Chapter 4

JOURNEE'S POV

Sleep hadn't done what it was supposed to. I'd woken up twice in the night convinced I could still feel his hands on my face, and both times I'd lain there in the dark hating how much I wanted to feel it again. This was supposed to be simple. Kingston was supposed to be the enemy, the bully who had made the last few days miserable. Yet my stupid heart kept racing at the thought of him.

By the time my alarm actually went off, I'd already rehearsed the lie I was going to tell myself all day, that it meant nothing, that I'd forget by lunch, that my body wasn't still humming from a kiss I never should have let happen. I almost believed it, right up until I sat down for first period and realized none of it had faded at all. No matter how many times I tried to focus on my notes or the lecture, my mind dragged me right back to last night in the quiet hallway near the locker room.

The way Kingston had pinned me against the wall, the raw hunger in his kiss and the feeling of his large hands gripping my waist like he never wanted to let go.

For those few heated moments I had kissed him back and even moaned his name. My body had completely betrayed me and I still was over it.

Even now, hours later, my lips felt strangely sensitive and warmth spread through my stomach every time the memory played again. I hated myself for reacting like that to him.

Get a fucking grip.

The final bell rang, jolting me out of my thoughts. I quickly packed my bag and left the classroom. My friends caught up with me in the busy hallway, their voices bright and full of weekend plans. Lucky them.

"Hey," Marley called out as I walked towards my locker and I turned to her my eyes perched up.

"Did you hear the news?" one of them whispered, leaning closer.

"No? What's up?" I could already fill the dread sinking in. Goddess please.

"Mrs. Cross got transferred to another school this morning. It happened really suddenly. No one saw it coming."

A rush of relief washed over me so much it felt like I might pass out. That was good news for both of us. She would not lose her job or her reputation because of what I accidentally witnessed.

The horrible rumors and whispers about me were still going strong around campus, but this felt like one small piece of good news in the middle of the chaos.

I forced a small smile and nodded, trying my best to look normal. "You should come with us for lunch. I'm thinking of pizza." One of the guys said, giving me that dazed look.

"I am not really hungry right now. I need to go to the admin building and submit some papers before the office closes."

They nodded, waving good bye and I walked away alone, keeping my head down as I moved through the halls.

Surprisingly the irritating whispers and rumors had greatly reduced but I could still feel the glares on my body.

Instead of taking the main path to the administrative building, I chose the quieter route that ran behind the main office complex. It was more peaceful and I needed a moment to breathe.

That was when I heard the raised voices.

I slowed down, curiosity mixing with a strange sense of dread.

One of the smaller meeting rooms had its door slightly ajar and even though I had enough trauma from all the rumors I couldn't help it.

Especially when I recognized the deep voice.

Kingston.

Curiosity got the better of me and I moved closer peeking carefully through the gap.

Kingston stood near the long table, his arms crossed over his broad chest. His father the Alpha Kane sat on the far end but even I could see the heat in his eyes.

The Alpha was a tall, imposing man with the same black messy hair as Kingston, though he was streaked with grey at the temples.

Although unlike his son he had a pair of dark black eyes. So dark it was almost unsettling. With his broad shoulders and a powerful build, it was clear where Kingston got his size from.

He radiated the kind of dangerous energy that made people instinctively want to submit.

"I told you I brought my own car," Kingston said, his voice calm and even. "There was no need for you to drive all the way here to pick me up."

Alpha Kane leaned forward, his expression hardening. "Do not use that tone with me. When I say I am giving you a ride, you accept it without argument."

He paused, staring at Kingston almost like he was waiting for some sort of reaction but Kingston remained still looking a tad more frustrated.

"You can't answer me? Or have you suddenly become too important with your hockey team nonsense?"

"Why are you here?" He asked with a tight voice and even I could tell he was slowly losing his temper.

"Why else would I be son?" Alpha Kane asked putting pressure on the last word almost like it hurt him. "We've barely spent any time together."

I watched Kingston's shoulders tighten, the muscles rigid with tension.

"I do not want to spend time with you. That is why you are blocked on my phone. I thought the message was clear enough."

Kane's face twisted with rage but it faded almost immediately. "I'm sure you wouldn't when you have your dick that deep in some whore."

His words took me by surprise and I stared in shock trying my best to remain unseen. I always wondered why father never liked him and now it was very obvious.

The Alpha's face twisted with sudden rage. He shot up from his chair and struck Kingston hard across the face with the back of his hand. The loud crack echoed through the room and I was shocked I didn't piss myself.

What the fuck just happened?

Kingston's head snapped to the side from the force, but he did not raise his hand or step back. For a second, something dangerous flashed across his face.

Rage.

Not weakness, and definitely not submission. This was pure fury.

Then it disappeared just as quickly as it came, like he has spent years learning how to bury it.

"You worthless disappointment," Alpha Kane snarled, grabbing his son by the collar and shaking him roughly.

"All you care about is that stupid game on the ice. I heard about your pathetic little affair with that teacher. Mrs. Cross. You cannot even keep this fucking school under control. Embarrassing."

Kingston remained completely silent.

My heart pounded heavily as I watched. I had heard rumors from the cheerleaders about how strict and cruel his father could be, but seeing it in person felt different.

It made Kingston look almost ... human. "You're completely useless. Should have died with that whore of a mother."

That seemed to strike a nerve and Kingston let out a harsh growl pushing his father off him. He lifted his fist up like he wanted to strike but stopped at the last minute.

"You will stop embarrassing this family immediately. And I heard you've been frolicking with that mate of yours. You know better." His father said with a smug grin and I watched Kingston stiffen.

"You think weakness makes you stronger?" Kane sneered. "Look what attachment did to your mother."

Something in Kingston's expression cracked, only for a second. But I saw it.

The cruel, impossible boy standing in front of his father looked less like a monster ... and more like someone drowning.

"I will not allow you to weaken our entire pack because the moon decided to curse you with some useless bond. Stay. Away. From. Her. Do you understand?"

My stomach dropped sharply.

Kingston had a mate.

The words rang loudly in my head, over and over. He had a mate somewhere here at school. Someone his father clearly despised and wanted him to avoid.

For some reason the revelation hit me harder than it should have. After the intense way he had kissed me last night, after how desperate he had sounded, I couldn't help but feel stupid.

Of course he had a mate. Of course it was not me. The strange pull I kept feeling toward him must have been nothing but my own confused imagination and hormones.

I took a careful step backward, trying to slip away quietly before they noticed me. But my shoe scraped lightly against the floor.

Both of them turned their heads sharply toward the doorway at the exact same time. Kingston's green eyes widened the moment they locked onto mine.

Shock flashed across his face, followed quickly by something that looked like panic.

Alpha Kane followed his son's gaze and I felt my heart freeze when those dark eyes met mine.