Chapter 60 What She Deserves
ARDEN
I was still trying to calm iny nerves.
Everything that had happened yesterday–no, this entire week–felt like one long, spiraling fever dream.
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From losing my virginity to the incessant pestering from the other Alphas, and the burning building.. my mind was cluttered with far too much.
My wolf hadn’t stopped pacing beneath my skin, restless and on edge. And now, of course, I had to deal with class. Where was life’s pause button when you truly needed it?
Miss Loveson stood at the front, her curls bouncing with every word she spoke. She had recently permed her hair, so the scent of the solution made my nose twitch a bit.
“For your semester project,” she began. “you’ll be working in pairs. One w
woman and one man.”
“Please find your partners before I share the details of the project.”
I leaned over to Tessa immediately, feeling disappointed.
e can’t
She chuckled softly, amusement in her eyes. “I would if I could,” she replied even though I didn’t speak. “But we
My heart sank at her words, disappointment flooding me, when suddenly, I felt two pairs of eyes land on me. My wolf bristled before I even turned around.
I turned around to find Rowan gazing at me with his usual flirty smile. “Do it with me,” he said casually.
Before I could fully process it, a strong hand wrapped around my wrist.
Cade din’t say anything at first. His gaze was just fixed on Rowan with a look that could ignite a silent battle of wills. His fresh scent also intensified. Mixed with the scent of the perm solution, it was making me feel quite dizzy.
“I asked her first,” Rowan said.
Cade merely tilted his head in response. “She’s from my faction now.”
“That doesn’t automatically mean you have to pair up,” Rowan snapped. “Let Arden decide.”
Both of them turned their intense gazes on me. I felt like I was trapped in the middle of their silent war. My wolf stirred beneath my skin, caught between instinctual submission to their Alpha auras and the urge to flee the thick dominance in the
“Why do you even want to work with me?” I shot at Cade. “You said I was incompetent in our last project.”
“Exactly” he muttered. “That’s why you need me.”
I let out a deep breath, shaking my head in frustration. I then attempted to remove his hold on my wrist, but he tightened his grip just enough to anchor me in place.
His much sent sparks through my arm. Was it hot in here?
Manjust me. Or maybe, it was him.
Why did he have to be so infuriatingly handsome while saying things that grated on my nerves?
“You’re will
or done choosing partners?” Miss Loveson asked as she strolled past us,
“Since Cade is already holding Arden’s arm, then you two can pair up Tessa and Rowan, that leaves the two of you.”
Isured quickly to look at Tessa. Her expression had stiffened, her usual bright demeanor replaced by what appeared to be melancholy
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Chapter 60 What She Deserves
Rowan clicked his tongue and crossed his arms defiantly over his chest.
He didn’t even glance at Tessa.
“Let’s switch,” he offered, looking at me.
“Alright!” Miss Loveson announced, ignoring him completely. “I’ve written the pairs down!”
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My gaze fixated on Rowan’s clenched jaw, his body tense and ready to argue again. However, Miss Loveson continued, her tone decisive as she laid down the law of the assignment.
“This project is about understanding she elaborated. “Pack dynamics, male and female differences, and how instincts shift depending on bonds. You are to observe your partner, Interact. Spend time together. And at the end of the semester-
She paused, you’ll write something about your partner. Truthfully. Explore your differences and how they coexist as entities. Don’t hold back”
I stared blankly ahead, my thoughts racing. The word bonds echoed in my head, and 1 felt my wolf stir. Cade’s proximity wasn’t helping
At that moment, Cade finally let go of my wrist. Yes, he had been holding onto it this entire time. His fingers brushed down to my palm before he allowed it to fall away. “This will be fun.” he muttered.
Next to me. Tessa pulled out her notebook, glancing at Rowan from time to time. He, in turn, sat back with a glare on his face, refusing to acknowledge her presence.
As my gaze bounced between the two of them, I couldn’t help but ponder their connection. They were both from the South, yet Tessa had never mentioned being in the same pack as Rowan. Perhaps.. did they know each other before?
I quietly shook my head. Tessa had been patient with me all this time, and I wanted to give her all the time in the world. After all, she was my best friend.
Despite my efforts to push the thought into the recesses of my mind, I couldn’t help but notice it. Tessa had seemed utterly out of sorts since that morning. She barely spoke during lunch and hardly even smiled in first period–which was highly unusual for her. By the time afternoon rolled around, she looked pale and detached..
“Are you alright?” I asked, my brows knitting together in concern.
Tessa gave a small nod but bit her lip. “Is it alright if I head to the clinic?”
“It’s our last class,” I replied, glancing at the clock. “So, it’s perfectly fine. Do you want me to come with you?”
