"Where will you hide, doll?" His deep raspy voice resonated in an empty, dark classroom.

Her heart thudded in her ears. Her feet involuntarily moved back, shoulders shrinking in fear as he took threatening steps towards her like a predator.

"N-no..." She stuttered, chin-wobbling, lips trembling. The certainty of her being alone in the presence of this beast-like man had her legs going jello.

Emma was scared. So damn scared. "You can't deny me, Belle. I'm your mate. You're fucking mine!" He growled.

*

Emma Belle Richardson is a 17-year-old nerd who dedicates herself to schoolwork and books rather than socializing. She doesn't have any friends and is an outcast. She has more to her than anyone can imagine. She prefers to stay under the radar, but what happens when she'll catch the eyes of the man who will cause catastrophe in her peaceful life.

Xander Colt is a 27-year-old mysterious man with extremely good looks. There was nothing known about him. The Greek God-like man with sharp green eyes, and dark tattoos, who could easily be considered a top-notch model or a beast-like warrior came as a mathematics teacher in the middle of a semester.

Strange wasn't it!

Naive girl

Alpha male

Erotica

Hot Romance

Student and Teacher

Werewolf

Warning ️ 18+

Prologue

"W-What is h-he?" Emma stuttered badly to herself. She was trembling like a leaf. The man in front of her wasn't human at all. He was a beast, a large black wolf. She has witnessed him shifting into a wolf form with her own eyes.

She was horrified out of her wits and dashed out from the woods only to be tackled to the ground minutes later when a hard strong body pounced on her from behind. She lost her footing and was falling but he was fast to change their positions and she landed on him as he bore the contact with rough ground.

Emma shrieked out and moved, taking a couple of steps away from him, and he was gone from the ground in her haze of moving away. Her scared eyes looked around only to inhale in horror as she found his human form emerging from the trees. He was only wearing his pants that hung loose on his hips. His dark tattoos gave him a menacing look.

She didn't dare look away from his face. Xander's sharp enraged green eyes were enough to keep her a prisoner.

"W-What a-are.... -y-you?" She stuttered. The small twitch in his jaw was the only indication on his cold expressionless face, indicating how pissed off he was. He didn't want her to know the truth.

He didn't want her to know that he was a beast.

A sudden chilling breeze swept past her locks. The icy wind on her skin made the small hair on the nape of her neck stand.

He didn't respond.

Sheer ominous silence surrounded them. Lurking like evils ready to pounce with its vicious claws.

Yet she couldn't move. The burning in her body felt at ease just by looking into his dark eyes. His face looked dark, brooding yet handsome under the moonlight. Whereas her brain was screaming like a wounded animal for her to run for her life.

"You're in heat!" His gruff baritone voice resonated around them. His words strained as if the mighty man was holding back, as if in pain.

The man in front of her wasn't a human. No, he was a creature. A werewolf.

Suddenly the reality of the situation dawned on her making her legs buckle up and within seconds the girl swiveled around running in the opposite direction with everything she got.

A ferocious growl from behind her had her heart stuttering and legs weakening in utmost trepidation. Yet she didn't stop.

She could practically feel him getting closer to her. Twigs and rusty leaves crushed under her bare feet drawing out blood but she didn't care. She needed to get away from this man.

A shrill scream escaped her lips when her arm was taken in a harsh grip before her world turned upside down.

"NO! Let go!" She cried out, thrashing on his shoulder.

One savage growl had her insides shuddering in utmost terror and her body became stiff.

"I won't be gentle anymore!" He snarled, animalistically.

1

The loud blaring of her alarm had her groaning out in annoyance as she groggily turned off the alarm.

The illuminating rays of the sun played hide and seek through the slit of the curtains caressing the nakedness of her bare arms.

With a light yawn, she flexed her arms before lazily sitting up and removing the alluring fluffy blanket. The idea of leaving this warm cozy bed was heart-wrenching but what else can she do?

With a nest of her hair, she walked into the restroom and did her business. After a quick shower, she felt fresh and ready to deal with the hectic day ahead.

She's none other than Emma Belle Richardson. A 17-year-old girl or perhaps a nerd as per the sayings of her classmates.

