Ryder’s POV

I laughed.

Not the usual mocking kind. Not the sharp, cruel sound I usually reserved for her.

This laugh tore out of me, deep, unrestrained, and completely unplanned.

I couldn’t help it.

The way Jade stood there, hands twisting together like she didn’t know where to put them, eyes wide and glassy with nerves, words tumbling over each other as though she were afraid they’d betray her if she paused for even a second, it was almost... endearing.

Almost.

She looked like someone confessing a crime she hadn’t committed.

I laughed harder than I meant to, my chest tightening with the force of it. Goddess, she was ridiculous. Standing there, asking me, me and my brothers, to not go for Linda’s orgy party, like she had any right to make that request.

And yet...

Something about the way she said it.

The way her voice shook when she spoke about the mate bond. The way her eyes flickered like she expected me to crush her the moment she finished.

It got to me.

Too much.

The sound of my laughter echoed down the hallway, and suddenly it hit me.

I was laughing.

Not at her. But because of her.

The girl I was supposed to hate.

The same girl I claim to despise so much.

My laughter cut off abruptly, like someone had reached inside my chest and slammed a door shut.

I straightened, clearing my throat, forcing my face back into something cold and controlled.

Enough.

“So,” I said, voice even, detached, “what you’re saying is... you don’t want us to go to Linda’s party.”

Jade nodded quickly, like she was afraid I’d change my mind if she hesitated.

I scoffed, turning slightly away, but I couldn’t stop the faint smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth.

Unbelievable.

“Follow me,” I said.

Her brows furrowed. “What?”

I didn’t repeat myself.

I turned and walked, already knowing she’d follow. She had no choice, she’s literally supposed to be our whore for a week.

Sure enough, I heard her footsteps a second later, hesitant, uneven, like she wasn’t sure she was allowed to be this close to me. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

We headed toward the private lounge Ronan, Renzo, and I had claimed years ago. The halls grew quieter the farther we went, the noise of the school fading into a distant hum.

And then... there it was.

Her heartbeat.

I could hear it.

Fast. Erratic. Loud.

My wolf lifted his head, alert, intrigued. He tuned into the rhythm like it was a song meant only for him.

She’s nervous, he murmured.

I clenched my jaw.

Don’t do that. We don’t care about her.

But the sound followed me anyway, thrumming just behind me, pulsing through the air. I could feel it in my bones. My steps slowed unconsciously, my senses sharpening.

She’s scared... but she didn’t run.

I ignored him and started up the stairs.

The stairwell was narrow, the air seemed to be thick with a kind of soft intriguing, addictive scent, something unmistakably hers.

Her footsteps faltered behind me.

And then....

She missed a step.

I didn’t think.

I turned instantly, reflex taking over before my reason could catch up. My hand shot out, gripping her arm, pulling her forward just as her balance gave way.

She collided with me, breath leaving her in a soft gasp.

Momentum carried us into the wall.

My body followed hers without permission.

Without warning.

I had her pinned there, to the wall, palms braced on either side of her head, the space between us gone in a heartbeat.

We became too close too fast.

Her eyes flew up to mine, wide and startled, lips parted as she sucked in air. I could hear her heart now, really hear it, pounding so hard it nearly drowned out my own.

And the goddess help me.... it matched mine.

The world around me shrank.

The hallway. The school. The hate I’d sworn myself to always have for her.

All of it vanished.

There was only her.

The heat of her body pressed against mine. The way she froze, not pulling away. The way her breath hitched like she was waiting for something... anything, to happen.

My wolf surged forward, triumphant.

She’s ours. Claim her.

“No,” I muttered, more to myself than her.

But my body didn’t listen.

Something snapped.

I didn’t remember deciding to kiss her.

I only knew that one second I was staring into her eyes, and the next my mouth was on hers, crashing into her with a force that stole the breath from both of us.

The kiss wasn’t gentle.

It wasn’t careful.

It was raw and consuming, fueled by everything I’d been denying for the longest time. Anger. Confusion. Want.

She gasped against my lips, and then she kissed me back.

Not tentative.

Not unsure.

Her hands curled into my shirt like she was afraid I’d disappear if she didn’t hold on.

That was it.

The restraint I’d been clinging to shattered completely.

The kiss deepened, turning desperate, ravenous, like we were both starving for something we didn’t understand. My wolf roared in approval, flooding me with heat, with lust, with possession.

I pressed closer, every nerve ending alight, my thoughts dissolving into sensation. Her warmth. Her scent. The way she fit against me like she’d always belonged there.

I shouldn’t want this.

I shouldn’t want her.

But goddess, I did.

Her lips moved against mine with urgency, emotion pouring through the kiss, fear, longing, defiance, hope. It hit me all at once, so intense it made my chest ache.

And I knew I couldn’t stop myself anymore, I wanted this, I wanted her too much.

My hands found its way to her bum, giving her soft cheeks a tight squeeze and a soft moan escaped from her lips.

And oh, that moan, it didn’t help at all, it all sent me deeper into the dark abyss of list.

So my other hand found its way to her boobs, even beneath the uniform, I could feel how tight and hard her nipples her and that feeling, it went straight to my crotch and my dick rose hard in response.

I didn’t know when I moved from her lips to her neck and she gasped in surprise.

I wanted to stop myself.... or maybe not.

But something had obviously snapped within me.

And I had absolutely no idea how to put it back in place.

Or maybe I just didn’t want to.