6

Valentino's POV

What was the point of giving someone your number...well more like them taking your number and then them not texting you? I stared at my phone the rest of the night waiting to see if he was going to text. And nothing. Was this some weird power play? His way of proving that he is the 'dominant' one? Well NEWS FLASH he's not. I am... I think.

Goddess, he is sooo weird.

'Stop calling our mate weird.' Zay spoke up, slightly growling at me.

'I will once he stops being weird.'

'Go find him. We should talk to him before class.'

'Talk about what, Zay?'

'I don't know...stuff?'

'Exactly. Now go away.'

Goddess, how do people even make conversation? I remember back when I first started dating Dalia and how I flirted with her but this was different. One, he was a he. Two, he was obviously pretty smart when it came to words and shit. Three, anytime he looks at me I feel like falling to the ground. So there's that.

"You good man?" Q said pulling me out of my thoughts. I turned to look at him and closed my locker.

"Yeah dude, I'm fine. Everything is great over here." I forced a smile on my face and we began walking.

I had yet to run into Dalia or talked to her since yesterday. But did that bother me? Hell. No. Though I wonder what would happen if I flirted with her in front of Koa in class...would I get a reaction then? Would I be able to break his stone-cold gaze? Should I find out?

'No the fuck you shouldn't.' Zay growled at me. I'm sure if he could he would have slapped me.

'Zay, come on, it would be fun. Don't you want to know how he feels about us?'

'There is a better, more mature way. Like maybe ASKING.'

'That's boring though...'

'You're an idiot. Like genuinely stupid.'

'Zay, use nice words. You're hurting my feelings.'

'You're going to end up hurting yourself if you go through with this.'

All I could do is smile at that, I'm willing to risk it. Especially to see Koa all riled up and mad. I will say Zay had a point. I could just, I don't know, text him. But this would be more fun. Mainly for me. I have to remind him, he is not the one in control here. It's me.

"Are you going to tell me what was going on with your mate that had you all upset?" Quinton asked with a look of concern on his face. I groaned out in frustration. I have to tell him at some point. No better time than the present right?

"My mate is a guy," I told him my voice low.

"Oh shit." I waited to see if he was going to say something else or have a look of disgust. But all he did was look surprised.

"Not only is it...that. But they are also a lycan."

"My goddess, you serious?" His voice was quiet and I was thankful for it.

"And--"

"AND? There's more?"

"He is the soon-to-be new Lycan alpha. Koa Mickaya" I had to force it out and looked down at the ground.

"Okay. Stop. Just stop for one second."

He put his hands up and slammed them on his head which was covered in a purple velvet durag. He had his mouth open in shock and walked around in a circle. He was so dramatic.

"I know how hard this must be for you to process." I said sarcastically as he continued to 'process' what I just told him.

After about 20 more seconds of him acting like this was the worst thing that had ever happened to HIM. He stopped and stood in front of me and took a deep breath.

"You're fucked."

"Wow, thank you so much for that." I rolled my eyes and started walking down the hallway.

"I mean, I'm just saying. You're gonna have to accept him. No way a lycan is going to let you reject him. But look on the bright side. At least he is hot."

That stopped me in my tracks, and I turned to look at him. My eyes were probably bigger than they naturally were.

"What, Tino? I'm straight. Not BLIND."

I felt my phone buzz in my pocket which pulled my attention from Q. My heart beat in anticipation. Did he text me? I opened my phone so fast but when I got to my messages, I was severely disappointed. It was Dalia.

Dalia:

Hi babe, sorry I was late today. I'll see you in class. Love you <3

I exited the message, completely ignoring it, and went to Koa and I's text thread. There was only one text. It was the one he sent to himself last night. And it said 'Dolcezza'.

That shouldn't have brought a smile to my face the way it did. What was I thinking? I should just text him. It's not even that big of a deal. He is just a man! A strong, beautifully built, gorg--BRAIN STOP.

To Weirdo:

Hi

Sent. Boom. That was easy. Now we wait.

It's been thirty minutes. I have been checking my phone non-stop. NO RESPONSE. I have resorted to picking my nails and tugging at my sweater sleeves.

DUMMY. IDIOT. STUPID. You never text first. I knew that. I know the rules. I wanted to press unsent. BUT THEN HE WOULD SEE I UNSENT IT. And I don't know what's worse. And now that the first bell was about to ring and I had to walk into HIS class knowing I just humiliated myself...makes me want to jump off a bridge. Maybe I should instead of going to class.

"Hi, baby." Dalia came and wrapped her arms around me and looked up for a kiss. I inwardly groaned in disgust but I leaned down and gave her a kiss. At least SHE texts me.

You know what, I wasn't going to actually try and make Koa jealous. But since he can't even send a text back then fine. I will show him what he's missing. I locked hands with Dalia and pulled her into my side. The first bell rang and that meant class time. This was going to be fun. At least for me.

We were in the class and I was sitting in the back of the classroom like last time. Dalia was next to me, Quinton next to her, and Vin. He had just transferred in and I was happy he was in here. Though I would never tell him, I like having classes with him.

Dalia leaned up against me, making goo-goo eyes me. And I was trying my absolute best to do the same.

Moments later his smell hit my nose and the second bell went off, and he walked in. Goddess, I hated that he looked good. He always looked good. His hair was down today and was wearing a white button-up and black slacks. Dalia tried to pull away seeing as we got in trouble last time but I held her close to me. I had a death grip.

Koa set his briefcase down and low and behold what do I see in the briefcase pocket? HIS PHONE. So he ignored me intentionally? Now, it's my turn to return the favor.

