Page 19 of Toxic

"So, what now? Like I said, I’m in the mood for some stupid shit. You want that bj?" There was something sarcastic in his tone, almost like he was provoking me.

I took a step back, wincing. "Thanks for the offer, but I know that’s not something you’d want if you were sober. I’m not the kind of guy to take advantage of that, and I don’t want charity either."

Then I turned around and walked away quickly, leaving him standing there alone. That horrible mood hit me again, that strange sense of gloom and frustration. I got back home and crawled into bed.

What was happening to me?

Why did I keep getting involved in his life, even though it made me feel miserable? I closed my eyes and tried to force myself to sleep, but my heart was pounding. And all I wanted was to see Soren.

His angry gray eyes directed at me, his lips pressed together in anger. But I wanted him to look at me while sober, without that anger, without disdain… in a sweet way, but I doubted that was ever possible.

SOREN

Watching Skye fight for me was a surreal experience. He looked badass and, well… really sexy, to be honest. He didn’t show an ounce of fear while facing that piece of shit, Don. God, I hate that fucking rapist. If people only knew… But I’ve told no one, except Liam. And I kept pretending, even to myself sometimes, that nothing serious happened. But seeing Don get pushed around and tossed to the ground made me feel a sick kind of satisfaction.

As soon as Don ran off, Skye turned his back on me and headed straight for his dorm, totally ignoring me. I couldn’t let that happen, so I called out his name. First time I’ve ever done that.

His face was… well, blank, impassive. I couldn’t read his expression. These last couple of weeks have changed him—he’s distanced himself from me, stopped noticing me, and it’s been… unsettling? Like, something was off. I should feel relieved, so why the hell was I not?

I didn’t even think before I offered him a bj, but he just took a step back and turned me down. Then he walked away, not even giving me a second glance. I was left there alone, in the dim evening light, feeling miserable and lost. I didn’t even know what I wanted or what the hell just happened. Slowly, step bystep, I made my way back to the party where Sean, Tim, Mark, and Alvin were still drinking by the keg.

When Alvin saw me, he made a murderous face. "You’re such a bitch, Soren," he snarled. "Can you leave Don the fuck alone? I was finally going somewhere with him in the last couple of weeks!"

"And I should care… because?" I snapped back.

"You’re draining his money, giving him shit, stringing him along!"

"You have no idea what you’re talking about!" I yelled, clenching my fists. I could’ve told him the truth, but I didn’t want to come off like… a loser.

Alvin’s tone got darker, "I want you to leave Don alone! Got it? Or you’re out of our club!"

I laughed so loud it cut through the music, making a few people look at me.

"Me? Leave him alone? He’s the one following me around like a lost puppy, you idiot!"

"Yeah, because you keep pulling crap like today! Why’d you drag him to dance? You’re giving him hope while making Skye miserable at the same time! I see right through you. You’re a sick, toxic bastard playing messed-up games with these guys, and I’m telling you to leave them both alone."

My nerves were about to snap. "And who the hell are you to tell me what to do? Because you suddenly want Don’s tiny dick in your ass, you’re being bitchy? What I do is none of your business!"

Alvin’s face went pale, then red, then pale again. I knew I was making him an enemy, but I honestly didn’t care. One more stupid alpha off my back, even better.

"You’re done with the Kingdom, asshole! From this moment—"

I burst out laughing again. "I’m done with it anyway. I haven’t been ‘servicing’ May and Ed for weeks. So I don’t give a shit about your fucking Kingdom!"

Sean, who’d been standing next to us, just stared at me, mouth open.

"Hey, hey, guys! Can we not do this while we’re drunk as fuck?"

Alvin just snorted and stormed off, practically shooting lightning bolts from his eyes.

Sean came up to me and threw an arm around my waist. "Hey, why are you so pissed today? You’re even more intense than usual. What happened?"

I really didn’t need his sympathy right now, and certainly not his touch. I hated feeling weak, but I was so upset and all over the place that I mumbled, "Don tried to force himself on me. If it wasn’t for Skye, I don’t know what would’ve happened."

Sean’s eyes went wide as he stared at me through the flickering lights of the dance room. "Are you serious? Was he that drunk? Has he gone mad?"

"He was tipsy, but that’s no excuse."

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