Chapter 3 Three

SERAPH

For a second, Mum looked horrified

"Why did you say that? You just agreed I could marry him. Why are you changing your mind now?"

"I have nothing to say to you. But this marriage will not happen, and it stays that way!" I flung the phone aside, and stormed out of the house.

Why did everything have to be about her? Why did she always have to snatch my happiness - the little flicker of hope I had left?

Tears stained my face as I walked toward the bus that would take me to school. I didn't know why I wanted to go there on a weekend- but something pushed me forward. I didn't stop until I stood before the sports department building, students milling around.

One of them recognized me quickly. "Hey Sera. Does your department have practicals this weekend?"

"Oh...We... We didn't, bu.t...""Then you should join us." She pulled my hand.

"Coach Jethro is having a game with the coach from the rival college. It will be fun.” My heart thumped. But I swallowed, and followed anyway.

"Seraph?"

I heard Jackson's voice — a voice that would've made me look up with glee in the past. But now it sounded more disgusting than a dog's bark. I didn't stop.

"Seraph Cross, please wait."

He called again, and the friend beside me stopped. "Seems like he wants to talk to you." She shrugged and let go of my hand. I didn't want to say anything to him. But for the sake of my sanity, I waited and let him run over, breathless.

"You..You love hockey too?"

I shot him a deadly glance. The image of that day - him fucking my mother replayed in my brain. My stomach twisted but I swallowed it down.

"Are you here to ask about my hobbies or say something else?"

"No. I ...l just want to say...l'm sorry, and I..."

"Forget it."

He reached out and pulled my hand. "Sera, wait. I never got to tell you the reason why I did it. Why don't you ever ask ?"

I felt a strange surge of hatred just by hearing his voice. "Let go of my hand first." I wished I could cut away the part he'd just touched.

He didn't talk to me all week, but today? After what happened, this was all he could come here to tell me?

"Seraph, she's my mate," Jackson began. "I.. couldn't ignore the pull of the mate bond. You know mates are..."You fucked my mother not because she was your mate, Jackson.

Because you're a bastard - one of those who should be hanged with their cocks!" Each syllable choked my throat like a pin.

"I don't need your lies or excuses, Jack. I gave you a chance. You lost it!"

His jaw dropped.

"Seraph-"

"Let go of my hand." He held my wrist tighter, jaw clenched - like I was the only solution to his problems. "Let go of me, Jack, or I'll shout" He was never the type to hold on to anything for too long - not since the day I met him.

Jackson always gave up easily. Something I don't like about him but managed to overlook.

His face right now made me want to puke.

"I said let go"

Jackson refused. "Sera, you loved me. One mistake with your Mum shouldn't cause this much argument between us. You know she's more like a ...slut, naturally?"

"Slut?" I would have slapped anyone who made this statement in the past. But he was right.

"Since you said she's a slut, deal with her and let me go!"

"No, I wouldn't.."

"She said NO!" A powerful voice interrupted. We both turned to the direction of the voice, Coach Jethro was there, dressed in the ice hockey gear that I somehow found handsome - despite the cold scowl.Jackson let go of my hand but bowed slightly. "She's my girlfriend. We're just playing around, Coach."

"I'm no longer your girlfriend!"

Jethro closed the gap between us. His aura was very different from the Jethro l'd met last week. My chest tightened at the feel of him, but my sealed lips saved me from almost embarrassing myself. Jethro reached out and grasped my shoulder.

"Are you alright, Miss Cross?"

My heartbeat dropped. Miss Cross? Why did he even sound soft... and tender?

"Coach, she-"

"Read rule No. 15?"

Jethro didn't look away from me. Those blue eyes drowned my past grievances and current dilemma - just like they did last week. Jackson was shaking.

"N...Never disobey a geared Coach."

"Pack rule No 3?"

"Never force a woman against her will — they're mini goddesses."

Jethro slowly lifted his gaze away from me towards Jackson. "And why are you still here?"

“I…” "Seventy squats before the game starts!" Jethro commanded, his hand dropping from my shoulder to my wrist.

"Come with me, Miss Cross.” My foot obeyed before my brain could process. This was the first time we'd had such a long interaction. As much as I used to hate him, why did it feel lighter now? Was it the mate bond? Jethro didn't stop until we're out of the hallway and at his office.

He slowly released my hand. The heat radiating from his body made my mouth dry for no reason. I snapped back from whatever trance l'd been lost in.

This man was the school tyrant. He'd pushed me away for no reason after calling me his mate last week.

"Thank you for that." I found myself saying half-heartedly. A slow smirk curved his mouth. "Were you really his girlfriend?" I rolled my eyes and sat without an invitation.

"Would you still save me if I were his girlfriend?" Jethro took off the elbow pads and the hockey gloves. He crossed his arms over his chest, a glint in his eyes. "Would you still follow me if you were his girlfriend?"

"What?"

I was taken off guard. "Boyfriends and girlfriends don't lash out at each other like that. If you were his girlfriend, you wouldn't be with me on prom night.

"Heat flushed to my face, and I felt my cheeks hotter than hell. Why was he bringing that up now? My phone vibrated. I unlocked it and saw Mum's message: "Where are you? I'll come pick you?"

I jumped to my feet. I'd almost forgotten my problems again - in his presence. "Thank you for your help, Coach." I bowed slightly. "And... happy married life in advance?"Jethro didn't react immediately.

I made for the door before he could. My hand was on the lock, ready to leave and face my adversaries alone - then he stopped me.

"What did you just say?"

"I heard you're getting married." I looked into his terrified eyes without flinching. "Good luck with the games, too." I tried the lock again. He stopped me by pulling me against him.

My head hit his chest protector. Through the plastic, I could hear his heart thumping - matching my own racing heartbeat.

"Don't you ever mention marriage in my ear," he said in bare whispers. "Or I might mark you. make you mine. and ruin you."

My lips led the battle, my heart thumping wild. "Then don't go ahead with the marriage. So that whatever that's between us shall stay unspoken. Quiet."

"Why should I obey you?" I leaned away, staring at him like he held my last breath. The thought of being his stepdaughter, of Mum being his wife despite her betrayal - boosted my morale.

Perhaps I could make him stop. Then Dad's frame would go back to its place. His hard-earned house would still belong to us - despite everything.

Our bodies fit together. Our hearts thumped at the same pace. Swallowing all self respect and shame, I stood on my toes, met his face and kissed his cheek.

"Because I'm your mate, Coach. And your soon-to-be wife is my mother. Gracey Cross."

Jethro's massive body radiated heat and something else. His blue eyes froze in horror.

I wanted to pull away so badly. But I stayed. If this was the only way to retain my father’s house, and stop mum from wreaking more havoc, I would do it again.