SKYLAR

I will rip his throat out.

It's Saturday, December 7th. This weekend, most students were held over in Ravenwood after returning from a week-long Thanksgiving break. The single people are worried about locking a prospect candidate before our parents come to Ravenwood next Saturday for the annual Parents' Day.

Those like me who have already secured parental approval to start contract negotiations can wait in the comforting knowledge that the ball is now in our parents' court. They are the ones who will negotiate our contracts, not us. Yeah, it's like we are in Victorian-Era London, but it's just the high society of the werewolf community. Not an episode of Bridgerton.

Last night, Jayden went to Seth's room to talk to him and this morning, the two of them were already approved by both sets of parents to start contract negotiations. It must have been some sort of record-breaking approval because both parents did so blindly - without getting to know their sons' prospects first.

That, my friends, is the power of a last name.

When people hear the name Stronghold, unless the prospect is a drug addict with a terrible reputation, there is not much thought required before approval. It's that simple. As it is to approve a Lockwood. Consider this: the National Alpha Council consists of 20 of the most powerful Alphas in the entire country. I am talking about the who's who in the American werewolf society.

They are the ones responsible for building this academy, for instance. They set the policies for all the others to follow. My father is on that council and so is Alpha Lockwood, Jayden's mother. There are some last names that dispense further inquiry, so that is why my brother and my roommate were approved so quickly. It's that simple.

It was all going well until Kyle suggested that this pairing was just a revenge plot of Jayden's to get back at me for 'stealing' Jake from him. That pissed me off more than I thought it would.

Let me be crystal clear about something.

When I took a beating from Jayden, I did not set out to take my revenge on him. I am not so far beyond arrogant that I cannot be the bigger man. I am not past forgiving and forgetting. I do not hate him, in fact, I never have. I think he is a great guy, albeit our animosity.

I actually sympathized with him despite the harsh beating. Goddess knows if I lose Jake to anybody else, I would be angry too. For the first time since we were put in the same room together, I understood where Jay was coming from. I felt sorry for him, and I understood where his rage was coming from. I really did, that is why I don't plan to seek revenge for his actions. He lost enough already.

With that being said, don't come for my little brother.

I don't mind taking a beating, if that's what will placate his rage. If Jayden wants to murder me in my sleep, so be it. I am sure he would suffer the consequences for that. But I will never tolerate anybody coming for my brother to punish me through him. That is mad crazy!

I can look past many things. I can weather any storm you might send my way. As long as you don't punish my brother or anyone else I love for my mistakes. I can heal fine, but if you touch my brother you will not be healing after I am done with you. *growls*

I can tolerate many things. I can look the other way for several reasons. As long as you stay away from the people I love. Period. You have never seen a rage like me being protective of the ones I love. I hope that you never have to see that, because it's not pretty.

With that being said, I genuinely do not think that's the case.

Jayden needed to prospect someone else after losing Jake and my brother was the easiest choice because he already likes him. It's not exactly hard to piece it together. Kyle knows it too, he is just jealous because he so desperately needs to match above his station and Seth is the biggest prize of the academy, as far as Omegas are concerned.

And Gammas, Betas...

Yeah, for once in my lifetime, I am relieved that will never come to pass.

Kyle doesn't deserve to be with my brother. He never made him his priority, he only let his ambition speak louder. Well, I am sorry for your loss. If you didn't stand a chance before, now Seth wouldn't prospect you even if you were the last Alpha left in Ravenwood.

Jayden may have many flaws, but I don't think he is that kind of a man. He wouldn't prey on my brother just to get some sort of revenge on me. I have apologized to him for my part in his troubles. It's not like I am an evil mastermind taking Jake away from him on a dare. I actually love the boy, probably more than I have ever loved anyone else in my entire life.

After I exited the cafeteria, having barely touched my food, I went for a walk to clear my head. I was raging at what Kyle had suggested. It was not only untrue but an incredible low blow from him. Believe it or not, Kyle is the most popular Alpha in our house. He is always in a good mood, lifting each other up, and he is friends with everyone.

I guess if we wait enough, we will soon see the crack in anybody's façade.

The cold gust of December's wind, preluding the Winter soon to come, calmed me down after a while. I have to keep in mind that Kyle is just a silly boy who is mad because he can't measure up to his father's impossibly high expectations. I know a thing or two about that.

I can already tell this upcoming Winter is going to be a harsh one here in Colorado. I am used to Texas Winters, so I guess I am going to do some shopping during the break for warmer clothes. Since there were no classes today, I let my mind wander as I walked the large estate.

Later that morning, when I returned to my dorm room, Jayden was there to tell me that what Kyle suggested was not true at all and that he wouldn't jeopardize his life by prospecting someone he doesn't see a future with. That is not why he was sent here.

I reassured him that I never saw his move as anything different than what it was. A political alliance of two powerful packs. I know he does not love my brother, but we were not sent here to find the love of our lives - even though I did. But I was lucky.

I told him that as long as he treated my brother with respect, he had nothing to fear from me. I wish for the two of them to find the same kind of love that I am feeling right now for Jake - not that I told him that. But I have no quarrel with him, despite not being his friend.