She shook her head, flashing me a grateful look. “Thank you, but I’ll be fine on my own.”
I watched her disappear down the hallway, a nagging worry settling in my stomach. Something was definitely bothering her, but I knew Tessa–she wouldn’t speak until she was ready. So, reluctantly, I let her go.
I decided to head to my next class early, walking quietly through the hallway, allowing my thoughts to drift–until I rounded a comer and froze in place.
Right there, striding out of the men’s shower room, was Cade.
His hair way–damp, a towel slung casually over his shoulder, and he was completely shirtless. Only the gym joggers hung low on his hips, making him look like he’d just stepped out of some fantasy sequence.
My mouth may have parted slightly.
What on earth was he doing walking out like that? This was a public hallway, not some beach house.
I shook my head, deciding to let him be when I noticed a familiar figure trailing closely behind him. My breath caught in my
throat:
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Chapter 60 What She Deserves.
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She had that signature sway in her hips, the one she adopted when trying to be seductive, and her voice followed just as predictably.
“Cade,” she purred, leaning in. “Please. Just take me back into the faction. You need someone like me.”
The other Alphas didn’t accept you?” Cade asked.
“I’ve always wanted you,” Sienna said coyly. “Only you.”
Cade slowed his steps, though he didn’t turn around to acknowledge her presence.
“I’m also much better than Arden,” she continued, stepping closer. “I can show you, Alpha. You still haven’t even tasted-”
“I wouldn’t finish that sentence if I were you,” Cade interrupted, still refusing to look in her direction.
Sienna faltered slightly but quickly recovered her bravado. You’re going to ignore the truth? Did you even know Arden was a total loser in high school? She had no friends. Her parents barely even like her. Our pack thinks she’s just lackluster. Her wolf isn’t impressive. She’s not strong at all.”
I clenched the edge of the hallway wall, my blood boiling
“I became her friend because she had no one,” Sienna added, her voice filled with self–righteousness..
Her next words sent a chill down my spine and prompted me to act.
“That’s why she was even rejected by Ja-
There was no way she was going to reveal to Cade that Jaxon was my mate. I was just about to move from my hiding spot when Cade’s voice sliced through the tension,
“Is that supposed to convince met
Ir silenced her–and me, too.
“That just made me feel like not accepting you even more,” he said.
My brows furrowed slightly, not expecting him to defend me like this. However, I couldn’t deny the way my heart raced at his words. My wolf, oddly, settled at the sound of his voice.
“If you can’t handle being factionless, then maybe you don’t belong here at all.” he smirked.
Then, to my surprise, Jie turned his head toward me. “You can come out now
That snapped me out of my daze.
What did he just say?
Before I could fully process it, I felt a firm grip on my wrist pulling me gently around the corner. His other arm wrapped. around my shoulder, drawing me closer to him, his scent enveloping me like a warm embrace,
‘s much better than you,” Cade said to Sienna, fixing her with a steady gaze, “in all aspects.”
Sienna’s face contorted between humiliation and rage. In that moment, I felt an overwhelming desire to act on a fantasy I had nurtured everance I found her tangled up with Jaxon.
I stepped forward and slapped her.
It was both hard and sharp, the sound echoing in the hallways. She gasped, her head whipping to the side as she clutched her
check
“That’s all I would do to you,” I said, “because you don’t deserve anything else.”
I turned on my heel, Cade’s hand never leaving my shoulders, and we walked away, his expression decidedly amused. But I hulted abruptly before we could step into the crowded hallway.
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Chapter 60 What She Deserves
“Wait,” I said, frowning. “Why are you like this?”
He glanced at me, brows raised. “Like what?”
I pointed at him. “Why are you shirtless?”
He smirked, that infuriatingly charming grin. “Why? Are you jealous? You don’t want others to see me like this?”
“No.” I replied far too quickly, my cheeks flushing.
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“Right,” he said, his smirk deepening with each passing second. “I suppose I’ll go get dressed then. Unless you want to stare a little longer?”
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms in a futile attempt to contain my flustered reaction.
When did he get this comfortable with mef
“Anyway,” he muttered. “You did a good job out there.”
That snapped me out of my embarrassment as I looked up at him.
Before I knew it, I had started pouring my heart out. It’s just so frustrating.” I muttered, feeling tears form in the back of my eyes. However, I held it back.
“She’s been annoying me all this time and she’s showing no signs of stopping I considered her my real friend. I’ve always supported her, but now, she treats me worse than a piece of garbage.
Just then, he pulled me closer to him and encased me in a hug. My breath hitched, and again, I found myself calimg down. Unlike before, when my heart raced, I felt a slight change.
It stilled.
“You did the right thing he muttered, his breath warm against my skin.
Oh
OL
I think I may be in trouble.
