Odessa POV

“So I can’t come over?” Evyn asked.

I pinned my phone against my ear and shoulder as I pulled out a freshly baked sponge cake from the oven. I carried the cake to the dining room, where I could decorate it. Baking was my stress reliever.

“I didn’t say that, I’m just worried about the welcome you’ll receive. I’ve been here for three days, and I’m lucky to be alive. This house has stairs!”

“Don’t be dramatic, Odessa, no one’s going to kill you.”

“That’s what you think. This is Sienna’s castle, and she has no plans of moving out soon.”

“If it’s a castle, I wouldn’t want to move out either! So tell me what it’s like seeing the Fab Three every day?”

“They don’t come around as often… Storm’s barely here.”

“I’d be dreaming about the time they finally show up.”

Mom and Barnette were planning to go away on their honeymoon. I’d be toast then. Honestly, I couldn’t find an apartment on my own yet, and I had one more year left in college. My cleaning job could barely pay my tuition, much less rent.

I struggled to find an internship related to my degree. I applied a hundred times to be an unpaid physiotherapist intern for Daciana Wildcats, but they didn’t bother to respond to me.

I couldn’t get in with the Daciana Devils even if I tried because I worked for the Wildcats.

I couldn’t take money from Barnette without being called a gold digger, slut and opportunist by the entire town. Maverick promised to keep his eyes on me, and Sienna’s tongue was always ready with an accusation.

The front door slammed shut, followed by loud masculine voices.

My wolf raised her head in excitement before she fell into bitter disappointment. Gage wasn’t here. Storm and Maverick appeared instead, dumping their sweaty hoodies and duffel bags all over the place.

“Here I thought Sienna actually set foot in the kitchen. It actually smells good,” Maverick said, landing heavily on the dining room chair.

“Little Odessa made herself right at home,” Storm commented.

“Little?” I scowled.

Storm laughed. “If you don’t mind, we have an important meeting to discuss. So if you could make yourself scared.”

I brought a lot of stuff to the table, and I hadn’t finished plastering the cream on the cake. Storm marched off after making his request. I wondered what was so important and if Gage was coming.

As I gathered my tools, Maverick slithered behind me and sliced cream off the top of the cake.

“What are you? A six-year-old!”

Maverick chuckled. “I have a sweet tooth, but I know somewhere it’ll taste better.”

“Huh?”

He smeared the cream on my cheek. I gasped. His right hand cupped my face and dragged his tongue on my face, cleaning the cream right off. My limbs froze, and my heart jumped into my throat. Maverick wiped my cheek clean! I think I was paralysed, I couldn’t even blink.

“Leave the house and don’t come back until it’s dark. I mean it, Odessa.”

I couldn’t look at him. I remained frozen.

“Why?”

“Don’t ask me why, just leave.”

Ugh, he’s such a jackass! I slapped his right hand away and scooped up the rest of my stuff. I abandoned the cake because all I wanted was to create an abyss between me and Alpha Maverick.

I left the house without a bra and in flip-flops.

“I can’t believe he did that. He’s so entitled and infuriating! I should have poisoned that cake just in case he tries to eat it!”

I didn’t know where I was going. I looked like a mad person talking to myself on the street.

“Do you often scream angrily at the sky?”

I froze, heat rushing to my cheeks.

I noticed the red SUV in front of me. Gage raised his brow, waiting for a response.

“Uh… only when provoked,” I said sheepishly.

“Hop in. We need to talk.”

“Excuse me? What if Sienna finds out?” I looked around as if expecting to see one of her spies in the bushes.

Gage clenched his jaw. “If anything happens, I’ll handle her.”

Boys could be so naïve that they couldn’t handle Sienna at all. She did whatever she wanted. However, my wolf was suffering because of the mate bond. She was smaller than his wolf, so she carried the load of the pain. Just being this close to him was difficult.

How would I manage being in a car without turning into a puddle?

“Where are we going?” I asked.

He exhaled. “I don’t know.”

“I know where we can go.”

***

“My Mom gave up the apartment, but our landlord lives out of town. So we’ll be fine.”

“Odessa, this is illegal,” Gage commented.

“Only if you get caught. Come in, before someone sees us.”

Gage scurried inside as if we were actually being watched. It was cute; he was a pampered prince. Our apartment must come as a shock. He stared at the peeling leather couch that served as my bed for years, and then at our square, box-like TV set. He turned his head again and looked into the kitchen.