We don't have to be enemies either. We can just coexist for the sake of the people around us.

By lunchtime, Kyle went on an apology spree. He apologized to Jayden, Seth, and me for the comment that he made earlier. He was just feeling salty for being rejected.

If we can call it that. As far as I am concerned, to be rejected you need to be considered in the first place. Sorry, not sorry. Not even a little bit. I won. I have always wanted Jay to end up with my brother, I can only hope I don't bite my tongue.

Trust and believe, if anything happens to my brother, I'll be there for him.

Awkwardness avoided, Kyle should make a decision for his future. There are no more Omegas of consequence left to be prospected. Only other scholarship boys like Jake. For my truth, I say go for it. They could prove to be just what you need to become a better person.

A single tear fell from my cheeks. I am emotional right now.

"Why are you crying? Did they cancel the booze delivery?" Kyle asked me, perplexed to see me upset.

"No, the package was delivered as promised yesterday. I am crying because I never imagined that I would be attending this academy in love with someone. I had such a strong connection with a girl from my pack that I never thought for once, any person in this place would replace her in my heart." I replied, emotional for some reason.

Of course, Jake and Seth know about who I am speaking of. But I don't need to lie to them about it now. It's all in the past.

"It's crazy to me that you dumped the daughter of a United States Senator to be with a scholarship student." He mused, rather taken aback by my attitude. He is referring to Victoria Livingstone, naturally.

"It's heartbreakingly sad that you can only see the value of a person for what they can do to your pack. Victoria is a great girl, who will make Carl - her current prospect - very happy. I do not doubt that she would be a formidable Luna for my pack. But we weren't in love with each other. She is a hot girl and I am an okay boy. But it wasn't love. What I feel for Jake is love. That, my friend, you can't put a price on." I declared, turning heads.

"An okay boy... That's like saying Jayden is a so-so boy." He scoffed at my attempt to be humble about my looks.

"No, my friend. That's like saying Roberto is an okay boy. Jayden is hot, but he is scorching. No offense." I turned to Jayden as I said that.

"Non-taken." He winked at me, playfully.

"I see what you're doing, Alpha. But I cannot prospect another Alpha. What do I tell my father when he asks me about offspring?" He sulked, rolling his eyes at my insinuation.

"I would never presume to lecture on what is best for you. My only lesson is this. I have never been happier since I started to pursue Jake. I didn't care about anything that he could do for me or my pack, all I could think about was, could I make this boy fall in love with me? And if so, would it be genuine?" I commented, not wanting to delve into his situation in particular.

"And now there is only a week standing between us and our future together." I concluded, ever so happy. My heart swells with happiness as I picture my life with Jake for the rest of time.

"I wonder how you two are going to handle college? Are you ready for the long distance? Aren't you afraid someone will swoop in and snatch him away from you?" He teased me, aggravating Jake in the Omega section.

"No, I am not. I love Jake with all my heart. He is my destiny. In my arms is where he belongs. He is the love of my life. I know it deep within my soul." I stated with conviction.

"WOW! Who are you, dude?" He was gobsmacked at my unshakable resolve.

"I am in love with the most gorgeous boy in this entire school." I replied, grinning wide.

I could hear Jake swooning at my words back in his section of the cafeteria. That only made me happier.

After lunch, Jake and I went into town for an outing before tonight's party. It's been a hot minute since we did that, so it was nice to have that time with him. We went sightseeing, did some light shopping in the local mall, had some fancy coffee, and returned just before dinner time.

The party won't start until late at night, so we have some time to kill. Jayden requested to have some time alone with my brother, so Jake and I had the perfect opportunity to be together in his room. My lips devoured him with hunger, savoring his delicious flavor.

I could spend the rest of my life kissing him, just being close like we are. He naughtily gropes me as my hand cups his ass, giving it a tight squeeze. Oh, I can't wait for us to have sex... I cannot lie, I think about that a lot.

We engulf each other's bodies, taking pleasure in our closeness, smelling his sweet scent that could calm me through a storm. I pulled him close to me, grinding my crotch against his. He hums in pleasure at the contact. We could take it further, but it seems disrespectful to do so in the same place where my brother sleeps.

For now, we just take in each other's scents as my hands caress his body and hungrily lift his shirt. I need more of him. I need all of him. I am all in.

"If you keep this up, we will end up naked." He warned me as my tongue was massaging his nipples.

"I know. It's not my fault if you're so hot and delicious to taste." I told him, feeling a bit guilty about our naughty action.

"I wish I could suck your–"

"Jake!" I cut him off, eyes shining in pure lust for him.

"Can we just continue what we are doing or should we take a shower and get rid of our impure thoughts?" I suggested to him, a bit frazzled.

"Well, I wouldn't say no to a shower... I never told you this before, but I was a little envious of your time with Carla in the Gamma showers." He told me with a wicked grin.

"What my baby wants, my baby gets." I responded, sounding excited at the prospect.

Now let's get naked! Sounds like a plan!

Damn! He's so delicious! Yummy!

https://youtu.be/8EJ3zbKTWQ8

A|N: Woof. Is it hot in here or is it just me?

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Love,

Léo.