate that I'm trapped, that this arrogant, infuriating werewolf has me backed into a corner with no way out. 

“Why are you really doing this?” I ask, searching his face for answers. “There has to be more to it than just needing a fake mate for a mating ceremony.” 

His jaw clenches.”That's all you need to know.” 

“No.” I step closer, my tone dripping with desperation. “If I'm going to risk my life playing your mate, I deserve the truth. What are you not telling me?” 

For a long moment, he just stares at me. Then finally, he speaks. 

“My wolf is dying,” he says, pain flashing in his eyes. “Every day, I feel him getting weaker and if I don't find my mate soon, he will fade completely. I will lose him forever.” 

Despite myself, I feel a flicker of something that might be sympathy. But I crush it immediately. He's a werewolf. He doesn't deserve my pity. 

“And you think pretending I'm your mate will help?” I ask. 

“I think it will buy me time,” he admits. “Time to figure out what's wrong, to find a solution and to keep my father off my back while I search for answers.” 

He's lying. Or at least, he's not telling me everything. I can see it in the way he won't meet my eyes, in the tension in his shoulders. 

But what choice do I have? 

If he exposes me, I will never find out who killed my parents. I will never get my revenge. Everything I've sacrificed and endured will be for nothing. 

“Three weeks,” I say finally. “Just until the full moon ceremony. Then we are done. We go our separate ways and you never speak to me again.” 

“Agreed.” 

“And you keep my secret no matter what happens.” 

“You have my word.” 

His word? As if that means anything coming from a werewolf. But again, what choice do I have? 

“Fine.” The words feel as if I'm swallowing glass. “I will do it. I will be your fake mate.” 

Something flashes in his eyes. Relief? Triumph? I can't tell. 

“Good.” He pulls out his phone. “We start tomorrow. I will pick you up at noon. We need to be seen together, convince people this is real.” 

My breath catches. “Wait, tomorrow? I need time to—” 

“We don't have time. The sooner we establish this relationship, the more believable it will be. So, tomorrow noon, be ready.” 

He turns to walk away, but I grab his arm without thinking. The moment my skin touches his, that same electric sensation from the arena shoots through me. His eyes widen, and a gasp escapes his lips. 

I drop his arm immediately, my hand burning where we touched. 

“What was that?” I whisper. 

“Nothing,” he says too quickly. “I will see you tomorrow, Kaidora.” 

He disappears, leaving me alone with my heart racing and trembling hands. 

What have I agreed to? And why does part of me feel like I've just sealed my fate in more ways than one?