Chapter 40
Ellie POV
Walking into the mate-course seminar felt a lot like walking into a trap.
The room was already packed wall-to-wall with students, buzzing like they’d been waiting all week just to witness my impending humiliation. Someone had swapped the chairs out for couches – intimate, cozy, painfully awkward couches — and I had to physically bite the inside of my cheek to keep from turning around and leaving.
Sarah paused at my side, clutching her notebook tight.
“Oh my god,” she whispered, eyes darting everywhere. “Why does it look like a wedding reception? Why are there couches? I’m sweating. Ellie, I’m sweating.”
I snorted. “Relax. It’s just thirty minutes or so. We get in, pretend to learn something about ‘mate bonding,’ and get out.”
She let out a shaky breath. “Easy for you to say. You’re-” she dropped her voice, “-you know. The main character today.”
“Yeah,” I deadpanned. “Unwilling.”
Sarah grimaced sympathetically, then leaned in. “Okay but… listen. I think I’m going to pick Marcus.”
I blinked. “Marcus? Loud, sweaty, Marcus?”
She flushed hard. “He’s cute! And nice! And… sometimes he smells like cinnamon gum.”
“Oh my god,” I groaned dramatically. “You have a crush on Marcus.”
“Shut up,” she hissed, but she was smiling. “I just don’t have anyone I want to pair with! Not like Fawn! She has it made with Atticus!”
“I’m telling him,” I teased.
“You’re absolutely not-” She paused. “Unless you think I should?”
I laughed. “Pick whoever you want. Just don’t faint when he puts a hand on your hip.”
She made a strangled noise. “Ellie!”
“What?” I shrugged. “That’s literally step one.’
Sarah covered her face. “I hate it here.”
Then, more quietly: “By the way, what are you going to do? About Dominic?”
My stomach curled. “I’ll figure it out.”
She nodded, and gave me a pat before benign called over by a few girls.
I scanned the room scourly. Of course Dominic was already there. He had to be just like me. He stood near the center, surrounded by a crowd like he was the main attraction at some royal parade. Vivian hovered near by, practically glowing with those blonde locks. Lucas lounged nearby with that easy posture of his, smiling like he was more then comfortable with today.
We made eye contact. Lucas waved.
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I didn’t.
I hated this. Hated being forced into the room. Hated every whisper that followed me.
Hated that my bond with Dominic, an accident frozen into fate, made me the school’s newest circus act.
I kept my gaze low, jaw clenched, determined not to give Dominic even one glance.
He didn’t deserve it. Not after everything he’s pulled.
The instructor clapped her hands. “Welcome, everyone! Today we begin our Mate Relationship Course. You’ll be choosing your partners for this semester’s exercises. Go ahead and pair up!”
The room erupted instantly.
Students surged forward, laughing, squealing, shoving for their picks like we were choosing teams in a very romantic, very stupid war game. Lucas and Dominic the main culprits.
I was still frozen. I had no intention of choosing Dominic, but I couldn’t pick just anyone. I just needed someone who wouldn’t fold under his glare.
I glanced toward Lucas and his pack of suitors when I saw Dominic looking my way through a sea of girls.
He was expecting me.
Like always.
I stood up straighter, a fire burning.
What a jerk.
And as I made up my plan, I starting walking towards him.
He smiled. Smug. A burning feeling started in my chest. His smile grew and grew as I got closer, the girls staring, wide-eyed as I parted the sea.
“Is… Ellie going to Dom?” A girl said.
“She would betray Vivian? Again?”
“What a mess.”
I ignored them and right as Dominic looked more then smug, opening his mouth as I approached-
I brushed past.
And I could feel the shock not only from the room, but from Dominic.
Everyone nearly silent instantly.
My eyes were locked to Lucas. Just for today.
He met my gaze, watching the scene like I was the most amusing thing he’s ever seen.
“My, my,” he muttered. “What a show.” He stood, as his voice rose above noise. It was clear, confident, and as always, annoyingly charming.
“Ellie, will you be my partner?”
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I cut through the circle of girls around Lucas and stopped right in front of him. Judging by the collective gasp that rippled through the room, no one expected it.
Honestly? That made it easier.
Lucas straightened, grin softening into something curious. “Wow. That was… dramatic. You sure about this?”
“Yes,” I said. “I chose you because you won’t be intimidated by Dominic.”
