Free Web NovelChapter 52: First fight
WILLA freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
That voice!
I lurched, turning sharply.
Eric stood behind me, his eyes dark with something dangerous. He took a step forward, hand outstretched like he meant to claim me right there.
But I was suddenly yanked backward. I gasped as my back collided with Elliott’s solid chest. One arm snaked around my waist, locking me against him.
Eric’s gaze dropped to Elliott’s hand pressed possessively over my stomach. For a second, his expression went terrifyingly blank.
I gulped.
"What are you doing?" I whispered, squirming in Elliott’s iron grip.
"Stay still," he rasped against my ear, his hot minty breath sending unwanted shivers down my neck.
My eyes fluttered shut. Wrong. This is so wrong. My body was reacting anyway — traitorous heat spreading through me while Eric watched every second of it.
"Elyse—" Eric said in a tight voice.
My eyes snapped open.
The blankness in his eyes had burned away. Pure rage twisted his features now, betrayal cutting deep in his eyes. It made my chest ache.
Gosh.
"Please, Elliott," I murmured. "Let me go."
"You heard her," Eric thundered, stalking forward, fists clenched.
My heart picked up.
I knew how this ended. Eric would throw the first punch. He always did. Fucking hot-headed, annoying.
But Elliott... he was provoking this on purpose. That smug edge in his voice said he was enjoying it.
If I didn’t stop them, one or both would end up in the infirmary just like Lance. Or worse.
I was exhausted. The constant fighting. The pull of the bonds. The way they treated me like a prize instead of a person.
"I won’t repeat this again, Ashford," Eric warned.
"Should I be scared of you?" Elliott taunted, his grip tightening on my waist.
"She is my mate!"
"Not officially recognized by the council," Elliott shot back. "And three bonds with one person? That’s never going to happen."
"You’re really asking for it," Eric growled, voice low and lethal.
"Bring it on, bastard!"
Those words set Eric off. He closed the distance fast. Elliott shoved me behind him. I stumbled and somehow ended up between them.
One second I was behind Elliott’s back. The next, I stood square in the middle, both their fists frozen inches from my face.
My pulse hammered in my ears. My teeth chattering. Sweat slicked my skin. My legs felt like they might give out. But I remained steady.
"What the fuck are you doing?!" they hissed in unison.
I swallowed hard, turning from Eric’s furious glare to Elliott’s matching one.
"Are you both calm?" I asked quietly.
"Calm?" Elliott snarled. "I almost hit you!"
"But you didn’t," I said softly.
"You could have gotten hurt!" he repeated, scanning my face like an injury might appear by magic.
"I wasn’t." I took a careful breath. "So... can you both act like rational people instead of rabid animals?"
Silence.
I took that as a yes and slowly stepped sideways, arms wrapped tightly around my chest.
I waited for both to lunge. Nothing. No immediate explosion. Good.
"I’m not an object to be owned," I snapped, voice cracking with days of built-up frustration.
Both of them stared, momentarily stunned.
"I don’t want anyone fighting over me and ending up bloody because of it. Have either of you even asked how I feel? If I’m happy? Scared? If I even want these dratted bonds?"
"Don’t," Eric said through clenched teeth.
I marched up to him and shoved his chest hard. He actually rocked back two steps.
"Don’t what?" I glared up at him. "I’m not allowed to have feelings about being fought over like a toy?"
He stayed silent, jaw locked.
I let out a bitter laugh. "Right. Of course I don’t get a say in any of this because I am not a dickhead Alpha..."
"I didn’t say that!" Eric burst out.
"Then what are you saying?!" I screamed in his face, chest heaving.
Eric’s jaw tightened. His eyes flicked around us, probably noticing the growing crowd, before locking back on mine.
"Not here," he said, voice rough. He reached for my hand.
I jerked away.
Eric’s gaze hardened. I didn’t flinch.
"I’m tired," I said, voice breaking. "I’m tired of everyone staring at me the second things get messy between you boys. The gossip. The hatred. I didn’t ask any of you to fight over me!"
"Elyse..." Elliott started.
I ignored him. This involved all of them — Elliott, Eric, Kol, Lance. I hoped they were all watching from the growing crowd of students.