Emma lived alone in her old apartment that her grandfather left her. The place wasn't amazing but it was cozy enough to be called her home. Her room is not big but of average-sized, double bed placed in the middle, a small study table in the corner, a cupboard right beside it, on the other wall was a wide large window where a couch was placed, this window was her favorite place in the whole apartment. There was an attached bathroom which luckily consisted of a bathtub. The thing was old but it worked well for her. A lounge sits right beside her room with an open kitchen to the left. A couch was placed in the lounge with a small table in the front. An old-time TV was placed there in front of the couch. This was the total of her home.

She was 13 years old when her parents died. Her grandfather was the only family she had left. He took care of her but Alas God took him away from her when she was 16.

He died because of a heart attack. Since then she was left all alone in this big scary world. It was tough and still is. But Emma has coped with living alone. Though her apartment wasn't in a very good area, in fact, the opposite, she's thankful at least she has a roof over her head.

After tying her hair in a ponytail she wore her knee-length skirt. Preparing a coffee for herself she did the buttons of her baggy shirt. She hurriedly drank her coffee, picked up her backpack, and within minutes she locked her apartment and was marching out at full speed.

The area where she lived was well known for its illegal activities and criminal records. And a little girl like her was nothing more than being a lamb in front of wolves.

When she was near the bus stop. She slowed her strides and panted because of that jog. Emma waited for ten minutes before her bus arrived and she hopped on it.

She sat on her usual seat third last in the back. As the vehicle started moving, the dread of what was to come in high school today started to rack her mind.

She was a really good student, scratch that. She's on scholarship and one of the top kids in Horace Mann High School. For Emma scholarship was important as it was the only thing she could achieve because the fee structure of her school almost touched the sky. So she has to work hard to maintain her scholarship as it's the only way for her education to keep on going with no one at her back as her guardian.

Though she was good at studies and always kept to herself. Trying to fade away in the crowd of people and never to be noticed but things didn't go as planned.

She got noticed. Her weight was noticed. And then it all started. Being bullied daily by this rich group of students who think so highly of themselves.

She knew she was fat. That's why she wore baggy clothes. To hide away from their prying eyes. But no matter how much she tried, their eyes would always strip her naked. On one side they call her fat and whatnot and on the other side, those same guys would stare at her with bad glints in their eyes and girls would always glare daggers in her way.

For the past two years, she has become so conscious of herself. She even tried dieting but to no avail, as it only led her to the hospital, followed by sickness.

So she tried the other way around. She started ignoring them, not responding to their harsh and cruel words. Their stupid pranks and ridiculous behaviors. But they never stopped. She's in her senior year now. Only this year in this hell and she'd be free.

With a sigh, she got off the bus and walked toward her destination. Her hands clenched into fists after noticing her enemies standing at the main entrance in a group.

For a second she thought of going back but then she was not that coward, now was she. The only reason she avoided them and bore their torture was that they were rich and could ruin her life with just one phone call because their parents had many shares in Horace Mann. And no one is at her back to save her or protect her. The wisest thing she could come up with was to ignore them.

But they always had other plans. Emma tried to walk at a fast pace from beside them. 'Please don't notice me.' While chanting this mantra in her head, luck wasn't on her side.

A tall figure blocked her way abruptly, making her apply her brakes at a fast-paced speed and stumble a step back.

Emma closed her eyes before opening them again and staring at the guy named Jack but in her head, she called him Jackass.

Without a word, Emma tried to walk past him but he only grinned and blocked her way. It's entertainment for this Jackass, for her it's a waste of time and pure torture.

"Where do you think you're going fatty?" Jack mocked.

2

"Where do you think you're going fatty?" Jack mocked.

She didn't know why but their words always hurt her. Emma did not answer and tried to walk past him again. His other friend named Landon aka Jerk blocked her way from the left. Emma named him a jerk because he was tall and muscular but had no brain, he behaved exactly like what she named him.

"Not so fast, fatty." Jerk smiled, making Emma cringe back at his behavior.

"I'm going to be late for my class." She said confidently, she can endure to a certain limit only, and gladly they haven't done anything to extremes that could lead her to the edge.

