Chapter 5: Classroom Trouble

Jake doodled in class, bouncing his pencil off his notebook, but he couldn't concentrate no matter how hard he worked at it. Professor Harrington lectured on cell division, and it was the hum in the background of the large class. Jake's eye wandered to the back of the class, where Zane slumped over in his chair as if he didn't have anywhere else to be. The werewolf smiled at him, the lip curling with malice as he inclined his head to one side, his green eyes glinting in the dim light.

Jake swallowed and turned his head away, his ears burning with irritation. He could feel the oppressive weight of Zane's stare, boring into the side of his skull, daring him to react somehow. The man was maddening. Ever since they'd boxed him in, Zane'd made a concerted effort to provoke Jake, sneering at him or just looming in his face.

"Mr. Morgan," Professor Harrington's sharp voice cut across the air, jolting Jake out of his spinning head. He hastily yanked his gaze forward, his heart pounding. "Care to discuss why mitosis plays a role during cell regeneration?" the professor asked with her arms folded.

Jake gulped. "Uh—it's how bodies develop and restore injured tissue by replicating clone daughter cells."

The teacher nodded quickly and went over to the board. "Do your best to remain awake, Mr. Morgan. I would not want you to be distracted while you are receiving an important lesson."

In the back of the room behind him, Jake could've sworn he'd heard Zane snicker.

The actual chaos began at the lab exercise.

Each pair of students had been assigned a microscope station, and somehow, Zane ended up as Jake’s partner. Jake suspected it was intentional, considering the way Zane strolled over and dropped his bag onto the table with a triumphant grin.

"Looks like we’re partners, biology boy."

Jake groaned. "Don’t call me that."

Zane leaned in, close enough that Jake could smell the faint scent of pine and something wild on him. "Why not? It’s cute."

Jake ignored him and focused on adjusting the microscope. "We’re supposed to be examining the onion root tip cells, not flirting."

Zane smirked. "Multitasking is a skill."

Jake huffed, trying to concentrate. He placed a slide under the microscope, but his focus wavered when Zane casually leaned even closer, his arm brushing against Jake’s. "You’re warm," Zane noted, voice low.

Jake stiffened. "Shut up and look at the damn slide."

Zane chuckled and finally peered into the microscope, humming as he pretended to examine the cells. "Yep. Looks like…tiny little guys doing their thing. Mitosis. Fascinating."

Jake rolled his eyes. "You didn't even focus it."

"I'm dealing with more important things," Zane snapped curtly, the glare cold.

Jake had barely time to think of a comeback before a voice cleared from the back. Professor Harrington stood looming over them, eyes severe. "Something amusing, gentlemen?"

Jake jumped to his feet at once. "No, sir. We were just—"

"—studying the miracles of mitosis," Zane interrupted smoothly, flashing his most angelic smile. "Absolutely fascinating."

Professor Harrington was not impressed. "I suggest less smiling and more preparation for the test next week."

Jake held in a groan as the professor strode off. He glared at Zane. "You're going to get me killed."

Zane winked. "Worth it."

After school, Jake gathered his books to make a quick exit before Zane would be prepared to keep harassing him. But no sooner had he stepped outside when his plan was ruined. Standing against the wall was Rico with crossed arms.

Standing upright alongside him, Zane's light-hearted demeanor vanishing in a second.

"We need to talk," Rico said, addressing Zane. His black eyes flashed briefly at Jake before returning to normal.

Jake scowled. He'd only ever met Rico a couple of times, but he was sensitive enough to sense that there was tension in the air. "I'll catch you later," he breathed, backing away.

Zane, though, held his wrist. "No. Don't go."

Rico breathed deeply, rubbing his head. "Max has had his turn at this. He's passing it on to Lena now."

Jake's back chilled. "Take over?"

Rico stared at him, face impassive. "Lena's been officially cleared to kill you. She's already come up with something."

Jake was shocked, his heart pounding in his chest. "What?"

Zane's hold on his wrist increased, his whole body coiled like he was going to rip someone limb from limb. "If she makes a move, she'll be sorry."

Rico's expression remained the same. "You actually think Max cares? If she lives, he doesn't care. If she dies, it just proves she wasn't worthy in the first place. Either way, it's a win for him."

Jake swallowed hard. "What do we do?"

Zane's was a white-knuckled scowl. "We don't give her that chance."

It was as if they'd called him out, a sneering voice thick with familiarity booming across the air.

"Oh, for goodness' sake, don't mind if you're having some sort of consultation going on here."

Jake moved, and she was there. Lena.

Her hair in black, her locks golden and loose around her shoulders, she stood with one hand on a pillar, tracing patterns on the stone with the other. Her eyes, fierce and merciless, flashed to Jake like an animal sensing prey.

"I was just walking by," she went on, smiling. "Imagine my surprise at hearing such a fascinating conversation."

Zane stepped between Jake and the woman without warning, his position dissolving into full-fledged protection. "Walk away, Lena."

Lena's smile grew. "Or what? Beat me up on the quad? That wouldn't be too bright, now would it?"

Jake's fists curled. He had no question at all that Lena would, and could, beat him up if she could. That she hadn't done so yet was only because they were in a public area.

Lena released a melodramatic sigh. "Relax, boys. I won't do anything—yet. But I do hope you sleep well tonight, Jake." She smiled, and her smile turned razor-sharp. "I have a feeling it'll be an interesting night."

She turned and disappeared into the crowd, leaving in her wake a halo of her laughter that lingered in the air like a curse.

Jake took a shaky breath. "She's serious."

Zane nodded ominously. "We need to be ready."

Rico sighed. "Good luck. You’re going to need it." Without another word, he walked off, leaving Jake and Zane standing in the aftermath of Lena’s veiled threat.

Jake's fists were clenching. He didn't know why, but what he did know was that Lena was going to push on until either of them was removed.