Chapter 13

Harley POV

Anila Montgomery.

I had been waiting for my mate since I first shifted at 19 years old. I thought that once I got my mate, I would be happy and that would be it. But I wasn’t anticipating my mate to have two other mates.

One of which is my best fucking friend.

As soon as Xaden claimed Anila, that was it for me. I was out, completely. I couldn’t stab my best friend in the back. It wasn’t in my nature.

Zach, on the other hand, had no issue doing just that.

I stared at the scene before me with disgust. Anila was pressed against the wall with Zach inches from her lips. Her eyes were closed, and she looked content being between him and the wall. She looked as if she wanted to kiss him just as badly as he wanted to kiss her.

The philandering smirk on the werewolf's face made me want to crack his skull because he smiled at me like I was missing out on something.

Despite backing off, I couldn’t help that insistent and annoying tugging in my chest, a voice that constantly nagged me to get closer. To claim her as my own. The bear in me growled with irritation wanting to take our mate away from these wolves and protect her from their feud and constant need to one-up each other.

Fated mates were so incredibly rare. Did I make the right choice in abandoning something so extraordinary and precious?

Abso-fucking-lutely. Xaden was my friend, someone who saved my life in battle. Someone I owed my life to. I would never betray a friend. Ever.

So yes, stepping away was wise, especially because the bear within me was possessive and incredibly jealous, something I didn’t want to conflict with every time I saw them together.

But that conflict within me didn’t stop, it just shifted. Instead of raging at others touching her, it’s raging about my decision to let her go. But standing here, watching Zach be all over Anila, my blood began to boil, and I didn’t like it.

I kept myself calm and aloof for a reason.

It’s easier that way.

Conflict was hard and could lead to loyalties being betrayed, and nothing got me more than betrayal.

Yet with them so close, it just reminded me of something… awful.

If Anila wound up with Zach anyway, then wouldn’t that mean my own sacrifices were a joke? That really, I was the one being betrayed, and left out?

How could I get rid of something that’s physically a part of me?

“This isn’t what it looks like,” Anila’s voice pulled me from my thoughts, and when I centered on her face, I tensed for a whole new set of reasons. She looked freaked right the hell out. “I can’t move. He did something to me.”

An eyebrow raised on my face, curious as I tilted my head. She really doesn’t know any magic?

“Don’t spoil my fun, Harley,” Zach warned, but I simply waved my hand at them, my fingertips glowing as I watched Anila sag against the wall and push away from the werewolf. For extra measure, I erected a shield, the air in front of her warbling, and pushed him further away from her.

“Did you forget your promise with Xaden?” My voice was low in my throat.

Zach shot a smirk and playful wink at Anila, before looking back at me.

“I’m not a coward like you are, Harley. I won’t just hand over my fated mate so easily, someone destined to be for me in every imaginable way.” He met my eyes, two raging hurricanes overwhelming me. “What Xaden offers is not enough to give something like that up, don’t you think?”

I kept my face still as steel, seemingly unbothered by his words as he pushed past me and waved at a few women in the lounge, their giggles beckoning him closer. But really, those words penetrated deeply. They remind me of what it was I was really losing so willingly.

All because of my loyalty to my best friend.

But the mere idea of betraying Xaden made my stomach roil.

“Thank you,” Anila’s voice was behind me, and incredibly soft. If I didn’t have heightened senses, I wouldn’t have heard her.

I was quick to look at her, despite myself.

Her eyes were almost like a shade of silver, with beautiful thick lashes that she peered through. Long blonde hair that reminded me of the moon's glow at night. Her hands tangled together, something I noticed she does when she’s nervous.

Funny, I’ve met her twice and I’m already learning her mannerisms.

“No worries, he’s… pushy like that. Always has been in order to get what he wants,” I carelessly gestured behind me, where I could hear Zach sweet-talking, she-wolves. Anila shifted to peer into the lobby; her brow creased as a frown decorated her beautiful face.

“Going up?” I asked, turning towards the elevator panel.

Her cheeks reddened as she stared at her feet.

“I am now,” Her voice was tight.

“Which section?” I asked, glad that my voice came out strong.

“C.”