"She talks!" Hissed Veronica the black witch. Emma named her based on the constant black lipstick on her lips. It looks horrific but lord knows why she always wore it.

"Yes," Emma answered curtly. She bit her lip and clenched her jaw at her stupidity. She's being sarcastic to them which simply means she's poking the bear with a red flag in her hands.

"Oh! She talked back to you Veronica." Jack put fire in Veronica's already heated head.

Emma on the other hand believed that the reason for her being so confident and extra edgy was because her periods were coming near.

And this could get her killed by these mannerless people.

"I didn't," Emma said in a low voice. Not wanting to irritate the ticking idiotic bombs, cause in no way did she want to bathe in noodles and pasta which they threw at her a few months ago because she complained about their bullying to the authorities. That decision of hers led them to increase their torture and not only that, the authorities warned her instead of them and even her scholarship was at risk.

"You didn't!" Veronica spat before taking angry steps toward her. She was three inches taller than Emma whereas Emma was 5'4.

"Wanna hang out with us sometimes?" Cane asked who was leaning against the wall.

"No thank you," Emma said nicely and tried to walk past Veronica who intentionally tangled her foot with Emma's, who was taken off guard and fell on the floor with a thud.

A loud chortle was heard behind her. She immediately straightened her skirt which had hiked up a little because of the fall. Without looking back for once, with tears in her eyes she ran into the girls' restroom.

Getting inside one of the stalls. She harshly wiped her tears and glared at the floor for a complete three minutes. "It's okay Em, keep your calm." She talked to herself.

She's all that she got. There's no one else to share her pain or burdens with. No soul on this planet loves her. It's just her all alone with her demons. But she was glad she had one person, her best friend.

"You're strong, ignore those bastards and bitches. They'll pay for this soon. You'll work hard and become successful. This would be the best slap on their faces." She talked to herself in a hushed voice. Trying to console her mind. Trying to manipulate herself.

Even though she appears normal and okay, only the Lord knows what goes inside her soul every single night. Those vicious nightmares eat her soul alive but she's breathing and still going, that's all that matters.

With a heavy sigh, she got out of the stall and hurriedly washed her face to remove the traces of dirt.

With a heavy heart, she walked towards her first class which was about to start in a minute, and luckily as soon as she got inside, the teacher marched inside right after her.

"Take your seats, class." Mrs. Arnold spoke and the whole class immediately settled down. Emma sat in her usual spot in the back right beside the window. Taking out her notebook she started taking notes.

Luckily no one from that gang of bullies was in this class. A little peace for her.

After three consecutive classes, it was finally recess. Time of fun for others but torture for her. One thing that scared her was the cafeteria. The incident of noodles and pasta being thrown on her head happened in that particular cafeteria, so after that incident, she avoided going there at all costs.

She has found her sanctuary in Horace Mann. An empty classroom on the top floor where barely anyone goes. The class is filled with extra desks and chairs. No one comes here so she made it her sacred place to spend the time of her break.

Plopping down on one of the cleaned chairs, she whined in irritation. The reality of not bringing food today dawned on her, making her angry but in the next second, she recalled buying a packet of chips and biscuits which she placed in her bag. Opening the front zip a beautiful smile adorned her face after finding the snacks. Looks like God hasn't forgotten her completely.

Emma ate her snacks while peeking out of the window. Strange that a few of her teachers along with the head of the authorities were standing near the parking lot and talking. She couldn't see her math teacher, Ms. Rebecca, there and she wished from the bottom of her heart that Ms. Rebecca was absent.

Within two minutes the gates opened and a sleek black Range Rover wheeled inside the gates. The glass of the windows was tinted black and in no way she could see who was in that car from up there.

The car stopped and the head of Horace Mann walked towards it followed by other teachers.

Munching on her chips she watched as the door opened and a man came out. The only thing she was able to notice was those mighty broad shoulders and black hair.

The man didn't even turn to face the head. He only nodded at the teachers before he was escorted inside by them.

