Chapter 17
Chapter 17 The Answer Is No
Lana’s POV
M
Finished
My heart was in my throat when I heard Kade’s deep voice from behind me. I stood frozen when I noticed Caleb’s eyes darkening with fury, his glare penetrating through Kade ke knives, but Kade barely even noticed.
Without realizing what was happening, Kade had his arms around me, and he was lifting me off the chair I was sitting in. I was too stunned to fight him; he placed me behind him giving me a look that told me we would be talking after.
I wasn’t sure why I felt such shame. It’s not like I did anything wrong.
He turned his back to me and faced Caleb, his arms folding across his chest.
“Man handling a woman is low, Greyback… even for you,” Kade muttered, calling Caleb by his last name.
“This is between my mate and me,” Caleb said, grinding his teeth. “Get the hell out of my way p>
“You mean your ex-mate,” Kade retorted.
“Until I reject her, she’s still my mate,” Caleb said sharply, his eyes finding mine as I peeked around Kade.
Kade adjusted himself, cutting off my view of Caleb once again, and I pressed my lips together in sudden aggravation.
“And if she rejects you?” Kade asked, poking the already angry wolf.
“Not happening,” Caleb growled.
Kade let out a low laugh and shook his head.
“So full of yourself,” he muttered. “I guess we will see about that p>
“Lana, are you seriously going to stand there and let this asshole speak to your mate like that?” Caleb asked, his burning eyes turning in my direction and making me feel frozen on the spot.
A few weeks ago, I would have bent over backwards to make sure Caleb was happy. But now, I just folded my arms across my chest and kept quiet. I was too tired to argue, and I really had to get back to work.
“Aw, does the big bad Alpha need a little Omega to protect him?” Kade asked mockingly, puckering his bottom lip.
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Chapter 17 The Answer Is No
“Shut up!” Caleb hissed. “You have no idea what you are talking about. There’s no bond stronger than the mate bond. Lana still wants me… I know she does p>
Finished
I opened my mouth to say something, anything, but then I heard Kerris from behind me.
“What is going on out here?” She asked, folding her arms across her chest.
Grace, true to her word, must have gone to get her after 5 minutes had passed since didn’t return. I was both relieved and embarrassed about this situation.
“It’s not your concern,” Caleb growled.
“There you go again… being disrespectful to women. Seriously, Lana… what did you see in this fool?” Kade asked, his tone still mocking, though I could detect the seriousness behind his words.
“I’m fucking warning you, asshole-” Caleb started, but Kerris was at her wits’ end.
“That’s enough!” She said, stepping around Kade and standing between the two of them. “I’ve worked hard for this business… this is my property, and I won’t let you two hot-headed Alphas ruin it. Lana has to return to work now, and as for you two… take it somewhere else p>
Kerris took my arm and pulled me away, bringing me back inside. Neither of them followed me, thank Goddess.
“Are you okay?” Kerris asked, looking me over.
“I’m so sorry, Kerris,” I told her as tears burned in my eyes. “I never meant to get in the way of your business. It’s my fault they were here p>
“Hey,” she said, putting her hand on my shoulder. “You did nothing wrong and don’t need to apologize for a thing. They should be the ones apologizing to you. They are acting like fools, and it’s not fair to you. If you feel as if you are in danger, let me know, and I’ll arrange for someone to take you to and from work p>
I smiled at her, thankful that she was in my corner. I honestly didn’t think either Caleb or Kade would hurt me. I also didn’t want her to know that I lived with Kade, so I respectfully declined her offer and thanked her again before getting back to work.
Later that afternoon, I arrived on campus and headed towards my class. But before I could reach the classroom, Olivia and a couple of her friends stopped me.
“Stupid bitch,” Olivia said, her eyes narrowed, her full pink lips puckered.
“I’m late for class, Olivia. Can’t this wait until later?” I asked, truly not in the mood for her antics right now.
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Chapter 17 The Answer Is No
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“No, it can’t wait until later,” she hissed, stepping closer to me. “Don’t think I know what you are trying to do. It’s not going to work… It’s quite pathetic, really p>
I let out a breath, knowing that there was no way out of this conversation. I just had to play along and make it through.
