Page 26

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**Tasha POV**

I was done.

Done trying to make sense of the prophecy. Done pretending that the pull toward him meant something profound. And most of all, done waiting for a man who clearly had no problem pretending I didn't exist.

From the moment I stepped onto this damn campus, I felt his presence like an itch I couldn't scratch, a weight in the air that refused to lift. At first, I told myself I was imagining things—that the bond was making me hyper-aware of him. But then I saw him.

Saw him walking the halls, his head held high, his expression unreadable as girls practically threw themselves at his feet. And he let them.

It was one thing for him to keep his distance, but this?

This was humiliation.

I sat in the living room of our shared home, frustration bubbling in my chest as I stared at the people around me—Mina, her dad, my mom, and Frigg. All of them looking at me with varying degrees of concern.

"So let me get this straight," Mina said, crossing her arms. "The same Lycan Alpha who showed up at your birthday, awakened some freaky powers in you, and basically changed your entire world overnight... is still pretending you don't exist?"

"Yep," I said, popping the 'p' angrily.

Frigg sighed, her ancient eyes calm yet unreadable. "There must be a reason. He wouldn't—"

"Oh, there's a reason alright," I cut in. "He's a coward. Or maybe he just enjoys watching me squirm. Either way, I'm not playing this game anymore."

My mom, Olivia, frowned slightly. "Tasha, the prophecy—"

"Screw the prophecy," I snapped, standing abruptly. "I don't care what fate says. I don't care what anyone says. If he was truly my so-called mate, he wouldn't be acting like I'm nothing to him."

Mina smirked. "I mean... that's fair."

"Mina," her dad scolded, but she just shrugged.

"What? She's right! If a guy I was destined to be with was ignoring me, I'd call bullshit too. And honestly? I support this new version of Tasha. Petty, vengeful Tasha is my favorite."

I smirked, but it didn't reach my eyes.

I wasn't just doing this out of spite—I was hurt. And no matter how much I hated to admit it, that pain was festering.

"He wants to ignore me?" I said, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me. "Fine. Two can play that game."

Mina's eyes lit up. "Ooooh, what's the plan?"

I inhaled deeply. "I'm blocking our mental link. He won't be able to feel me anymore. Won't hear me. But might sense when I'm near. And to top it all off..." I grinned, though it felt more like baring my teeth. "I'm going to make sure he sees me living my best life—with the hottest guys on campus."

Mina let out a loud gasp. "Tasha, I love this for you."

Her dad groaned, rubbing his temples. "I don't even want to know what that means."

Frigg, however, was watching me carefully. "You are playing a dangerous game, child."

I met her gaze head-on. "So is he."

She studied me for a long moment before nodding. "Very well. But be prepared for the consequences."

I shrugged. "I already have been."

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**The Next Day**

Blocking our bond wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. It took focus, determination, and just the right amount of rage.

And when I finally did it, the relief was immediate.

For the first time in weeks, my head felt... light. Free. Like I could finally breathe without feeling his presence weighing me down.

He didn't exist anymore.

At least, not in my world.

And now?

It was time for phase two.

I sat in the common area of the dorm, absentmindedly stirring my tea as I listened to Mina ramble about our upcoming coursework. My mind was elsewhere, tangled in the frustrating reality i had been trying to ignore.

The Lycan Alpha—my so-called fated mate—had been on campus for nearly three weeks now, and he had done nothing but pretend I didn't exist. Oh, but he wasn't ignoring everyone.

No, he had an entire fan club following him around, giggling and throwing themselves at him.

And what did he do?

He entertained them.

Smiled at them.

Allowed them to linger around him like he wasn't the same man who had once held me so protectively under the moonlight.

The betrayal simmered in my chest like a slow burn.

"I'm telling you, this professor is out to get me," Mina huffed, pulling me from my thoughts. "Who gives a pop quiz the day after an assignment is due? That's academic cruelty."

I managed a small smirk. "Maybe if you actually paid attention in class instead of trying to sneak chocolate under your desk, you'd pass the quizzes."

Mina gasped dramatically. "Excuse me, I will not be shamed for my love of sugar." She waved a dismissive hand before narrowing her eyes. "You've been awfully quiet, though. What's going on in that pretty little head of yours?"

I exhaled sharply and leaned back against the couch. "The prophecy is bullshit."

Mina blinked. "Uh...what?"

"You heard me," I said bitterly. "All that talk about fate and destiny and soulmates—total garbage."

Mina slowly set her cup down. "This wouldn't have anything to do with a certain brooding, unfairly attractive Lycan, would it?"

I scoffed, crossing my arms. "Oh, you mean the one who's been parading around campus, pretending I don't exist? The one who's been charming every girl in sight while completely ignoring me? No, why would that bother me?"

Mina smirked. "You do realize you just admitted to being bothered, right?"

I shot her a glare. "Shut up."

Mina chuckled but softened. "Look, I get it. It's frustrating. But...maybe he has a reason, just as Frigg said? He was so protective of you before, so this has to be deliberate."

"That's exactly my problem," I said, shaking my head. "If he has a reason, then he should say something. But no—he's just going to play this little game, so fine. I'll play too."

Mina lifted an eyebrow. "Oh no. What are you planning, like now?"

