Chapter 4 The stream and the stolen kiss

Jordan's pov

The next afternoon, the cool air of the ice rink didn't do anything to calm the fire under my skin. I had just finished my extra drills, skating back and forth until my thighs burned, but I couldn't shake off the memory of last night.

That scent, burnt cedar, snow, and lightning, was practically glued to the inside of my nose.

Ever since I ran away from Caleb’s door last night, my wolf had gone completely quiet again, hiding back in the dark corners of my mind like she always did. But my own thoughts were running in circles.

Seven days ago on the ice, I thought, leaning against the wooden barrier to wipe the sweat off my forehead. When he dropped his stick and stared at me... he didn't mouth 'madman.' He mouthed 'Mate.'

A bitter laugh almost escaped my lips. I really thought he was just calling me names like usual. But no. He had known for a whole week, and he kept his mouth shut.

If he’s going to pretend he doesn't feel anything, why the hell should I say anything? I snapped internally. Let him act like nothing happened. I can play that game forever.

Suddenly, my wolf perked up inside my chest, letting out a sharp, happy chirp that made my heart leap into my throat. She started pacing back and forth, chanting in my mind: Mate! Mate! He is close!

A second later, the air in the arena changed. The smell of cedar rolled over the ice.

I looked up. Caleb was stepping onto the rink, holding his stick, his team following right behind him. Usually, the second I saw his face, my blood would boil and I'd just want to smash his head into the plexiglass. But today, the moment my eyes locked onto his, my heart started hammering like crazy against my tight chest binder.

We stared at each other for a long, heavy moment. Neither of us said a word. The silence between us felt thick, almost suffocating.

I swallowed hard, broke the eye contact first, and cleared my throat loudly. I bent down and started aggressively stuffing my pads and helmet into my hockey bag.

This is such a joke, I grumbled to myself, zipping the bag shut with a harsh tug. Why would I be mated to my biggest rival? Out of all the wolves in this territory? And besides, I’m supposed to be a boy! I guess the Moon Goddess doesn't give a single damn about my father's games.

"Hey, pretty boy! You leaving already?"

I turned around to see a couple of human girls leaning over the railing near the bleachers, waving at me with wide smiles. They came to watch our practices all the time, always giggling and trying to get my attention because of my "pretty" face.

I forced a smooth, easy smirk onto my face, slipping right into the playboy act I had perfected over the years to keep up my male image. I winked at the blonde one, leaning casually against my hockey stick.

"Yeah, gotta get going, beautiful," I said, pitching my voice into that smooth, low register I always used. "Duty calls. But don't miss me too much, alright?"

The girls squealed and giggled, pushing each other's shoulders.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Caleb’s jaw lock. He gripped his hockey stick so hard his knuckles turned white, his dark eyes burning into the side of my face like hot coals.

I smirked internally, slinging my heavy bag over my shoulder. Good. Let him suffer.

As I walked toward the exit tunnel, one of Caleb’s teammates, Marcus, let out a long sigh of relief. "Thank the Moon," he muttered as I passed by. "You two aren't at each other's throats for the first time in ten years."

I didn't answer him. I just hurried down the hallway, eager to get as far away from Caleb as possible.

Instead of going straight back to my father’s house, I took a detour deep into the woods, heading toward the small, hidden stream behind the western ridge. That stream was my safe space. It was the only place where I didn't have to carry a hockey stick, didn't have to listen to my father yelling, and didn't have to pretend to be a boy.

I dropped my heavy bag by the water's edge, sat down under a large willow tree, and leaned my head back against the thick trunk. The sound of running water was peaceful. I pulled my knees up to my chest, closed my eyes, and within minutes, sheer exhaustion pulled me under.

When I opened my eyes again, the sky was completely pitch black. The stars were out, and the cool night air made me shiver. I blinked, rubbing my eyes.

Crap. It’s midnight.

I scrambled to my feet, grabbed my gear bag, and hurried back toward the main pack house. I couldn't go back to my father’s place this late; he’d probably lock me out in the rain or beat me with his cane for slacking off.

I slipped through the side door of the pack house quietly, keeping my steps light on the wooden floor. The hall was pitch black and dead silent.

Suddenly, a large, heavy hand shot out of the shadows, wrapped around my arm, and dragged me backward into the dark staircase.

I opened my mouth to shout, but the heavy scent of burnt cedar and snow hit my nose before I could make a sound. Caleb. I instantly clamped my mouth shut, refusing to struggle or make a noise. The last thing I needed was to wake up the whole pack and cause a scene.

Caleb didn't say a word. He just dragged me up the stairs by my wrist, his grip like iron. He hauled me down the hallway, shoved me into his bedroom, and slammed the heavy oak door shut behind us, locking it with a loud click.

He turned around, his chest heaving, his dark eyes flashing red in the dim moonlight spilling through the window.

"Are you going to pretend you don't feel the bond?!" he demanded, his voice a low, furious growl.

I casually crossed my arms over my chest, leaning back against the locked door. "What bond?"

Caleb took a sharp step toward me, towering over me. "Don't play with me, pretty boy!"

"I feel it, okay?!" I snapped, glaring right back into his eyes. "So fucking what?!"

"What the heck did you do to me?!" he yelled, running a hand through his messy hair, looking completely unhinged. "I am not gay!"

I let out a harsh, sarcastic chuckle. "What did I do to you? Do you think I can manipulate a mate bond? What am I, the Moon Goddess's assistant?!"

"I don't give a damn!" Caleb shouted, stepping right into my personal space until his chest was practically touching mine. "I don't want this shit! I am not gay! How is... this whole thing is fucking wild!"

I rolled my eyes, annoyed by his dramatic panic. "This is very simple, Caleb. Just reject me."

Caleb froze. His face twisted into a scowl, his red eyes flashing dangerously. "Hell no! I've waited my whole life for a mate! I'm not giving it up over you! And why the fuck should I listen to you? Don't you dare command me!”"

"Then what the hell do you want me to do?!" I yelled back, shoving his shoulder. “You either reject me or just pretend the mate bond doesn't exist and how about your day.”

"Don't tell me what to do!" Caleb barked. He took a huge, deep breath, his nostrils flaring as he drank in my scent. His eyes locked onto my lips. "Here goes nothing..."

Before my brain could even register what he was doing, Caleb grabbed the back of my neck, pulled me forward, and crashed his lips straight onto mine.