Chapter 5 I will kill you

Ashton walked through the hallway, half-lost in thought, eyes fixed on a single figure at the far end of the hall.

Melanie.

She stood by her locker, as she pulled out a notebook, her ponytail swinging over her shoulder. A few girls clustered nearby, but to Ashton, the rest of the world had dimmed. His chest was tight. With something hard to name. Something heavy and aching.

James.

His face appeared in Ashton's mind. The look on his face when he was staring at Melanie yesterday. The way he had looked down at his hands and whispered to Cole, "I'm going to do it."

Those words had burrowed under Ashton's skin. The thought of James, his mate standing in front of a girl, offering her his heart, made Ashton feel like he was suffocating.

But even as he took step after step down the corridor toward Melanie, something shifted. It was subtle at first. A twinge in his gut. A tremble under his skin. His heartbeat wavered.

Is this right?

He slowed down.

Why did his legs suddenly feel heavy? Why did the air feel thicker? Why did the sight of her standing by the locker make his stomach twist?

This doesn't feel like the path we were meant to take, Lupus murmured.

Ashton didn't respond. He stopped a few feet away, unsure. His fingers clenched and unclenched at his sides.

A strange ache bloomed in his chest, like something buried long ago was trying to claw its way out.

And then-

A flash of movement.

"ASHTON!"

James.

He came barreling down the hallway, eyes wide, panic carved into every line of his face. He didn't stop, didn't even hesitate, just lunged forward and shoved him out of the way.

Startled, Ashton stumbled back a step, blinking in confusion.

What the-?

But James was already in front of Melanie, panting, voice cracking as he said, "I like you!"

Ashton stood frozen, the world suddenly still around him.

He stood there, heart pounding, watching as his James finally took a shaky step back from Melanie, his gaze fixed on her face, his throat tightening with every breath he swallowed.

"What?" Melanie blinked, brows furrowing in confusion.

"I like you. Very much," James blurted, the words tumbling out in a rush. "Go out with me!"

Melanie blinked, clearly caught off guard. She looked at him for a beat, lips parting in silence. Then, with a dry chuckle and a shake of her head, she muttered, "I don't like you."

James's breath hitched.

"Sorry. I don't even know your last name," she added flatly, adjusting her bag on her shoulder like they were talking about the weather. "That's kind of weird, don't you think?"

And just like that, she turned.

No drama. No pause. Just a shrug and silence as she walked away.

A stunned hush swept the hallway followed by a wave of whispers.

Then came the laughter.

It started soft, a few stifled snickers. But it spread quickly. A ripple of amusement passed through the crowd as students nudged each other and exchanged glances.

"Brutal," someone muttered.

"Damn, he really thought-"

"I'd die if that happened to me," a girl whispered behind her hand, giggling.

James stood frozen, staring after Melanie, his expression cracking, hope crumbling.

Ashton couldn't help it.

Relief bubbled up in his chest, sharp and bright. He tried not to smile. Bit the inside of his cheek. Focused on his shoes. But a flicker of satisfaction curled the corner of his lips.

Until-

"Melanie-wait!"

Ashton's head snapped up.

James was chasing after her. Again. Desperation thick in his voice as he reached for her hand, catching it in both of his.

"Please, just hear me out," he begged, breathless. "I've... I've liked you for almost a year. I know I sound crazy, but I've been watching from afar. I just didn't have the courage before. But I swear, I'll treat you right. Not like Ash...I mean...Just..please, give me a chance."

Melanie's expression hardened.

She yanked her hand free like his touch burned her. "Are you serious right now? Didn't I just tell you clearly?!"

James flinched.

"You really think I'd date you?" she scoffed, her eyes narrowing with disdain. "You aren't my type, James. Why should I go out with you?" Her gaze dropped to his worn-out sneaker, the toe fraying at the edge. "Why would I want a guy who can't even take care of himself, let alone someone else?" she paused as if surprised by her own words, then took a sharp breath and looked back at his face. "I'm sorry, James."

Another round of murmurs echoed in the hallway. Someone gasped. A few kids laughed, louder this time, less restrained.

"Holy crap..."

"She went savage on him."

"Did you hear what she said?"

The words hit like a slap.

Ashton felt it too. Felt it like a blow to his own chest as he saw James's face fall, his lips parting, but no words coming out.

He looked so small. So shattered.

Ashton's fists clenched.

That was enough.

As Melanie strode off, heels tapping against the floor, Ashton stepped forward.

But James spun around, eyes blazing.

"Stay away from her!" he growled, voice low and shaking with rage.

Ashton froze. "What...?"

James's eyes were wild, rimmed with unshed tears and something darker.

Ashton opened his mouth, but no words came.

"I swear to god, Ashton," James said, jaw clenched so tight it trembled, "if you ask her out, I'll kill you."

And then he turned and walked away.

Gasps scattered across the hallway. Everyone had gone quiet at first, too stunned to react. But now the tension snapped.

"No way! Did he just threaten Ashton?"

A few students exchanged wide-eyed glances. Someone let out a low whistle. Whispers swirled in every direction.

"That was... intense."

"They're seriously fighting over her?"

"Is James okay?

"But Ashton didn't even say anything..."

The crowd didn't move, didn't leave.

Ashton stood there frozen. He heard nothing except the echo of footsteps ringing in his ears. His heart pounding hard against his chest.

He couldn't move. Couldn't breathe.

The look on James's face-rage twisted with disgust-played over and over in his mind. That wasn't the boy he knew. Not the warm, soft-spoken soul whose smile felt like home.

Why did it feel like something had cracked wide open between them?

His hands trembled at his sides, nails digging into his palms, trying to hold himself together. But the words echoed. I'll kill you.

His mate had looked at him like he was his enemy.

And that hurt more than anything.