Chapter 14 Zane Look, in my defense, I wasn't spying. Not really. I was just... observing. From a tree. Slightly above eye level. With snacks. Okay, fine. Call it spying if it helps you sleep at night. But let's be honest-when a wolfless girl gives a smack down to an alpha, makes Jessica recoil like she's seen a ghost, and then brushes off Callum like he's a substitute history teacher? That girl warrants a little extra attention. So there I was, lounging across a thick tree branch like it was a recliner, half-eaten apple in one hand, watching the infamous wolfless herself as she prowled across campus like she owned the asphalt. And maybe, in a way, she did. At least from how many people seemed to be saying her name. Liora Belrose, the icy enigma of the year. Sharp tongue, and a silence so weaponized it probably had a kill count. I expected her to storm past me, head down, dignity up. What I didn't expect was for her to stop, turn, and glance up. "Whoever you are," she said, voice like frost, "get down here." Busted. Now, a normal guy might've panicked, apologized, maybe even hidden in the leaves like a raccoon caught raiding a trash can. 1/4 Sun 28 Sep Chapter 14 But me? I grinned. +15 BONUS I tossed the apple core and dropped to the ground with a flourish. Boots landing soft. Hair perfectly wind-tousled. A+ entrance, if I do say so myself. "You really know how to command a scene," I said, brushing off nonexistent dirt. She didn't respond. Just watched me like she was calculating whether I was worth engaging or should be fed to the nearest predator. I held up my hands. "Easy, Alpha. I was observing. For educational purposes." 1 She tilted her head slightly. "Do we have a problem?" Gods. That tone? I felt that in my spine. "I just figured," I said casually, "a girl with no dance partner and a lot of pride might want to talk options." "You're the option?" she asked, arms crossed. "Not the worst one you've got," I winked. Now, I expected a scoff, maybe a sarcastic quip. What I got was silence. Impassive silence. The kind that would make even Callum fidget. I had to admit, I was impressed. She was nothing like the rumors. I'd heard everything from "emotionless freak" to "probably cursed." But up close? She was composed, and annoyingly good at ignoring my charm. Unfortunately, I wasn't alone for long. Clicking heels signaled the arrival of my usual entourage. Three girls, all pretty, carefully descended apon me like a giggling trio of butterflies with questionable decision-making skills. 2/4 Chapter 14 +15 BONUS "Zaaaane," cooed the one with pink streaks in her hair, "you disappeared again. We were looking for you." "Dance practice starts soon," another chimed in, looping her arm through mine. "Let's go together, yeah?" "But you promised to help me pick my shoes," the third added with a pout that could probably shatter glass. I gave a charming smile to at all of them "Ladies, please," I said smoothly. "There's only one of me. And I am tragically overbooked." They tittered like I'd just delivered a stand-up routine. One leaned in and kissed Typical. I gently disengaged. "Rain check. Go warm up. I'll catch up. Maybe." The girls threw glances at Liora, who hadn't moved an inch, before flouncing off. I turned back to find her watching me. Not impressed. Not even annoyed. Just... studying. "That happen often?" she asked. "What, the adoration parade? Daily. It's exhausting, really." Nothing. Not even a smirk. I tried again. "You don't strike me as the type who enjoys flattery." "Correct." Right. I was going to have to work for this. my cheek. "Well then, let's skip the niceties," I said, leaning casually against the tree again. "I'm guessing the homecoming circus is beneath you, but since you do need a partner..." 3/4 Chapter 14 "I'd rather fight a rabid fox," she replied. Ouch. Direct hit. "Understandable," I said, undeterred. "But if you reconsider, I'm an excellent dancer, moderately tolerable in small doses, and far better company than your father." She narrowed her eyes. "Observing," I reminded quickly. "Besides, Mia talks loud when she's with you." She turned to leave, to my surprise. "Hey," I called after her. "I'm not a bad bet, you know!" +15 BONUS 4/4