Chapter 47

Zach POV

Well, isn’t this a turn of events?

When Principal Rapport forced me to retake this class, I was initially pissed. I had no idea this was one of Anila’s classes. Now I was going to be in two of her classes and as the cruel gods have it, Xaden is the teacher’s aide in this class.

Seems he’s going to have a front-row seat.

I shivered in delight, listening to the rambling of Professor Santina and watching as Anila scribbled notes like the good, diligent student that she was.

Goddess, she smelled so fucking good.

It was pure, and all I wanted to do was dirty her up beyond recognition. To have my way with her in so many ways, only to deposit her used and abused back to my brother. There was a moment when I thought that maybe I could develop feelings for her after she showed me up in the combat training class, but I was only kidding myself.

A mate bond does not equal feelings.

I don’t have real feelings for anyone. I never have. I don’t do relationships. I never have and I never will. I have specific rules set in place for myself. I never spend an entire night with a woman; after we fuck, I send them on their way. I don’t talk about my feelings with them either and I certainly would never let any of them get close enough to see certain parts of me.

“Today is sense training. We will be playing a round of Capture the Flag in the Woods,” Professor Santina announced, clapping her hands together.

Students groaned, but Anila shifted forward in her seat, curious about the professor's next words, and I fought the urge to smile at how adorable it was.

“There will be no shifting. I know some of you can’t shift just yet. But I want to test the extent of your physical abilities while only calling on your wolf for a minimal boost if you are able. This will teach those of you who can shift control. It is hard to call on only parts of your wolf, without letting it take control.”

Reasonable enough, I supposed. Though control over my wolf has never been a problem for me. I always had a strong connection with my wolf, and we have always been in alignment. Unlike my brother and his wolf.

When Xaden first got his wolf, he had a control issue, and his wolf often went rogue. It got so bad that he didn’t feel comfortable staying on campus and purchased a cabin deep in the woods so he could be isolated.

He has better control now and they are in alignment with one another, but it didn’t come naturally easy for him as it did with me.

Another reason why he shouldn’t be the Alpha of our pack.

My eyes gravitated to Anila who waited earnestly for Professor Santina’s next words. She looked tired, with bags under her eyes and hollow cheeks.

About as tired as I felt, I supposed.

I haven’t slept well in the last few days, plagued by intoxicating dreams of her that I couldn’t seem to chase away. To make it worse, I couldn’t just fuck my way into a coma anymore.

The idea of being with anybody else made my skin crawl. And it was her fault I’m like this. Ever since I caught her gaze when with that woman a few nights ago, and then again, the next night, I just felt guilty.

The hurt on her face when she saw me lingered in my heart, stirring that guilt and in turn, awakened my anger.

This was such fucking bullshit.

“Anila, you’ll be with Zach. He’s a repeat, so he’ll know what to expect during the course,” Professor Santina’s voice pulled me from my thoughts as my eyes met hers, brows raised. “You’ll do well to teach her properly, right?”

I opened my mouth to reply, only to have Xaden growling in my place.

“Professor, I don’t think that’s a good idea. She should partner with me. I’m already training with her and preparing her for her first shift. She’s used to working with me.”

I trained my burning gaze on him, hate curling in my stomach as his green eyes burned with disdain as he watched me. Fucking prick.

“Absolutely not, Xaden,” Santina’s response was surprising. “You are a TA, not a student. As such, if I let Anila work with you, then the teams are uneven.”

Oh, the odds were in my favor today, it seemed. My lips curled into a smile as I leaned forward at my desk, making sure Xaden watched me as I said, “Don’t worry, Brother. She is in good, capable hands.”

My tone was taunting, and I added just a little extra sex dip into my words, taking the jab where I could get it.

“Enough, Boys,” Professor Santina sighed, shaking her head before addressing the rest of the class. “Grab your flags by the door. Then head to the forest!”

As we got out of our seats, I shifted closer to Anila as her light gray eyes found mine, and my breath hitched. They were like the silver light of the moon, so light and beautiful, and able to see right through me.

“I’m sorry you are stuck with me,” she murmured.

I tilted my head, confused. I had figured she would be furious with being my partner, but before I could ask why, Xaden was there with an arm snaking around her shoulders, and dragging her away from me, towards the door where other students shuffled out.

My fists clenched, but I followed closely behind, eyes unable to leave her swishing hips or the plump roundness of her ass. Fuck, it’s like she was made to perfection, and my heart hammered in my chest with envy as I watched Xaden’s hand drift down to squeeze one of her cheeks.

