na's

round mine. "No one will ever hurt you again. Yo

ve a whisper. "Do you know

his gaze ne

hy I'm asking y

, I've loved you since the moment I saw you.

tead of sparks, my mind went straight to Richard. I i

eyes filling with hurt. Guilt twis

wn me love and care, an

he words spilling out b

e can't be together

ether, Serena. My wolf is strong, and I

pang of sorrow. I knew I couldn't be wi

nd get rid of the mate bond,

my emotions frozen

d, the words feelin

into his arms. I stood there, stiff, my heart heavy wit

forehead. "I love

ng, my emotions

**

as late, and I quickly found an empty seat. I'd o

making my heart skip a beat. Maybe, just ma

t me-Penny's assignments!

" I mu

d me, her arms cro

ment," she

ce shaking. "I... I

don't bring it tomorrow, you'll reg

r leave, sti

eemed to hold back. Something felt off, though. What was it? I tried

but that feeling of peace didn't last. A c

ring at me, his

was his mate? Before I could think any mor

e. My wolf stirred, urgi

y noticed where he was looking. Her e

iding eye contact to keep

before I could focus, a lo

u are today." I turned to find Ross gri

rning, s

breath brushed my skin. But the moment

with anger. He stared at me, and for a second, it f

g me. He loomed over us, his anger thick

onfused. What pissed h

my mind, but before I could think m

"Mind if I sit w

raised an eyebrow.

n together, and you're already c

ith a playful gl

nicknames I've got for you.

d. I moved to make room for him, m

on, I felt my classmates' stare

d. His presence felt like a shield, a comf

iver. His hands rested on my lap, but ins

understood why, but I knew the tru

aside, reminding myself this

her had felt when my father left her. The memory of

ke my thoughts.

and rested my h

ked at the screen. A messa

, deciding to de

ss and I went o

darling," he said,

d watched h

out, but he just waved and d

the minutes passed, Ross still hadn't come back.

nted me to the classroom. I reached the do

ush her away, but she kept telling me how her family ignored her, how trusting

me like a pu

e called out,

. I pushed the door open, and

issing ano