Maybe this wasn’t the place for it, out in the open on the academy combat field. But it was long overdue.
"You think I want to fight with guys I’ve known my whole life every time your name comes up?" Eric seethed.
"You tell me," I fired back. "You all act like deranged wolves the moment I’m involved. I can’t even walk across campus without drama..."
My words died as Eric’s hand locked around my wrist. He yanked me forward. My chest slammed into his.
I gasped, gripping his shirt. My eyes flew up to meet his. God, he was mad. Even more furious than he was earlier.
"I am an Alpha, Elyse," he growled, eyes flashing with that dangerous gold tint. "Mate or not, I expect respect, especially in front of people."
I scoffed.
His words should have scared me. They would have once, when I first got into the academy. But not anymore.
I yanked my arm. He didn’t release me.
Eric leaned in closer, voice dropping. "You should be grateful someone of my calibre is mated to someone like you."
Someone of his calibre?!
His eyes bored into mine. "Do you think anyone in their right mind would want someone who’s been passed around the entire academy?"
I stared at him in astonishment.
"A whore who’s been fucked by several people. No Alpha in their right senses would want a Luna like you."
My cheeks burned with humiliation.
It wasn’t me. It was Elyse’s reputation. But the shame still cuts deep.
Eric finally let go. "Be fucking grateful."
"Yes," I said shakily, nodding in agreement. "I am."
My hand moved before I could stop it. The slap cracked across his cheek, loud enough for the whole crowd to hear.
Gasps rippled through the students.
My palm stung. But a sense of satisfaction filled me.
"Did she just slap him?!"
"That mate bond is cursed..."
"Someone needs to put that bitch in her place."
I didn’t care what they said. Their words barely touched me. I mean if they knew exactly who I was, they’d understand mere name callings and insult was the last I’d get mad about.
However, Eric’s did.
He clutched his cheek, eyes wide with shock. "What...what the hell did you just—"
"You’re a piece of shit, Eric Callahan!" I cut him off.
I spun on my heel and pushed through the crowd, ignoring his shouts.
"Elyse! Damn it, Elyse, stop!"
"I order you to stop this instant!"
I didn’t. I kept walking until the noise of the field faded and I reached the quiet wooden bridge near the edge of campus. My fingers gripped the guardrail so tightly the wood bit into my palms.
I shivered as the wind caressed my skin. Goosebumps spread across it.
"Don’t you dare cry," I hissed through gritted teeth. "Don’t fucking cry, Willa."
Especially not over a manwhore like Eric. He is going to be a terrible mate.
You’re not even the girl he wants.
The pep talk failed. Hot tears spilled anyway, slipping into my mouth.
"That jerk," I whispered, tasting the saltiness of the tears. "You’re an Alpha? Then act like one and respect my feelings too!"
I pressed my forehead against the parapet, shoulders shaking with quiet sobs.
I am Pathetic.
This was something Rachel would do, crying over a guy who insulted her. Not Willa.
Yet, I was doing exactly the same.
I could imagine her here now, laughing in my face. I shoved her thought to the back of my head.
Immediately, it was replaced by Eric and his nasty words.
"There are already enough students committing suicide around here."
The amused voice made me freeze.
I didn’t expect anyone to follow me here!
Ugh.
Footsteps approached. I saw white Jordans first, then black ripped skinny jeans and a neat leather jacket. A black helmet dangled from one hand. All outfit black.
I had seen something like this before. But I couldn’t quite place where exactly I had.
"Are you thinking of jumping?" he continued, tone light but edged with something darker.
Jump?
I stared down at the dark water rushing beneath the wooden bridge. The thought hadn’t even crossed my mind. Suicide? No. My life was a mess but I’d never considered ending it.
Still, the offer hung in the air like a cruel joke.
"Leave me alone," I muttered, not bothering to lift my head. Tears still tracked down my cheeks. I just wanted to be invisible for five damn minutes. To process Eric’s cutting words without an audience.
The stranger didn’t move. I could feel him watching me, the weight of his gaze heavier than the leather jacket he wore.
"I’m feeling quite generous today," he said smoothly,"Just say the word, and I shall push you in."
My head snapped up. Our eyes locked.
