Heather

I stood just beyond the rink, arms folded, pretending to check something on my clipboard while watching them skate like maniacs.

Zade moved like he owned the ice, fast, fluid, and annoyingly graceful. Every time the puck touched his stick, the crowd of students on the benches cheered. And of course, he scored first. Show off

I refused to clap.

Instead, I studied him like a rogue wolf stalking prey. His reflections were sharp. He read the ice like a predator. String legs, solid form. Alpha instincts on full display.

Too bad he didn't know he was skating towards death.

He scored one more time and the entire stadium erupted in joy.

I rolled my eyes and suddenly locked eyes with my mate.

I ignored the burning sensation of my wolf clawing at my mind to go to him. It was so painful and adamant that I knew if I wasn't mentally strong, I'd have run towards him by now.

He smiled widely at me like he'd known me forever. I looked away and I swear I felt him flinch.

*****

Zade's team ended up winning the game. I wasn't surprised. They had an amazing track record. What was problematic was some of the players' images online, which was what I had come to fix.

Later that evening, I was at the bar sipping my drink with the entire team.

Each of the boys had tried their hardest to talk me up and hit on me. I welcome their flirting, entertaining some of their boyish charm.

We laughed and played a few poker and snooker games but the whole reason I had come out here wasn't here.

I wasn't pleased with it. I was told he was a social and party animal. A play boy and he was nowhere to be found.

“I'm going to get a drink,” I told Jax whom I had been playing snooker all evening. He was Zade's best friend according to what he'd said which was one reason I had gravitated towards him. He was the perfect tool.

“Want me to come with you?” He asked with a wink.

“Maybe when you finally win a snooker game.”

The boys hollered at that and I rolled my eyes before walking to the bar.

I let out a sigh as soon as I found a seat at the bar. Alone at last. At least as alone as I would ever be at a bar filled with college students.

Goodness me, I didn't sign up for this.

They were so rowdy and noisy. It was almost nerve-racking.

“A long island,” I said to the bartender before he could ask what I wanted.

“Coming up!” be said, a bit too chirpy for me.

Finally silence… as silent as a bar can be.

Those boys were going to be too difficult to handle. I just knew it.

“Hello, princess,” an unfamiliar hand slid around my waist, making me recoil in disgust

I immediately captured the hand in a tight grip, twisting it behind the stranger’s back.

“Touch me again and I’ll break it,” I warned calmly, eyes cold.

I let go of the stranger but instead of walking off after my threat, he chuckled.

“A strong and aggressive woman, my type. Are you this passionate in bed too, huh? Because I'd like to know what it feels like between those sexy thighs,”

I slowly turned towards the stranger.

If I were anywhere else, I would have taken out my revolver and shot the bastard. Why couldn't men accept rejection?

“If I were you, I would walk away before it's too late,” I said in an ominous voice that shocked him but of course he was adamant. Men always were.

“What? You're going to do that little trick you did again? You were lucky the first time, you know,”

Arrogant fool.

“Wanna test that little theory of yours?”

Before he responded, Zade appeared behind him

“Is he bothering you? Miss Spark?” Zade asked, a charming smile on his face. But something in his eyes told me he wasn't happy.

“Zade, Hey,” the stranger straightened as he looked back at him. They clearly knew each other but the strange kid wasn't part of the team.

“The lady doesn't seem to want to speak to you, Frank. Do I have to call security?” Zade asked, his hands still on his shoulders.

Of course, his name was Frank.

He laughed nervously. “No need for that, I was just playing around. I'll leave now,” he said and practically flew out of sight.

I turned around and took my drink.

“Not even a thank you?” Zade asked after a beat.

I looked back at him.

“I could have handled myself.”

“Oh, really?” he asked, folding his hand.

“Yes, really,” I said with calm contempt.

He laughed in disbelief. “What is your problem with me?”

This was the second time he was asking this question and to be honest, it was starting to piss me off.

I let out a sigh, even though I had been waiting for his arrival.

See, this was all part of my plan to adopt a personality he would notice and fall for.

Although, now I didn't need that since we were mates. He was going to pursue me no matter what.

I smiled to myself. My sisters would be so proud and my father? Well, he was never proud of anyone.

His words were always “Adequate,” when a mission was completed. It always aggravated me but I had come to understand that those words were his idea of showering us with confetti and blowing bubbles or something.

I took my drink and took a sip.

I was about to leave when he blocked my path

“What are you doing?” I asked, looking him up and down, trying to suppress my attraction to him.

The mate bond was working extra hard to put me in trouble.

“We should talk,”

“Not interested.”

“Well, you don't have a choice,” he said and suddenly grabbed my hands and pulled me towards a lit hallway at the back.

I pretended to try to stop him but this was the moment I was waiting for. It was the first step to get into his life and eventually kill him.

I suppressed the sounds of Eva yelling no on my Head.

“Where are you doing? Let me go!”

I glared.

He finally let me go when we were in a hallway upstairs.

He pushed me against a door frame and placed his hands on either side of the wall, staring deep into my eyes.

“Now that we are up close and personal, you wouldn't mind telling me what's in fucks name I have done to you, now would you?”

I swallowed, my heart panting against my chest faster and harder than I could process.

This wasn't good. My body was reacting to him like gasoline would to fire.

His dark electric blue eyes were pulling me into their abyss, and I was finding it difficult to breathe.

“Cat got your tongue?” He murmured.

I could feel the desire emanating from every part of his body.

It was just me.

I managed to speak.

“This is harassment.”

“Really? Because I'm not touching you. Plus your breath is uneven and your eyes are dilated. If anything, you want me.”

“I do not want you and it means nothing,” I snapped.

“Oh come on, are you really going to keep pretending that you don't feel the mate bond? Admit it, you're my mate.”

“I don't know what you're talking about,” I said, my voice firmer than I expected it, considering I was fighting an internal battle.

He grinned widely and my entire body melted. What the fuck? This wasn't supposed to be happening. I was supposed to be the one seducing him. Not the other way around.

“I don't believe you,” he murmured and then before I could muster the strength to argue again, he claimed my lips, softly and sensually.

I started to push him away but ended up pulling him closer, kissing him with feverish hunger.

He groaned as he pulled me by the waist and devoured my lips.

“You were saying?” He asked in between kisses.