His brows flicked up. “That obvious?”
“Just so you know, I’m not here for romance,” I added. “Not interested in you, not interested in Dom, not trying to be anyone’s Luna. I just need a partner who won’t fold. You okay with being my scapegoat?”
He stared for half a beat – not offended, just intrigued. “You’re very direct.”
“I don’t like wasting time.”
“I can respect that.” His smile warmed. “And sure. I’m not asking for anything either. If Dominic wants to glare at me all semester, great. I can take him.”
“Good,” I said. “Just… warn me before you go touching anywhere weird.”
Lucas smirked. “Relax. I’m a flirt, not a creep.”
I laughed despite myself, but felt heat burn into the back of my skull. I didn’t turn around, because I already knew whose eyes were drilling into me.
The instructor gave the first command. Lucas’s hand settled lightly at my hip; I flinched instinctively.
“You good?” he teased.
“You wish I was flustered.”
“Maybe.”
That made me pause.
He tugged me a step closer. His grip was steady, grounding. Nothing romantic, just solid structure holding me upright. And honestly? I was grateful. More than I wanted to admit. If this had been Dominic… I wouldn’t have survived it.
Then the instructor announced the final task:
“Simulate the mate mark. Gentle, please.”
The room went silent. A ripple of whispers on us.
“No way.”
“Is she actually gonna let him-”
“But Dominic is her fated mate-”
The whole room held its breath.
I tried to tone it out, and suddenly became very aware of Lucas, the shape of his arms around me, the solid steadiness of his chest, my hand on his shoulder. It wasn’t romantic. But it was… a bit thrilling. Every part of me
tense.
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“Relax,” He muttered. “I’ll be gentle. Okay?”
I nodded slowly as his hand gently titled my neck. “Just hurry up,” I managed to get out.
Then he leaned in.
Just enough for his breath to brush my neck.
A faint tremor ran through me before I could stop it. My fingers curled reflexively in his shirt.
I gasped softly, barely audible when his lips touched my skin. He kept it light, a respectful graze, and the bite that followed was but a nip. More of a simulation than an actual mark.
Still, the whole room reacted, while I…just wanted this over with.
Whispers erupted instantly, scandalized and delighted and vicious all at once. A few people squeaked.
“She actually did it!”
Another said Dominic’s under their breath like it was a warning. “He won’t be pleased!”
I kept my eyes down, cheeks burning, trying not to think about how many people were watching.
Then a sharp, sudden sting snapped me back. I flinched, clutching my side.
I stared down, confused. That… wasn’t from Lucas.
But from the bond. I looked up on instinct.
Across the room, Dominic held Vivian close, far closer than necessary. His hand was at her waist; her fingers clung to his arm. They were positioned exactly how the instructor wanted them, like two perfect test subjects playing at love.
And yet… Dominic was looking right at me. And if I didn’t know better, I was staring right into the eyes of his wolf.
He was pissed.
Dominic flinched the same second I did, and I knew instantly. Even though I hated the bond with everything in me … even though I resented every string tying me to him…
It still hurts to hold someone who isn’t your fated.
I looked away sharply, heat prickling my eyes.
Before I could fully inhale again-
SLAM.
The classroom door cracked against the wall hard enough to make me jump.
Everyone flinched. Someone at the back yelped. Even the instructor went pale.
“Woah,” Someone said, “He actually left…”
“Yo! Dominic! Wait!” Marcus called, going after him.
But Dominic was already gone.
He stormed out so fast it took the room a full heartbeat to realize what happened. The scent of anger, this
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unmistakable and wild musk, lingered behind him like smoke.
Silence swallowed the room whole, the kind no one like to feel from an Alpha.
Lucas exhaled beside me, low and slow. “Yikes,” he muttered under his breath, just for me. “Guess someone didn’t take that well.”
I forced myself to breathe, to stand still, to keep my face neutral. “Yeah. He’s just being dramtic. I told him to break out bond.”
But my pulse was loud in my ears. Dominic was gone. Clearly furious, rattled, and completely unable to hide it.
And I hated-hated-that a tiny part of me felt the echo of it deep in my chest. Because I wasn’t supposed to care. I wasn’t supposed to feel anything at all. But this bond was more than just our feelings; it was a physical rope between us, and it felt like it was burning everytime Lucas got closer.
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