CHAPTER 60: HIS GIRLFRIEND’S BOSSY ENERGY.

Angela stared at him like he had lost his damn mind. Maybe she didn’t hear him right. Maybe it was Mighty-Storm messing with her thoughts again, because there was no fucking way Renn just asked her to be his girlfriend.

Just thinking about it made her stomach twist. She felt like throwing up.

But then the truth hit harder—he was her mate.

And that made everything worse. If they started spending more time together, he might figure it out. He would sense it. The connection. The bond. The truth.

Angela didn’t want that. Not now. Not ever.

She didn’t want any of the Alphas to find out they were her mates. That was a disaster waiting to happen.

"You’re joking, right?" she finally said with a laugh, trying to act like it was the dumbest thing she had ever heard.

But Renn didn’t laugh. He didn’t even smile. His face was serious. Cold. Still.

Angela’s laughter faded. He meant it. The bastard was serious.

"Wait... you don’t actually mean it, do you?" Her voice dropped, her chest tightening. "I’ve never even had a boyfriend before."

She was shaking inside. There was no way she was going to attach herself to the one guy who had once tried to kill her. Mate or not, that didn’t mean shit to her.

Being his mate was destiny.

Being his girlfriend? That was a fucking choice.

And she wasn’t choosing him.

"I’m not asking," Renn said. "I’m telling you. You will be my girlfriend."

He reached out, trying to hold her hand where it rested on the table, but she yanked it back before he could touch her.

He was completely insane. Thinking she’d say yes to this madness? To him?

"It’s not happening," Angela said through gritted teeth. "I could do something else for you. Anything. But not that. I won’t be your girlfriend."

"I don’t want something else. Not yet," Renn said, smirking as he leaned forward. "Just be my girlfriend for now. We’ll talk about doing something else later."

Angela didn’t like how he stretched out those words. She knew exactly what he was hinting at, and it made her skin crawl.

"Maybe," he added, staring at her like he could see through her soul, "I might decide to mark you as mine one day... but I can’t do that now. I have to claim my fated mate first. She’s important."

Angela froze.

Her breath caught in her throat.

He was talking about her.

She was the fated mate he hadn’t discovered yet, and here he was, talking about claiming her like some fucking prize.

Hell no.

She wasn’t going to let that happen. Not as Angela. Not as his mate. Not ever.

"You can be my surrogate later," Renn added with a shrug, and when her face twisted in shock, he burst out laughing, clapping his hands like it was the funniest thing in the world.

"No, I’m joking. Only the West Pack does that. Kaito was supposed to have a surrogate this year, but it didn’t work out. I don’t know why."

Angela’s heart skipped a beat.

Panic crawled up her spine.

He didn’t know it, but he’d just hit a nerve.

She was supposed to be Kaito’s surrogate. That was the plan. That was why she ran.

That was why she disguised herself and came to this damn Academy in the first place.

"It’s not funny. Man should’ve started making babies by now," Renn muttered, shaking his head. "He didn’t like the idea at first, but now that it didn’t work out, he’s pissed at the surrogate. Says she shouldn’t have...."

Then he paused and rolled his eyes. "Enough about Kaito. Back to us, babe. We’ll get to that part someday. Who knows, maybe we’ll talk about the surrogacy thing then."

Angela didn’t say a word. She just stared at the lunatic in front of her. He was sick. Like, mentally fucked. If only she could get him medical help. Hell, she’d pay for it.

"I can’t be your girlfriend," she finally said. "I’m still a minor."

"When’s your birthday?"

"Seventeenth of this month," Angela replied quickly, hoping it would make him back off. "I’m still seventeen."

"The night of the full moon?" Renn raised a brow, surprised. Then he gave a small nod. "That’s alright. You’ll be eighteen soon. No need to panic. I won’t rush things."

Angela clenched her teeth. She wanted to curse at herself. He tricked her with that question. If she had pushed the date far enough, he might have dropped the damn idea. But now? He wasn’t backing down until she gave in.

