✧

After a night of barely any sleep I dragged myself to the canteen for some early breakfast. Before it started to get too busy, I slipped off to the art room for a moment to myself. As nice as it was seeing Aurelia and Noah, all I could think about was yesterday's stupid mistake with Haze.

How could I be so stupid as to agree? Because you thought you were going to win.

I'd be a liar if I said I hadn't thought about it. It's all I can think about and it's driving me insane. I tossed and turned in bed, trying to rid myself of the image of Haze's tattooed arms locked over my legs and spreading them wide, baring myself to him completely.

A groan escapes my throat and I rest my forehead on the wall, closing my eyes with shame.

"Get it together, Viola," I whisper.

I pluck a fresh canvas from the stack in the corner and sit in my favourite spot with the most natural light. My lips roll together as I glance down at the different colours of paint. I don't know what I want to paint today but I try not to let it cloud my mind too much, instead I want to let it guide me.

Today I use different shades of blue. At first it looks like the sky, then the ocean, then space. It keeps chopping and changing until I settle on a mix between all three. I'm certainly not artistic by any means, but I like experimenting and trying out new techniques. I'm not trying to be a professional, it's all for fun—and freedom.

After an hour I place down the paint brush and stand up to stretch my legs. I walk towards the drying rack where I last left my self-portrait, but it's nowhere to be seen. I frown and start rummaging with no luck.

"What the fuck," I bite down on my jaw and tell myself not to overreact. It might only be a painting but it means a lot to me. I'm proud of the art I created. "Where have you gone?"

I scout the entire room but it's not here. My fingers run along my bottom lip, paint dried against my fingertips. I itch my head. No doubt someone has thrown it out or gone and used it as target practice.

My nostrils flare. Haze. Haze. He's one of the only people I believe would touch it.

I storm out of the art room. Where are you? I demand through our mindlink.

I'm busy, sweetness. He responds instantly. I'd love to ask why you sound so angry but I have to focus, and you are my biggest distraction.

A scoff falls from my lips. Fine. Find me when you're done.

I walk down the hall until I face Haze's office. The door is open but it's empty. I slow down and press my hand to the door hinge. I glance over my shoulder once to find the hall void of any people, so I creep inside.

It's the world's most basic office but it's clean and neat. My fingers swipe across the desk and stacks of papers. My eyes flick to the opposite wall and I literally stop in my tracks, wide gaze as I stare up at the picture mounted on the wall.

"Holy fuck," I whisper under my breath.

I didn't expect this. I didn't expect to see my self-portrait here.

My mouth falls open in horror. He's hung it on his wall.

On. His. Wall.

It's not even good, it's mediocre at best. It was for my eyes only, not his, not anyone else. Why would he do this? Damn him for taking what was mine.

I step forward and reach up to slip it off the wall but it's too high for my reach. "Goddess, help me," I groan as I press onto my tip toes.

The sound of voices echo down the hall loudly and I brace my shoulders. Shit. Shit. I should not be in here. As they inch closer I panic, before they can walk past the room I jump into the large closet across the room and shut the door behind me.

"I fucking hate you," Noah's voice snaps and I shudder at the intensity of his voice. "You always do this, Maddox."

I furrow my brows and peek between the tiny gap and look into the office as Noah steps inside, followed by Maddox who slams the door. "Not what you were saying last night," Maddox smirks which makes Noah's face twist into rage.

"Last night was a mistake."

"Just like every other night then, huh?"

Noah's eyes flare and he steps up to Maddox who is a few inches taller than him but he doesn't back down. "I regret it every single time."

"Oh, yeah?" Maddox challenges before grabbing a fistful of his shirt and thrusting him back into the desk. "Then why do I know if I kissed you right now, you wouldn't resist me."

My eyes bulge out of my head at their conversation. Oh fuck. This is not happening whilst I'm hidden in the damn cupboard. How do I get myself into these situations?

I focus on Noah's face as he flicks his gaze between Maddox's eyes and lips, over and over until I can physically feel the tension. I quietly take a breath and when Noah leans in and smashes their mouths together, I clamp a hand over my lips to stop the sound that escapes them.

"Told you," Maddox chuckles as he snakes his arms around him and flashes his notorious smirk that drives everyone—especially Noah—crazy. "You just can't help yourself. I'll have you begging to come on my cock. Mark my words, Walker."

I close my eyes and take a step back shaking my head until I wish I was anywhere but here. My heart thumps at the sounds of their kissing and the removing of their clothes. They're doing this in the office?

"Fuck," I mouth to myself when a combination of Noah's moans and Maddox's dirty talk fills the air.

After seeing them bicker and fight, I knew there had to be more to the situation. But I was never told that they're mates. Are they even mates? I bury my head in my hand and tell myself this will all be over soon.

I've had the unfortunate experience of listening to Nate and Milo go at it through the walls, but I could walk away. Right now, I can't fucking go anywhere. It's going to look like I've been snooping and I refuse to get in trouble and be told to stay in my room for the foreseeable.

I slip my hands over my ears but it's no use. I can hear their skin slapping and their cursed words. "Goddess, you take me so fucking well," Maddox grunts. "Look at you. Fucking begging for me."

"I hate you," Noah cries.

"That makes two of us," he grumbles.

Holy. I want to scream. Get me out of here now.

After what feels like an eternity, I hear their attempts to catch their breath. The sound of clothes going back on rings in my ears and I take a breath of relief. Remind me to never go snooping again, I've learnt my lesson.

"That's weird," Noah murmurs.

"What?"

There is a moment of silence.

"Oh–" Maddox snorts and I peek my eyes between the tiny gap again and watch as he does up his trousers and belt.

"Kinda weird," Noah comments. "It's like she was watching us the entire time."

