Chapter 22 Stay True
Sienna
I stared him down, rooted to the spot. I’d laid all my cards on the table, and now the move was his.
I’d reached a point where I didn't even care if I was just a plaything to him; the sting of being his "secret" was nothing compared to the slow torture of being ignored. If he rejected me right now, fine. At least I’d have an answer.
I raised my eyebrows, a silent dare for him to finally speak.
“Say you don’t want me, Sev,” I challenged. I couldn't stop my gaze from dropping to his lips before snapping back to his eyes.
He clenched his jaw, his gaze fracturing for a second as he shook his head. “I can’t.”
He rubbed his temples like I was some kind of migraine he couldn't shake. “We stay true to the contract, then. No more avoidance.”
He paused. “I’ll be seeing you in my quarters on Friday night.” he said shortly.
Then he turned and walked away, acting like he couldn't get out of my presence fast enough.
Call me a martyr, but I actually felt a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. It was the closest I’d ever gotten to him admitting he wanted me. In my book, that was progress.
Still, as I watched him go, a hollow feeling started to settle in my chest. I was starting to realize that the more I let myself drown in him, the less of myself I could actually see.
“You’re even less ‘yourself’ than you were last week,” Cole whispered, leaning in close while the rest of the class droned on.
“I…”
I trailed off, the words dying in my throat. There was no way I could explain the mess with Sev to him, so I just settled for a long, heavy sigh that felt like it carried the weight of my entire life.
“The biology of a male wolf differs significantly from a female’s,” our instructor explained from the front of the room. “While women tend to be more aroused by physical touch, men experience an entirely different level of possession. Their primary satisfaction often comes through the pleasure of their partner.”
I nearly choked on my own spit, letting out a forced, awkward cough. “When did the lecture turn into a talk about sex?” I hissed, cutting a side-eye toward Cole.
He didn't even flinch. “Moments ago. Health class includes Sexual Education, after all.”
“The physiological drive in our species is far more aggressive than that of a human,” Sir Harry continued, pacing the front of the room with his hands tucked behind his back.
“When a male wolf is in a state of arousal, it isn't just a physical urge; it’s a biological imperative to claim and provide. His heart rate triples, his pheromones spike, and his primary focus shifts entirely to the satisfaction of his partner. For a dominant male, his own release is often secondary to the act of securing his partner's pleasure.”
I felt my face getting hotter by the second.
“On the other side,” Sir Harry said, glancing toward the women in the room, “the female wolf’s arousal is centered on receptivity and sensory overload. While a male's pleasure is focused and driven, a female's is expansive. Her skin becomes hyper-sensitive; her senses sharpen. She is designed to be the anchor of the exchange. In our pack culture, the female doesn't just 'receive'—she dictates the depth of the connection. If she isn't fully stimulated, the bond remains superficial. That’s why traditional courtship focuses so heavily on the male’s ability to wait, to tease, and to prioritize his partner’s state of mind.”
Cole leaned in closer, whispering so only I could hear. “Sounds like a lot of pressure for the guys. Imagine being told your entire worth in the bedroom is based on someone else’s orgasm.”
I didn't answer.
“Sir,” one of the students in the back called out, “is it true that once a male claims a partner, he can’t feel that same level of ‘biological success’ with anyone else?”
Sir Harry gave a knowing, somewhat grim smile. “That, Mr. Reid, is the difference between a casual encounter and the bond of a True Mate. In a casual dynamic, it’s a game of skill. In a bond, it’s a matter of survival.”
“A true mate,” I mumbled to myself, the words tasting bitter as I walked down the corridor. Cole had headed off to some club thing, so I was finally alone with my thoughts—which was a dangerous place to be.
“You must be Sienna.”
My heart skipped a beat at the sound of her voice. Elizabeth. I turned around, and of course, she looked as perfect as ever—not a hair out of place.
“H-hi,” I stammered, then immediately hated myself for it. I cleared my throat, forcing my voice to steady. “Hi,” I said, sounding a lot more like I actually had a backbone.
She offered me a soft, polished smile. “It’s such a pleasure to meet you. I’m Elizabeth.”
I just looked at her, unimpressed. “What do you want, Elizabeth?”
“Well, we were never officially introduced,” she said, her tone dripping with sweetness. “Since you’re basically a sister to the Alpha, I wanted to reach out. I’d love to be a friend and guide you. I know how isolating it is to be the youngest here, especially when you don't really know anyone.”
The ‘sister’ comment stung more than I wanted to admit. “I don’t require assistance,” I said flatly. I started to turn away, but she reached out and caught my arm.
“Wait!”
I looked back, ready to bite her head off, but she was looking at me with these wide, pleading eyes. “I just… I want to be honest with you. I want to get closer to the Alpha, and I thought maybe you could help me. We could be friends!”
I narrowed my eyes at her, my skepticism hitting an all-time high. “So, you’re admitting you have an ulterior motive, yet you still want to be friends?”
She bit her lip, looking genuinely guilty. “Y…es.”
I stared at her, my mind racing. Keisha had told me this girl—this sweet, unassuming girl—was on Sev’s list. But looking at her now, Keisha’s words felt like a total lie. That manipulative woman had probably just said it to rattle me, to make me feel insecure.
“I can’t help you,” I said flatly.
“Why not?” she asked, looking at me like I was her last hope.
“Because I like Sev,” I admitted. I didn't even stop to think; the truth just tumbled out.
“Oh.” Her face went blank, the confusion washing over her features.
“Well then.” I gave her a short, dismissive bow and walked away before she could find her words.
After that face-off, the days turned into one long, agonizing waiting game, with every hour feeling like a test of my patience, until finally, Friday arrived.