"Fine," she muttered bitterly. "I’ll be your girl. Are you fucking happy now?"

"Excited," Renn said as he stood and reached for the wine bottle. He twisted the top, and it popped open with a soft sound. Then he poured the wine into their glasses like it was some celebration.

"Do you want to eat now or later?" he asked.

"Later," Angela replied flatly.

He placed the bottle aside and raised his glass. She stared at it for a moment, then lifted hers. She had no choice. She clinked it with his.

"Is this a date?" she asked, unable to hide the bitterness in her voice.

"Are you just realizing it now, babe?" he replied with a smirk.

Angela didn’t answer. Of course, he was never going to take no for an answer. He’d already made up his mind. This was always going to happen one way or another.

"Why me?" she asked. "Why do you want me to be your girlfriend? You could pick a girl from the Luna school and get whatever you want."

"I like you. You turn me on... at just one glance," Renn said without blinking.

Angela’s throat went dry instantly. She took a sip from her glass, trying not to choke on her breath. She could feel her face getting hot, and her whole body tensing up. His scent was hitting her hard. It was getting stronger.

And she hated that deep inside... she wanted him too.

"A girl at Luna school will be a waste of time when I have the person who can quench my fire right in front of me," Renn said, his voice low and sinful, flashing that naughty smile that always messed with her head.

Angela almost giggled, almost gave in to it, but she held herself back. What the fuck was even wrong with being mad at him? Why couldn’t she just stay mad?

"So we’re done here, right?" she said and stood up, trying to hold onto whatever pride she had left. She needed to change and sneak back to her dorm before Kaito found out she had been missing. "We’re now dating. Bye."

She turned, ready to walk out like she didn’t care. Like he hadn’t just gotten under her skin again. But no, she didn’t get far. She didn’t even take a proper step past him.

He grabbed her wrist.

Before she could even say a word, he pulled her straight into his arms. The next thing she knew, she was seated on his lap, her chest rising and falling like her heart was about to burst out of her ribs. She couldn’t even tell if it was from the shock or something much deeper.

He brought her face close, so close, cupping her cheek in one hand like she was something fragile, while his other hand locked her waist in place.

His stare was heavy, intense, dangerous. It dragged her in and wouldn’t let her breathe. His breath touched her lips, cold chills raced down her spine, but still... she didn’t push him away. She didn’t slap him like she should have.

She stared at his lips.

Stormy’s words echoed in her head.

What the hell do those lips taste like?

Without thinking, without second-guessing, she kissed him. She claimed his mouth like she owned it. A slow, wet kiss that sent fire through both of them. And God, she didn’t want to stop. Neither did he.

He opened up to her immediately, letting her tongue slide into his mouth first, letting her explore. Then he sucked her tongue like she was honey, slow at first, then deeper. She tasted so fucking sweet he couldn’t help himself. He only let go when he realized he was going to make her choke if he didn’t slow down.

Then he didn’t wait. He took over.

His tongue pushed into her, rougher, deeper, his hands sliding from her waist to her back, pulling her tighter. He caressed her body like he had been dreaming of it for years, wishing to God she would just rip the damn dress off and let him have all of her.

He dipped in deeper, sucked the hell out of her mouth. She matched his fire, kissing him like she needed it to breathe. That kind of hunger that made his body scream for more.

He stood up with her still wrapped around him, not breaking the kiss. This time he kissed her lower lip, but not gently. He bit it, sucked it, like a man who had been starving for too long and had finally been given a taste.

Her arms clung around his neck. She didn’t pull away. No fight. No resistance. That shocked the hell out of him but he didn’t have time to think about it. He walked them straight to the bed, kissing like mad, like every second away from her mouth would kill him.

He didn’t pause. Couldn’t. If they stopped, she might change her mind. She might take it all back. But he didn’t want her to. They were both out of breath, but neither of them cared.

She wanted to be on top.

He let her.

He’d always loved her fiery side, that bossy energy that made her stand out. He wanted to see how that looked in bed. And now, she was about to show him.