Chapter 6 6

TAMARA

Of all the things he could have said, I never imagined he would say that. I looked him up and down, trying to process his words, unsure if I had misheard him. But his expression remained unchanged, as if he was saying something perfectly normal. 

"You want me..." I repeated slowly, pointing to myself and watching his face closely. "...to be your girlfriend?"

Despite the faint pink blush on his cheeks, Jaxson nodded solemnly, then stepped away from me. I was grateful for the sudden space, though it didn't give me the explanation I wanted. If there were any indication that this guy was playing some kind of game, I didn't see it.

After some tense seconds, I decided to break the silence. "Why?"

Jaxson's jaw clenched slightly, as though he had been expecting that question.  I began to worry when he didn't respond immediately.  Finally, he released a harsh exhale and suddenly grabbed my arm, pulling me further down the dimly lit hallway.

My muscles tensed at his rough touch, a jolt of instinct telling me to resist, but I forced myself to follow him. We reached the staircase, where Jaxson paused to glance around, ensuring that no one else was nearby before climbing a few steps with me. The flickering overhead light cast long shadows, heightening the sense of urgency in his demeanor. When we reached the top, he finally released me.

"Shit, I'm sorry," he muttered, his gaze falling to my bruised wrists, a storm of regret washing over his features. "I didn’t mean to be so rough. It’s just that I'm not used to dealing with submissive wolves—”

That was the last word I wanted to hear right now. "It's fine. Just tell me why you want me to be your girlfriend," I demanded, my voice sharper than I intended.

Jaxson ran a frustrated hand through his short, black hair, the movement betraying his agitation. "Because I need to get my friends off my back about why I'm staying in Simone's apartment."

I frowned at his explanation. He could tell that I was unsatisfied with his vague explanation, but his curt reply prevented me from asking more questions. In fact, I wasn't sure I wanted to. Everyone had their secrets that they didn't want to tell, and I wasn't going to dig around his.

Because Alpha wolves = trouble.

Simple as that.

Closing my eyes momentarily, I forced myself to concentrate on his words instead. "Let me get this straight," I said, forcing my voice to steady as I swallowed hard. "You want me to pretend to be your girlfriend for six months, just to appease your friends and keep them from questioning your stay at your cousin's apartment, and in return, you’ll help me get onto the varsity cheer squad?" 

"That's correct," he replied, his tone finally matching the seriousness in mine. "It'll be a fake relationship, and it'll only last for six months."

I nodded slowly, still mulling over his proposal. My wolf protested against it, claiming that this was a sketchy arrangement and nothing good could come of it. After all, she was already feeling uncomfortable just being in his presence alone, so she wasn't on board with the idea at all.

But I was so desperate. That morning, I had applied to join the varsity cheer squad with the hope that I could move into their private dorm if I was accepted, but then that plan fell through. I had nowhere to stay in this big, unfamiliar city, and now my scholarship was on the verge of being revoked if I didn’t make the team.

This 'arrangement' was my only hope.

But still, I just couldn't take it.

"Look, I-I... just can't do it," I said, my voice soft with regret as I stared at my linked hands in front of me.

Jaxson's expression fell. He immediately reached for me, but I moved away before his fingers could even brush my arm.

"Tamara, please-"

"I'm sure there are many girls who would love to be your pretend girlfriend. I mean, you are tall and handsome..."

"But I don't want anyone else," he cut me off, his voice laced with frustration, "I want you."

My breath caught in my throat at his response. There was an undeniable pull in his stormy gray eyes that compelled me, stirring something deep within that made me long to hold his Alpha gaze, despite the dangers of fainting spells and concussion. But desire wasn’t enough to gamble my future, so with a steadying breath, I tore my focus away and turned around.

Tomorrow, I would find Autumn and plead for another chance.

I had barely taken a few steps when I suddenly heard Anna's voice approaching.

"Babe, you have to take me shopping this weekend. There's this Chanel bag I saw online, and it is beautiful..."

Panic swept over me when a familiar head of brown hair came into view below. If that person was who I thought he was, then I couldn't let him and Anna see me like this.

In a moment of madness, I changed direction and rushed up the stairs, hoping to find somewhere to hide before Anna and her boyfriend could spot me.

Unfortunately, I was so focused on getting away that I didn't notice the step in front of me until my foot caught its edge.

I stumbled forward with a startled gasp, reaching for the railing to steady myself, but before I could grab it, a strong arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me back against a firm chest.

My breath caught in my throat.

For a moment, I couldn't move as I stared at the hand resting against my waist. Then I slowly tilted my head, only to find Jaxson looking down at me with a frown.

"Careful," he muttered.

My chest fluttered when our eyes met again. When I couldn't hold his gaze anymore, I let my eyes drop to his cupid-bow-shaped lips for a second. Anna's voice drew closer to us, but now, I didn't care about it. Instead, I gave in to the temptation that had been gnawing at me since he held me to sleep the previous night.

I kissed him.