Semua Bab The Way You Taste: Bab 11 - Bab 20

WILLOW’S POINT OF VIEW Once we get to the barracks, I lock myself in yet another washroom and let the waterworks run free. I weep and wail and sob. My mate regrets having sex with me. I met the most handsome man in the world, and we had the best sex of my life. And he regrets it. The one person who was tailor-made to me by the Goddess regrets having sex with me. He doesn’t want me. Fuck knowing me and wanting me for who I am, not even the mate bond is enough for Holden to want me. And I want him so fucking much. “He wants us, Willow,” Jamie whimpers. “He’s just in denial.” “Well, tough luck. If he doesn’t want me, I don’t want him, either,” I say. This mate bond wasn’t even supposed to happen, anyway. I’m on MBS. Cadets have their mate bonds suppressed so they won’t be distracted. Having Holden as a mate would just be a distraction. I’m going to be the best Cadet ever, and I’m going to carve out the life I’ve always dreamed of. There’s no space in my life for a mate who doesn

HOLDEN’S POINT OF VIEW This is it. I have all the logical reasons why I can’t be with Willow, and I also have all the logical reasons why I can’t reject her. But I won’t live in limbo forever. I won’t reject her, nor will I mark her. I will dissolve the bond. I have a clear view of the situation. I have a new goal in mind: I’m going to focus even harder on the MBS. I’m going to get Willow’s blood samples from the pack lab, all her stats and results, everything. I’m going to take them to Dr. Tremblay and we’re going to work on it together. We’re going to figure it out, and I’m going to have the perfect variation of the drug and all my problems will be solved. “And unicorns and rainbows and pixie dust,” Hendrix snickers, and I ignore him. The best thing about this plan is that it’ll create a distance between me and Willow. This way, I won’t be influenced by the bond. I’ll have my mind clear, and I’ll be able to focus on my research. I’ll spend even more time at the University

WILLOW’S POINT OF VIEW ***CONTENT WARNING: MILD VIOLENCE (SPARRING)*** I’m not entirely sure what to expect from Callie. I was a bit upset that she didn’t interfere when Harper was talking shit about Xenia. Callie and Harper seem to know each other, I just don’t know yet if Callie is a grade-A bitch, too. My heart races as I step onto the ring. Our eyes meet, and I’m fueled by determination. Her fiery red hair matches the intensity of her gaze. I assess her. She’s on the curvier side, but I know in real life that means nothing. I’m smaller, so I’d guess I could use my speed and agility in my favor. But I can tell she’s confident, as a smirk plays at the corner of her lips. Gamma Rhys’ whistle cuts through the murmurs of the crowd, and the match begins. We exchange a nod, a silent acknowledgment of what’s about to go down. “We got this!” Jamie cheers me on, and I draw strength from her support. I will prove my worth today. I am ready for this. My palms are sweaty. Mom’s spagh

HOLDEN’S POINT OF VIEW It’s absolutely insane that I barely even spoke to this girl, and yet, the thought of her makes it impossible for me to focus on anything else. Every time I close my eyes, I see her. Willow. The way her body arched, the scent of her skin, the sound of her voice. The thought of what she tastes like. “We can finally do all that and more!” Hendrix says. I shake my head. Get a grip, Holden. This is about research. Willow is waiting outside the Pack House, dressed in an outfit that seems like it’s crafted from my own fantasies. A fucking pleated skirt and a white blouse. Like a fucking British schoolgirl. The way it clings to her form, revealing just enough to make my imagination run wild. I’m instantly reminded that I didn’t actually get to see her naked when we had sex. “No better place than our lab for that…” Hendrix taunts. “Morning,” she greets me, shooting me a smirk that says she knows exactly what she’s doing to me. I motion for her to follow me

HOLDEN’S POINT OF VIEW ****RATED R**** Theoretically, Mondays are a holy day for werewolves. “Moon day”. Everyone in Ghost Pack has a day off, except for essential workers. It’s the only day on which Cadets have no training, and it’s the only day on which there are no meetings with the ranked wolves. Yet, we partially live in a human world, so those with jobs outside the territory proceed as usual. I actually don’t have any classes on Mondays this semester, so I could be back in the territory chilling with my friends and enjoying my free time. Instead, I’m hiding in the University laboratory. I’m trying to convince myself that I’m doing something productive, that I’m actually working on my research. But I’m not. I’m sulking and brooding. I’m trying to figure out what I’ll do today. I’m hiding from Willow. Per our agreement, I’ll be spending time with her today. She pretty much decided on it for me, she said I had to take her to dinner and to the Moonlit Communion afterward. It