XX5

Isabella,” Diego said, his voice dropping an octave as he stared at the screen. “I already slept with him.”

Isabella froze, her green juice halfway to her lips. “What? You’ve already been in his bed? How did you not realize it was the same guy?”

Diego ran a hand through his hair, pacing the kitchen. “It was last night. The Duplex was dark, the music was loud... and he wasn’t wearing those birth-control-glasses. I didn’t recognize him without them. And he looked…” He trailed off, the memory of Kol’s lean, dancer's frame moving under him flashing through his mind. “He looked incredible, Isabella. Nothing like the scrawny kid from high school.”

Isabella’s shock morphed into a sharp, predatory grin. “Actually? This is perfect. We can work with this.” She nodded to herself, her mind already spinning a web. “You already know the chemistry is there. Think of it as a bonus—a hot guy you can have on tap whenever you want. That’s all a partner is at the end of the day.”

Diego recoiled, his brow furrowing. “Wait. You’re talking about a relationship? You know I don’t do labels. My wolf doesn't do leashes.”

“Oh, grow up!” Isabella smacked his muscular arm. “You aren’t going to be his real boyfriend. You’re going to make him fall for you, hook, line, and sinker—and then you’re going to crush him. You’ll have to bench your playboy ways for a few weeks to make it believable. You can go right back to the revolving door once we’re done with him.”

“I prefer the term 'roving forward',” Diego countered, though he went quiet for a moment. “Why the exclusivity, though?”

“Authenticity,” Isabella explained, as if speaking to a child. “If he thinks he’s the only one, the betrayal will burn ten times hotter. If he suspects you’re just using him, it won't hurt when you walk away.”

Diego exhaled, a slow, dark spark of competition lighting up in his hazel eyes. “Fine. I’m in. It’s going to be a grind, but I’ll do it for the team. You’re lucky I’m a good brother.”

“Yes!” Isabella went to hug him, then caught the scent of gym sweat and pulled back with a grimace. “Go shower, Captain. You won’t regret this. It might even be fun.”

Diego smirked, his quiet intensity returning. “We’ll see about that.”

KOL

A few days had passed since the awkward encounter with Isabella at the Sunrise Dance Studio, and Kol had almost convinced himself he was safe. That was until he was hunkered down in the Austin State Library, buried in a pile of research, and Diego Alvarez—the man from his most shameful and spectacular night—walked straight toward his table.

Diego had somehow managed to become even more striking since high school. Back then, he was just the golden-boy captain everyone worshipped. Now, he had a rugged beard and a presence that felt like a physical force. Kol almost didn't recognize him until he spoke.

“Hey, Kol, right? I wanted to touch base about the other night.”

Hearing that voice—the same low growl that had been whispering in his ear hours before—sent a jolt through Kol. He slammed his hand over his mouth, his face turning a violent shade of crimson. “Diego Alvarez,” he choked out, his heart hammering against his ribs.

Diego’s teeth flashed in a dazzling, practiced smile. “The one and only.”

Kol felt like the floor might swallow him. “You… I… That was…”

“Yeah.” Diego raked a hand through his hair, messing it up in a way that only made him look more like a cover model. “I’m guessing you didn’t put the pieces together at the party.”

Kol slowly lowered his hand, his embarrassment curdling into a cold, sharp defensive wall. He remembered exactly who Diego was now—the bully who had treated him like a punchline for four years. “And you clearly didn't know it was me either,” Kol said, his voice turning to ice.

Diego shrugged, leaning casually against the library table. “Honestly? It didn’t matter who you were. I just knew you were the most captivating person in the building.”

If that was meant to be a romantic olive branch, it missed the mark by a mile. Kol’s eyes narrowed behind his glasses. “How charming.” It hurt that he was still just a nameless 'captivating person' to Diego. “I wouldn't have let you through my front door if I’d known who was under that jacket.”

“Oh, come on. You’re still holding onto high school?” Diego spread his arms as if the past were a light dusting of snow.

“Holding onto it?” Kol’s voice rose, then he caught himself and hissed in a whisper. “You invited me to the formal as a joke, Diego! I stood there in a rented suit while you and your friends laughed at me. Jokes are supposed to be funny, not cruel. Who does that to someone?”

“Some people thought it was a riot,” Diego said, his tone dismissive.

“Who? Your pack of assholes?” Kol slammed his textbook shut. He wasn't doing this. Not here. “Get lost, Diego.”

