Two

Athena

What. The. Fuck???

My legs trembled like soggy noodles, and I couldn't believe my eyes—my mate was standing right across me. Every other person faded into the background, and I was frozen in place, unable to speak or move. 

I'd always been told that, as a chosen wolf and an eclectic witch, having a mate was forbidden. The moon goddess wasn't even supposed to grant me one.

All my life, Mom had trained me to believe that being single wasn't a death sentence and she always said I could be single and fulfilled. 

So why was I feeling a strong, undeniable connection which was anything I had ever experienced?

While asking myself questions about what this meant, I took in my mate's appearance. He was over six foot tall, no surprise there as most Lycans were, had olive skin, tethering towards brown, and dark curly hair. He looked super rich judging from his outfit and happened to be president of the student body.

"Athena, do you have all your documents in your folder?" 

Dad's question brought me back to the present. I turned to face him, confirming that I had everything while trying to compose myself after catching my mate's gaze again. 

"What's taking your attention?” Dad asked. I blinked to get my brain functioning.

"Just the multicolored building over there.”

Dad and Uncle Ziah said their goodbyes after making sure we were checked in and I said my goodbye. Dad's absence made me feel more vulnerable and I fled from my mate like the plague. 

Mia was happy that we were placed as roommates. Unfortunately, we had two sour roommates who were unnecessarily unfriendly. 

We dropped our stuff and headed for an orientation about an hour later. My mate wasn't there, thank God for that. We were given school uniforms and casual wear in our designated color. Mia and I had yellow, and she joked it would make her blind from the brightness.

“We should go check on the boys,” she suggested, then noticed my distant gaze. “What's wrong? You've been silent and staring off into space."

I sighed, unsure if I should confide in Mia about my mate. She knew about my mixed heritage, but I struggled to believe I had a mate myself. 

Our brothers, Alex and Caleb, had settled in well, despite being in different houses. Alex was in red, and Caleb was in green, but their buildings were very close to one another.

Alex, being a goofball, put his hand on my shoulder. "I'm counting on you to get me hot girls. Mia's always distracted. What are your roommates like?" 

Mia scolded him, "You horny fool. You've got girls from our pack fighting one another. Grow up and find your mate.”

Alex scoffed. "Why the hell would I want to be locked in with one girl forever? I'll get bored.”

“No, you'll get an STD soon,” his sister warned, making Alex and Caleb laugh.

"That's why I have Athena to heal me."

I wanted to tell him that my healing powers weren't for such frivolities, but my tongue felt like a stone in my mouth when I spotted my mate. 

  

He wore a green coded jacket and was quite a sensation, surrounded by admirers. I looked away, pretending he didn't exist, for his safety.

“Whoa, that dude in green is hot," Mia said. Her eyes sparkled with interest, and she tied her ginger hair with a scrunchie. "Ouuu! I want him.”

I trembled. I had to agree; he was breathtaking, with a chiseled face and physique that made my heart race like a bird set free. But my wolf growled, possessive of our mate. How could I even bring myself to react when my family knew that I wasn't wired to have a mate?

“I hear he's dating the hottest girl in school,” Alex said to his sister. Mia laughed, unfazed by her brother's disapproval. As they discussed my mate and his girlfriend, my jealousy grew, and my conscience mocked me.

"You're a fool, Athena, thinking he'd notice someone like you."

The next morning, a loud bell woke us up, and I had to shake Mia repeatedly to rouse her. After a fifteen minute countdown, we headed to breakfast, followed by class.

I was surprised to see my mate and my breath caught at the sight of him. He was dressed in a green shirt, well-ironed black pants, and a silver Rolex watch dangled in his left hand.

With my breathing growing erratic, I tore my eyes off him. A very beautiful girl with long, silky dark hair that reached her waist fell in step with him and tried to link their hands. I noticed that he was reluctant but eventually did. She must be his girlfriend.

I struggled to focus on our friendly homeroom teacher and couldn't even read the class rules. All I kept thinking about was the beautiful boy who clouded my senses. 

When he caught my eye, he stared, but I was relieved he didn't approach me, unlike the typical mate behavior. I wondered if he, too, had reservations about me, which, although painful, were for his good.

I was headed to biology class on another floor when a hand grasped mine, and before I knew it, I was in an empty, locked classroom. My heart raced, and my mate's loud breathing suggested that touching me had affectedp him. 

A stretched silence filled the space as he watched me, and when he stepped forward, I retreated, bumping into a desk. With my back against the wall, he stood before me, his hand taking a strand of my hair and curling it around his finger.

"If I didn't know better, I'd say you've been avoiding me," he said. His voice was smooth, sounding like velvet. 

Somebody, please help me.

A jolt of electricity ran through me. His elegance, intoxicating scent, and eyes paralyzed my body, making it hard to think.

"How can I avoid someone I don't know?" I said, sounding surprisingly calm, but my attempt to move was blocked by him, leaving a hot ache in my throat.

"Are you going to deny the bond between us?"

His question ignited a fire within me. I considered pretending I couldn't feel it, hoping to protect him from the danger that came with being my mate. 

"What bond?" I asked coldly. My question caught him off guard, and he looked confused, then amused.

"You looked like you wanted to swallow me up in the parking lot yesterday. I can smell your arousal right now.”

I shivered at his primal response and instead maintained my lie.

"I don't feel any bond. If you do, I advise you to reject me."

He looked like I'd just slapped him and every amusement in his gaze disappeared. 

"How can you claim not to feel it when I can sense your wolf calling out to me?" 

  

I struggled to keep up with my string of lies: "I can't feel my wolf. We are both separate entities. Now please excuse me; I have a class to attend.”

He looked bewildered, while I took another step back, tempted by his lips but resisting the urge to touch him.

He blocked my path again. “You're playing hard to get, aren't you? What's your name?"

“It doesn't matter, and please remove your hands from me." 

 Pp

I could sense his temper flaring, and he said, "Don't aggravate me. Can we be friends while figuring out why you can't feel the bond?" 

I refused, trying not to cry. "No, thanks. Don't you have a girlfriend to attend to?" 

He chuckled darkly, towering over me, making me feel small. His appeal was captivating as he moistened his lips, and a knowing smile spread.

"If I marked you now, it wouldn't be wrong since you're the weirdo who can't feel her wolf."

My temper soared. “That's the problem—I don't want your attention. Leave me alone." 

He refused, gripping my hand tightly, and I struggled not to use my powers to escape.

"I'll make your life hell; make you bow at my feet for refusing this bond. Every day will be trouble for you and those connected to you." 

Fear surged through me, thinking of my brother's safety. My mate noticed he had gotten my weakness and chuckled.

“I give you twenty-four hours to think this through. Read my lips when I say, "When I want something, I get it.”

"I'll take that as a threat," I trembled and I quickly walked past him, exiting the class.