Chapter 11 "I'd prefer not to discuss it," I said. "Oh ho!" Drake grinned like a wolf who scented blood. "Someone's embarrassed. Was she that good?" "She was precise," I muttered. "Nothing more. Drake waggled his eyebrows. "I heard you turned her down as your mate? Any leftover feelings there? Maybe she'll ask you to the dance. Wouldn't that make Bianca lose her mind." Toby winced. "Please don't wish that into existence." I glanced out the window. "Even if she did, I can't accept. The pack comes first." Drake's eyebrows narrowed as he leaned back, tossing a grape into his mouth. "Shame. I like her. She's got fire. Doesn't pretend to giggle when she wants to stab you. Unlike some people." "Enough," I snapped. "You know nothing to even begin to like her." Drake whistled but knew better than to push the point. I took a deep breath. Part of me... wondered. She hadn't asked. She hadn't begged. She hadn't looked at me like I was some prize she needed to win. She looked at me like I was a problem. I wasn't used to that. And it bothered me more than I wanted to admit. Just who was she...? "Toby," I said. "Dig into her records. I want her real name. Her full file. Use whatever 1/ Chapter # means necessary." Toby frowned. "So, you're really going to reject her." "Yes." "You don't sound sure." I didn't answer. A loud thump echoed as someone landed outside the window. I nearly rolled my eyes. Zane. +15 BONUS He pushed the pane open and climbed in like it was his personal front door. His near white, blond hair swished as he did, that smug, lazy smile spreading his lips thin. "You guys talk too loud. Could hear you all the way from the roof." "You have access to a door, you know," I muttered. Besides, it's not like he wasn't just napping up there. He grinned. "But this is more dramatic." Drake pointed at me gleefully. "Guess what? Our fearless alpha here has a mate. The mysterious wolfless herself." Zane raised a brow. "Oh, so that rumor was true? Didn't you reject her or something? I mean you're arranged for our dear princess, right?" Toby sighed under his breath. "Unfortunately." Zane chuckled. "She sounds fun. I like her already." I scowled. "Don't think I've forgiven your last 'courtship.' You, apparently, like girls who light things on fire for fun." He leaned back against the desk, glancing at the scorch marks next to him. "Exactly. 2/3 Chapter 11 Besides, she was the best kisser out of all of them." +15 BONUS "And yet you still cheated," Drake smirked, tossing another grape into his mouth. "Made her go 'crazy." Zane shrugged, "It's not my fault she couldn't take a hint." "You should," my head tilted to Zane. "Be finishing your work. The student council isn't a break room, and we're swamped more than ever." Zane waved me off, "When I have a minute, boss, I'll get right on that." Drake's chest bounced with a laugh, leaving my brow flat. Zane was... lazy. For lack of a better word. When he actually applied himself, he was always at the top. But the applying part? That was the problem. He could probably beat Drake in a fair fight if he tried-and that's saying something, considering he's half Drake's size and half of the brawn. The room fell quiet. I returned to my desk, glancing once more at the council reports. My schedule. My duties. The castle ball. The dance. I had a role to play. Even if I was starting to wonder if the script had been written by the wrong person all along. "Still," Zane mumbled as he glanced out the window. "This Loira girl does sound intriguing." It was hard to ignore the pit forming in my stomach. 3/3