Emma stared at that beautiful car for a complete minute, admiring its beauty before the bomb blasted into her mind. Next was her math class, the one she hated the most. The only subject that seemed impossible for her to understand. So many formulas, so many methods, and so many similarities.

She hates math!

3

She hates math!

After having her lunch she checked the time and she only had two minutes before the hell class would start. Picking up her bag and throwing the empty packets in a bin she walked to the restroom, washed her hands, adjusted her clothes, and went to her class.

The reason why she delayed going to the class was that Veronica and Jack were in this class as well.

She went inside and within a second, Jack hooted and before Veronica could utter a word, the head of the school walked in and everyone took their seats immediately.

In a hurry, Emma sat on the empty seat in the front rather than her usual seat at the back.

"Good afternoon class. I'm here to inform you about the sudden absence of Ms. Rebecca. Last night she was met with an accident." Gasps were heard all around and a wave of guilt washed over Emma who wished to not see Ms. Rebecca today.

"Her ribs got fractured and her left leg was broken. She's out of danger and currently in the hospital. It would take her a couple of months to a year or more to return to her duty." Slight nods of understanding were seen.

"So, we have a substitute teacher who will take Ms. Rebecca's place. Let me introduce you to your new math teacher. Mr. Xander Colt." As soon as the head said these words.

A man walked inside the classroom with slow powerful steps.

It was as if all the breath was knocked out of her system.

The man in front of her could be any freaking thing but a teacher. He was probably 6'2 with massive shoulders, the outline of his taut muscles could be seen through his shirt. The bulging muscles of his biceps were one thing but the black ink on his neck and hands was another thing. Her eyes found their way to his Adam Apple and then his sharp jaw with a trimmed black beard giving him a rugged look. Pursed lips in a thin line, straight nose with a slight crook at the nose bone as if it was broken once, and then her breath hitched when her eyes met with his sharp green ones. He was staring straight at her. Closing her mouth shut, she immediately looked down at her notes.

This was the same man from Range Rover.

And he's not old like other male teachers. He was very young, not in the lad's category more like in the men's category.

"I'll leave the class to you, Mr. Colt." She heard the voice of their head before his footsteps faded away.

"First and foremost important thing. I don't like disturbance." His deep rich voice resonated in the class.

Emma dares to look around only to find everyone gawking at the man the same as she did before.

"Open your books." He said loud enough for everyone to do as he said.

Mr. Colt strode towards the whiteboard and started solving a problem on it. The way his marker nip was hitting the board indicates how pissed off he was or perhaps he was this way only.

"Eyes on the board!" His voice was a little high which got everyone to flinch in their seats as they immediately looked at the board rather than him.

Emma was tense as a wooden board during the whole class and so was the situation with everyone else.

The fact that she was sitting in the front wasn't helping at all. Once in a while, Mr. Colt's gaze would fall on her and she would get extremely nervous. Never in her life has she missed her back seat more than today. The lesson to never sit in the first row was clear for her.

As soon as the class ends. Emma was fast to leave the classroom.

She went straight to her next class but her mind was still in her math class where she understood nothing but the man that was her teacher raked her mind throughout the next whole period.

As soon as the last bell rang. Emma sprinted out at a fast pace. When everyone goes back to their homes and rest, she has to earn her bread.

She was glad that Landon and his friends didn't appear in front of her after the morning incident.

Her eyes slowly darted towards the parking lot where that Range Rover stood out like a dominating Anaconda amongst small mice.

"I will buy you one day." She promised with a soft smile on her face as she walked to the bus stop.

Within twenty minutes she entered the small cafe where she works. Jogging to the restroom she immediately wore her uniform, placing her bag in the cabinet. She came out of the restroom to find Connor standing with a grin on his face. "Guess what?" He was excited, it was written all over his face.

"What?" She asked. "I've got selected for my school's soccer team." Connor grinned.

A wide smile appeared on her face and she forwarded her hand for a handshake and congratulated him.

Connor shook her hand. "Your birthday is in a week so I'll give you a treat on your birthday," Connor suggested, making a beautiful smile appear on her face.

Connor is the only person she genuinely trusts. Her only friend or family. She respects him a lot. And he cares for her a lot.

