Almost.
But then I saw Reyes
Reyes and his goddamn hand on Kai’s shoulder.
Touching him.
Like he had any fucking right.
Like he was allowed to laugh with him, to look at him like that. Like they were something. Like Kai belonged to him.
No. Hell no.
Jealousy exploded in my chest like a gunshot. I saw red. My fingers twitched, curling into fists at my sides.
Something snapped.
I moved without thinking. The sound of my footsteps slamming against the floor, heavy and fast, echoed like a warning.
Reyes was still talking. Still smiling. Still way too close.
And Kai-fuc.king Kai-was smiling back
That was the final straw.
Because when I reached them, Reyes was going to learn what it meant to touch something that didn’t belong to him.
Especially when that something was mine. I didn’t stop to think.
Didn’t stop to breathe.
My body moved on pure instinct, rage flooding every muscle as I stalked down the hall toward them.
Reyes noticed me first. His grin faltered for a split second. Good. He knew.
Kai turned too, wide golden eyes locking with mine-and for a moment, just a moment, I saw it. That spark of recognition. Of fear. Or was it something else? His mouth parted slightly, like he wanted to say something.
Too late.
I was already there.
I shoved Reyes back with one hand, hard enough to send him stumbling into the lockers.
He hit the metal with a dull clang, eyes wide in shock. “What the hell is your problem?”
“You,” I growled. “Keep your hands off him.”
Kai stepped between us before Reyes could lunge.
“Stop!” he hissed, palms up, barely reaching my chest. “Are you insane? What the hell are you doing?”
My eyes locked on his face.
Even angry, he was beautiful.
And fu.ck, that scent-closer now, stronger-hit me like a punch to the gut. I leaned in slightly, breathing it in before I could stop myself.
Bad move.
He shoved me.
Not hard enough to hurt. But enough.
Enough to sting.
“Don’t touch me,” Kai snapped, voice trembling with something between fury and panic. “You can’t just claim people like they’re objects. I’m not yours. I’m not-” His breath hitched. “I’m not your fu.cking toy!”
That broke something in me. Not because it hurt.
Because it sounded too much like a lie. Like he didn’t believe it himself.
Reyes was already up again, stepping forward like he was going to throw a punch. I welcomed it. I wanted it.
But before anything could happen-
“ENOUGH!”
The hallway froze.
Professor Garrett’s voice cracked through the air like thunder, sharp and unforgiving.
We all turned.
He stood at the end of the corridor, arms crossed, expression carved from stone. His tailored coat swished as he walked toward us, polished shoes clicking with each step like a
countdown to execution.
“Derrick, my office. Now.”
“I didn’t-” I started, but the look he shot me was enough to shut me up.
“Reyes, get to class. And Kai-” He paused, eyes softening just barely when he looked at him. “Are you alright?”
Kai swallowed hard, nodding once. “Fine.”
Liar. He was shaking. Shoulders tense, jaw locked.
But he didn’t look at me again.
That hurt more than I’d admit.
Garrett turned back to me. “Move.”
I followed him.
Not because I respected him.
But because I needed a minute.
Before I did something I couldn’t take back.
DALTON POV
I could still feel the soreness in my shoulder where Derrick’s elbow had connected during our final round, but it felt good. A deep, satisfying kind of pain that reminded me I was alive. That I still had control over my own body, over something-anything-in this cursed Academy. After all, punching Derrick in the face, even during a sanctioned sparring match, was as close to therapy as I was going to get.
Letting out steam and testosterone in more than one way was my only real alternative to cornering Kai in a hallway and demanding answers to questions I shouldn’t be asking yet. Shouldn’t-but wanted to. Craved to.
But the sparring helped. For now.
I could actually manage to listen to more than two words in the morning lecture. Big achievement. Not that I cared much for the details of pack politics in the Eastern territories. My mind was stuck on something-someone- else.
My phone vibrated in my pocket.
[Delivery confirmation. Your package is waiting at the main reception.]
A smile curved across my face before I could stop it.
The cameras.
My heart gave an excited little skip. I knew it was wrong, knew if anyone found out they’d probably throw me into one of the underground holding cells for breaking every privacy rule in the book. But that didn’t stop me. Never did.
Less than twenty minutes before the next class. Not enough time to set them up in the bathroom, but enough to get my hands on the package.
The thought of finally knowing what Kai hid under that pristine uniform made me dizzy.
The way they looked-tight collar, pressed slacks, soft, almost androgynous features that blurred every line I thought I understood. Boy or girl didn’t matter. Kai had something magnetic, something that screamed mine. And I’d get to the truth soon.
My feet moved faster on instinct, anticipation buzzing under my skin. But just as I turned the corner, ready to head to reception, a noise made me pause.
Raised voices.
I slowed.
Derrick.
He was in Kai’s face. No-Reyes’ face. And Kai was defending Reyes?
The anger that boiled in my chest was sudden and blinding.
I didn’t like Derrick. The guy was a cocky little punk with anger issues and zero impulse control. But Kai-why the fuck was Kai defending Reyes like that?
Was there something going on between them?
Was Reyes touching what was mine?
I took a step forward, rolling up my sleeves, ready to put myself right in the middle of that mess when Garrett’s voice sliced through the air like a whip.
More Kickass Werewolf Reads
Dive into our collection of free werewolf romance novels—where fierce Alphas, daring heroines, and heart-stopping twists await. Every story burns with forbidden desire, loyalty, and destiny. Don’t wait—here’s a world where love bites hard and nothing is stronger than the call of the mate.
Leave a Reply