Chapter 3 - Freya’s POV

Mate!!! My wolf screamed again. She was turning cartwheels inside me, wagging her tail and dancing. 

He was tall, broad shoulders tapering down to a narrow waist. I liked the way he stood, balanced, ready to move in any direction. He seemed just as shocked as I was at this connection that had suddenly bloomed between us.

Get up! Get up!  And Ashe really liked him. That counted for something.

My hair was a mess and I was sure there was a big red mark on my face from where the gym bro had hit me. I was not looking my best. 

I levered myself to my feet. “Um… I think you’re my mate…” I couldn’t stop staring at him.

He didn’t stop staring either, but he was frowning. 

He backed away.

No!!! That’s not supposed to happen! He’s our mate! Ashe whimpered. We look terrible right now, the first time we meet our mate and we look like this, that must be why…   

I wiped the dirt off my face with my sleeve and forced a sweet smile. “Thanks for helping me. I’m Freya Everly. It’s my first day here.”

His frown only deepened. “Don’t thank me. And I don’t want to know you. You seem to be my mate, but that doesn’t mean anything. I’m not gonna be with you.”

Nooooo!!! Ashe broke down crying, but I wasn’t going to let that show. What an unbelievably arrogant asshole! 

What was he thinking? That I was some love-struck girl? I had my own plans for my life and they did not include this guy. Like he just expected me to just drop everything and start following him around with my tongue hanging out.

“I don’t want to be with you, either! I already have a boyfriend!” 

“Good.” His voice was cold. “Now leave—and keep our mate bond a secret.”

I snapped, “Don’t worry, I don’t want anyone to know either!”

***

Ashe cried all through the first half of my walk back to my room. I was too angry to be sympathetic.  

You know you felt it. We’re meant to be together. She started wailing again. 

Oh, shut up. She was giving me a headache. Sure, there’s a natural attraction, but nowadays people choose true love over antiquated superstition. He’s just a rich snob who thinks he’s too good to date a poor kid like me.

I tossed my bag on a chair and slammed the door, glad to be back in the peaceful safety of my room. There was a tinkling sound as something fell to the floor. 

What the hell?

I bent down to look—and there was my bracelet!

But… Vivian took my bracelet. I stared at it on my wrist. Then back at the one I held in my hand.

They were identical.

My face burned as I replayed the scene in my mind. There must have been some kind of misunderstanding. And I’d accused her of stealing! 

But Drew had designed and made it just for me. He told me so. How could we have the same one?

 ***

The bed was comfortable, but I barely slept that night. I got to class early and hung out near the door, waiting for Vivian to show up. When she finally got there, her friend following her as usual, I intercepted them. 

“Hey,” I said. 

“What do you want? Haven’t you done enough?” Vivian glared at me. 

“I wanted to give you your bracelet back.” I offered it to her. “I’m so sorry. I made a horrible mistake.” 

“Huh.” She snatched it back and put it on. “Of course it’s my bracelet. I don’t know how you can afford anything this nice, anyway.”   

I took a deep breath. “I really am sorry. It was all a terrible misunderstanding.” I tried a smile. “After all, you got me back pretty good. It seems like we’re even now. No hard feelings?”

She looked at me for a long minute, then smiled. “Sure. I’m all about peaceful coexistence.” She glanced at her friend. “As a matter of fact, why don’t you come to the party tonight? To show there’s no hard feelings.” 

“It's a traditional Lykaon Academy party,” Vivian’s friend said. “Very exclusive. Only people invited by ‘the Cadre’ can attend. It’s considered an honor.” She looked me up and down. “You can meet people. Everyone here—everyone else—comes from the elite families, after all.”  

I didn’t know what to say. It seemed to be a peace offering, but was it?  

Vivian didn’t give me time to refuse. “See you tonight,” she said, hustling away with her friend.  

***

When I had time, I texted Drew. “What’s ‘the Cadre’?” 

“It’s the traditional name for the top students in the school: me, Michael, Vivian, Sienna, and Alistair. The royalty of the social scene. Why you asking?”

“Sienna is Vivian’s friend, right? They invited me to a party tonight.”

“Vivian gives great parties!” He added some fireworks emojis for emphasis. “You should go. I’ll be there if I have time. Hope I can make it.” 

“You make it sound really tempting,” I texted. “I think I will go.”

“You should,” he replied. “I bet you’ll look amazing!”

The invitation arrived at my room later that afternoon, along with a beautiful green dress. The color did amazing things for my hair and eyes, and it was much nicer than anything I owned. 

Drew must have sent it for me. He always did have great taste.

***

The party was held in Vivian’s rooms. Her family was rich even by Lykaon Academy standards, and her place was palatial. I was glad to be wearing the green dress. Everyone else at the party was dressed to the nines and this way I didn’t stand out. 

Sienna, came up to me with a big smile, “Hi, Freya, so glad you could make it!” She made air kisses on both my cheeks. “You look great! Let me get you a drink.” 

She came back holding a garnet-red drink with a twist of orange peel. “Have a negroni,” she said. “It’s what everyone is drinking right now.” 

Smells funny, said Ashe.

It was kind of bitter, too, but I tried not to make a face as I took a sip. I hardly ever drank and didn’t want to seem like a rube in this sophisticated crowd. 

It was some powerful stuff, because soon I began to relax and enjoy myself. I quickly finished the negroni and Sienna soon came along with another one. It was so sweet of her to make me welcome like this. 

I didn’t really connect with anyone, but it was fun people-watching. I was standing on the outskirts of a group discussing the merits of Porsches versus Ferraris when someone bumped into me from behind, nearly knocking me over. 

Sienna caught me just in time. “Are you okay?” she asked.

“Thanks!” I said with a big smile, swaying slightly. Maybe I was getting drunk. That was strange. I’d had a wine cooler at my graduation party and it didn’t affect me like this.

She smiled. “How’s the drink?”

“It’s good!” I said. “Great party!”

“It’s about to get better.” With that, she shoved me backwards with all her strength. 

I gasped, falling backwards and spilling my drink all over the person standing behind me. 

I turned around, an apology already on my lips. 

“Vivian!” I said. “Oh my god, look at your dress!”

“Yes. It’s absolutely ruined.” Strangely, she was almost smiling. 

I could see that. It now had great splashes of garnet-red, contrasting with its original silver.

Her lips curved. “This dress was custom-made by that famous designer, Geneviève Allard. It cost me half a million. What should we do about it now?”