LUCAS POVLUCAS POVI was still fuming out of anger and embarrassment at what the principal had said back then in the office as I made my way through the hallways, my backpack was slung over one shoulder and my jaw was clenched tight enough to crack teeth, at the way I kept gritting it. The memory of Bennet and Xane fighting and rolling around on the gym floor kept replaying in my head, like some kind of fucked up highlight reel tagged best incident of the day.What the hell had Bennett said to make Xane snap like that?I'd seen Xane angry before, although I had pretended not to notice, because he normally recovers fast when Ryder or Kael push him to the edge— it was the controlled kind of anger that made his eyes go cold and his voice drop to something dangerous, before he would turn and face me with a grin, and a tease to make my heart skip . But today? Today he'd been absolutely furious, the kind of rage that made people do stupid things. And Bennett had been the cause.My wolf st
BENNETT POVI lunged back, tackling Xane around the waist. We hit the floor hard, rolling as we threw wild punches against each other determined to cause the most injury before we were separated inevitably. He caught me in the ribs, right where Reid had hit me. I gasped out in pain, as I felt the old one start to hurt, not fully healed yet, then drove my elbow into his shoulder."Enough!" Coach Martinez was shouting, but it sounded distant and muffled as if I was under water but I ignored the order as well, frankly, he could go fuck himself at that point. "Break it up!"Hands grabbed at us, trying to pull us apart. Ryder's voice cut through the chaos: "Bennett, stop!"But Xane and I were beyond hearing as my wolf was finally using this opportunity to unleash all the anger and pain, that we had been holding since against Xane. He twisted, trying to pin me down. I bucked him off, scrambling to my feet just as he did the same. We circled each other like animals, both breathing hard."K
BENNETT POVThe gym smelled like sweat, paint and rubber, the usual familiar scent, that usually cleared my mind on shitty days like this, but today, it just made everything worse. I'd been dodging Lucas all morning, watching him stick to Xane's side like they were joined at the hip.Every laugh they shared felt like a knife twisting in my chest.My wolf paced restlessly, underneath me, talking about claiming what was ours and challenging Xane to a duel for the honor of Lucas. *He's yours. Take him back. Show them who's dominant, show them who deserves to be the one who makes him happy.*"Shut up," I muttered under my breath as I laced my sneakers tighter than necessary.Coach Martinez blew his whistle, the sound was loud enough to cut through the noise and chaos of twenty guys changing into gym clothes."Alright, listen up! We're doing team scrimmage today. Bennett, Xane, you're on the same team. Don't make me regret this."My head snapped up. "What?""You heard me. Basketball. Bot
AVERY’S POVThe smell of cheap floor wax clung to the cheerleading gym, a reminder that graduation was weeks away and we were already practicing for the big final routine. Lani my close friend and I sat cross-legged against the wall, gulping down water after another run-through. My calves ached, but my brain hurt worse.“Last practice before the senior pep rally,” Lani said, tossing her bottle in the air and catching it. “You ready to kill it?”“Always.” I forced a smile. My voice sounded lighter than I felt.She cocked her head, giving me that look-half playful, half prying. “Okay, but what about outside the gym? Things still… rocking with Cross’s cock?”I choked on my water. “Seriously?”“What?” She grinned. “You’ve been glowing since winter formal. And then suddenly, you're not glowing anymore. I know you got some dick, don't think I didn’t notice.”I tried to laugh, but it came out hollow. This is it, Avery. The speech you’ve been rehearsing in your head for weeks.“It’s not wha
XANE’S POVThe first odd thing about Monday morning wasn’t the gray sky or the fact that I’d barely slept. It was Lucas.Usually, I was the one hunting him down, strolling into the classroom late just to slide into the seat next to him and watch Bennett or Ryder grind their teeth.Today, though? I barely made it out of my car before Lucas materialized at my side, walking close enough that our shoulders almost brushed.“Morning,” I said, quirking an eyebrow. “To what do I owe this honor? Or are you just using me as a human shield?”“I’m not using you,” he muttered, his eyes fixed straight ahead. “Just walking with you.”“Mm.” I scanned the courtyard. No Ryder. No Bennett. No Avery with her death glare. Normally, I’d have gotten at least one warning before the first bell.“You okay?” I asked finally, because he looked like someone had been chewing on him all weekend.“I’m fine.” His answer was too fast and curt. I knew he was lying.“Fine,” I echoed, nodding like I believed it. I didn’
Bennet’s POVI stared at Lucas as he asked me to leave. I really didn't know what to do anymore and I honestly couldn't afford to lose him.The words were calm, but his voice was distant, detached in a way that made my stomach turn. He stood with his hands shoved deep in his hoodie pocket, his weight on one leg like he couldn’t wait for me to be gone.Why does he look so damn happy? Is it Xane? Has he already replaced me?“Don’t let him push you away.” My wolf snarled, pacing inside my head, claws scraping at the edges of my mind. “He’s yours. Fight for him.”But fight how? With what? My fists clenched at my sides, knuckles pale. I was seconds from either grabbing him and demanding the truth, or dropping to my knees like some pathetic idiot. I hated myself for even thinking about begging.I felt stupid though, and desperate.It felt like I was clawing at something that was already slipping through my fingers.He looked… lighter. Happier in a way I hadn’t seen before, and every laugh h