“So… you lived here?” he questioned.

“Yes, and the years I spent here were amazing. I wouldn’t trade my couch for a room in Sienna’s castle.”

“You slept on the couch? What the hell?” his eyes popped out of his head.

“It wasn’t that bad. I… don’t care about money. I’ve made my cash for as long as I can remember.”

Gage sat on the couch and ran a hand down his face.

Please don’t break, I thought.

“That’s not what everyone says. Barnette is a good guy, and no one wants him to lose everything he worked for.”

“If you’re going to call my Mom a gold digger, you might as well leave.” I turned towards the door.

“Wait, Odessa.” His hand wrapped around my arm. A jolt went through me.

“I shouldn’t have touched you,” Gage whispered.

He pulled me until our bodies touched. His arms wrapped around me, holding me firmly in place. His hands travelled up my torso, carving my curves, brushing over my breasts before capturing my face.

“I don’t want to leave,” he whispered.

He inched closer. His body, his scent, everything about him made my knees weak. Here I was in my mate’s arms, but it felt wrong. He turned me around, guiding me to the couch. Once my legs hit the furniture, I buckled and fell backwards.

His wolf flashed in his eyes, and my wolf reflected in mine.

He growled and climbed on top of me. He grabbed my legs and wrapped them around his waist.

“I can’t sleep, I can’t train, all I think about is you!” he growled. “I need to have you.”

“No, I can’t. I’ve never done this before.” I shoved his chest.

“What? How’s that possible? You’re gorgeous!”

I blinked at him, unable to offer a response.

“Okay, we’ll go slow.”

He tugged at my pants until he had them down. He wasted no time in kissing my thighs.

“You smell so fucking good,” Gage growled.

He fondled my underwear and hooked his fingers under it until he made contact with my sensitive spot. I arched my back and moaned. I raked my fingers through his satin-like hair. I stopped overthinking and just enjoyed Gage’s mouth on my skin.

My spine tingled as his mouth inched closer to my bud. When his mouth made contact with clit I cupped my mouth to hold in the scream. He sucked rigorously while he dug into my hips. He was sure to leave marks on me after this.

“Gage!” I cried out as I climaxed.

Gage ate me out until I was limp. He finally emerged from between my legs.

“Come here,” he said.

No one had ever touched me like this before. He caressed my back and stroked my hair.

“You okay?” he asked.

“Better than okay. Are you?”

“I don’t know. You should take a shower before we leave.”

“What?”

“So you don’t smell like me.”

“And what about you?”

He smirked. “I’m an Alpha. My natural scent should cover yours in minutes.”

I nodded. He didn’t want his girlfriend to find out either. Honestly, I didn’t want her to learn about this. How was I going to endure this mate bond after what we’d just done?

***

The house was bouncing when Gage and I pulled up to the driveway.

“Listen, we didn’t exactly talk back there. We have to talk about what’s going on between us.”

“Maybe not in front of your girlfriend’s house.”

I marched to the front door, and Gage grabbed my arm and dragged me to his chest. His wolf reflected in his eyes. The moment was gone too quickly, and the front door opened. Gage quickly released me.

We were met with Maverick’s intense eyes.

“What do we have here?” he said with a wicked smirk.

Oh crap.

Odessa POV

“None of your business, Mav,” Gage growled.

He tried to sidestep his friend, but Maverick stood his ground.

“It’s my business when you don’t answer the phone, miss an important meeting and upset your girlfriend so much she tries to cut off our balls.”

“I was busy, okay?” Gage barked.

“With Odessa?” Maverick snapped.

I blinked a few times. “What? N-No.”

“I’m not with her. I just got here. Now, can I go inside and see my girlfriend?”

They stared each other down, but ultimately Maverick stood aside. When it came time for me to walk through, Maverick blocked the entrance again.

“This isn’t funny. I thought you grew up,” I said, crossing my arms.

“I told you I’d keep my eye on you.”

“I’m not doing anything wrong,” I said, swallowing.

Technically, Gage was my fated mate, and our relationship was pure and beautiful. I couldn’t describe how I felt when I was with him. It was a blend of disbelief, confusion and hope. However, when I was around Maverick, it was ick, rage and annoyance.

“You’re trying to get between the Wildcat Fab Three," Maverick accused.

"Don't be ridiculous, Maverick."

"You're not the first woman to try it, Odessa."

"I'm not obsessed with your team or your friends. I don't want anything to do with you guys."

