Chapter 5 CHAPTER
CHAPTER 005
SOREN'S POINT OF VIEW
"Soren," Elira's voice came out in a soft moan, sending a shiver down my spine as she reached the peak of her pleasure. Her body trembled underneath me, nails digging into my back, and I felt the bite of her grip.
I pulled away, frustration building in my chest. This wasn’t it. It wasn’t satisfying—at least, not in the way it should’ve been. Something felt off.
“Wasn’t that incredible?” she whispered, her hand tracing slow circles on my chest as if trying to draw me back to her.
I didn’t even bother replying. Instead, I rolled off her, letting out a deep sigh as I stood up. I had no interest in staying. The whole situation felt...wrong.
Elira reached for me, trying to kiss my cheek, but I easily pulled away, dodging her lips with practiced precision.
“Why can’t you just stay with me for once?” she asked, her voice tinged with frustration. “Like you used to.”
I ignored her, scanning my room. It was messy, but it wasn’t my mess. It was hers. Clothes were scattered across the floor, makeup strewn about like she had no intention of ever leaving.
I hated it. We were done, and yet she still acted like things were normal between us. We hadn’t been together for months.
Luckily, I had a private room—one of the perks of being the Lycan heir. I used to share a room with Elias, Elira’s brother, back when we were younger. But that was a disaster. After only a few months of constant complaints, I managed to get us separate spaces.
I needed my space, especially with Elias. I respected him enough to avoid any more awkward situations involving his twin sister.
"Take your stuff and get out," I said sharply, heading toward the bathroom, ignoring her attempt to respond.
I stepped into the hot shower, the water rushing over my skin as I closed my eyes and tried to calm myself. I didn’t want to think about it—didn’t want to think about her—but my mind kept drifting back to the Silverpine Festival.
That girl.
Selene.
I couldn’t stop thinking about her.
Four-eyes, I called her.
I didn’t care for her name. Didn’t need it.
She was my mate, and I hated it.
I didn’t know what I expected. Certainly not her. Not her with her sharp blue eyes and those glasses. It felt like a curse, like I was being punished for something I’d done wrong, and I couldn’t shake the feeling.
The beast inside me roared in protest, telling me that she was nothing like what I was meant to have. She wasn’t strong, wasn’t like the Lycan mate I should’ve had. She was...a puppy. Weak. Pathetic.
Still, when I saw her, something inside of me wanted to pull her close. Kiss her. Taste her lips. Even after everything I told myself, I couldn’t stop.
I hated myself for it.
The Moon Goddess had a sick sense of humor. A punishment, a joke at my expense. That’s all it was. That’s how I saw it.
I shoved the thought away and finished my shower, frustrated.
Stepping out, I wrapped a towel around my waist and went back to the room, hoping I’d find it empty. But of course, Elira was still there, lying on my bed like she hadn’t heard a word I’d said.
“Are you still here?” I asked, trying to hold back the irritation in my voice.
“Well, yes,” she replied, looking at me with those wide eyes, as if I were the one being unreasonable. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
I ran a hand through my wet hair, trying to reign in my temper. "Elira, we’re done. I told you before. If this isn’t about your body, I don’t want to see you. Now leave."
She looked at me, eyes narrowing. “You’re just gonna kick me out like this? After everything?”
I didn’t care.
"Take your things and go," I said, still not looking at her as I pulled on some clothes. I could hear her complaining, but it was nothing more than noise at this point.
It wasn’t her fault—well, maybe it was, but I didn’t have time for any of it. She wasn’t the problem. Not really. The problem was that damn bond, the one that tied me to Selene.
As I dressed, I tossed the covers off the bed, revealing Elira’s naked body. She grunted and yanked a dress over her head.
"Who’s the slut you’re with now?" Elira’s voice was full of accusation. "Is that why you don’t want me around anymore?"
Slut?
I froze.
"Well, I’ll find her!" Elira shouted, her voice growing shrill. "And when I do, I’ll—"
I didn’t let her finish. My hand shot out, slamming her against the wall before she could speak another word. My claws extended, teeth sharp, and I could feel the beast trying to take over. I growled low in my chest, the sound not fully human.
