Chapter 11 – Collateral Damage
–LIA’S POV–
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“But–” I tried to reason with Mr. Hall, but he cut me off once
more.
“Both of you, out! Immediately.”
I clenched my jaw and stood up, grabbing my bag.
Zane stood up too, a smirk on his face. Blake started to stand up as well.
“Where are you going, Mr. Walker?” Mr. Hall asked.
“Out,” he replied simply.
“No. You will stay right here. Do you think this school is a joke? You have joined in the middle of the term and now you want to leave the class just because your friend is. You will not go out.”
“It’s fine, Blake,” I said. “I’ll be in the library.” I walked out of class, clutching my bag to my chest. Zane was proving who he was. One of The Hounds. I’d thought I was finally free of them, but no. That would be too simple.
“Lia,” Zane called out once we entered the corridor.
I stopped, but didn’t turn to face him. He walked up to me,
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stepping in front of me.
“What do you want?” I snapped, glaring up at him. “Just leave me alone, Zane.”
“Why?” he asked.
“Because I don’t want to speak to you, alright? I don’t understand any of this. Whatever prank you guys have come
up
with now, I’m not gonna let it happen. I have had enough. My scholarship is at risk here, and you just got me kicked out of class. Not everyone is a rich brat like you, so leave me the hell alone!”
I walked off, my heart racing in my chest out of anger and annoyance. I was sick and tired of them. Of being pushed around, of being treated this way. Of getting into trouble because of them. When Blake showed up, I’d thought my life would get more normal. But things had only taken a turn for
worse.
I entered the library, which was, as usual, almost empty. Offering the librarian a small smile, I made my further inside. This was my favourite place at school. It was the only place. where The Hounds never found me. The library was too lame for them, so they never entered. Almost as though they’d be burnt if they ever tried to walk through that door.
Idiots.
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I found solace in a dark corner, before a tall book shelf, and let out a sigh, staring up at the rows of thick novels. I didn’t really know what I was looking for, just that I needed something to silence my thoughts. My sweet sixteen wasn’t supposed to be this complicated.
But before I could pick anything out, a sound caught my ear. When I turned around, the place was empty.
I frowned and walked forward, scanning my surroundings.
“Who’s there?” I asked softly, making sure there was no one stalking me here.
But someone cleared their throat behind me, making me spin on my heel. I sucked in a sharp breath when I saw who it was.
I should’ve known. He was breaking every rule of theirs lately.
“Zane…” I whispered, my heart hammering in my chest for some reason. His demeanour was odd. Was he angry because I yelled at him? Was he about to bully me like this friends? I’d told him to keep it to school. Was he here to take up the offer?
He walked towards me, his blue eyes travelling down my face, to my body. I frowned, a shudder travelling down my spine. His eyes looked dark with hunger. He’d never looked at me this
way before… All these years, his gaze had held nothing but indifference for me. What had changed in these few days?
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My back hit a bookshelf, knocking two books to the ground. I gasped as Zane closed the space between us, his eyes lowering to my lips.
“Little Lia,” he said huskily, using the nickname The Hounds always used. He’d never called me that before. He was definitely here to punish me for yelling. Why did I think I could get away with this?
He rested his hands on either side of me, trapping me between his arms.
I held my breath, staring up at him. Why was he treating me this way? Expecially after his weird advances at home? I’d thought he was different. A little bit at least.
“What do you want?” I muttered, trying to keep my voice steady. “I didn’t do any-”
“Shh,” he cut me off, pressing a finger to my lips. The second his skin touched mine, tingles erupted throughout my body, making my brows pull together. “Don’t be afraid of me. I won’t hurt. you.”
“Then what do you want, Zane?” I asked, turning my face away from him. His gaze was too intense. I felt like I was drowning.
He curled a finger under my chin, forcing me to look at him again. His eyes seemed even darker now, almost like the sea. “I don’t like the way he looks at you, Lia.”
