Chapter 22Lessie's POVI was determined. For once, I was going to be no body’s puppet. Not Lena's sulky schemes and for darn sure not Alpha Duaine's fiery stares that conveyed a thousand things he'd never ever utter aloud.I'd made up my mind and it was my own.Trent had asked me first. He didn't make a scene of me. He just asked me In that sweetly genuine, slightly annoying Trent style.So no, I was not going to miss out on the Mate Selection Social and give him up on a silver platter to Lena just because we are roommates. First come, first serve. If she was that interested, she should have moved quicker. But that was not my problem.And just for good measure, I was tired. Tired of pretending not to care when I did. Tired of keeping the ache in my chest every time Alpha Duaine looked at me as though I were invisible. Tired of compromising for people who would never even see if they didn't have to.Tonight, I was doing something for me.I was picking Trent.I stood before the mirror
Chapter 21: Everyone Wants Something.LESSIE's Standpoint I sat on the wood seat under the big oak tree in the yard, arms tight, lips in a thin line. A soft wind moved my hair, but it didn't soothe me.How was I meant to say no to Trent...So Lena could have him?I gave a sharp laugh. The same Trent who wanted me to pick him. The same man who was with me from day one, who knew my huge secret and still chose to help.Life was messing with me."Hey."I raised my head and saw Trent coming my way, his happy smile was gone. He sat by me, not too near, but near enough to stir my wolf.She liked him.Which made this even worse.“You look like you’re one second away from setting the school on fire,” he said, tipping his head to the side.I huffed. “Maybe I am.”He chuckled. “Okay… want to talk about it?”I hesitated. I wanted to tell him. To unload everything Lena had asked me to do. But how was I supposed to look at him and say ‘Hey, can you pretend I hate you so Lena can force you to be her
Chapter 20: Everyone Want Something.LESSIE’s Standpoint.Still on campus, moments after storming out of the caféI walked fast, almost stomping as I moved through the quad. I didn’t care where I was going anywhere that wasn’t near Trent or his crazy proposal.Pick him at the Mate Choice Gala?What the hell was he thinking?I was halfway across the stone path leading toward the dormitories when I heard footsteps behind me.“LESSIE! Wait—wait, please!”I didn’t stop. Not until his hand gently grabbed my arm, pulling me back.I turned, sharp-eyed. “What now?”Trent looked out of breath, like he ran to catch up. “I didn’t mean it that way.”“You just told me to show off like a drama tool to make my mate jealous.”“I get it, all right?” he said, his hand going through his hair in a mad way. “I said it wrong. I didn’t think about how it would come out. I’m sorry.”I paused, arms folded, not entirely convinced.Trent sighed, then looked at me with more honesty than I’d seen from him all seme
Chapter 19: The Letter, The Lie, and the Line I Won’t Cross.Lessie’S POVI sat on my bed reading the letter over and over again confused at who knew my secret that I entered the school with a fake identity when Lena walked into the room.She stood at the door, staring at me."Uh... did someone die?" she asked, throwing her books on her bed."Do you know who left this?" I replied, showing her the envelope that had my fake name, Lessie, clearly on it.She blinked."That? No. I was going out when I saw it right on our door step. Picked it up and saw your name on it.”Her words made my heart beat fast. I held the envelope even tighter.So someone in this dorm knows her real self.“Right…” I murmured.She moved to her side of the room, shuffling through her drawer for what I assumed was her favorite night cream, but then paused and turned around slowly.“Um… Lessie?”“Yeah?”I looked up, still a bit distracted by the content in the letter.She scratched the back of her neck awkwardly.“Ar
Chapter 18: You Can’t Keep Pretending That I am Not Yours.Alpha Duaine's Standpoint.I poured myself a glass of whiskey neat. The ice was unnecessary. I needed the burn.The party was over a long while, but the image of her hadn’t left.That damn dress.That damn smile.That damn Beta boy.Trent.I clenched my jaw so tightly I nearly cracked a molar. My hand still ached from the glass I’d nearly shattered earlier when I saw her giggling, touching his arm like she’d never touched me.Not that she had.Not the way I wanted.“She’s your mate,” Cairo growled in my head, pacing like a rabid wolf. “Of course it drives you crazy. That’s what a bond does.”“She’s playing games,” I hissed out loud, setting the glass down harder than necessary. “Trying to make me jealous.”“And it’s working.”“Because you won’t shut up!” I snapped, pushing away from the table.Cairo growled again. “You’re the one who keeps pushing her. Reject her or accept her. But stop punishing both of you.”“She’s a child,
Chapter 17: This Is Me Holding Back.Lessie’s Standpoint I was at the edge of the Silver Crest Pack's own place for training. The sun was high and the smell of old leather and steel was all around. Wolves training fought close by, but I only saw the man in front of me.Alpha Duaine.He wore a tight black top, fighting pants, and boots, looking like he came from a war dream or a very dark bad dream. His shirt sleeves were pushed up, arms strong and marked. His hard look gave nothing away."You’re late," he said.“I’m two minutes early,” I said, raising an eyebrow.His face showed me that two minutes was too short.“I said wear simple clothes,” he noted, looking at my tight top and leggings.“This is simple,” I replied fast. “Or did you expect me in armor?”A small smile appeared on his face, but it went away fast.“We’ll begin with basic sparring,” he said. “I need to assess what I’m working with.”“You mean you want to see if I’m weak,” I muttered.He raised a brow. “I already know yo