“Careful, Elira,” I warned, my hand tightening around her throat. My claws grazed her skin, a clear message of the rage bubbling up inside me.
Her eyes widened in fear, and I could see the shock on her face. I’d never done anything like this before. Not to her.
I didn’t want to hurt her. I never did.
But Selene had been on my mind. The beast had wanted to protect her when Elira had called her a “slut.” My body had taken control before I could stop it.
I let go of Elira, stepping back, disgusted with myself. I wasn’t some monster.
“Just...leave,” I muttered, not meeting her eyes.
Elira didn’t speak. She grabbed her things, muttering something under her breath, but I didn’t care. Not anymore.
"You could’ve killed me, you sick bastard!" she hissed.
I didn’t respond, turning my back on her as she slammed the door behind her.
I finally let out the breath I had been holding.
I looked at my hand. My fingers were still flexing, like the claws were just beneath the surface, waiting to break through again.
"Shit..." I muttered, feeling that same frustration boiling over. The beast was always there, waiting. Always ready to strike.
The worst part? It wasn’t just Elira. It was the bond, the one tying me to Selene. The one that had me so...possessive.
I paced back and forth, frustration spilling out of me. Why was I getting so worked up over her? Over a girl I didn’t even want. Over some stupid bond.
I shook my head, slamming everything on my desk to the floor in one motion. Nothing made sense anymore. Nothing was in my control.
I stormed into my walk-in closet, trying to calm my mind. I needed to get this under control. I needed to stop feeling this...pull.
I grabbed the leather jacket I had worn the night of the Silverpine Festival. I could still smell her. That sweet scent of vanilla and sugar.
"Mate," the beast growled from within.
"Shut up!" I snapped aloud, clutching the jacket tighter, pressing it to my face.
"Mate," the beast repeated, more insistent now.
“No!” I barked, shaking my head. “I can’t do this.”
All I needed to do was reject her. That’s it. Simple.
Reject her and this nightmare would end. I’d be free.
Determined, I stormed out of the room, clutching the jacket in my hands. I couldn’t deal with anyone right now. I had to do this. I had to end this.
As I stepped into the hallway, Elias, my best friend, slammed his arm around my shoulders.
“Hey, Soren—”
I brushed him off, not in the mood. "Not now, Elias," I muttered, walking away from him without a second glance.
The only thing on my mind was rejecting Selene. I needed to get this over with.
I sniffed the jacket one last time, letting the familiar scent fill my nostrils. It was like a drug. I hated how much I wanted her, how much I needed her.
I followed the trail, the pull in my chest growing stronger. The scent led me to a dorm, the one where Selene was staying.
I waited around the corner, heart hammering in my chest.
That’s where she stayed. Selene.
I stepped forward, but stopped short when the door opened. I immediately retreated into the shadows.
Of all people to step out, it had to be her. Elira.
I cursed under my breath.
So, both of them were roommates?
Just my luck.
I waited a moment before stepping forward again, but this time, Selene stepped out.
She was wearing tight jeans that hugged her curves and a simple tank top. Her blonde hair was pulled into a messy bun, and my eyes immediately went to her lips—the same lips I had kissed only days before.
I shook my head. No, I couldn’t let the beast take control.
Selene froze when she saw me. Her chest was rising and falling, her eyes scanning the area. I could feel her gaze on me, cold and calculating. She must’ve known I was here, knew I was the one following her.
She marched toward me, anger burning in her eyes.
She was coming to reject me.
I stiffened.
What was she thinking? Was she going to do this to me? Reject me?
A part of me was ready to hear it.
The other part of me wanted to run.
"Are you really going to do this?" I asked myself in my head.
I didn’t have time to answer myself. Selene was closing the gap, and I was caught between wanting to face her and wanting to run.
I turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd of students.
Could this really be happening?
Would she really reject me?
And what would that mean for us?
The weight of the question hung heavy in the air.
My heart pounded. The real fight was just beginning.