Alpha Bully (Wolf Ridge High 1)

She squeaks.

He’s right. She looks absolutely terrified.

“What are you doing here, Rayne-bow?”

She shrinks in her chair, eyes wide.

Anger flares and I get over my own sense of intimidation. “Get the fuck away from her,” I snap.

He keeps her caged in, but slowly turns his face toward me. “Rayne-bow and Pink. I guess you two go together.” He frowns though, and to my relief, pulls away from Rayne.

I don’t even care when he comes in my direction. I can handle him.

“What’s up, Muchmore?” Eric mumbles, darting a sideways glance in Cole’s direction. Great. Even the local business owners are intimidated by this high school punk.

Figures.

Cole crowds beside him, studying me. “You’re in pain, Pink. Delicate little flower, aren’t you?”

I roll my eyes. “It probably turns you on to see a person suffer, doesn’t it?”

“Only you, Pink.” He grins and squeezes his junk through his gym shorts.

I follow the motion with my gaze before I can stop myself. Oh lordy. He’s got a big package, and yes... it is bulging.

And just like that, my body decides now is the time to bloom into womanhood. Again. I need to have a serious talk with my body and what it considers healthy sexual interactions. Teen hormones are the worst.

I mean, seriously, up to this point, I considered myself sort of asexual. I’ve kissed a few boys. Made out with a couple girls. Neither did much for me.

Right now, though, it’s like a match just burst into flame in my core. Heat prickles across my skin. My nipples bead to painful little points.

And unfortunately, Cole doesn’t miss it. His nostrils flare right before his gaze lands on my nips which are pointy even under my daisy trimmed lace bralette. “Who’s turned on by suffering?” he mocks.

My face heats, comebacks eluding me as I become even more acutely aware of the tightness of my breasts. The pulsing heat between my legs.

“Go to hell, Muchmore.”

Yep, super mature.

Eric stops needling my skin and clears his throat, like he wants to say something to Cole, but doesn’t quite have the nerve.

“Take a break,” Cole orders and the spineless twit immediately backs away, leaving me totally exposed and alone for Cole’s attack.

And attack he does, only it’s not in the direction I expect.

He leans in, gripping the arms of my chair like he did with Rayne. “It’s good you like pain, little flower. Because I plan to make you suffer.”

It’s a threat, but his eyes are heavy-lidded. Like he’s in sexual ecstasy at the thought.

And for some reason, my body keeps responding to his nearness. A thrum between my legs matches my heartbeat.

He leans in even closer, so close I think he’s going to bite me or something, but all he does is inhale deeply, his nose at the side of my neck.

When he pulls back, his eyes look weird. Like more gold than brown. He gives a sharp shake of his head and exhales. Snatches my hand up and examines the ink, like he’s using it as a distraction.

“Little Miss Perfect is getting a tattoo? I can’t believe it.”

I’m too flustered to answer. Too off-center. Too vulnerable.

“I wouldn’t think your straight-laced mom would sign the permission form to let her perfect little girl get marked up.”

“She’s eighteen today,” Rayne offers.

I would glare at her, but I’m too busy studying Cole’s eyes, which now appear to be back to brown. Had I just imagined them turning gold? I must have.

Cole’s brows shoot up. “This is your birthday deed, huh? You were chomping at the bit to get inked?”

I don’t know why his interest causes such a sideways shifting in my chest. I try to pull my wrist back, but he doesn’t release it.

“What is this? A skull?” He cocks his head at me, examining my face, then returning to study the artwork. “Some kind of Mexican heritage thing?” Again, he looks at my face. “Or did someone die?”

I swear I didn’t show anything, but he goes still. “Who died, Pink?”

This time I do manage to yank my hand back. “Get out of here, Cole.” I choke. Unwelcome grief bubbles up to the surface, and I sure as hell don’t want to break down in front of my worst enemy.

I’m saved by his two football buddies pushing the door open.

“Cole, move it. Coach hasn’t noticed yet, but he’s going to,” Wilde, the biggest one says. I think he’s captain of the football team. Definitely another superstar alpha-hole at WRH.

Cole slowly backs up, still raking me over with his gaze. Then he turns and walks out with his friends, taking all the oxygen from the room with him.

I can’t manage to suck in a breath until they’re out of sight, around the corner.

“Huh,” Rayne says.

“What?”

Eric shuffles back toward me and resumes his work as if nothing happened. This time, I hardly notice the pain.