Andria's POV
I could feel my body growing warm, as if I were in heat, as they drew closer. The energy I felt was emanating from them, those rude and arrogant beings.
I hated this feeling. I can't be drawn to them just because the Moon Goddess said so, just because of the fucking mate bond.
"But you can't deny the bond. I want them all," Athena said selfishly, letting out a low growl.
When they got close, it was as if my body, which had once frozen in place since they entered the hall, suddenly came alive.
They all looked at me, examining, and I hated their gaze. It was awkward, especially being in the company of others.
I could already see some people whispering, and I knew this little scene was stirring conversations and attention, something I absolutely didn't want.
The room felt constricting, as if it might suffocate me.
Damon's smirk threw me off balance. The way they glanced at each other was as though they were speaking silently.
"You…." Aven said, then paused as if assessing me and the statement he was about to make, eyes locked on me with an expression I couldn't decipher, like he was at war with himself.
I haven't even wrapped my head around being a werewolf, and now this?
A flood of questions swirled in my mind: Can they feel the bond, too, or is it just me?
"This can't be happening. And not with you," Tristan said, sizing me up like I was a problem he wished didn't exist.
"Not like I wanted this either, Tristan!" I snapped, glaring at him. I can be just as rude. I'm done tolerating insolence.
"Hmm. Mate," Damon muttered with a smirk. The word mate sounded unreal coming from him.
Aven stepped forward suddenly, closing the space between us. I instinctively moved back. He leaned down close to my ear, close enough for me to hear his whisper.
"You aren't fit to be my mate, let alone ours."
Then they walked past me and sat behind my seat.
I could feel my wolf flinch, but she didn't back down.
'Assholes,' she muttered. "Now you see why I hate them so much," I told her.
I don't know why they chose the seat behind me. I sat down, hoping the rest of the day would pass without more drama.
Across the aisle, Tracy and her butterfly cheer squad took their seats. The aisle was the only thing separating us.
"What are the Alpha successors doing with that bitch? She's not even beautiful," Tracy sneered, her face twisted like she'd tasted something rotten.
I could hear them from across the room, thanks to my enhanced vampire senses.
"Why would they sit behind her?" Alexa asked, her expression priceless as she glared daggers at me.
I couldn't help but be amused. Their faces were so bitter. I should rename them the Jealous Trio. Hah.
"Have you thought that they may be they are trying to show her her place?" Tricia said, looking unfazed.
"Yeah, maybe," Alexa responded, and all of a sudden their faces lit up like they had won a grand prize, and they directed that weird look at me.
I scanned the room, feeling more out of place than ever. I couldn't control myself or the heat. This was all new to me: wolfing out, mating, the academy. I was sure my scent was everywhere. I could smell it.
My senses were sharpening, and nausea was rising again. To avoid making a scene, I grabbed my backpack and moved toward the exit.
"Where to, Miss Wolfsburn?" Master Kristan the duel instructor called out.
"To the restroom. Serious bowel matters," I said, not slowing down.
I hurried down the hallway toward the student restroom to cool off. I rushed to the sink, turned on the tap, and splashed cold water on my face.
I looked into the mirror, breathing a little easier.
But the relief was short-lived.
I started to feel it again, 'the pull'. I was patting my face dry with a towel when I looked back up
And froze.
Zade?! My mind screamed.
Athena, or whatever you are, what is happening?! I asked my wolf. She was too excited to answer. He stood behind me, staring deep into my soul.
And that pull, I felt it again, it was coming from him. This can't be.
'Ours,' Athena said, practically bouncing. My heartbeat thudded in my ears like a war drum.
No. No. No. The Moon Goddess must be punishing me for leaving home, or maybe for being part vampire. First, the three scumbags, and now my ex?
"You left the other day at the cafeteria. You seemed in a hurry," he said.
I don't think he knew I was Andria.
"Your face looks familiar. Have we met before?" he asked, a hint of confusion and curiosity painting his expression.
Oh no. He can't recognize me. Not unless I want another mess on my hands. I just got here.
The room felt smaller as he stepped closer.
"You feel it too, don't you? Mate?" he said, raising his brow with that same overconfident look.
I knew that look. I hated that look and everything it represented. But Athena didn't care. She was practically squealing, and I was growing increasingly frustrated.
"Why are you quiet? Did I do something wrong?" he asked, with that fake caring tone of his. If I didn't know him better, I'd have mistaken it for real concern.
He didn't know how to love or trust. He only mimicked it to get what he wanted.
"Let me go." My voice came out small, trapped, as he backed me into a corner like prey. He towered over me, staring into my soul like he was trying to read something written there.
And just like that, the door burst open, and as if on cue, Aven, Damon, and Tristan stormed in.
"Let her go!" they shouted in unison, pulling Zade away from me.
"I wasn't hurt. Let him go," I said quickly, just as they were about to throw the first punch.