3

SORAYA

I sighed as I clenched and unclenched my hand around the handle of my school bag for the upteenth time. The memory of that night was still vivid in my mind. Those sensual lips and sure hands… The practiced way they had moved over me, the heat of his body against mine, the feeling of being wanted— truly wanted — was intoxicating and by far, something the past month had proved all too clearly that I couldn't forget.

Here I was, standing outside my first class at Lupine University, trying to focus on anything but that memory. What was wrong with me? 

In truth, I had almost given up on this scholarship. With Liam’s rejection, it had felt like my world had tilted on its axis irrevocably. It was still crazy to me how much I’d been prepared to walk away from all this— everything I’d worked so hard for, albeit so I could be with him initially. Gag. That was definitely no longer the case.

In a way.. the memory of that night was part of what had fueled my actions to complete my registration. Even though I'd almost missed it – by twenty minutes.

My mind still kept screaming at me time and time again to get as far away from this place as possible— especially since I could run into them constantly, but deep down I knew I'd regret it if I just decided to drop it all— especially because of a man who wasn't worth it if he could treat me like nothing for no reason other than because he could. I had earned this opportunity, and there was no way I was going to let it slip away because of Liam and that slimy bitch.

Or the stranger who haunted my dreams… As well as every waking moment now. The stranger whose face I still couldn’t remember. With a sigh, I shut my eyes tight— the regret of running away that morning has gnawed at me every day since. I didn’t even know how to begin looking for him.  Not that I hadn't tried— believe me, I had— gone back to the bar where we'd met a couple of times, even. But how on earth do you find a person when all you remembered about them was… how they made you feel?

I took a deep breath and pushed open the door to the lecture hall. It was time to focus on my future, not my past. It's strange how the future I'd envisioned for myself a few weeks ago was a complete contrast to the trajectory I was on now. 

The room was already half-full, students chatting quietly as they waited for the professor to arrive. I found an empty seat near the back and settled in, pulling out my notebook. Maybe if I concentrated hard enough, I could drown out the memories that kept trying to resurface.

When the door at the front of the room opened, I looked up out of habit. My heart stopped.

I nearly howled out loud.

My heart leaped out of my chest and my senses became so heightened I became dizzy.

Mate!

My wolf howled.

My eyes glazed over with tears. I'd gotten a second chance mate..

I was torn between elation, fear and frenzied panic.

Because it was him.

Him. 

My pulse quickened, and the wave of panic within me rose higher. How was this possible? What were the odds that he’d be here, here, standing in front of me as my— no way.

What the hell?

What were the odds that I'd somehow had sex with my professor? What was this luck I was born with?

I couldn’t think. I couldn’t breathe. All I could do was stare as he walked to the front of the class, every step he took sending a jolt of electricity through my body. His eyes swept over the room, and when they landed on me, I felt a shockwave of recognition pass between us.

He knew.

I forced myself to look away, but I could still feel his gaze on me, intense and unyielding. I wanted to bolt, to run out of the room but at the same time I wanted to run to him, to wrap myself around him and never let go.

So my legs refused to move. I was rooted to the spot, waiting for the class to end so I could escape, but when the time came to do just that—

He didn’t let me.

“Miss Soraya,” his voice rang out, deep and commanding. My heart sank. He knew my name.

I froze as everyone else began to gather their things and file out of the room. I didn’t dare move, didn’t dare look up. I was afraid of what I’d see in his eyes. Anger. Disgust.

Rejection.

Once the room was empty, I finally lifted my gaze to meet his. He was standing in front of me, closer than I expected, his expression unreadable.

“Soraya,” he said again softly, less formally, as if testing the waters. “I’m Xaden. It didn't look like you'd heard when I introduced myself to the class.” What do I even say or do in this situation? Stretch out my hand for a handshake? “I’ve been looking for you.” 

His words sent a shiver down my spine, I felt tingles– actual tingles! But all I could think about was what would undeniably, undoubtedly come next. He was going to reject me. Just like Liam had. It was inevitable. He was my lecturer. I was an omega. Always will be.

I’d been through this before, so I tried to steel myself against the hurt that resurfaced. Best get this over with in time so I could have more time to pick the pieces of whatever was left of my heart and pride together.

My chest burned! What was this curse the moon goddess had bestowed on me? Why give me a mate who would reject me and a second chance mate who would have no choice but to do the same? I wanted to howl in agony!

“Just do it already!” I blurted, surprising even myself with the bitterness in my voice.

His brows furrowed in what looked like puzzlement. “Do what?” He demanded in that deep, distracting voice.

“Reject me,” I said sullenly, my voice trembling. “Get it over with.”