He chuckled. "Very funny."

"If you think so."

"What were you doing with Gage then?" He demanded.

"Nothing!" I hissed. "Didn't you hear him?" I asked nervously.

"I'm not stupid, Little Odessa. Do you want Gage and Storm to go at it?”

“I didn’t ask him to date his best friend’s sister!”

Maverick backed into me. His breath brushed against my face, but he kept his hands to himself.

Just being close to him was dangerous.

“Don’t play this game, little Odessa. If it’s not me breathing down your back, it’s going to be Sienna. Understand?” His wolf flashed in his eyes; his Alpha aura forced me to submit. Because I had the smaller wolf, my wolf had no choice but to bow to her Alpha.

“Yes, fine,” I said.

He stepped out of the way and allowed me to walk inside. The scent of booze and cigarette smoke hit me in the face. Loud music and laughter filled the house.

I didn’t belong here.

“Come here, baby!” Sienna yelled, grabbed Gage’s collar and kissed him passionately.

I froze for a couple of seconds as I watched my mate wrap his arms around another woman. Watching them kiss was like a knife to the heart. My wolf cried out in pain. I felt a heavy presence on my chest. I turned around and ran upstairs to the haven of my bedroom.

I buckled before I reached my bedroom door.

“I’m such an idiot,” I whispered.

We were doomed from the start.

***

Minutes passed midnight, and the party was still going. I groaned because I had to go to work tomorrow, and I had classes in the afternoon. I needed sleep. I hadn’t eaten, and I was starving. I was tired, hungry and heartbroken. I didn’t want to chance running into Gage and Sienna again, but my stomach roared in protest.

In the end, hunger won the debate.

I remained in the shadows as I snuck into the kitchen.

“Ugh, it’s filthy.”

There were cups and bottles all over. I’m going to be the one left to clean this up tomorrow.

“I already clean the stadium, I might as well clean the mansion,” I mumbled as I ransacked the fridge for food.

“Have a habit of talking to yourself, Omega?”

I threw my head back and groaned. “Leave me alone.”

“I could smell you the second you came downstairs.”

“What do you want, Gage? Shouldn’t you be with Sienna?”

“She’s asleep,” he said, rubbing his nose.

I nodded. I tried to ignore him, but it was hard when I felt him right behind me. His muscles pressed against my back. My wolf whimpered, longing for her mate to accept us both.

“I’ve made up my mind.” His voice cracked.

He forced me to turn around and look into his drunken gaze.

“I can’t do this anymore. My wolf’s on the edge of my skin because of you! I can’t have two mates.”

"What are you going to do?" I whispered.

"I made a choice."

A lump formed in my throat. “Gage—”

“No, stop.” He stepped back. “Did you really think I’d choose you over Sienna? You’re just an omega who cleans the stadium I star in.”

I braced myself for the inevitable pain. I shook my head, wanting him not to say the dreaded words.

"Please don't do this, Gage." The words hurt more when I said them.

He shook his head. "I won't be stuck in this pathetic union."

"It's not pathetic. The mate bond was destined by the moon goddess. Doesn't that matter to you?"

"She makes fucking mistakes all the damn time!"

Tears stung my eyes. "Gage."

"Enough!" He barked.

There was no hope.

“I, Gage Ravens, reject you, Odessa Sloane, as my fated mate.”

It was as if a hand penetrated my body and twisted my insides. I buckled forward and cried out. "It hurts."

“Accept my rejection, Odessa. The pain will end.”

“Screw you, Gage.”

“Accept the damn rejection so I can move on with my life!”

I panted as the pain moved from my abdomen to my legs. He won't change his mind. He'd already started the process that would hurt my wolf. I looked into his eyes. How could I be so stupid to think a wolf like him would care about me?

“I, Odessa Sloane, accept your rejection.”

“Good.”

It was like a bomb exploded inside me, and I dropped to the kitchen floor. The mate bond shattered. The beautiful bond created by the moon goddess had been destroyed. I felt like broken glass. Every part of me was scattered across this kitchen.

He glared at me. "Stay away from me, Odessa. What we had never happened."

"I hate you."

Gage walked out of the kitchen, leaving me with a bleeding heart.

Odessa POV

The Daciana Wildcats had a massive game this weekend. Despite the ache in my body and the fog in my brain, I had to come to work if I wanted to keep my job. I went around the stadium picking up trash and leaves blown here by the wind.

The football team hadn’t arrived yet. How could they when they partied until three in the morning!

