03

Maya's POV

The moment our gaze met, Jaxon's face went pale, his mouth hung open slightly. But just as quickly, his expression became unreadable.

Did he recognise me?

Of course, he did.

I swallowed hard, my chest beating louder than a war drum. My hands tremble slightly.

Holy. Shit!

I had screwed my step brother.

Mother leaned closer. “Maya, don't be rude. Say Hello,” she whispered, her breath warm against mine.

Her voice pulled me out of my thoughts and I forced a smile at him, extending my hand. “I'm Maya.“

Jaxon smirked darkly before taking my hand. “I'm Jaxon,” he said, his voice so smooth, so calm, like we've never even crossed paths before. “It's nice to meet you.“

His touch sends sparks through me, so I quickly withdraw my hand.

“Same here,” I replied.

His eyes lingered on me, burning me so fiercely that I didn't realise when I grabbed a drink from a passing waitress and gulped it down.

“Would you take it easy with the alcohol,” Mother scolded.

I didn't say anything.

My gaze fell on Jaxon and his smirk only grew wilder. Not a cute one. No. The one that showed that he knows just how much he's unravelling me.

Just then, a guard came by. “Alpha. Luna,” he said, bowing deeply. “The Alphas seek an audience with you.“

“Alright, kids,” Alpha Damian said as he wrapped his arms around mom's waist. “Get to know each other. We'll be right back.“

Then they turned and disappeared into the crowd.

The silence fell between us for a while, my head lowered.

Jaxon cleared his throat and leaned forward. “The fruit isn't far from the tree, huh?“

“Excuse me?“ I snapped, startled.

He stepped closer to me, hand shoved deep in his pocket. “I could've sworn you already knew who I was before you even approached me,” he said, his voice—sharp and condescending.

Such an asshole.

I was confused. Why would I want to have sex with him if I actually know who he was?

“And you're so dumb to think that I would want to screw you, if I knew you were my step brother?“ I fired back.

“What?“ He snapped. “Me? Dumb?“ He asked as if the word was an abomination. As if someone as insignificant as I, doesn't deserve to call him that.

Jaxon glared at me murderously—one that would have made me cower a week ago, but not anymore.

I don't know what happened but since that betrayal from Ashen and Lyra, I had gotten quite courageous. Maybe because I realised being careful and quiet only made me to be tramped upon and treated like trash.

I stepped closer, my eyes never leaving his. That darn scent wrapped around me. Again! “Yes, stepbrother. Guinness should send you a plaque—for being the world’s biggest jerk.”

He growled, his fists clenching. Then he laughed. “You're really living up to the expectation, buh? All this fake courage is just to get my attention, right?“ Then his lips twisted in disgust, every word reverberating through my being. “You're nothing but a seductress and gold-digger—just like your mother.“

Rage coursed through me.

I have had enough of people trying to get under my skin by speaking ill of my mother.

I lifted my hand to slap off that smug expression from his face but he caught my wrist.

I struggled against him but he didn't bulge; his grip only tightened.

“I won't let you disrespect my mother like that,” I roared, attracting the attention of the guests. “And she's also your step mom.“

“Step mom?“ He repeated, the words leaving a bitter taste on his lips. “Really? Quit it, Maya. Your mother is no mom to me.“ He yanked my hands away. Then he leaned in, his breath warm against mine. “Watch your back, Maya. I will make sure to kick you and your mother out of my pack with nothing.“

He continued. “The next time you try to hit me, I swear, I will make sure you lose that hand,” he threatened.

Then he turned away and grabbed a napkin from one of the tables, wiping his hands off like he had them stained. Like I was dirt.

Tears burned my eyes as I watched him walk off.

Whispers and murmurs swayed around me.

“What happened, honey?“ Mother said, gripping my shoulders. “Did you already get on the bad side of Jaxon?“

As much as I wanted to scream down the place, let her know the man she's defending hates her so much, I couldn't. Not here—in public.

“I would like to go inside my room.“ I turned and walked away from the clearing and made my way into the palace.

I slipped into my room and tucked myself in bed. As much as I had the best sex of my life that night, I started to regret my decision.

A week passed. I kept my distance, and thankfully, he kept his. But the tension still buzzed beneath my skin…

Thank goodness.

There was a kind of relief that hit me from not seeing his smug, yet attractive face around the mansion.

If everything goes well with me, I might not have to see his face ever again.

And today, I'm seated in front of my laptop, trying to check my application results into Blackstone University—the best werewolf college, hidden in the hills of California.

I had always wanted to study there. I had tried last year but failed to get in.

My chest pounded. My trembling fingers hovered around the enter button.

I remembered that Lyra had been the one to help me check last year. She had pulled me into a comforting hug but now, I had no choice than to do it and face whatever the result was myself.

I inhaled sharply, squeezed my eyes closed and punched the key so hard that I thought it was going to snap off. Then slowly, I opened my right eyes.

Congratulations, Maya Grants. You've been accepted into Blackstone University to study Healing and Herbalife.'

What? I snapped my eyes open.

Then I fixed my eyes on the screen.

Yes. I was accepted.

I sprang up to my feet, jumping around the room. “Yes…. I did it.“

Then I flung my door open and made my way to the grand hall to share the news with my mother.

I stepped into the hall and there she was.

Seated on Alpha Damien's thighs and smiling broadly while he was whispering into her ears.

“Get a room, won't you?“ I joked, rolling my eyes.

The both of them looked at me and laughed. Mother tried to stand but Alpha Damien held her there and pressed his lips to her ears.

I ignored their public display of affection. “Guess what, mom?“

Before she could say a word, I continued. “I got into Blackstone University.“

“Really?“ She sprang up to her feet.

I nodded frantically. “Yes.“

She closed the distance between us and pulled me into an embrace. “I'm so happy for you, dear.“

Alpha Damien stepped closer to us. “Congratulations, Maya.“

“Thank you, Alpha.“ I smiled.

“That's nice. Jaxon also attended Blackstone University. He would be able to take good care of you.“

My eyes widened. “What?“