Chapter 30
Joe's POV
The moment I stepped into school the next day, I saw her, Jane, standing by the entrance like some goddess of doom, smiling at me as though we were a real couple. My jaw clenched immediately. A few heads turned, watching us, and I could feel their eyes on me like leeches. I walked straight towards the main entrance.
"What are you doing standing here like that?" I snapped, trying to keep my voice low but sharp.
She tilted her head, eyes annoyingly bright. "Good morning, Joe," she said like we were starring in a rom-com. "Ready to talk about our engagement?"
I blinked, taking a step back. "Engagement?" I hissed. "Look Jane, Don't you ever pull a stunt like that with my uncle again. And stay the fuck away from me."
Her smile didn't even twitch. If anything, it deepened like she was enjoying this. "Stunt? Oh, Alpha," she purred, "that won't be possible. I'm your betrothed. You know how important that is."
I gave her a flat look. "You say that like I care."
"You should." Her voice was still sweet, but her eyes? Cold. Calculated. "Imagine how the elders would feel when they realize you're pushing away the woman they handpicked for you. You're not just any werewolf, Joe. You're the future king."
I gritted my teeth. "I don't care what they planned. I don't want…"
"You think what you want matters?" she cut in, taking a bold step closer. Her perfume hit me like a punch to the nose, too sweet, but a little too strong for me. "Think of your responsibilities. Think of your image. Imagine the fallout when they realize their golden boy refused his Luna. Do you know what that will do to the council of elders?"
I laughed once, short and dry. "You seriously think I'll let you or them blackmail me into marriage?. I am the prince. They don't tell me what to do"
"You are the prince alright". She leaned in, her eyes glittering. "Oh, sweetie…You will give in eventually, but this is fun. Let's see how long your protest lasts."
And with that, she turned and walked off like she just dropped the mic. I stood there, fuming, watching her disappear down the hallway. I wanted to scream. Or shift. Or explode. Anything but this.
The first bell rang, snapping me out of it. Everyone started moving toward their classes, but as I turned to head to mine, I felt it….something creepy. That weird tingle at the back of my neck. Like someone was watching me.
And i was right.
I turned and nearly jumped out of my pants.
"Shit!" I muttered, jerking back.
Jane was standing right behind me, her creepy little smile still plastered on her face like some horror movie villain. Too close. She was standing way too close to me. I didnt like it.
"Why are you…? Jane, are you following me?"
"I'm not following you, Alpha," she said innocently. "I'm just heading to class. Like everyone else." Her smile didn't move.
Right. Like everyone else walks that close to your back.
"Okay… if you say so," I muttered and turned, walking faster than necessary.
She followed.
Of course, she did.
All. Morning. Long.
In Chemistry class,which was the first class, she slid into the seat across from me like she owned it, pretending to inspect my notebook.
"Oh wow, your handwriting is so neat," she said, flipping through my notes. "You always write like this? Or is it just for Chemistry?"
I stared at her. "What are you doing?"
"Looking at your notes. Relax."
"Use your own notes."
"I like yours better," she said, all smiles, then tapped her pen to her lip like she was thinking about kissing me. "Also, I like watching you concentrate."
I slammed my notebook shut and shoved it back in my bag.
In History class, I picked a seat in the back row. Big mistake. Because guess who was in the reflection of my screen?
Yup. Jane. Sitting directly behind me, watching me like a hawk with a crush.
I was losing it. And the whispers? They were getting louder. People were giggling. Pointing. Whispering like we were the hottest new couple in school. Ugh.
By lunchtime, I was mentally fried. I tried ducking out, taking the back stairwell, no luck.
"Oh, hey!" she called behind me, holding her tray. "Fancy seeing you here."
I didn't respond. I just turned around,and gave her a forced smile, and said, "Do you, like, not have friends or something?"
She blinked. "Excuse me?"
"You're always around me. I'm starting to think I'm your only source of entertainment."
She giggled. Giggled. "Well, you are fun to be around your highness"
I groaned. "That's not a compliment. It's a cry for help."
"Well, call it what you want. I just want to be close to you"
"Well I don't want that. So stop stalking me". I said, stood up and left. But she still followed.
I really don't know what her play today was.
Eventually, I managed to lose her when it was time for the locker room. Thank the moon. That was the only place she definitely couldn't follow.
After practice,I stayed longer than necessary. I took a shower. Changed. But then sat under the cold water again, fully dressed. Water poured down my face and shirt, but I didn't care. It was the only thing drowning out the noise in my head.
I needed peace. Silence. A minute to breathe without Jane's perfume in my nose.
The locker room slowly emptied out. I heard guys joking around as they left. I didn't move.
Then the voices got louder, Mark and his squad.
"So why her, man?" one of them asked, laughing. "Why the nerdy chick? Out of everyone? I was shocked"
Mark's voice rang out, too loud, too confident. "I've got a thing for those naive, nerdy types who think love is everything. Plus, she's cute."
My blood started to simmer.
Another guy chimed in, "Yeah, she's head over heels already. You got her in the bag man."
Mark snorted. "I'll be done with her soon. She's a phase. I'll dump her when I'm bored."
They all laughed like that was the funniest damn thing they'd heard all week.
I clenched my fists so hard, my knuckles popped. My shirt was soaked, my head pounding, but none of that mattered.
Lily
No.
I had to save Lily from him.
And I had to do it soon.