"I'll be delighted." She gave him her best pearly smile only to earn a flick smack of his finger on her forehead making her groan out in pain.

The audacity of Connor to laugh at her as he walked away to see the customers.

Emma ambled into the kitchen while rubbing her forehead where her colleague, Stacy stood.

"You're late Emma," Stacy said in a low voice so the owner couldn't hear her. "I missed my first bus," Emma said in a low apologetic voice, making Stacy nod.

Stacy was kinda the only friend Emma had except Connor. It's not friendship because Stacy joined this job just a week ago but up till now, both girls are good and kind to each other.

4

Emma is the kind of person who never trusts someone easily. She never warms up to anyone just after a few meets. Connor is the only person in this world whom she trusts. The invisible walls around her are high and strong. She didn't socialize, so almost all the time she kept to herself which led her to talk to herself.

Work was hectic today as it was Monday evening. Customers kept rolling in and the time flew in a blink. It was late at night when her shift ended. Stacy has already left.

Connor locked the gate as they both strolled to their path. Connor has been working here since before her. He was the one who got her job here. He has been her friend since she was 14. She always considered him as an elder brother who looked after his sister. He's 20 years old.

Many times he offered her to sell her apartment and buy one near his house as her area wasn't safe but she never wanted to sell the only thing that was left of her family, so she declined his offer.

But he was so worried for her all the time that every night after her shift ended he would walk her to her apartment. Connor was the one who suggested to her the idea of dressing like a boy while walking back home after work because, at that time of night, it wasn't safe for a girl to walk alone or with a man on the streets of her place.

Emma wore a big hoodie that Connor gifted her on her last birthday. Her hair was hidden and the cap she wore hid most of her face. The cloth wrapped around her chest was the thing she hated most. She can't even breathe. She's fat as per her bullies. Her busts are big so to appear like a boy she has to wrap her chest in a cloth and breathe like a dying cat.

They quietly walked past the group of thugs who were drinking near their bikes and they didn't pay attention to her and Connor. Once Emma was in front of her apartment she turned to thank him. "Thank you Connor but you don't have to do this every day." She said softly, feeling like a burden.

Connor smiled before he smacked her forehead playfully with the flick of his stone-like finger. Emma let out a wince of pain and rubbed her forehead while glaring at him who was taller than her.

"Shut up, Emma." He said with a roll of his eyes. "You hit my forehead again and I... I...will not make a sponge cake, ever!" She threatened and Connor's jaw dropped.

"Don't you dare! I can't live without your homemade sponge cake!" Connor said with fake heartbreak.

"Then don't hit me!" Emma muttered, making him chuckle. "Fine." He smiled before ruffling her cap as he motioned her to go in.

With a soft smile and a nod, she sauntered inside and closed her door after a small wave. Once she locked the door, she heard his footsteps fading away.

Emma walked to her room and immediately removed her hoodie followed by the cloth wrapped around her chest. As soon as it was off, she took a deep breath and wore her hoodie back.

Freedom!

The perks of living alone are that she could wear anything or nothing at all. It's comfortable.

Going into the restroom she freshened herself and walked into the kitchen to make dinner. It was extremely late at night so she ended up with a sandwich. After eating it, she checked the lock of her door again and padded into her room. Flopping herself down on the bed she let out a heavy sigh.

It was a hectic day. One down and a lot more days to go.

Emma was sitting in the library doing her pending assignment in her free time. After that, she took out her notebook and started writing the groceries and stuff that was needed in the house as the month had ended.

She made the list and then mentioned the price of each and everything. A smile appeared on her face when the total money was under her budget and still some amount of money was left which she could keep as her savings.

After finishing up her work she left the library. All the students were in the corridor going towards their respective classes.

Her mind was completely drowned in the fact; that she could buy the groceries. Sunday was still six days away and she didn't have much time during the weekdays due to education and work.

A yelp escaped her lips when her body collided with a hard wall. For a second her brain stopped working and her body was falling back.

A rough hold on her arm and a harsh yanking of her body had a scream leaving her lips. Her body yet again collided with a wall.