“What exactly are you talking about?” I asked her.
“Don’t play stupid… You were all over Caleb earlier. It’s obvious you want him back, but he’s already chosen me… You can’t have him.
“What are you talking about?” I asked, my brows furrowed.
“At the café… You were spotted with him… again! I’ve already told you to stay away from him. Caleb chose me… he’s mine. I’m going to be the Luna, and everybody is aware of that already. So, do yourself a favor and leave him alone p>
My heart dropped into my stomach. Somebody was watching us at the café? That just proves there are eyes everywhere, and nowhere is safe. I wanted to tell her that I wasn’t the one pursuing Caleb, and that he was pursuing me; that he wanted me to be his mistress.
Olivia’s outburst had caused a small crowd in the halls.
“You are nothing but a slut,” she added, pointing her manicured nail at me. “Just stay away from him if you know what’s good for you p>
“Are you threatening me?” I asked, confused by what was happening.
“I’m promising you,” she said, narrowing her eyes.
“Why do you think I’m after Caleb?” I asked her, shaking my head. “He cheated on me with you, Olivia. I don’t want him back p>
She pulled out her phone and scrolled through the screen until she found what she was looking for, then showed me the picture. It was of Caleb and me talking outside the café this morning. Someone truly was watching us.
But why?
“Nothing to say now, huh?” Olivia asked. “Just watch your back p>
She turned and walked away, her friends, with their upturned noses, walking away with her. I was left with everyone else staring at me, and I could practically feel their judgments. In their eyes, I was a pathetic Omega who couldn’t seem to get over her ex and was trying to steal him from Olivia.
That couldn’t be further from the truth.
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Chapter 17 The Answer Is No
Finished
When I finally got to class, Kade was sitting in his usual seat, and I sat beside him, shoving my backpack beneath my chair and trying to ignore the intensity of his heated glare.
“I’m not in the mood, Kade,” I said before he could say anything.
“I asked for one thing,” he finally spoke, his voice low and dangerous. “I asked you not see him again p>
I looked at him, feeling my own temper rising. I was so sick of this shit.
“I didn’t seek him out, Kade. He showed up at my job… what was I supposed to do p>
“Tell him to leave,” he said through his teeth. “It’s that simple p>
“It’s not that simple! It’s not like I wanted to be talking to him,” I argued, trying to defend myself.
Kade’s eyes narrowed.
“From where I was standing, it didn’t look like you were particularly eager to get away from him p>
My mouth nearly fell open at his audacity.
“He’s my mate, Kade. Complete cut off from him is difficult, and it’s hard to walk away even though I know I should. Do you really think this is easy for me p>
“No, I don’t,” he said, his tone softening, surprising me. “Which is why I think you should date me p>
Not this again.
“I can’t date you, Kade… so stop asking,” I said, turning to face my notebook.
“Why not?” He asked, putting his hand over the pages to stop me from working.
“Because,” I said, as I turned to look at him again. “You are a playboy, Kade. I can’t trust you, and honestly, I know you’re only doing this to get at Caleb. Congratulations, it’s working. He’s filled with jealousy. But guess what? I’m the one who ends up hurt at the end of all of this. And Caleb will always end up on top because that’s what happens when it’s an Alpha vs. an Omega. But of course, you wouldn’t care about that because you only care about yourself. All of you Alphas are the same. So, I’ll tell you for the last time… I will not date you, so stop asking p>
The knot between Kade’s brows only tightened. I thought he’d snap, but instead he spoke through gritted teeth, “No one is like Caleb. That piece of trash is in a league of his own p>
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Chapter 17 The Answer Is No
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A flash of pain went through his eyes, and I wondered if I had taken things too far… maybe I shouldn’t have said what I had said. He might be an arrogant Playboy Alpha, but he still had feelings, and Lthink I just hurt them.
“And you’re wrong,” he murmured, turning to face the front. “I don’t only care about myself p>
I stared at the side of his face for a moment, guilt gnawing at my insides. He had a hated look on his face, and it made me wonder what had happened in his past to cause it
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Accidental Roommate Of The Campus Alpha
Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.