To Kill My ALPHA MATE

Fantine's POV I flashed Coach Rufus my best smile, the one I’d practiced in the mirror for years until it could melt steel. He, like most men, didn’t stand a chance. A little eye contact, a tilt of the head, and a faint trace of innocent confusion… and bam. Cupid’s arrow, straight through the chest.It was too easy.He cleared his throat like he’d just remembered I was a professional hire, not a centerfold model, and turned briskly toward the hallway.“Follow me. I’ll introduce you to the team.”“Of course,” I said sweetly, falling into step just behind him, the sound of my heels echoing off the polished corridor.Inside, I was practically humming with energy. Not nerves, excitement. This was my first official solo mission. No older sisters hovering at my shoulder, no “training exercises” under Father’s watchful eye. Just me. After years of tagging along on their assignments or being told to “sit this one out,” I had finally convinced him I was ready.It had taken weeks of arguments,

Fantine's POV “You don’t seem to be all that adverse to my touch anymore, Miss Lennox. Are you… perhaps warming up to me?”Riley ’s smirk brushed against my lips. His voice was low, intimate, too confident.It hit me like a bucket of ice water.I shoved him hard. “Get off me!”“What?” His brows furrowed, confusion flashing in those blue eyes.“I said get. Off. Me.” My voice cut sharper this time.He stepped back, hands lifted. “What’s wrong? Afraid your body wants mine?”Before I thought it through, my hand flew and cracked across his cheek. The sound was sharp enough to make my own ears ring.His eyes went wide as his hands went to his face. “What the hell?”I didn’t stay to explain. “Sorry,” I muttered, though I wasn’t, and pushed past him.The moment I stepped out of the bar, I gulped down fresh air like I’d been drowning. The night was cool, carrying the faint scent of pine from the woods beyond campus.I still felt his mouth on mine. My skin burned where his hands had been. My w

Fantine's POV The apartment door slammed behind me harder than I meant. My hands shook while I locked it, twice, like that would keep Riley Porter or anything else out.I slid down the door until I hit the floor, knees pulled up.What the hell was that?His bare chest. The water on his skin. That stupid smirk when his towel slipped. It kept replaying in my head on a loop, like my brain had decided to torture me.But the worst part?My body reacted like it had a mind of its own. Heat rushing through me. Ava practically purring in my head.Mate. Mate. Mate.“Shut up,” I muttered to her.She whined, offended.I pressed my palms over my eyes. This wasn’t the plan. This wasn’t anything. The mission was supposed to be straightforward: get in, seduce him, kill him. Clean and cold, no feelings attached. But Riley Porter was not simple. He wasn't just a name on a file. He was the son of the man who ruined my father’s life, but he was not easy to hate.And now he was my mate. Perfect.My sist