Chapter 3 Skyla's POV

My heart pounded so loudly that I could taste it in my throat. My skin still stung from the bond, our bond. I glared at Adler, my so-called mate, my head screaming with horror and fury.

"No," I hissed, my voice cold and hard. "This is not happening. I don't want you. Reject me. Now."

Adler's lips curled into a sly, slow smile, and I was enraged by it. He folded his arms across his chest, his huge body blocking the doorway. "Reject you?" he echoed tauntingly, his head tilted back as if the idea amused him. "And why would I do that?"

I clenched my teeth. "Because I despise you."

His eyes glinted with something volatile, something wild. "Hate me, huh?" He took a slow step closer, and I backed up automatically until my back hit the cold wall.

I was trapped, but I wasn't going to let him see fear. "Get away from me," I spat.

He didn't. He pushed a hand against the wall beside my head, holding me in place. His heat was unbearable, and the sweet, dense scent of cedarwood and smoke suffocating you.

"You want me to reject you," he growled, his tone low and almost languid, "because you think that'll make this go away." He leaned closer, his mouth inches from mine. "But let me tell you, Skyla. I don't reject you."

My ribcage narrowed with something searing and caustic. "Good," I barked. "Then reject me."

His mouth tightened into the same harsh smile. "No."

I blinked, my fists clenched at my sides. "No?"

He chuckled, the sound causing a shiver of revulsion down my skin. "Why would I let you off that easily?" His voice dropped, his tone heavy with mockery. "You're my mate, Skyla. And I think. I'll keep you."

My stomach knotted. "You're insane," I hissed.

Perhaps. His eyes shifted to my lips, and I felt myself surprise and catch my own pulse racing within me. "But I find making you squirm so much more amusing than simply letting you go."

His free hand came forward without warning, sweeping an unruly snarl of hair from my face. I tensed into a stiff jerk, gasping for air. "Stay the hell away from me.".

But he didn't. He leaned in closer, his body against mine as he tilted his head as if considering something. "You're already shaking," he whispered. "What's wrong, Sky? Is the bond so terrible it's ill-making you?"

I glared at him, every inch of my body tense. "You're disgusting," I spat. "I'd rather die than be yours."

His smirk increased. "Strong words for a man whose heart is racing," he jeered. "You feel it, don't you? The pull?"

I hated how right he was. My body betrayed me, my wolf clawing at my chest, baying for our mate. But I did not want him. I would never want him.

"Deny it all you can," he said, his voice falling into a husky sneer. "You're mine."

And then

He leaned in close, his cheek nearly against mine, so I could feel his breath on my lips. I didn't move, the panic and rage surging through me.

But then-

The music and laughter burst into the hallway. The ballroom doors creaked open as students started pouring out, their voices ringing and raucous as the party spilled into the corridor.

Adler's eyes flicked to the crowd, and something in his expression shifted, annoyance, maybe, or amusement at being interrupted.

He pulled back slightly, his lips curling once more into that infuriating grin. "Looks like you're saved. for now."

I sucked in a breath, my body rigid, my heart thundering against my ribs.

But as he stepped back, he added, with a mockingly soft voice, "But don't get too comfortable, Skyla." His eyes burned into mine, a cruel promise lingering there. "You're mine."

With that, he turned on his heel and strode away, his broad shoulders disappearing into the crowd of laughing students as if nothing had happened.

I stood in a daze, my back against the wall, my flesh still burning from the embers of the bond and the shame he had so freshly seared into my existence.

My fingers trembled, and I pulled them up into tight fists until my nails cut into my palms.

I could not go to my dorm tonight.

My roommates were probably entwined with whatever boys they'd managed to get into their beds, and the last thing I needed was to have to hear their whimpers as I lay awake, fuming at Adler's cruel words.

You're mine.

The tone of his voice still resonated on my skin like a plague. I brushed it off, wrapping my arms around myself as I walked down the dark halls of Starlight Shifters Academy.

The library was the first thing that came to mind.

It was mostly vacant at this hour, the warm glow of antique lamps casting long shadows down between tall shelves. The air was heavy with the smell of old paper and wood polish, a calming escape from the stifling heat of the ballroom.

I moved in the direction of the History of Starlight Shifters Academy department, tracing the spines of books with my fingers until one stopped me, an ancient leather book with golden letters nearly worn away by time.

Before I could pick it up, another hand extended to snare it on the other side.

I blinked in surprise and turned to see a girl with short black hair, dark eyes narrowing as she gripped the book.

"I need this," she stated bluntly.

I tightened my hand. "So do I."

We stared at each other for a moment, neither of us willing to release it. She had this look of quiet determination about her, something that resonated with me.

"How about this?" I said. "I'll read it first and then pass it to you."

She leaned her head, considering. "Or we can read it together."

I wasn't sure. I didn't share things, not especially something so private as this. But... she wasn't irritating me, and I didn't want to fight anymore.

"Fine," I growled, relaxing my grip slightly as she relaxed hers too.

We walked over to a secluded reading area in the back of the library, away from the busy walkways. The chairs were old but comfortable, the light warm and gentle.

As we scanned through the book, looking over the aged pages, she at last spoke. "I'm Timika."

"Skyla," I replied brusquely.

She did not seem to resent my brusque response. Instead, she kept flipping through pages, eyes scanning the lines in quiet determination. "I'm looking for anything for my mom," she admitted. "She was a student here but I've never met her."

I regarded her. "What do you mean?"

Timika leaned back, sighing. "I have no idea who my parents are. I was in an orphanage, and the only thing I know is that my mother attended here before she... vanished." Her fingers ran over the edges of the book, which were worn smooth. "I thought perhaps if I learned something about her, I could determine who she actually was."

I furrowed an eyebrow. That was... surprisingly similar to my own situation. "I'm looking for info on my mom, too," I admitted. "She was here, but I don't know a whole lot about what she did while she was at the academy."

Timika's lips wobbled into a small smile. "Guess we're looking for the same thing, then. Maybe we should be best friends."

I rolled my eyes, but the idea for some reason did not annoy me as much as I had expected.

I was just going to make a sarcastic remark when...

I stood stock still.

My breath caught in my throat as my gaze fell on a photograph on the page in front of us.

A bright-eyed young woman, a familiar face, smiled at me. Stomach churned, my heart hammering against my eardrums.

She was the one.

My mom.

Roselyn Smithing