As soon as the doors shut, I realized my mistake. I was now trapped in the elevator with her, and her delicious scent. It was building in the space, soaking my senses in honey and freshly squeezed lemons. So tangible in the air that I could taste it on my tongue.

Fuck.

I could feel the intensity of her gaze on the back of my head, but I ignored it. I pressed the button for the level before hers so that I could make this torment end early.

The elevator stopped on the next floor, and I was quick to exit, taking a deep breath of the unaltered air in the hallways. I turned, my hand preventing the elevator doors from closing as I focused my attention on Anila once more.

She shifted on her feet before me, like a child about to be scolded.

“I’ll part with a word of warning, Anila,” I began. “While Zach is completely at fault for his behavior, and taking advantage of your ignorance,” her brows furrow at the word, “I hope you will be more careful in the future. Scent is a big thing for shifters, and yours is irresistible. Don’t put yourself in a position like that with Zach again. You betray Xaden, and I will never forgive you.”

I refused to betray a friend, especially one who I owe my life to.

My stomach churned at the very thought.

With those words left in the air between us, I moved my hand and watched as the elevator doors shut, shielding me from her stunned face.

….

Anila POV

I was absolutely stunned as I stood alone in the elevator.

I can’t believe Harley just said that to me.

One, I never, ever cheated, and it was insulting that he even suggested such a thing. If it weren’t for the threads binding us together, I’d probably knock him a new one.

You know what? I’m going to anyway. Jerk deserved it.

Oh, and two, Xaden and I just started dating, anyway. We weren’t married, we hadn’t been together for years. It’s all so ridiculous. Why did it feel as though I was now in an unbreakable contract with Xaden?

My hands fisted at my sides, and why do these men keep treating me like a god-damn object?

My heart sagged in my chest, the elevator doors peeling apart and revealing the familiar living room. My own exploration could wait, now all I wanted to do was curl up in my brand-new unfamiliar bed.

I made my way up the stairs and down the hallway until I reached my room. It wouldn’t be long before this dorm was flooded with other students, I’m sure. According to the card left on my bed, classes ended around 4 am and it was nearing 3:30 am.

Dinner starts at 5 pm and Xaden said he was going to come get me. My heart thrummed at the thought of seeing him again.

But for right now, getting some rest sounded really good.

When I got back into my dorm, something was sitting on the coffee table, and I frowned as I neared it.

It was a cellphone.

I raised my brows as I stared at the note next to the phone.

We didn’t get a chance to talk when you arrived. Principal Rapport wanted me to give this to you saying you had nothing on you when you arrived. We will meet later for a proper chat.

-Kendra Wilson, Dorm Advisor.

PS. My number is already programmed in the phone. Call me at any time!

A cellphone??

This school is giving me a cellphone?

I picked up the phone and stared at it, my heart swelling. I was never allowed to own a phone before. My stepmother forbade it. It’s not like I had any friends to call anyway, so it wasn’t really a big deal.

When I turned on the phone, I went through my contacts and saw that the entire school registry was programmed already. Hundreds of different names in alphabetical order. I typed Xaden’s name in the search and smiled when his number appeared. But then I found myself typing Zach’s name too and my heart squeezed when his number appeared; my cheeks flushed as I remembered our encounter in the elevator.

Then, I sighed and typed in Harley’s name.

I had all their numbers in my phone, and it only took a press of a button, and I could talk to any of them. I know I should talk to Xaden, but I feel like I have to finish my earlier conversation with Harley.

I was still angry with him.

Just before I was about to click on his name, the dorm room door swung open, startling me.

A petite girl, a bit shorter than me, but not by much, stood in front of me. Her short blonde, curly, locks of hair were highlighted with red streaks and decorated with white feathers. She wore the same uniform as everyone else, but her skirt was decorated with different colored feathers and her blue blazer had white wings stitched just under the Lunar Academy logo.

Her brown eyes were large and reminded me of chocolate milk; her pale features were flushed as if she had just run a mile. Her phone was clutched firmly in her hand and her mouth dropped open as she stared around my face.

“Oh, my goddess!” She gasped, her voice not only echoing in the room but in the hallway as well. Then she turned and peered out into the hall. “Hey, guys! Come check it out! My new roommate is THAT girl!!”