She didn't dare open her eyes. The hold on her arm became rough, making her wince and her eyes shot open. The first thing that came to her line of vision was a wolf. Not a wolf exactly but a steel pendant of a viciously growling wolf.

In a millisecond her eyes shot up and widened to the size of saucers when they met with the green forest eyes.

Her breath hitched and a chill ran down her spine. She abruptly moved two steps back. Staring at Mr. Colt with terror-filled eyes.

"I-I'm s-sorry." She stuttered badly, her voice a mere whisper. Not being able to look in his dark intense eyes she looked down at the floor.

She was scared of him. Who wouldn't be scared of a dangerous-looking large man like him?

"Look where you're going." He said coldly, making her gulp.

She raised her eyes to give him an apologetic explanation but his cold expressionless face and those piercing eyes were enough to make her shut her mouth.

Without further word, he walked past her making her gulp. Once he was gone did she realize what truly happened?

Emma picked up her bag from the floor and looked around to find a couple of eyes set dead on her.

"This nerd is so lucky that she felt him up." One of the girls standing near the lockers sneered.

Emma's heart dropped into the deepest hollow of disgust at their words.

5

"You did an excellent job, Emma." Her Science teacher, Ms. Alicia said with a smile on her face as she went through Emma's assignment.

"Thank you," She said happily, making her nod as she placed her assignment aside.

"You can leave now, dear." Ms. Alicia said, making Emma nod as she left her office.

She barely took a few steps when she stopped dead in her tracks hearing a low growl from the room right beside her.

"I'm hating this f**king shit!" Someone growled, making her jump in her place as she gaped at the door. Her eyes read the nameplate and she gulped reading Mr. Colt written in bold italic letters.

"I'll rip your throat apart; the first thing I see you!" He growled dangerously and Emma stood frozen at her place.

Did he just threaten to kill someone?

Before she could make a move to leave or run. The door of his office burst open and out came none other than Mr. Colt.

His eyes landed on her small frozen frame. "What are you doing here Ms. Richardson?" Came his rich, thick voice.

Emma's heart stopped beating in dread. The dread of him knowing her name. Which simply meant he noticed her, the thing which she didn't want.

She was tongue-tied. Like a deer caught in headlights. She was so stunned and scared because of her crime of eavesdropping that nothing came to her head as an excuse for her safety.

"N-n-nothing." She stuttered and took a fleeting step back.

His hawk-like eyes narrowed at her feet, making it clear to her that he noticed her chicken movement. He raised his eyes and she abruptly looked away.

His eyes!

The dark forest green with the hues of hazel in them scared the life out of her every time he looked at her.

"I hate liars!" His voice was gruff with a hint of amusement.

Emma took another step back, not meeting his gaze. There was something about him that oozed out power, respect, and dominance. His mere form reeks of intimidation. This man could be easily considered as a warrior or a beast, a fighter rather than a professor.

"I was just p-passing." She muttered slowly. Finally being able to feel her legs again. Emma turned around and dashed out of there at full speed.

With her heart beating wildly she stopped in the ladies restroom and breathed heavily. Staring at her face in the mirror she splashed water on her face twice before staring at the mirror.

Her eyes were wide and her face pale. If anyone saw her right now, they would think she witnessed a ghost when it was her teacher.

The rest of the day went smoothly.

Connor was kind enough to help her buy all the things during the half-hour break from work.

Emma lay on her bed and eventually the events of the day started raking her mind.

Xander Colt!

That man gave out scary vibes. Even though she barely knew him, his eyes peered at her as if he could see her soul.

And now he knows her name as well. Excellent going, Emma! The more she tried to stay under the radar, away from all the attention the more she attracted it.

With determination to avoid him at all costs, she welcomed sleep with open arms.

The next day was fine with no bullies waiting for her, luckily. The first three classes went with ease and it was recess. Emma went to her sacred classroom on the top floor. She brought a chicken sandwich for herself today.

Munching on her food she hummed a tune of her own as she walked to the window. Sitting near it she gazed out. Her eyes immediately landed on that black Range Rover, like a magnet but what got her attention were the strong muscular shoulders.

She moved forward to have a better look. He was leaning against his car while talking on the phone.