He finally turned around his eyes landed on me immediately. And he looked between me and Dalia. Though I couldn't read it. I couldn't read anything he was feeling. I hated it.

'Can you stop, I can feel his lycan he is not happy.' Zay whined as if he was hurt.

'Shh. Go away.'

I leaned over and put my lips close to Dalia's ear and whispered about how good she looked, and how she should come over tonight. We hadn't had sex in a couple of days, and if this was literally two days ago, Zay and I would have jumped at the thought. But now it just feels wrong. But I knew it would make her blush, and smile.

I never broke eye contact with Koa. But still nothing. NOTHING! What the hell is happening? Can't this man just show some kind of emotion?

"Dalia, need I remind you of my class rules again?" His voice was steady and calm. No indication of jealousy. Cocky motherfu--

"Let me go." She whispered and tried to pry my arm off of her.

"Give me a kiss and I will let you go," I whispered, she blushed and took a quick look at Koa, but leaned in and gave me a quick peck anyways. Then pulled away from me. I was playing with fire it was fun. I looked over and Q was looking at me like I was the crazy one. And so was Vin.

'Are you an idiot, or are you mentally incapacitated? Pick one.' Vin said through our mind link.

I ignored him as I leaned forward but before I put my head down I look one last time at Koa. His face was still stone-cold and blank.

"Mr. Rossi. Stay after class."

I wasn't expecting that. But all he did was turn around and start teaching. I put my head down and wrapped my arms around it. Letting his voice soothe me. But I couldn't hide the smile that forced its way onto my face. His face might have been empty, but I won this one.

*****

The bell rang and everyone got up to leave. Dalia shot me a sympathetic look as she walked out. Both Vin and Q mouthed 'good luck' as they left. Once the room was empty, Koa went and closed the door. He moved back to where he was leaning against the desk and he crossed his arms, making his muscles bulge.

It felt like I was about to be punished and I hated how much of a turn-on that was for me.

"Come here, Valentino."

His dominance was now rolling off of him in waves. It took everything in me not to listen to him immediately. Zay was rolling over in submission already but I was stronger. I kept eye contact and kept my arms crossed.

"NOW." His voice boomed, not literally but there was so much power in it. I found myself scrambling to my feet and basically running to stand in front of him.

There was still enough space between us to where we weren't touching. Unfortunately, since he was leaning against the desk we were eye to eye. His jaw ticked slightly and he squinted his eyes as he looked at me. Ever so slightly. He took a deep breath in and out and relaxed his very tense body. I was so ready and willing to give in until I remembered why I was mad in the first place. I crossed my arms and made sure my distress was evident.

"Have I done something to upset you?" He questioned, his voice now soft as his eyes roamed my face.

"Have I done something to upset you?" I mocked back but in a British accent. But I regretted it immediately. "I'm sorry. It's-- yes. Yes, you did." I told him truthfully.

"What have I done, dolcezza?" Goddess, that stupid nickname. I hated that I liked that he called me that.

"I see you have your phone with you." The attitude was dripping off my tongue as I spoke. Koa let out a sigh and leaned back more on the desk.

"I am a patient man, Valentino. But I have asked you what is upsetting you so I expect an honest, serious, answer."

Why wasn't he getting mad at me? I would be mad at myself. I'm annoying as hell right now.

"Fine. You didn't text me back." I pouted.

But now that I said it out loud it sounded outrageously ridiculous. Koa seemed to be taken aback. A look of confusion covered his face. He turned slightly to grab his phone and opened it. I'm assuming to see if I'm telling the truth. And I am. I checked. At least 50 times.

"My apologies, I have my phone on DND during the day so as to not get distracted."

"Oh." Yeah, that makes sense. "Well, why wasn't I added to your special contact thing? So you still get my notification."

"I wasn't expecting you to text me." I looked into his eyes and there was nothing but truth coming from them. Goddess, I hated how calm he was. It was exactly what I needed. "I will fix it now. It will not happen again."

"You're right. It won't happen again. Because I'm not ever-texting you again." I huffed out and rolled my eyes. There was a playful glint in his eyes and a very small smirk on his face.

"Why, dolcezza?"

"Because I was embarrassed! I was checking my phone like an idiot." Blush was rising on my neck to my cheeks. I could feel it.

"I will not miss another one of your messages again. You have my word." I had to fight the urge to smile at that. Because it shouldn't have made me as happy as it did.

"Cool. Cool. Cool." I slowly backed away and walked to get my backpack. The bell was bout to ring and I couldn't be late for my next class. I went to the door and stood there with my hand on the doorknob. "I'll talk to you later," I said turning and giving him one last look.

"Valentino." I stopped in my tracks and fully looked at him. And I was completely caught off guard. Whatever cold facade he usually held was no longer there. There was passion, and anger swirling in his eyes. His hands were gripping the table as he looked at me. It caused my heart to speed up in the best way. And made my body heat up.

"Do not, touch her, again." His voice was low, it almost sounded like a growl as he said it. Goddess why was that so hot?? I sucked in a breath, my eyes attached to his.

"I won't," I said so quickly I almost tripped over my words.

"Do you understand?" The way he was looking at me, made me weak in the knees and I almost fell to the floor.

"Yes, Koa. I understand."

After I said that it was almost like I imagined the whole thing. His face went back to its usual blank slate and I looked at him confused.

"I'll talk to you later, dolcezza."

It took everything in me to push the door open and run out into the hallway. Finally feeling like I can breathe again.

'You happy? You got what you wanted.' Zay chimed in.

And I couldn't stop the smile that covered my face at the thought.

I wasn't happy, I was ecstatic.