I just smirked, a mischievous glint in my eyes.

"If he really thinks I'm going to sit around waiting for him to acknowledge me, he's dead wrong. It takes two to play this game, Mina. If he wants to ignore me, then let him but I also have the right to act like he doesn't also exist. And better yet? I might just give him a taste of his own medicine."

Mina leaned forward. "Tasha, be honest...are you sure this is about getting even, or are you just trying to hurt him because you're hurt?"

I felt my jaw tightened, but I forced a carefree smile. "I don't know what you're talking about. All I know is that if he can flirt with every girl on this damn campus, then I can do the same with every guy."

Mina's mouth parted in shock. "Wait. I thought you were joking earlier. Are you actually going to—?"

"Absolutely," i said, standing up with a newfound confidence. "Starting now."

I stepped into the campus courtyard, my confidence at an all-time high. My outfit—a fitted black dress that hugged my curves just right—didn't go unnoticed. I could feel eyes on me as I walked, but there was only one gaze I was hoping to catch.

His.

Too bad I wasn't looking his way.

Instead, I walked straight toward Damon.

Damon was the kind of guy girls tripped over themselves for. Tall, muscular, dark hair, smirking lips that hinted at mischief. And best of all?

He was one of the only guy here who didn't treat me like some fragile mystery

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**The Game Begins**

As I walked into the main cafeteria with my head held high, exuding an effortless confidence that turned heads. It didn't take long for the attention to shift toward me—especially from the male students.

I knew i had options but this much?. Although, I wasn't blind to the way guys looked at me. The difference was, I had never cared before. But now? Now I was going to have fun.

My eyes landed on a familiar face—Damon, one of the more popular guys on campus. Tall, charming, and with a smirk that most girls melted over.

Perfect.

"Hey, Tasha," he greeted smoothly as I approached. "Didn't expect to see you here alone."

I smiled, tilting my head slightly. "Well, maybe I was hoping for some company."

Damon grinned, clearly intrigued. "Is that so?"

I leaned slightly closer. "Think you can keep me entertained?"

He chuckled. "Oh, I can do more than that."

I laughed lightly, pretending to be entirely engrossed in the conversation. I was aware of the eyes watching me—specifically, his eyes. The moment I had stepped into the cafeteria, I had felt it. That deep, piercing gaze burning into the back of my head.

And now, as i casually brushed my fingers against Damon's arm, I felt the weight of that gaze intensify.

Good. Let him watch.

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**The Breaking Point**

For the next few days, i continued my little game. I flirted and laughed. I allow guys get just close enough to make it clear that I wasn't sitting around waiting for anyone.

And every time I did, I felt the tension in the air crackle stronger.

The Lycan Alpha had been quiet—too quiet. He was still pretending i didn't exist, but I could feel the restraint in him, the tightly coiled frustration beneath the surface.

It all came to head one evening when I was walking through the courtyard with Damon.

We'd just finished an evening study session—though, in truth, it had been more of a distraction for me than anything productive. Damon had been his usual charming self, and I'd been playing along effortlessly.

But then, out of nowhere, a growl echoed through the courtyard.

A deep, primal sound that sent shivers down my spine.

I barely had time to react before a figure stepped out from the shadows—him.

The Lycan Alpha stood there, his golden eyes glowing in the dim light, his expression unreadable. But there was something in his stance—something possessive, something barely restrained.

Damon stiffened beside me, sensing the shift in atmosphere. "Uh...hey, man. Didn't see you there."

The Alpha didn't respond. His gaze was locked onto mine, sharp and unwavering.

I arched an eyebrow, feigning indifference. "Something wrong?"

His jaw clenched. "You should go."

I asked, who? And he fixed his gaze on Damon.

Damon glanced between us, clearly unsure whether to argue or leave. After a moment, he nodded and muttered a quick goodbye with a peck before walking off, though not without casting me a curious glance which I just shrugged acting indifferent.

Now, it was just the two of us.

The tension between us was too palpable.

I crossed my arms, tilting my head defiantly. "What's your problem?"

The Alpha took a slow step closer. "What exactly do you think you're doing?"

I let out a small laugh. "Oh, so now you see me and don't know what I'm doing? I never knew you were as dumb as much as blind. What do you want?"

His expression darkened. "You're playing a dangerous game, Tasha."

I met his gaze without flinching. "No, you are. You're not my dad, don't tell me what to do? Not happening, Not a chance."

His breathing was heavier now, like he was trying to hold something back. "You don't understand—"

"No, it is you, who don't understand," i snapped. "What happened to you ignoring my existence? If you're so comfortable rubbing your shameless ways in my face, then why does my interaction with other people bother you so much that you have to come here and act like you care? To be honest, I don't care what you think, just leave me alone and stay out of my way."

Something flickered in his eyes then. A raw emotion, a vulnerability i wasn't sure I had ever seen before.

For a brief second, it almost looked like he wanted to say something.

But then, just as quickly as it had appeared, he shut it down. He exhaled sharply and stepped back. "Do whatever you want, then."

I felt a pang in my chest, but i pushed it down. I refuse to let him see how much his indifference cut me.

"Glad we're on the same page," i said coolly before turning and walking away.

But even as i left, I could still feel his eyes on me.

And for the first time, i wondered who was really winning this game.

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