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INKA'S POV

“You smell so fucking good..." Derek’s low, rough voice was right in my ear.

He gripped my hips and pushed his thigh between my legs, pressing right against the spot that made me ache. The rink boards dug into my back painfully, but all I could feel was the heat from his body.

"You...already wet for me, baby..."

My face burned with embarrassment. I kept quiet, the way I always did. I was too shy to say anything back. But my legs opened a little wider on their own.

He kissed me slow and deep. His tongue moved in my mouth like he owned it. One of his hands slid under my sweater and rubbed my breast.

His thumb circled my nipple over and over. I started shaking against him. My heart pounded so loud I could hear it in my ears.

"Shh," he whispered against my lips. "You’re mine now. Let me take care of you."

His fingers moved lower, slipping inside my jeans and touching me where I was soaked. I hid my burning face in his shoulder, so ashamed at how wet I was, how my hips kept rocking against his hand without me telling them to.

But he didn’t stop. He kept rubbing in steady circles.

"Good girl," he murmured.

"Derek...I am coming..."

The feeling built and built, tighter and hotter, almost there —

"INKA! GET UP HERE! NOW!" Valerie's scream pulled me back to reality. Oh fuck.

My eyes snapped open. I lay still for a second, while my wet dirty dream fell apart around me.

A minute passed and my heart was still racing. My panties still felt sticky and wet between my legs. I pulled the thin blanket up to my chin, my cheeks flushing hot with shame.

No one was here to see me, but I still felt so kinky and embarrassed. I pressed my thighs together tight, trying to make the leftover ache go away, but the overwhelmed feeling stayed there.

I hated waking up like this. I hated that Valerie’s voice could rip me out of something that felt so good, even if it was only in my head.

All started three weeks ago, I had been cleaning the bleachers when I'd smelled a scent of wet soil, pine, and something that made my legs weak. My wolf had barked in my head constantly, "MATE. MATE. HE IS OURS, INKA! LOOK HOW FUCKING HOT HE IS!"

I glanced around, confused, but when Derek's green eyes found mine, I knew right then and there that he was my mate.

Something like mutual recognition had flashed across his face too.

"Is that your scent I'm picking up?" he'd asked, climbing the stands toward me with a charming smile that made my stomach fill with butterflies. I nodded since I'd been too nervous to speak.

"Do you have a name, or can I just call you mine?"

I smiled. "Inka... Inka Ravencrest..."

"You're beautiful, Inka," he'd said, touching my cheek so gently I'd thought I'd imagined it. Right then, he had asked for my number and promised we'd see each other again in the final match.

I'd replayed those words a thousand times since then. His voice. His smile. His dimple. The way he'd kissed my hand before leaving.

Tonight was the night he'd promised. Tonight, everything would change.

"MOVE YOUR LAZY ASS NOW! Or I'm coming down there to drag you up by your hair!" Valerie shrieked again, this time louder and angrier.

I blinked away the memory and realized I was late getting upstairs. Panic shot through me.

"Coming, Ma'am!" She won't let me call her Mom, and insists I call her 'Ma'am.' But whatever, I'm over it.

This was my life now. Former Alpha's daughter reduced to a servant in her own home.

I pulled on yesterday's jeans and a faded sweater, then trudged upstairs to find my stepmother standing in the kitchen, arms crossed over her silk robe. At forty-five, Valerie was still beautiful with her blonde hair and bright blue eyes, but her face was pinched with irritation.

"The dishes aren't done," she snapped, not even looking at me.

The sink was loaded with dirty plates from last night's dinner. A dinner I wasn't invited to.

"I was sleeping..."

"Don't get smart with me." Her eyes narrowed dangerously. "You live here for free, so earn your keep. Make Cessy's lunch, get her vitamins ready, and that cheerleading uniform you washed yesterday. And don't screw up, or I'm telling your father."

I bit my tongue and started scrubbing dishes. The water was ice cold because they hadn't paid the gas bill, and my hands turned red within seconds.

"Oh, and Inka?" Valerie examined her perfect manicure. "Don't sit with Cessy at the game tonight. She has a reputation to think about."