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I swallowed, my throat going dry. This wasn’t about yelling at him… “Who?”
“Blake Walker,” he spat, as though the name itself disgusted him. “I don’t like when he sits close to you, when he stands too close to you, when he makes you laugh. It… it pisses me off.”
My frown deepened further. Zane’s hand travelled to my face, and he lightly traced his finger down the side of my cheek. I squirmed, trying to pull away from him, but there wasn’t much. room. A soft chuckle left his lips at that. “You’re adorable,” he whispered.
I swallowed, heat rising to my cheeks. I had to change the subject back to Blake. I could not take compliments from The Hounds. And I definitely could not blush at them. “Why?” I asked softly. “Why do you care?”
Zane’s face inched even closer, making me bite my tongue. My knees were starting to feel weak. The proximity was driving me
crazy.
“Because I do,” he stated. “He isn’t what you think he is, Lia. He’s no hero, here to save you from the villains.”
“You mean you guys.”
“Believe it or not, I’m anything but the villain here. Especially for you.”
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I released a breath. “You’re not making sense, Zane. What are you trying to say?”
“It’s simple, love. I don’t like it when you’re near him.”
“And I don’t like the way you’re touching what’s mine,” another voice boomed through the silence, raw with anger.
My heart jumped in my chest, and I realised I was more afraid. of Blake than of Zane. I managed to glance behind him, to find Blake standing a small distance away. His face was hard.
Zane’s lips curled into a smirk, but he kept his gaze fixed on me. “Be careful what you say next, Walker.”
“Get away from her, Adams,” Blake almost growled, his voice thick with warning. The air seemed to pulse with tension, and my heart hammered away.
“Or what? You gonna bark next?”
Oh my God.
I was about to become collateral damage in a fight between two crazy boys.
Mated to Two Bad Boy Alphas
Chapter 12 – Unease
–LIA’S POV–
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“Zane,” I said, before things could heat up further, “get away.” I pushed him away by the chest and walked around him, facing Blake. “What are you doing here? Mr. Hall told you to stay in
class.”
Blake raised his brows. “Oh, so I’m interrupting?” he asked.
“No, Zane—I mean, Blake. You’re not interrupting,” I muttered.
Zane chuckled at what I said, successfully getting on Blake‘
nerves.
“There is nothing to interrupt. He was just annoying me,” I stated. “You know they like to bully me.”
Zane snorted, making me clench my jaw.
“Really, Lia?” Blake asked, stepping closer to me. “Was he really annoying you?”
“Yes,” I said. “He was.”
“Sure,” Zane scoffed. “She’s just saying that because she’s scared to admit the truth in front of you.”
“Why would she be scared of me?” Blake snapped, taking a step
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My eyes widened, and I placed a hand on his chest, quickly stepping between them. “Please, Blake, please. Don’t start a fight here.”
He glanced down at me, then up at Zane, then at me again. With a sigh, he grabbed my wrist, and then stormed outside, pulling me alone with him. Once we were out of the library, Blake roughly let go of my hand, forcing me into a corner. He walked up to me, making me back away into the wall.
“What is this, Lia?” he asked. “What is going on between you two?”
“What do you mean?”
“You think I didn’t see what position you were in?” he snapped, slamming his hand beside my head.
I flinched away, my heart racing in my chest.
“Is this really how you’re gonna repay my kindness?” he asked.
I blinked up at him, gaping. “I didn’t know I was supposed to repay something.”
Blake clicked his tongue, then shook his head, his eyebrows pulling together. “Look,” he said softly, taking my hands in his. “Lia, that guy is a jerk, isn’t he? He’s been your bully for so long.
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I came to this school and immediately made him an enemy, just to protect you. And now you’re hanging out with him in quiet, secret spots, all touchy and close… how does that make me look? Have you thought about that?”
He was right.
