Page 35 of Pack Nightmare

He winks, and when he turns to walk away, I swat him playfully on that fine, muscular butt he can’t even hide in baggy jeans. Jared just looks over his shoulder and gives me a smirk, wagging his finger as if to discipline me while he walks away.

“If you’re done playing grab-ass in the hallway, come in and close the door, Layla.”

Derrek’s voice is harsh and cold, and makes me jump before I scuttle to follow his instructions. Something about it is so professorial and commanding it makes my knees tremble.

I don’t meet his gaze when I first enter, focusing instead on closing the door and setting down my backpack while I take my seat. But when I do, I’m not prepared for the anger that greets me. Derrek’s green eyes are like cold stones in his handsome face, his expression furious. Instead of his typically disarming, laid-back posture, he stands at his full height, arms crossed over his chest.

If I thought he was hot before, this sudden turn to ‘disappointed professor’ takes it up a notch.

Heat floods my chest and I cross my legs tightly, tugging on the hem of my dress where a good deal of my thigh is exposed. Tension crackles in the air between us, although I’m still not sure why.

“You wanted to see me?” I ask hesitantly. He doesn’t seem inclined to break the silence, but he’s the one who told me to come.

“Yes. I asked you to come because we have important things to discuss. I didn’t invite you to make out with your boyfriend in front of my office.”

That pulls me up short. “It wasn’t making out, Derrek. That was one kiss.”

“Well, this is my place of work, and not the back row of a movie theater, so I’d appreciate it if you kept your teenage hormones caged for more appropriate locations.”

I snort. “Oh please, this place is full of fated couples. They make out all over campus. That could hardly be the worst thing you’ve seen today, let alone in the week you’ve been here.” Truthfully, my classmates are all over each other, often. I don’t know how similar it is to a regular college, but the ‘fated mates’ thing really seems to give people a pass here.

Derrek continues to glare at me, the vein in his neck throbbing and his face tinged red.

It takes me a few seconds, but I finally put two and two together.

“This isn’t just about kissing; this is about me, isn’t it?” Indignation rises in my chest, setting fire to my blood. “I have just as much right to a little PDA as any other student here, and there are no rules about where that can and can’t happen. I’ll do you the favor of not making out on your desk, but other than that, you don’t own this school and you don’t own me, Derrek. I know you always acted like a big brother in LA, but I’m not your kid sister to boss around.”

“It’s not that,” he retorts. “I just don’t want to see it. This is my office. I should have a place where I don’t have to.”

“So close the door if you don’t want to see what goes on in the hallway,” I sneer.

“The door is closed!” He roars.

“So, what are you complaining about?” Our voices keep rising, and I know it’s probably carrying to the neighboring offices, but I’m too pissed to care.

“Dammit Lex!” He shouts at me.

I stand abruptly, pushing back my chair. “You know what? Whatever you had to say doesn’t fucking matter. I’m not going to sit here and take this shit. You have no right to act like you own the building, or me. Call me when you figure that out.” With a huff, I yank my backpack from the ground and turn to the door, intending to sweep dramatically from his office. Asshole. And here I’d been fantasizing about this moment all day like a besotted school girl.

Just as I reach for the handle, his palms slam on the door above me, preventing me from opening it. The heat from his body surrounds me, and a tiny, frightened lump forms in my throat. I feel him press against the backs of my exposed thighs.

“Wait,” he growls in a low, dangerous voice.

Hands trembling, I school my features to cold fury and turn slowly to face him. He’s got nearly a foot of height on me, and I’m caged against the door with no way out short of kicking him in the balls.

I’m seriously considering it.

“What. Do. You. Want.” I spit each word out slowly, deliberately. I’m the alpha, and he’s seconds away from finding out what that truly means.

My gaze is locked on his, and I stare directly at his narrowed green eyes. He’s standing so still I can hear his heart pounding in his chest, even over the low, heaving breaths he’s drawing.

The moment drags out, and I refuse to back down. I can’t issue him an alpha command, and my dominance means nothing to him. But even in the human world, I’d refuse to blink first. I’m not giving him a damn inch.

I expect him to sigh, to back away, throw his hands up and tell me to leave, maybe send me an apologetic text later.

Instead, he pushes in and kisses me roughly, claiming my body in one swift, feral move.

A gasp of surprise escapes my lips, and he takes advantage to plumb the depths of my mouth.

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