LOGINLizzy's POV Adrian's jaw tightens, but he doesn't deny it.“What did you give her?” I demand, my voice shaky as I step closer. “What the hell did you put in her drink?” I saw Cassie acting strange that night and I believed it was the effect of the drink. The next day I expected to hear of her death, but I didn't. That was when I knew Adrian didn't go through with the plan. “Heat suppressant mixed with a catalyst.” He meets my gaze without flinching. “I figured if she was Knox's mate, triggering her heat would force them together. Would make Knox claim her before your psychotic ass could kill her.”Rage explodes through me and my eyes widen in shock. Has Knox marked Cassie yet? “You sabotaged me! You helped her!”“I saved her life!” Adrian's voice rises to match mine. “And I'd do it again. Because unlike you, I'm not a fucking monster.”“You're a traitor to me,” I spit. He shakes his head. “The only thing I'm guilty of is being stupid enough to work with you in the first place.”
Lizzy's POV I walk away from Knox and that pathetic human nerd, my mind racing, replaying what just happened. Knox had dared to lie to me. He looked me straight in the eye and said Cassie wasn't his mate. He called her a distraction, something meaningless. But the moment I threatened her, he came running like his life depended on it. My lips curl into a bitter smile as I round the corner, making sure I'm out of sight before I stop. My hands are shaking from the surge of vindication coursing through me. I was right. My instinct has been right all along. That human isn't just some random girl Knox is obsessed with. She's his mate. His fated mate. The thought makes my stomach twist with pud rage and something else that feels dangerously close to panic. A human! The Moon Goddess paired the future Alpha of our pack with a weak, fragile human. It's an abomination. And it's going to destroy everything I've worked for. How did I not see this coming before now? I pull out my phone, m
Knox's POV After practice, Ronan addresses us. “Welldone, guys,” he says, his lips curl up into a smile that doesn't reach his eyes. He doesn't move his gaze from mine and I can tell what is going through his head right now. “If you keep this momentum, then it's certain the Icefang team will win during the national championship game.” My heart skips a fucking beat. The national championship game. The ultimatum my father has given to me. Ronan stares at me again, something unreadable crossing his features. He's expecting a reaction from him, just to know if I’d found my mate mate— an errand I'm certain my father had sent him. I keep my expression blank, not giving him the reaction he wants. “Speaking of the championship game,” he continues, his voice laced with an edge. “The New date will be communicated to us soon. But you have to get prepared because it's nothing more than a month. Captain Knox, is that noted?” My fingers ball into fists. I don't respond to him. Ronan knows w
Cassie's POV By evening, anticipation is already building inside of me.I can't focus on anything. My textbook sits open in front of me, some chapter about the nervous system that I should probably memorize for next week's test. But the words blur together into meaningless shapes.All I can think about is tonight. About sneaking over to Knox's place after Maya falls asleep and what will happen when I get there.My stomach flips with nerves and something else. Something that feels dangerous and reckless and completely unlike me.I'm not the girl who sneaks around. I'm not the girl who agrees to secret arrangements with guys who can't even call me their girlfriend.But apparently, I am now.“You've been staring at that same page for ten minutes.”I jump, slamming the textbook shut. Maya stands in the doorway, fresh from her evening class, eyebrow raised in amusement.“Just tired,” I mutter, avoiding her eyes.“Uh-huh.” She drops her bag and flops onto the couch beside me. “You sure you
Cassie's POV My voice cracks as the questions leave my lips, despite already knowing the answers. Knox wants me desperately, just as I want him. But we can't be a real couple? He can't give me a real relationship like other girls I always see with their boyfriends?“Yes,” he says, something unreadable crossing his features. “That's insane,” I blurt out, shaking my head. “I know.” My lips part to speak, but no words come out. God! I should say no. I should walk away right now and never look back. “Cassie.” Knox cups my face, his thumb brushing across my bottom lip, sending a tingling sensation through my entire body. “You want this as much as I do. You can't stay away from me any more than I can stay away from you.” My breath catches in my throat because he's right. Because despite that he can't give me something real, I still want him. God help me, I still want Knox so much that I think I might be going crazy without him. “This is going to end badly,” I whisper. “You are going
Knox's POV The words hit her like a slap. I see it in the way she flinches, in the way her amber eyes go wide with unshed tears. My heart aches seeing her this way. Nyx is thrashing and clawing inside of me, asking to break free, but I can't let him. “A mistake,” she repeats, her voice barely above a whisper. “Yeah. You were out of your mind, I shouldn't have—” I stop, my jaw clenching so hard it aches. “It won't happen again.” “You are right. It won't happen again.” She takes a step back, tears pooling in the corners of her eyes. “Because I don't make the same mistake twice,” She spits. Then she turns to leave, but something inside me snaps. I can't let her walk away like this. I can't let her think she means nothing to me, when she is in fact everything I need. I vault over the barrier in one smooth motion, my skates hitting the concrete floor with a jarring thud. She spins around, her eyes wide. “What now?” I cross the space between us in two strides, backing her against