That should be me.

I immediately scolded myself for that thought. No. She wasn’t mine and she never would be.

As we got outside, the night’s air was warm, but the breeze was cool. We gathered at the edge of the woods. I stalked up to the other side of Anila, scowling at my brother.

But he ignored me.

Shocker.

“All right class. Be careful, play fair, and do not lose control,” Professor Santina announced. “Remember, we are trying not to shift. We are utilizing our senses in human form. It’s important that we strengthen that ability.”

I was already one of the best trackers and the stealthiest, this was going to be a breeze. My hand was around Anila’s wrist in the next instant.

“Come on, we have to get somewhere far away enough that we don’t get eliminated a few seconds in,” I told her.

I didn’t mean for my voice to sound so sharp, especially not towards her, but the anger I held in from my brother leaked into my tone, and she flinched at my words.

“I’m sorry,” She mumbled before following me. She looked over her shoulder at Xaden before I pulled her into the thicket, and we rushed for a hiding spot.

“Why are you sorry?” I growled, ducking behind a log as she did the same.

“I’m a hindrance. I don’t know anything, and you’re stuck with me. I’m sure that’s annoying.”

My chest clenched, and words bubbled to my lips, to explain that it was not annoying. That she could never be annoying. That I was just frustrated with my brother and his shitty attitude. That this mate bond was confusing, and I was frustrated.

But it wasn’t her fault. She didn’t ask to be mated to three different men.

I couldn’t fault her for it.

I wanted to tell her just that but the sharp whistle of Professor Santina signaling the start of the game cut off my words and shouting erupted around us. Students ran toward one another, laughing accompanied by playful growls as they channeled their wolves to move a little faster.

A pair collided just in front of us, causing Anila’s eyes to widen as they snarled and lunged for one another, trying desperately to tear off flags.

“Remember, this isn’t a game about strength or speed! It’s about tactics and partnership!” Professor Santina’s voice sang through the trees, and my hand found Anila’s as I found another team rushing towards us. She was on her feet quickly, and together we bolted through the trees, running away from the team that was gaining on us.

I growled low in my throat, finally calling on my wolf for that small boost, and released her hand. I stopped in my tracks, turning to eye the pursuers.

“Go,” my voice was rough. “Hide or something. I’ll get them off our backs.” And maybe take their flags, too, I add silently.

“I’m not afraid.” Anila stood firm next to me, shoulders squared, reminding me of our combat training.

Before I could protest further and convince her to run, they were on us.

One lunged towards me and tackled me toward the ground in a fit of laughter as they reached for the flag tied around my waist. I twisted my hips to snap the flag out of reach before using my strength to throw them off me—their back crashed into a tree, knocking the wind right out of their lungs.

As I whipped around towards Anila, intent on diving to her defense, my feet froze.

She ducked dove, spun, and dodged out of the way each time the assailant lunged for her. They growled in growing frustration as the tip of the flag teased their fingertips before being jerked away.

It was like she danced around her opponent, with calm fluid motions that held no panic, or fear. Just clear focus, and as she twisted around to doge a flailing hand, the werewolf snarled at her.

“Quit moving!” She barked and lunged at Anila again, only this time when she spun out of the way, her opponent crashed headfirst into the trunk of a sturdy tree.

The person slumped, groaning as they held their heads, and Anila bent down to pluck the flag from their waistband with a triumphant smirk on her face.

“Hah! Look, I got one Zach!” she cheered, her face bright as she trotted over to me and placed the flag on my chest, “Not bad for a newbie, huh?”

I blinked, flabbergasted.

That was a fucking understatement. Never have I seen someone move with such graceful fluidity, especially a wolf of all things. We are not graceful beings.

“I’m having a hard time believing you are a newbie, Anila,” I smirked, turning towards the student I slung against a tree.

I grabbed his flag, tying his team around my belt. The fluttering in my chest grew insistent as my gaze roamed over her again. She was breathing hard, as expected from dodging and dancing around her opponent, but there was a sparkle in her eyes, something amused and thrilled.

She was having fun.

Suddenly her head snapped to the left and she crouched, tugging me down with her.

“Someone is coming,” She whispered, and I trained my ears to listen. Sure enough, there were hurried steps in our direction, and I couldn’t help the swell of pride in my chest.

“You’re right. Sounds like there’s two of them. Ready?”

“Yes,” she whispered. “Let’s do this.”