Chapter 17

Prue

I sit at my usual table with my girls, trying to tune into the chatter around me, but I feel out of place. I am annoyed, irritated even. Running on way too little sleep, which only made my mood sink lower. Yesterday, every spare second had been hijacked by thoughts of the Alpha – the bond. My brain had been giddy, spinning fantasies of me as Luna, ruling the pack like it was born for me. The whole thing was like tossing a fresh bone to a greedy dog, I couldn’t stop chewing on it. And of course, late at night, my imagination decided to crank things up – sparks on skin, the heat of his body, the way he might feel in bed. I groaned, tossing and twisting under the covers, trying to shut it down, even resorting to my favorite podcasts. Didn’t work. My mind just smirked and kept going.

And today? You won’t believe it – I’d nearly brushed shoulders with him eleven times before lunch. Eleven times! This from the guy I used to see maybe once a week, if that. Sure, maybe it’s because now I can scent him a mile away; I know exactly where he is without him even passing by. But still, it’s like he’s made it his personal mission to stroll past me and glare. So much for the great romance of the bond, I thought bitterly. Or maybe – maybe before, I was just too blissfully oblivious to notice him at all.

I try to return to lunch break conversations, but I feel edgy – like I'm being watched. No, not just watched – glared at.

I scan the room, and sure enough, it’s him. The Alpha. He’s watching me like he’s daring me to breathe wrong, eyes firing sharp, silent accusations across the cafeteria.

If you don’t like me, don’t look at me, as.shole.

The thought flares hot in my head.

I try to chew my sandwich, but his damn stare dries my throat like I’ve swallowed dust. I choke down some juice, hoping it’ll help the food go down. It doesn't.

I can't focus on food or the conversation. My skin itches under his gaze. He's pissing me off. I need him off my back – or in this case, out of my face.

“Do you like girls, Kate?” I blurt, looking sideways at her.

She blinks, caught off guard. Her eyes widen for half a second before she schools her expression, but I’ve already seen it. I narrow mine, studying her face like I’m daring her to dodge the question. Is she gonna lie? Or is she just not out yet?

“Yeah,” she says with a shrug, suddenly casual as hell, like I’d just asked if she wanted fries with her lunch.

“Do you have a girlfriend?”

“Nope. Why?” Her gaze sharpens, curious now, but there’s a flicker of something else – caution? Amusement?

“Would you kiss me?”

The air around us freezes. Our groups girls stops mid-breath, mid-laugh, mid-whatever. You could hear a glitter pen drop onto the linoleum.

“Now?” she asks, head tilting slightly, testing me.

“Yeah.” My voice comes out steadier than I feel, heart pounding against my ribs.

“In public?” Her brows lift, and I swear I catch the ghost of a smirk.

“Yup.” I lean back a little, arms crossed, pretending to be nonchalant while my stomach flips like I’m about to bungee-jump without a harness.

“But… do you even like girls?” she presses, voice softer now, the teasing edge giving way to something more careful – like my answer might actually matter.

I smile, just a little. “I don’t know. I’ve never kissed one.”

“But… isn’t that guy your boyfriend?” She nods toward the glaring Alpha. Kate has always had sharp, observant eyes – like she can read between the lines without anyone saying a word.

I roll my eyes. “Nah. He’s just a dou.che on my tail.”

If they knew he was my mate – and what that really means – they’d be yapping about ‘the sacredness of the bond’ till the moon rose.

Kate’s lips curve in a playful grin. “So… do you want just a peck or a full French?”

I swallow hard, heat rushing to my face.

“Definitely French.” My voice is steadier than I feel.

“You ready?” Her eyes sparkle with mischief, but there’s a softness there too, like she’s checking if I can actually handle this.

“I don’t know,” I admit, shrugging awkwardly. “As I said, you’re kind of my first.”

The words hang in the air, heavier than I expected, and I suddenly feel small under her gaze.

Then, more firmly, I add,

“If anyone bullies you after it, I’ll kick their asses.” My tone is flat, but protective, almost desperate to sound braver than I feel.

Kate snorts, the sound light but full of amusement.

“Okay.” Her grin widens, and the tension between us tightens, like a coil about to spring.

She shifts to face me, and suddenly I feel nerves flutter in my stomach. Real nerves. Sh.it. Is this a mistake?

“I might be slow at this,” I murmur.

She just shrugs, unbothered. I scoot closer, our knees bumping, then settle between hers. I meet her eyes. She has beautiful eyes. I glance down at her lips. My heartbeat stumbles.

I cup her cheeks, still unsure where this is going. She places her hands on my thighs, leans in with a smile, and licks her lips. I mimic the movement.

Butterflies burst in my stomach.

I close the gap.

Her lips are soft – softer than I expected. We move gently at first, tasting, teasing. Then her mouth opens, and our tongues meet. She tastes like bubble gum, and da.mn – it’s unexpectedly hot. Thrilling. Electric. My fingers twitch with the urge to touch her boo.bs, but I hold back. Maybe next time.

“WHAT THE FU.CK ARE YOU DOING?!”

The Alpha’s voice shreds through the air like a gunshot. I jump, heart slamming against my ribs. I was so deep in the kiss, I didn’t even sense him coming.

I turn slowly, lips still tingling. His face is twisted in rage.

“I’m kissing,” I say, tone razor-sharp. “What does it look?”

His eyes blaze. “How dare you? I can see you!”

Oh, I bet you can feel it too, mate. But you won’t say that out loud, will you?

“Then don’t look.”

It’s the one thing I’ve wanted from him since I walked into this da.mn cafeteria.

“Out! I want to talk to you – now.” He barks orders at me, making me frown in total dispbelief.

"Sure! Let me grab my tiara – Queen Obedient reporting for duty." Who does he think he is – and, more importantly, who does he think I am? An obedient dog? I roll my eyes as a few girls burst into quiet giggles. In my peripheral vision, I catch Rosy covering her mouth with her hand, her gaze dropping to her lap to hide the smile.

Then, an angry growl rips out of the oh-so-mighty Alpha. Seriously? Among humans? I tsk inwardly. So much for self-restraint.

How gloriously typical. And he thinks he can command me? Cute. I’d rather wrestle a porcupine in a tutu than follow him.

“No can do,” I say simply, sinking deeper into my seat. He stares hard, trying to Alpha-glare me into submission. I cross my arms and legs, completely unbothered.

He snarls. “You bi.tch!”

Then he storms off, his posse trailing behind like lost puppies. What a dou.che, I roll my eyes with a sneer. I watch his back as he storms off, and a bit of the tension drains from my shoulders. Well, that was a scene, eh?

“Why does he act like a jealous boyfriend?” Kate asks, eyebrows raised as I turn back to the girls.

“More like a high school diva who thinks 'no' is just a flirty suggestion,” I reply dryly.

That earns a round of laughter, and I can’t help but grin.

“Total drama queen on a power trip who’s allergic to rejection...” I mutter under my breath, still annoyed, as I grab my sandwich again. The girls burst into louder laughter, and Christina ends up choking on her juice, coughing like she’s fighting for her life. That only makes the others laugh harder – her tragic timing was just too perfect.

Unfortunately, my thoughts drift right back to him. I probably should reject him soon. And once I do, we’ll have to pack up and move – again. This might end up being our shortest stay yet. Poor Dad. I sigh inwardly, already dreading the next goodbyes. I like my girls.

But let’s be real – not before I’ve played the Mighty Alpha from every angle first. I smirk to myself. Plenty to think about tonight –new options, fresh ideas, and maybe a little chaos for dessert.