HUNTER:

Seeing her bow like this in front of me is killing me. I wanted to lift her up into my arms, but then I remembered my mistress next to me. I maintain my composure as she openly mocks Arianna. As she scurries away, Layna turns to me.

"That was her? She's so ugly. How is she your mate?"

"Hold your tongue Layna."

"Excuse me?"

"I said...shut the hell up!"

She moves away from me as I glare at her.

"What's your problem!?"

"I am sick of your hateful attitude. I can't be around you. Get out of my sight."

"When you come back to your senses, you know where I am."

I think it's time to let Layna go.

Arianna:

The next two months went by and I have not seen Hunter at all. I'm glad...I hate him after the way he's been treating me. I spent a lot of time in the library, studying and doing school work with Mark by my side. Mark and I are slowly growing closer and closer. He stays at my place nearly every night, and when he's not there, I find myself missing him a lot. We have never gotten past kissing, and he has not tried to push me farther. Eva is slowly growing to accept the fact that Mark and I are developing feelings for each other. Thank God today is Friday.

I'm getting ready for school, and am surprised by a knock at the front door. When I opened it, there stood Hunter.

"Are you ready for school?"

I was shocked to see him.

"I have a lecture today. I'll be driving you today."

"What about Mark?"

"What about him?"

"He takes me to school."

"I'll be there. You don't need him today."

"I don't want to go with you."

He pushed me in the house, and slammed the door.

"And why not?"

"I haven't seen you for two months."

"You are not my priority! I have more important things to take care of!"

"Like what!?"

"Like being the Alpha of this pack!"

"Then you should've just rejected me so I wouldn't be your burden!"

"I told you no already!"

"I hate you! Get the hell out!"

"I will not leave! I am in charge! Not you!"

"I'm not going anywhere with you!"

"You're trying my patience!"

"Then you shouldn't have become a doctor. All doctors have 'patients'."

"You think you're funny?"

"Yep."

"Let's go."

"No. I want Mark to take me."

"Move your ass!"

"Fuck you!"

He grabbed my shoulders and pushed me against the wall.

SLAP!

He hit me so hard, I fell to the floor. This time, I refused to cry. I sat on the floor and held my cheek.

"GET UP!"

I got up off the floor and used the wall for support, staring down at the floor.

"When I give you an order, you follow it. Understood?"

"Yes."

"Yes what?"

"Yes...Alpha."

"Get your bag and get in the car ...now."

I did as I was told. I guess I will never learn. I grabbed my bag and ran out the door to the car.

"Sit in the back. I don't want you next to me."

So I did. I got in the backseat and fiddled with my hands the whole time. Once at the school, he parked and we got out. He walked away from me without a glance back. Why did he even bother? I made my way to my first class and sat in my usual seat. The girl next to me took a long look at my face.

"Arianna, are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"Did someone hit you? You have a huge bruise on your face."

"I said...I'm fine. I don't want to talk about it."

She turned her attention back to the front of the class. I dug out a small mirror from my bag and checked out my cheek. The bruise was already fading. Eva was healing it for me. The class started and I focused my attention back to the front.

"Good morning class. We have a guest speaker today. Alpha Hunter Knols."

Oos and awws went around the room. As he entered the room, all the women focused their attention on him. Even the men. I just wanted to run out of there. If they only knew the truth.

"Good morning class. I'm honored to be here today."

As he spoke, he stared directly at me, but I looked down at my book. I couldn't make eye contact. Once again, I was afraid of him. Afraid he would reprimand me in front of everyone. After the class was over, I tried to hurry out of there.

"Arianna…"

His voice had me stop in my tracks. After everyone filed out, I turned to him and waited.

"You stared at your book the whole class. Were you paying attention?"

"Yes Alpha."

"Remember who is paying for your schooling. You better not fail. You will be severely punished for failure."

"I understand Alpha."

"Come over here."

I slowly walked over and stood in front of him. Still staring at the ground. He took my face in his hand and lifted it until my eyes met his.

"Your cheek is healed. Why must you make me punish you? If you just did as told...it wouldn't be necessary."

"Why do you hate me?"

"I don't. I…"

"You what?"

He suddenly pulled me into him and buried his nose in my hair. Taking a deep breath.

"You smell so good. Why are you making it so hard to resist you?"

"I'm not doing anything."

"Get to your next class before you're late."

He released me and I ran out the door as fast as possible. After my classes were over, I went outside. I looked around for Hunter but couldn't find him.

"Ari!"

I found the source of the voice. Mark stood by his car wearing skin tight blue jeans, a black t-shirt, and sunglasses. A sight to make any girl swoon. He smiled at me and waved. I had to admit that he looked damn sexy right now. I was so happy to see him, that I ran into his waiting arms. He laughed and gave me a big hug.

"Did you miss me or something?"

"I did. I thought Alpha gave you today off?"

"He did, but I had a feeling you needed me."

"You were right."

"Are you hungry?"

"Starving."

"Let's go get tacos."

"Yes!"

Mark knows exactly what to do to cheer me up. I love my tacos. I got in the car and we drove off.

"How was school?"

"Fine."

"Just fine? You usually regale me with some story."

"Alpha was my guest speaker today."

"Alpha? Why are you calling him that?"

"I don't want his name on my tongue."

"What happened Ari?"

"We argued this morning and he hit me again."

"Ari...I should've been there."

"It's not your fault. It's mine. I'll never learn."

"Learn what?"

"My place."

He took my hand and squeezed it.

"Your place is with me."

"What do you mean?"

"I want you to accept me Ari. I want you by my side all the time."

"What about the Alpha? He will never let me go."

"I will think of something."

HUNTER:

As I exited the school, I saw Arianna with Mark. She was supposed to wait for me. Instead, she's in his arms. As an Alpha, my hearing is better than anyone's.

"Did you miss me or something?"

"I did. I thought Alpha gave you today off?"

"He did, but I had a feeling you needed me."

"You were right."

"Are you hungry?"

"Starving."

"Let's go get tacos."

"Yes!"

I watched them drive off. I'm fuming. If he thinks he can take her from me, then he is wrong. She's mine. My mate, my love. Then I remembered how I treated her earlier today. How can I claim to love her when I beat her? Maybe I should just let her go…