A cold chill runs down my spine but when their eyes flick up to the painting on the wall, I sag in relief. I don't think any of us would live down that embarrassment to know I listened to them have hate sex. It's obvious their sexual relationship—or whatever it is—isn't public knowledge.

"Haze is fucking smitten," Noah carries on. "I didn't think he'd be like this with his mate, but it's like he can't stay away from her. I saw them at training, and now her picture on the wall? He's obsessed."

Maddox scoffs and shakes his head. "Na, it's all a game to him."

My breathing stops altogether and I feel my knees begin to tremble.

"What do you mean?"

"A few months ago he went to see the elders," Maddox states. "He wanted to know how he could get his powers back, to see if there was a way of getting around not having Malakai's amulet. But all they responded with was his mate."

Noah frowns, I replicate the same expression. "So, Haze brought her here to get back his powers?"

"Yeah," Maddox nods and folds his arms over his chest. "Anything you see between them, it's because he's trying to gain her trust for his own benefit, nothing more. Have you seen that weak, pathetic thing? She'll never be able to stand up beside Haze and lead this pack. She'll drag us into doom."

"That's fucking rude," Noah snaps. "You don't even know her."

Maddox laughs sourly in response. "Trust me, I've seen everything I need to know."

"You don't know what they're like in private," Noah takes a step towards him. "He might actually like her. They're soulmates after all. Haze will need her, powers or not."

"He doesn't," Maddox states harshly. "This was his plan all along. Find his mate, get back his powers and then throw her to the curb where she belongs. If he does get with her, he's only going to drag us down with her. It's for the best. Haze doesn't do relationships, he doesn't do love, he will never do mates."

A sledgehammer might as well have been taken to my chest. I grip the fabric of my top over my heart and squeeze. The burning sensation that rockets through me has me blinking back pathetic tears.

How could I have been so stupid? Of course he's using me for something. That's why he kidnapped me, that's why he took me out of my own free-will. He needs his so-called powers to defeat Malakai.

He doesn't want me to be his mate. He's using me as if my feelings don't exist.

Maddox and Noah soon disburse and when I know they're gone I step out of the cupboard and take a large gulp of air. I begin to pace the office, clenching my fist at the rage that sweeps over me in aggressive waves.

Who the fuck does he think he is? I could kill him. I will fucking kill him.

I will never be used and be a part of his sick and twisted games. I'll never help him get his powers back. I'll never let him anywhere fucking near me. Not before I escape and get the fuck out of here before I lose myself to this place—I won't have much sanity left after today.

I'll leave tonight. I don't care how I'm going to do it but I will. Even if it's unsuccessful and dangerous. I have to try.

I leave the office and head upstairs, slamming my bedroom door behind me. I perch on the edge of my bed and face the window. My lungs are working double time no matter how hard I try to slow my breathing. My veins are burning with anger and frustration.

I don't want to cry. I don't want to be weak. But I can't help but feel so emotional.

A part of me was softening to him. It was all a fucking lie.

He never wanted me. He wanted his stupid powers instead. I'll never matter to him.

There is a knock at my door but I ignore it. I'm not surprised when the door handle twists moments later and I sigh, refusing to see who it is. The second the hairs on my arms begin to stand, I already know.

"You wanted me to see you, sweetness?"

I close my eyes at the sound of that nickname. No longer a term of endearment, a way of manipulating me into trusting him.

My lips press together and I allow my fingers to curl over in the duvet beside my legs.

Haze sighs. "You asked me to see you. Now you're ignoring me?"

Yes. Fuck you, asshole. I hiss in my head.

"Jesus, Viola," he grumbles and walks around to face me. I don't look up. "What the hell is this? Gone back to square one. Great. Just what we both needed."

This forces my eyes up at his and I glare. His silver eyes flick between mine with confusion as he folds his arms over his chest and waits for me to explain myself. Oh boy, I think he's the one who needs to explain himself.

"Fucking talk to me, Viola," he grits his teeth together.

"Fine," I growl and stand up, slapping my hands to my thighs. "I am not going to help you get your powers back from your brother after lying and manipulating me into trusting you. I am not going to be a pawn in your game. I am not going to be used. I am a fucking person, Haze, you are honestly the biggest asshole I have ever met. I matter, I am your mate!"

Haze blinks once and then twice. "You need to let me explain, sweetness. That–"

I scoff and push past him. "I don't want to hear it. I should have known."

"Viola," he grabs my wrist and shoves me backwards. "Do not walk away from me when I'm talking to you."

My nostrils flare in disbelief. "You really are a monster. Get off me."

I fight with his hands but he doesn't release me until he's towering over me and pushing me into the wall, my wrists in one of his hands and pinned above my head. I grumble curse words at him under my breath, unable to move due to the strength of his arms keeping me in place.

"Are you quite done?" he shouts with furrowed brows.

"I'm leaving tonight. I don't care how I do it, but I am."

"Like hell you are."

"I'm not going to be used. I thought you brought me here because you wanted me."

"I do want you," he rasps.

My lip trembles but I'm fuelled with lava. "Stop lying to me. I'm sick of hearing your bullshit."

"Goddess," Haze's jaw tenses. "Will you listen to me for three seconds?"

Three seconds feels far too long. I chew on the inside of my lip to stop myself from saying anything and give myself a chance to calm down but I'm all riled up. Including my wolf who is feeling every ounce of betrayal.

I can 'hear him out' and still leave tonight. I can do both.

So I shut up and listen, despite my best efforts not to.

✧

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Author's Note

AHHHHH shitttttt

Maddox and Noah, eeek it's going to get messy and NO, they're not mates💔

Also hearing that Haze was using her for his powers. Do we still believe that's the case?😬

Let me know your thoughts in the comments!👉🏼

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Love Savanna x

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