Page 37 of Sweetheart: Part One

I was crossing toward him in a moment, ignoring every warning bell.

You’re going to fuck this all up.

But I didn’t care. I hated him at that moment. I hated him because he was supposed to be better. He was supposed to be my match. The one I’d had on my posters on my wall for years, playful and funny in interviews, sometimes arrogant, but always sweet in the end.

Wrong, again.

Instead, I saw a self-centred prick who could barely make the effort to look up from his phone as he sat on my bed without even asking.

“Get the fuck out.” I grabbed him by the arm, ready to drag him out.

He got to his feet too fast, but didn’t budge. A shadow crossed his face as he looked down at me.

“This is my house,” he snarled, voice more dangerous than I’d heard it yet.

Celebrity.

Mate.

Saviour.

He’d been all those things, yet right now, he was only one: an alpha.

And I’d been here before.

“Curl up tight and close your ears, sweetie.”

I staggered another step away, heart suddenly in my throat, too afraid to make a break for it from the predatory look in his eyes.

“You don’t tell me where I can go in my house.”

“It’s m-my room.” I took one more step back, and he mirrored the movement. Then my back hit the wall. My eyes darted to the door, but before I could follow every instinct and make a break for it, he pressed his palm to the wall beside me.

“I know what you are,” he growled. I was frozen, staring up into cold chestnut eyes, not processing anything.

…Gentle hands grasped mine and placed them over my ears…

“A tier up from regular alpha-hunting-betas.” Rook sneered, forcing my chin up to face him. I grabbed his hand, fear rocketing through my veins at the touch.

“…Sing in your head, but never out loud love… He’ll never find you, alright? I promise.”

Rook didn’t budge.

“Alphas are the top of the pecking order,” he went on. “But that’s not enough for you. You’ve come hunting an elite pack. You, Sweetheart, want the one per cent of the one per cent.”

My lips parted in shock at his words, icy dread sliding up my spine as he laid bare who he was for me to see.

“I'm giving you a chance,” he said. “Something no other Sweetheart has ever had. So if I said I wanted your bed while you took the floor, you’d get on your knees right now."

Red flashed in my vision and I’d acted before thinking.

I was gold pack. I’d had to brawl my way out of danger a few times, especially if I went out without Aisha.

My fist collided with his nose, then I grabbed him by the robe. One per cent or fucking not, alphas were just as precious about their jewels—perhaps more. My knee snapped up, catching him square between the legs.

Rook buckled, an enraged growl rising in his chest. That sound sent the fear of god through me. I dived from him in a panic, and ran to my drawer where I’d stashed the knife.

I unravelled the napkin, and my heart sank at the glint of silver I found within. I’d been too nervous when I’d stashed it, terrified of being caught.

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