“I know, Blake,” I said softly. “I understand where you’re coming from. But what you saw wasn’t by choice. Not today, not on my birthday. I don’t choose to hang out with him or something. He ambushes me, finds me alone and traps me with his body. He’s a guy, I cannot fight him off.
Blake’s jaw clenched. “So he’s harassing you?” he asked, his voice deeper.
“No, no, it’s not—I mean, I don’t know, alright?” I rambled. “I don’t know what it is, I don’t know why… I don’t hate it. It’s against my will, but I wouldn’t say he’s harming me in any way. He doesn’t do anything. Just stands there and talks.”
“That did not look like just talking, Lia.”
“It was, alright? You have to believe me.”
Blake pursed his lips, then turned away from me, his back rigid. I frowned staring at him.
“Blake,” I said softly, placing my hand on his shoulder.
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Instantly, his posture relaxed, almost melting at my touch. He then faced me again.
“Look, Lia. I don’t know if it’s obvious or not, but I don’t like it when he comes close to you. In fact, I don’t like it if any guy approaches you at all. Do you understand what I’m saying?” he said softly.
I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. “Yes, I understand you’re jealous, I just don’t understand why…”
“Because, Lia,” he scoffed, “I like you. Alright? And… you’re my only friend here. I don’t want you spending time with others. I want all of you. Every part of you. Every second you’re in school, I want you to spend it with me. From the looks of it, you don’t have too many friends either. Zane Adams has always been a jerk to you. I’m the one who’s protected you. Now that he sees there’s a man interested in you, suddenly he wants you. He’s just competing, trying to ruin a good thing before you even have it. Can you not see it?”
He was right, again. It made sense. So much more sense than Zane suddenly having a change of heart.
“Lia, he will use you and leave. He only wants to make you a new notch in his belt. Tell me you understand,” he begged, taking my
arms.
I stiffened at his touch, which was firmer than I expected.
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“I—I understand,” I whispered.
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“Good,” he smiled. “I’m glad you do. I’m… possessive for you. Like you might have been for your best friend. Like everyone is for their person. You’re my person here, Lia. I don’t want dogs circling around you. You’re… mine.”
My heart gave a loud thump, reacting to the word he used. Reacting to his closeness as he spoke. Reacting to the scent of his cologne, or well, him, that was flooding my nose.
“I’m yours,” I whispered, staring into his green eyes. “Of course. You… you protected me and you saved me. From the first time we met, you’ve been nothing but kind.”
Blake smiled, gently pushing my hair away from my face, sending tingles through my skin. “I’m trying, Lia. To be the best for you. To be a protector. I want to make everything for you better. In here, outside. Everywhere. You mean a lot to me. You’re my first friend in this town.”
I nodded slowly. “I know.”
“Then promise me,” he said, letting his hands trail down my arms, to my hands. He linked our fingers. “Promise me, you’ll stay away from him. Him and other boys. I should be your only male friend. You’ll be the only girl I’ll talk to. Deal?”
That was… odd. And overboard.
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“Please, Lia,” he whispered, and a tear rolled down his cheek.
My eyes
widened.
“Blake,” I said, frowning up at him. “What’s wrong?”
He sniffed, closing his eyes and turning his face to the side. “Nothing.”
“Blake,” I said again, then stepped forward and wrapped my arms around him. He hugged me back, dipping his face into the crook of my neck. Those same tingles erupted throughout my body, making me suck in a breath. “I promise. Just… don’t cry. Please. I care about you a lot, Blake. Don’t cry because of me.”
He sniffed softly, and nodded. “Okay. Thank you. I’m sorry for being like this.”
“It’s alright,” I said softly, lightly tapping his back. “I… understand. You’re sensitive.”
“I am, when it comes to you. I’m not close to a lot of people, Lia.”
“I get it,” I nodded, pulling away from him to meet hist here for you. And with you.”
“You’re the best,” he smiled, gently pulling my check.
gaze. “I’m
I smiled back at him, even as my heart twisted with unease.
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