The cheerleaders were on the field practising their latest routine.

Sienna might be a territorial witch, but I had to confess she was great at her job. There was a reason everyone loved her. She directed her teammates in the new stances and cautioned them about timing.

I watched as Sienna and Rune, the other head cheerleader, took their positions to start their high-flying routine.

“Hey, are you done?!” Someone yelled, and I snapped out of it.

“I… uh…” I said, frantically looking around for something to pick up.

“Get out of here, you freak!”

“Ugh, I swear I can’t escape this girl,” Sienna complained.

I picked up my garbage bag and moved to the next session. That was when the football players started to arrive for their morning training session.

They marched past me as if I were part of the furniture. They didn’t look like they’d drunk a liquor store’s monthly supply. I waited for him to show up. My heart wanted another glance. I didn’t know what for, if only just to hurt myself more.

The rejection hurt my wolf. It was like she chose not to wake up today.

Captain Maverick approached next. He had his gaze straight ahead and his head raised. I didn’t think he’d notice me, but his attention turned. His pace slowed, and his eyes burrowed in concern. Our eyes locked for a moment, and I thought he would stop.

I tore my gaze away from him. I held the trash bag to my chest and turned around. I didn’t want to be accused of stinking up the place.

After dumping the trash, my phone rang in my back pocket.

“Hey Evyn, I’m about to get off work—”

“Get out of there now!” She yelled.

“Why?”

“Haven’t you seen the pictures? You’re dead!”

“What is going on? What pictures?”

“Just get out of there, Odessa. There are pictures of you and Gage going around. It’s only a matter of time before Sienna sees them.”

“Shit!”

“Meet me at Daisy Den. I want all the juicy details!”

I’m so screwed! Where did these pictures come from? That didn’t matter because I had to get out of here. I couldn’t go home because that’s where the danger lives.

I quickly clocked out and took a bus so I could meet Evyn. Daisy Den was a large park where I came to run and sometimes hide. It was my favourite place in the Pack. This place had so many labyrinths to get lost in.

“Evyn’s not even here,” I said, kicking a rock.

I ventured deeper into the park because I didn’t want to run into anyone. I found a little rock and settled down. I had to see these pictures for myself. Evyn was right, the pictures were everywhere. I saw them the second I logged into social media.

“Oh my gosh,” I mumbled.

These were taken outside my old apartment building. They showed us going in together and coming out hours later. The crunch of gravel made me stand instantly. My breath caught in my throat when I realised Maverick was standing in front of me.

What’s he doing here?

Maverick cracked his knuckles and stepped forward.

“Mate,” he growled.

My initial shock of seeing him out here vanished and was replaced by rage.

“Is this a joke?” I blasted. “It isn’t funny.”

“Funny? This isn’t fucking funny.”

“You found out Gage rejected me and came to make fun of me? Grow up!”

“What?” he barked.

Maybe he didn’t know about Gage after all.

“Never mind. What do you want?”

Why did he call me that? He took another step forward, and his wolf flashed in his eyes. A shiver ran down my spine.

“Why didn’t you feel it when I saw you at the stadium?” he growled.

“Are you serious?” I whispered.

“I should be with my team training for one of the biggest games of the season, but I’m here with you, Odessa. Of course, I’m serious!”

We were deep in Daisy Den. No one was around. It was so quiet you couldn’t hear a bird chirp or the children playing. It was just the two of us, and Maverick had just dropped a major bombshell on me.

“It’s not possible! I don’t feel anything.”

“I get that. The question is why.”

Things couldn’t get any worse. He was the Alpha in waiting. The Pack’s beloved Captain. Maverick had the world at his feet. He hated me, too. Why would the moon goddess do this to me when his best friend had just rejected me?

Maverick raked a hand through and exhaled. “We’ll figure it out later. I have to get back before coach busts my balls.”

“No,” I said firmly.

I know how this ends. No one wants me for a mate, especially not Alpha Maverick, the Wildcats' Captain extraordinaire.

“Reject me and get this over with. No one ever has to know this happened.”

Maverick took me in and smirked.

“Little Odessa,” he chuckled. “I’m not rejecting you.”

“What?”

“If the moon goddess says you’re my fated mate, then you’re mine.”

“No, I’m not your toy. You’re only going to make my life hell.”

He grabbed my cheeks and dragged me forward. “I won’t if you’re a good little omega. Get it through your head, Odessa. You’re mine.”