Kai was sitting in the living room when Sara got back to the dorm. A single glance at her face was enough to let him know that she was pissed off.
He had heard about her escape into the forest to get away from Eddie, and he was surprised she was back in one piece. She had successfully dodged the three-hour service, but that didn’t mean her difficulties were over.
When Eddie had claimed her to serve him, Kai had been ready to offer his help. If she gave in to him, he would help her avoid the service. But by the time he went looking for her, she had already escaped into the forest.
Now, she was back, and didn’t look at all relieved that she had avoided the service. Maybe she was finally coming to her senses and realising that she wouldn’t be able to survive in North Academy for long. Not without help. His help.
Jumping up from his seat, he crossed the room and waylaid her on her way to her bedroom. She halted and looked up at him, her brown eyes flashing with warning and annoyance. She tried to step around him, but he matched her movement, blocking her.
“My offer is still valid,” he said, his lips turning up in a smile.
“What offer?” she snapped impatiently.
He narrowed his eyes. Was she kidding? Every time she dismissed him like that, it deepened his need for vengeance.
“Look, I have no time for your games,” she told him, “so can you leave me alone?”
“Do you think your troubles are over now that you’ve dodged Eddie?” he asked.
“That’s none of your business,” she told him.
He huffed and reached out to grasp her chin with his fingers. She tried to jerk her face away, but he held on tight, keeping her in place. “Little wolf, you had better watch your tongue. Besides me, do you think there is anyone else who’s willing to stand up for you? What will you do when Eddie comes after you for revenge because you humiliated him?”
Her throat moved as she gulped. “He can’t do that, the three hours are over.”
Kai chuckled. “Wow, you are so naive. Did you forget where you are? This is North Academy, and I’m willing to bet no one will bat an eyelash if a wolf like him kills an Omega like you.”
“I can protect myself,” she declared, her voice full of conviction. False conviction, he told himself. She was either stupid or delusional if she really thought she could survive longer on her own.
“Can you?” he asked, softening his grip on her chin and moving his hand over her jaw, towards the back of her neck. Cupping her nape, he leaned down and put his lips next to her ear. “All you need to do is be mine, and nobody will dare look at you the wrong way, leave alone lay a finger on you.”
Sara shivered as Kai’s warm breath wafted over her skin and his fingertips caressed the back of her neck.
She knew he was right. She might have evaded Eddie, but for how much longer? A prideful werewolf like Eddie would not let the issue rest just because the three hours were over.
It would have been fine if she had never come back from the forest. But she was back, unharmed by rogues. She had outsmarted him, and he was going to want to save face.
She thought of the white wolf she had met in the forest. If only he was here, she was positive he would have protected her from Eddie. He might be a controlling jerk, but at least he wanted her as his mate. And from what he had said, she knew he would teach Eddie a lesson if he dared come after her.
Unfortunately, her saviour was not around, and Christian was not interested in helping her. She was all alone, and she had no idea how she was going to survive in this place where everyone seemed to be out to get her.
But she knew one thing for sure. She wasn’t going to give in to Kai.
He must see her as an helpless Omega with no pride, who would do anything to save her skin. But she had been fighting her battles so far, and she wasn’t about to become some Alpha’s toy.
Gathering her strength, she placed her palms on his chest and pushed him away. He stumbled back, his brows knotting above his eyes.
“No, thanks,” she told him. “Stop bothering me, I’ll never accept your offer.”
His eyes darkened, and she could almost envision the rage boiling up in him. “You really think you are all that, uh?” He leaned closer again. “Let’s wait and see. You’ll wish you said yes when I was asking nicely.”
When she walked past him and headed for her bedroom, he didn’t try to stop her.
Kai watched Sara disappear behind her bedroom door with a deep frown set on his face.
He knew she was bluffing about being able to handle whatever came her way on her own. But the look in her eyes told him she was dead set when she said she wasn’t interested in his offer.
Even seeing the strength in her eyes as she rejected him, he still found it hard to believe she was steadfast in rejecting him. Maybe if he tried harder, she would drop her act and take what he was offering.
He had never come across a woman who didn’t jump eagerly into his bed. All he had to do was beckon and they would come running. Most times, he didn’t even have to do that. They came looking for him, throwing themselves at him. It didn’t matter whether they were mated or not.
Like it hadn’t mattered to his mother.
She had a loving mate, but that didn’t stop her from sleeping with another man. No matter the amount of affection his father showed her, she still betrayed him.
He was never going to end up like his father.
Instead of letting women play him, he was going to play them, never letting his guard down.
Because he knew he couldn’t trust a woman, and he knew it was only a matter of time before his new roommate dropped all pretence of not wanting him.
***
After the confrontation with Kai, Sara went to the bathroom to take a shower. She was filthy after the run and fight in the forest, and she badly needed a warm shower.
The conversation with Kai had increased the worries in her mind, but she pushed them aside.
Instead, she thought of the guy she had met in the forest.
She still couldn’t believe that she now had two mates-never mind one didn’t want her. She never thought it was possible to have two mates until that afternoon when she came across that fight in the quad. Even then, she never would have imagined she would have two mates.
It seemed that while everyone else turned against her, the Moon Goddess hadn’t.
But, even then, she knew she should be wary. The mate bond didn’t ensure loyalty. She had been betrayed by one mate, and another had attempted to kill her. So, as much as she was happy that the Goddess hadn’t forgotten her, she knew it didn’t mean she would get a happy ending.
If only, she thought, her body growing warm as she recalled the man’s red eyes, if only they could be perfect for each other.
If only he could want her, and love her, and never betray her.
If only she could fall in love again, with him, the way she had with Victor before he betrayed her.
Maybe then, she would get her happy ending.
It was at that moment that the bathroom door opened, and the red-eyed werewolf from the forest stepped inside.