He gently lifted my chin up, forcing me to look into his eyes as tears welled up in mine. His eyes searched mine— he must've seen something there because before I could react, he leaned forward and cupped my face in his hands. It was an unexpectedly warm gesture. His touch was scarily gentle, and I felt the tears threatening to spill from the corners of my eyes.

“Soraya, my mate,” he murmured, his thumbs brushing away the tears that had begun to fall. “Do you have any idea how long I’ve been searching for you?” his voice was thick with emotion and his eyes, oh those piercing blue eyes…

Could he mean…?

But surely, he couldn't… could he?

This was the last thing I expected to happen. He was supposed to push me away, not— pull me closer like he was doing. Or was I suddenly imagining all of this? Lucid dreaming, fantasizing, I wouldn't put it past myself at this point.

“Why would I do such a thing?” I had no answer to that. “Why do you think I’d reject you?” he asked, his voice full of… concern. But that couldn't be, he barely knew me.

I swallowed hard, the memories of Liam’s rejection flooding back. “Because… because–” I swallowed, trying to get rid of the lump in my throat. More tears spilled from my eyes. “Because I'm weak.” My voice broke.

His brows furrowed,

“What do you mean? Why would you think that? I don't think you're weak, a wolf–”

“My last mate did.” I sucked in a breath at this, my chest heaving now as I struggled not to full on start sobbing.

His eyes darkened— the change immediate, and I could see the anger simmering just beneath the surface. “Who was he?”

I blinked rapidly.

“I– it doesn’t matter,” I whispered, shaking my head. “It’s fine.”

But he wasn’t satisfied with that answer. I could see the questions in his eyes, but instead of pressing further, he leaned down and pressed his lips to mine.

The kiss was soft at first, a gentle reassurance— and I felt the fear and doubt that had been coursing through me melting away like ice in the summer heat. This wasn't the kiss of a man who was preparing to or had the intention of rejecting me; it was tender, with a warmth that spoke of something deeper.

I let my heart swell with a little hope that… maybe he wasn’t going to leave. That it was his choice to be here, to kiss me, and maybe he wanted more? It seemed that way so far. I let myself imagine a world where I could have a man like him, as impossible as that felt. 

He was nothing like Liam— this man was built big, huge– much older than Liam and I, and oozed a sex appeal that utterly dominated my senses. Men like this weren't attracted to me… and maybe this was just a passing fling to him, but.. a girl could hope. So I hoped. I kissed him fervently with that hope.

And besides, everything seemed possible when he kissed me in that soothing way that… soon turned hungry. He kissed like a man starved and it was mind fumbling.

The moment was abruptly cut short as we were interrupted by the distant sound of voices approaching from the hallway.

“I–”

“Shh. It's okay. Go, I'll find you.” He whispered in that powerful yet tender way.

My heart melted. I really really didn't want to let go. But the voices were drawing closer.

He brushed his hand against my cheek.

“Go Soraya.” He murmured.

I pulled away reluctantly and hurriedly slipped through the front door just as the back one opened and students flooded the hall.

As I walked back to my dorm, a smile spread across my face despite everything. It felt like fate had granted me another chance. And I didn't intend to waste it. I didn't know how possible it could be, but I had somehow found another mate. Who'd also been looking for me. Who wanted me.

Who just so happened to be my professor…

It felt good to be wanted, to know he was here and didn't intend to go anywhere— at least for now. 

As the morning wore on, an unsettling wave of nausea kept hitting me and I decided to go home. It was orientation week so most of the classes wouldn't be so serious anyway.

I'd thought it was nerves that had made me unable to eat before leaving home but as I stared at the plate of food I'd gotten from the cafeteria on the way home, I realised I was physically unable to bring myself to put anything in my mouth. I pushed it away, feeling a heaviness settle in my stomach.

I don’t know when I slept off but when I woke up from a restless nap and realised I had a fever, I knew something was wrong. I didn't fall ill.

Mustering what little strength I had and dragging myself to the pharmacy, I picked up some medicine and, on a whim, a pregnancy test kit. The thought of being pregnant terrified me, but I had to know for certain. It'd already been a month. And even though this could be from all the stress I'd gone through in said past month, I still wanted to cover all the bases. Xander hadn't used protection.

An hour later I sat in stunned silence as I stared at the stick. My hands trembled.

I was pregnant.

No… no…

When I got the kit I hadn't –

I sank to the floor, covering my mouth with my other hand as I started to sob.

The overwhelming question was: What would Xaden think? 

I wanted this baby. Our baby. And I couldn't wait to tell him about this. Maybe a surprise visit to his office?