He stormed out of the library, but the adrenaline only carried him as far as the front steps before his knees gave way. He sat down, his body trembling with a mix of fury and a terrifying, lingering heat. He had slept with his enemy. He had been vulnerable with the boy who had humiliated him.

He’s going to tell everyone, Kol thought, panic rising. He’s going to turn my one night of freedom into a locker room story.

“Kol!” Diego’s voice echoed as he jogged out of the library. Kol groaned. “Didn’t get very far, did you?”

“Do you not understand the words 'get lost'?” Kol scowled up at him, shielding his eyes from the Texas sun.

“I’m pretty sure you said 'leave me alone,' actually.” Diego’s grin was infectious, and Kol had to fight the urge to let his own lips twitch.

“Same thing,” Kol grumbled. Diego held out a hand to help him up, but Kol ignored it, pushing himself to his feet. “I’ll say it again. Go away.”

Diego just stood there, looking like a fool in the best possible way. “Sorry. Not happening.”

“Why?” Kol nearly whined. “What do you want?”

“Is it so crazy to think I want to get to know you?” Diego followed him toward the bus stop, his long strides easily matching Kol’s pace.

“Yes. You didn't care to know me for four years. Why start now?”

“I didn't realize you were the man you've become until now.” They reached the bus stop, and Diego rocked back on his heels, his hands in his pockets. A few students walked by, whispering and pointing at the hockey star, but Diego didn't seem to notice. He looked down at Kol. “You have to admit, the other night was... legendary.”

Kol pressed his lips together, refusing to give him an inch. But his burning cheeks gave him away. Diego laughed softly. “It made me curious. That’s all. I want to see who you are.”

“You said it yourself. You didn't care back then. Just that I was 'pretty'.” Kol met his gaze with a fierce intensity.

“I care now,” Diego murmured. His hazel eyes sparkled, and for a split second, Kol felt his resolve melting like ice in the sun. But the bus pulled up just in time, and he scrambled aboard. As the bus pulled away, Kol pressed his head against the cool glass, trying to extinguish the fire Diego had just rekindled.

That night, he couldn't touch his homework. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw those eyes darkening with heat, felt those strong arms around him. He paced the Riverside Duplex, finally collapsing onto his bed. He tried to find some relief alone, but every thought led back to the Alvarez Residence. He finished with a frustrated cry, realizing that instead of cooling him down, it had only made the hunger worse.

The next day, Diego was waiting outside his Economics lecture. “What are you doing here?” Kol asked, stopping dead in the doorway.

“Walking you to your next class,” Diego said with that same cheeky grin.

“Like hell you are.” Kol started walking fast, but Diego’s athlete’s legs kept pace without effort. “How did you even find me?”

“I have my sources.” Diego nodded to a guy in the back row—Lucas Grant. “Lucas is on my line.”

“Your team,” Kol scoffed. “It belongs to the school.”

“Maybe, but I’m the captain.” Diego puffed out his chest, and Kol rolled his eyes. “So, where’s the next stop?”

“The library. My next class isn't for two hours, so you're out of luck.” Kol figured the silence of the Austin State Library would be the perfect weapon to drive Diego away.

When they arrived, Kol turned. “You don’t have to follow me in.”

“How are we supposed to bond if we aren't together?” Diego replied.

“Talking is forbidden in there. So, good luck bonding.” Kol walked to his usual table and pulled out his most dense Biology textbook. He ignored the massive, attractive shadow looming over him.

After ten minutes, Diego was vibrating with boredom. He tapped a diagram on Kol's screen. “What’s that?” he whispered, his voice way too loud for the room.

“It’s a cell,” Kol whispered back.

Two minutes later: “What’s happening to it?”

“Mitosis,” Kol replied.

“What’s—”

“Are you serious?” Kol slammed his book shut.

Diego looked at him with wide, innocent eyes. “What? I’m helping you study.”

“You’re an active hindrance.”

Diego leaned across the table, his face inches from Kol’s. “I’ll make a deal. Give me your number, and I’ll vanish.”

“No.”

“Then prepare for a four-hour lecture on mitosis.” Diego opened his mouth to ask another question, but Kol cut him off.

“You’ll leave me alone for the rest of the day?”

“For today,” Diego smiled. “And I promise to be significantly less of a stalker.”

Kol sighed, realizing he was trapped. “Fine. But don't make me regret this.”

Diego handed over his phone. “I’ll only text for plans. And the occasional meme.” Kol punched in his info and handed it back. Diego gave a mock salute. “Pleasure doing business. See you around, Kol.”

As the hockey star walked away, Kol watched him go, wondering if he’d just invited a wolf directly into his heart.