My stomach dropped. "But Derek said..."

"Derek told Cessy to make sure you showed up. That doesn't mean he actually wants to be seen with you." She tilted her head, studying me like I was an insect. "Sweetie, face reality. Some girls are meant to be queens, and others..." She shrugged. "Others are meant to serve them."

Right on cue, the 'beloved princess' Cessy glided into the kitchen. Perfect blonde ponytail, flawless makeup, designer clothes Dad bought with money stolen from my savings account.

"Good morning, Mommy!" she squealed, kissing Valerie's cheek. Then she looked at me with pure disgust.

"Ugh, Inka, you smell like wet dog. When was the last time you showered?"

"Yesterday," I lied. The hot water got cut off yesterday afternoon.

"You're totally lying." Cessy wrinkled her nose. "Just stay away from my people today, okay? I don't want my reputation ruined because of you."

"Cessy, sweetie," Valerie purred, "tell me about that boy who was asking about Inka. Derek, right?"

Cessy's face lit up. "Oh my God, Mom, he's so hot! Beta Gregory's son from Riverside Academy, star hockey player, total eye candy. And he's been having dreams about finding his mate lately."

My hands froze on the plate I was scrubbing.

"He specifically asked me to make sure Inka comes to the game tonight," Cessy continued. "Said he has something special planned."

"How lovely," Valerie said coldly. "Though I can't imagine what a guy like that would want from someone so completely unworthy."

They both stared at me like I was a failed science experiment.

"Maybe he feels sorry for her?" Cessy suggested mockingly. "Everyone knows about the curse. How her mom died because of her, how the pack fell apart after she was born. Maybe he's just being charitable."

The plate slipped from my hands and shattered in the sink. We all jumped.

"Look what you did!" Valerie hissed. "Clean that up right now."

I picked up the pieces, and a sharp edge cut my palm. Blood mixed with the dishwater, but nobody noticed.

"Anyway," Cessy said, already bored with my existence, "I need to look perfect tonight. Derek's gonna realize what he's missing out on."

She's been obsessed with Derek ever since she found out he asked about me. I'm pretty sure she already knows Derek is my mate.

"I'm sure he will, sweetheart," Valerie cooed, stroking Cessy's hair. "You're everything a future Beta's mate should be."

I finished my chores in silence, packed Cessy's lunch, and grabbed my backpack.

***

My life at the academy isn't much better. I walk through the hallways like a ghost, invisible to most people and avoided by others.

"Hey, isn't that the cursed girl?" someone whispers as I pass.

"Yeah, Inka Ravencrest. Her dad's the corrupt Alpha who got exiled."

"I heard she killed her own mother just by being born."

"Gross. Stay away from her, or that bad luck might rub off."

I keep my head down and keep walking. What else can I do?

The day drags on. I eat lunch alone with vending machine chips because I can't afford anything else.

A text comes through.

(Hey bitch, you better show up tonight, don't be late and bring my backup shoes. Since I can't go home. Also bring some of Mom's veggie juice. 5 o'clock sharp!!)

A few seconds later, another one.

(Text me back, idiot! Are you tired of living or what?!)

I replied. (OK)

***

Tonight's hockey game is between the two strongest teams in the region. Riverside Falls vs Snowfang Frost.

Tonight, Derek should acknowledge our mate bond in front of everyone. At least, I hope he does.

At exactly five o'clock, I arrive at the academy with everything Cessy ordered. The field is packed when I get there.

"Inka! Over here!" Cessy shouts from the front row, surrounded by other cheerleaders. All of them looking like they stepped off magazine covers. Perfect.

I climb the bleachers on shaky legs, my heart pounding. Derek is warming up on the ice, his dark hair visible under his helmet.

"Sit here," Cessy says, patting the spot next to her. But when I'm about to sit, she quickly puts her bag there. "Actually, maybe you should sit behind me. Better view."

I sit behind her, trying to ignore the whispers.

"Is that really her?"

"God, she looks even worse up close."

"What do you think Derek wants with her?"

"Maybe it's like a dare or something."

My cheeks burn, but I force myself to focus on the ice.

On Derek.