Chapter 86
Dominic POV
By the time lunch rolls around, I already know I’m in a bad mood.
That’s not unusual. I’m almost always in a bad mood these days. Comes with the job. Comes with the blood. Comes with being the one everyone looks to when something goes wrong.
What is unusual is that I know exactly why I’m irritated, and I don’t like the answer.
Ellie.
She didn’t even do anything.
That’s the worst part.
We haven’t spoke since her Midterm, and I wasn’t sure if she was getting why that was a problem.
She just exists. Walks through the halls like she doesn’t realize she’s a disruption. Like she doesn’t notice the way conversations tilt when she passes, or how more than a few heads turn without meaning to. She keeps her eyes forward, shoulders slightly tense.
And apparently, I’ve been watching her.
Which is news to me, considering I don’t watch anyone. I move. But…I was trying this whole space thing and…hating it.
I sit down at our usual table with my tray a little harder than necessary. The metal legs scrape against the cafeteria floor, loud enough to draw attention.
Jake grins across from me like he’s been waiting all day.
Marcus raises an eyebrow. Tyler, traitor that he is, is already smirking into his drink.
“What?” I ask flatly.
Jake doesn’t answer right away. He leans back in his chair, stretching his arms behind his head like he’s settling in for a show.” So,” he says casually, “how was staring into the abyss during class changeover?”
I spear a piece of chicken and don’t look up. “I was thinking.”
Marcus snorts. “Yeah. About Ellie.”
I finally glance up. Three pairs of eyes are locked on me like I’ve just slipped up in a negotiation.
“I don’t appreciate being psychoanalyzed over lunch,” I say. “Especially by you.”
Jake presses a hand to his chest. “Wow. Hurtful. And here I thought we were triends.”
“You are,” I reply. “Which is why you should stop while you still have all your teeth.”
Tyler laughs outright. “You were watching her, man.”
I scowl. “I was not.”
Marcus leans forward, elbows on the table, expression annoyingly calm “You didn’t look at posts Towo? You dit luca, on You didn’t even look at the exit. You tracked her from the stairs to the courtyard doors”
I pause.
That feels too specific
+25 Bonus
Jake snaps his fingers. “See? That pause right there. That’s the pause of a guilty man.”
“I don’t track people,” I say. “I’m not a creep.”
“No,” Jake agrees cheerfully. “You’re worse. You’re the Alpha pretending he doesn’t care about his fated mate while caring way too much.”
I point my fork at him. “Careful.”
Marcus just watches me, head tilted slightly. Loud as he is, he’s always been better at reading silences than words. “You’ve been off all week since you’ve two stopped talking, or, arguing at least,” he says. “Shorter fuse. Less focus. You snapped at a second- year for bumping into you.”.
“He spilled his drink on my boots.”
“And apologized three times,” Tyler adds.
I grind my teeth. “This is not about Ellie.”
Jake’s grin widens. “You know, it’s funny how well you think you’re hiding it. Notice how you never comment on our love lives, that’s because we keep it together-”
“It’s because I don’t care.” I pointed my fork with a half grin.
“Oh, we know,” Marcus says smoothly. “That’s why it’s so interesting that your suddenly so defense when it’s yours.”
“I don’t have a love life.”
Jake and Tyler exchange a look.
Marcus sighs. “Really? So the whole school is wrogn about this weird love triangle. You Vivian. Ellie?”
“Oh!” Jake waved, “Don’t forget Karina and like half the school wanting him—”
“I don’t have,” I repeated, “a love life.” I lean back in my chair, crossing my arms. “If you’re bored, find entertainment elsewhere. I’m not your project.”
Jake taps the table. “Okay. New idea.”
“No,” I say immediately.
“Too late,” Tyler adds. “Already love it.”
Marcus’s lips twitch. “Harmless fun.”
I narrow my eyes. “Define harmless.”
Jake grins. “We make a bet.”
I stand. “I’m leaving.”
Marcus catches my sleeve. “Sit. Down. Alpha.”
Teasing word, but I sit slow.
“What kind of bet,” I ask.
“Marcus and I,” Jake says, “see who can get you and Ellie into the most embarrassing situation 872st
Tyler chokes. “Oh, this’ll be good.”
“That’s stupid,” I say flatly. “And you’re not forcing me tub anything
“No forcing.” Marcus says. “Just… opportunities.”
I sigh. “Like?”
Jake counts off. “Locked supply closets. Wrong dorm doors. Group projects becoming pairs.”
I stand again. “Touch her- or me and I break your arm.”
The table goes quiet.
Jake sobers. “But…kinda worth?”
“This isn’t funny,” I say.
Marcus studies me. “You sure?”
I hesitate.
Too long.
Jake’s grin snaps back. “Damn. He likes her.”
“I do not.”
Tyler laughs. “You’re awful at lying.”
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