Chapter 5 Chapter 0005
•DOMINIC•
"Call me when you get to school," my mother said as she leaned over and kissed my cheek. "And call your father as well. He will expect to hear from you."
"I don't think so," I scoffed. "I'm already doing this for him, aren't I?"
"If you're mad at me because of my relationship with Justin, that's fine," my mother answered as she leaned closer. "But I am trying here. And so is your father."
My fists clenched at my sides as I wondered why she had brought me there. She knew I was never interested in her boyfriends after she divorced her last husband.
"Does he know you're getting married to another man?"
"Dominic, that's not fair. You can't expect me to wait around and be with no one while your father never even waited when he married someone else."
At least he didn't marry the mother of someone I had been with.
I rolled my eyes and got into my car. I didn't want to talk about my father or the fact that she lied to me about meeting her new boyfriend.
When I heard Aveline’s voice from the front door, I roared the engine to life and drove away.
Luckily, I knew the directions to the new school, and I hoped I wouldn't bump into her again.
The Hargreaves building was the oldest in Maine, and inside, were portraits of past and present Alpha’s of every territory.
My father’s portrait was hung on the wall as well, and he looked more honorable than he was in person.
“Dominic Frostbane?” the woman at the front desk asked politely.
I nodded once.
“Welcome to Hargreaves Elite Academy. Your assigned room is number one.”
Of course it was.
My father’s fingerprints were all over this place.
He had always wanted me here — not because he cared about my future, but because he wanted me molded into the perfect heir.
I didn’t want Hargreaves.
I didn’t want his pack.
And I sure as hell didn’t want his expectations pressing down on me like a damn crown I never asked to wear.
Yet here I was.
But Aveline... She was a problem I never thought I'd have to deal with.
That day, I tried as best as I could to avoid the popular places I knew Aveline would be in when she arrived. I didn't want to find myself unable to control myself around her.
Ryder knew she was my mate, but it was impossible to pursue that connection when she'd be my stepsister in a few months when my mother had finally married her father.
As much as I was angry at her for jumping into another man again, I didn't want to be the reason she broke up with him.
Later that night, I sat alone in the cafeteria, trying to read a book even though my mind wandered.
Then hands slid over my eyes from behind.
At first, I wanted to grab the person by their neck and tackle them to the floor, but the hands were feminine, so I couldn't be that brutal to a girl.
So, I placed the book gently on the counter and touched the hands, trying to smell their scent, and when I realized who it was, I groaned.
"Kaila," I muttered. Good Moon, how did she find me? Now I had two people to avoid.
"Hey baby," she squealed as she leaned over and kissed my cheek. "I've missed you so much, baby bear. I tried calling earlier, but you didn't answer any of my calls.”
I was at a party when she called. I cleared my throat when my mind wandered to Aveline again.
"I was busy," I brushed her off, grabbing my book and getting up from the chair.
"Are you leaving already?"
"It's almost midnight. I should be in bed."
She leaned closer and placed her hand on my chest. "Tomorrow is my birthday and I will have a party in the main hall. You should come."
Kaila and I had only been together for a month before I realized she wasn't the girl I wanted to be with. My father and her father, Alpha Logan Blackthorne, had forced us to go on a date, but it didn't go as planned.
"I will if my schedule isn't full," I answered as I attempted to walk away, but she grabbed my wrist.
"Come on, Dom. You and I are a perfect match. Please don't ruin the connection we shared. I still want to know you better."
I grabbed her hand with my free hand and gently pulled her hand away before walking past her two minions.
When I walked out of the elevator, heading down to my room, I bumped into someone. For a moment, I thought it was just a girl who got lost, but when she lifted her eyes and looked at me, my throat tightened.
'Our mate,' Ryder murmured. 'Did we hurt her? Is she okay?' Ryder was panicking, and even though my heart was racing, I acted as if her presence did nothing to me.
I bent down, helping her gather her things, every nerve in my body screaming to touch her, to claim her, and to pull her into me.
Instead, I told her to forget everything that happened at the party, even though that was the only thing I could think about.
Then, without another word, I walked away and went to my room.
When I got into my room, I leaned against the door and concluded.
Tomorrow, after orientation, I'd reject the bond. It was the only logical choice. Even if every part of me hated it.
