Jace Calder's POV.
My heart pounded harder than it should have, simply because I was walking beside Liana River.
"Please," I whispered, half-teasing and half-serious."Just let me hold your hand. I promise not to bite."
Liana's laughter was like a sunrise breaking through cloud, and I couldn't help but smile back. And when her hand slipped into mine, and my fingers intertwined with hers, I felt the warmth of her touch spreading through me, and a dangerous sensation rising in me.
I had to cover my nervousness with humour. "Take a look, Liana. Doesn't that tree look like gossipping old man?"
Liana giggled and said, "No. It looks more like Principal Mortimer. That lump before those branches reminded me of our principal's tummy."
"I am certain our principal is a vampire," I said after a moment of laughter. "Haven't you noticed he never aged? My Dad said he looked exactly like this when he taught him during his high school days."
"Principal Mortimer is a vampire!" Liana exclaimed, laughed heartily, and then added, "That explains a lot of things. "
I made a funny face, and she laughed so hard that she leaned against me, her free hand resting over my shoulder. And then, without warning, she kissed me lightly on the lips.
Suddenly, a magnetic force pulled us together, crushing our lips into a kiss that was no longer innocent but charged with something primal.
She gasped against my mouth as a strange power surged inside me, rising like an uncontrollable tornado. I tried to pull off, but I couldn't, and I watched helplessly as the ground trembled faintly under us and leaves that fell from the branches, swirled in a sudden wind that seemed to come from nowhere.
Liana's eyes widened when she suddenly pulled back. "Jace! What's happening to me?"
It took me a while to cool my ragging breath. " I felt it too. Something had tied us together in a way I could not explain."
"Could...could it be you are my mate?"
Mate! How could that even be possible? I am human, and not a fucking werewolf.
"No, Lilian. That terminology only belongs to the werewolves' clan and does not apply to humans."
"I am a - never mind," she said, placed her hands on her chest, and then leaned on the closet tree.
My heart twisted with pain as I watched her. I was supposed to befriend her, earn her trust, and then deliver her to my father's fortress. That was my mission...my duty.
But now that I had felt this strange and undeniable bonding, I wanted her for myself.
I walked towards her and brushed a strand of copper hair away from her face. "Tell me how you felt a moment ago."
She trembled as she whispered back. "Something awakened in me. I don't know what it is, but I felt like fire was running through my veins instead of blood."
I felt guilty listening to her. She was telling me everything like a friend. My throat felt dry. How can I tell her that she is just a mission to me? That I have to betray her by delivering her to my father, who had a shady plan ahead for her? How could I destroy the feelings that just began to bloom between us by confessing my reason for being her friend?
Alec Thorn's POV.
I saw Liana River and Jace Calder strolling into the school orchard, so I sneaked after them. I saw Jace holding her hand and making her laugh. And then she did something shameful. She leaned towards Jace, placed her hand on his shoulder, and then kissed him for a good two minutes.
Yeah! Two minutes.
I was certain because I checked my wristwatch when they started and when she pulled away.
My blood boiled as I watched them from the back of a tree. Liana was my mate. Even though I had rejected her because of my family pressure and because I had been too involved with Lyra Vane.
But seeing her now, radiant, beautiful, and the most popular girl in Cornwall city had made something inside me claw out. I want her. I can't lose her to Jace Calder.
My feelings stormed with confusion as I walked back into my class. I desired Liana. My wolf screamed for her. But my honour lies in marrying Lyra Vane.
"Hey, love."
The last voice I wanted to hear sounded closer as Lyra stepped out of the cafeteria door.
"I was waiting for you inside the cafeteria. Where have you been?" Lyra asked and then placed a bag of chicken and a can coke into my hand. "I got this for you. You need to stop skipping lunch."
"Thank you. "
"So tell me, where have you been?"
"Into the orchard, " my mouth was faster than my brain, and I could see the confusion on Lyra's face.
"To the orchard? She asked back. "And what on earth are you doing in the orchard alone?"
"I...I...nothing. I just stroll there when -."
Lyra didn't even notice I had stopped talking. Her gaze was directed at something behind my back. And when I turned back, I saw Liana and Jace just emerging from the orchard entrance.
"Yeah. I sneaked after them, but it's not what you think. "
"Fuck what I think, Alec. I always knew she was nothing but a cheap bitch."
I opened my mouth in amazement. I had taught Lyra had seen through me and would accuse me of going after Liana.
"Tell me what happened, Alec. You have everything recorded, don't you?"
"They disappointed me, dear. Nothing spectacular happened. They just hold hands and sing a ballad."
"Oh!" Lyra exclaimed in a disappointing tone. She turned to look at Liana and Jace and then mumbled after turning back. "They fit each other and will make a great couple," Lyra giggled and then added, "The son of a mafia lord deserved a maid as a wife."
Even when I didn't agree with Lyra's barb, I had to force a grin.
Father, lord!
Why have I started getting uncomfortable in Lyra's presence?