She took a large bite of her sandwich, both cheeks full and at that same moment Mr. Colt looked up straight at her.

Their eyes locked!

Her breath hitched and she froze. Her eyes widened to the size of saucers and her mouth stopped chewing her food. With both cheeks full she gaped at him like a fish out of water.

His gaze was unswervingly set on her. She was so freaking away from him yet he felt her gaze. It was impossible or perhaps his sixth sense is very strong.

She gulped the food without chewing on it and it got stuck in her food pipe making her cough out hysterically as she moved back from the window while lightly punching her chest. She hurriedly drank water from her water bottle and finally, she could breathe.

The coldness of her hands and the numbness of her feet were out of her understanding. First of all, he looked and behaved nothing like a teacher. Second of all he cusses and threatens people on the phone.

Weird!

"Oh, Lord!" She facepalmed herself knowing fully well that the next class is math which means she has to face him.

Lord, show mercy!

Packing up her bag. She walked down the stairs making sure that no one watched her because if her sacred place got out, Landon, Jack, and Veronica would make her life a lot more like hell.

Walking into the classroom, she quietly sat on the back, on her signature seat near the window.

There were still five minutes left till the class started. Emma took out her notes and checked the last problems that Mr. Colt solved on the board. She did understand it slightly but what happened in the last two steps went from above her head.

She was so engrossed in the math problem that she didn't realize when the door opened and he walked in.

"Settle down, class." His deep voice had her head shooting up and there he stood in his black dress pants and black button-up shirt hiding his dark tattoos behind.

His eyes fell on the front row and she immediately tried to appear smaller in her seat but Alas, he noticed.

"Ms. Richardson, come here and sit in the front."

6

"Ms. Richardson, come here and sit in the front."

Pin drop silence, all sets of eyes were dead set on her, and once again she was the center of attention.

Quietly standing up with slumped shoulders she gathered her stuff and walked to the front row. Calmly sat down on one of the empty seats.

She didn't dare look up cause she was hundred percent sure Mr. Colt was watching her.

"Close all your books and notes." He said curtly.

"I'm giving you a surprise test." He announced and everyone's jaw dropped in shock.

He handed a bunch of papers to a first student and motioned him to pass them in all rows.

He just taught four classes and today a surprise test? What stupid sorcery was that?

Emma stared at the problem printed on the paper. Sweat broke on her forehead as she realized it was the same problem from yesterday.

He's checking who paid attention to his lecture and who didn't. Though she paid attention, God knows math always went above her head.

She slowly took out her pen and started solving the question at an absolute snail's pace. From her peripheral vision, she saw Mr. Colt checking all the students as they did their work.

In most of the classes, students behaved like nonchalant uninterested idiots but in his class, no one dared to even look up from their sheet of paper.

Her body stiffened and her hand stopped working as soon as she saw shining black shoes right in front of her desk.

Her fingers around the pen tightened as she continued to gaze at the paper with utmost keen interest. Writing and then erasing the formula.

She can feel his heated gaze on her head digging holes. She was waiting for him to move towards the other student but no he was standing at her head like a killer beast. Can't he see how much he intimidates her?

Without a single word, he snatched the paper from the desk and she flinched back at his sudden act.

"Enough. Stop writing and submit your test papers." He announced loudly and without further ado went to his desk as one by one students started to stand.

"You all can leave after submitting the papers." He announced and one by one the students placed their papers on his table and left.

Emma, who was too stunned by his last act, came back to her senses. Standing up slowly she gathered her stuff and almost shoved them in her bag.

She was cursing herself for not going through the lecture last night. Only if she knew today there would be a surprise test she would've practiced the whole night but it's already too late. The fact that these marks would sum up her totals of the semester worried her.

"Stay, Ms. Richardson. I need to have a word with you." His voice reached her ears and she stilled for a second before her eyes met with the venom dripping gaze of Veronica who was standing at his table for a complete three minutes now and almost everyone has left.

"You can leave. I'll answer your questions in the next class." Mr. Colt said curtly to Veronica who gave a flirty smile to him before leaving. Emma watched in a hint of shock as Veronica swayed her almost nonexistent hips.

What is this behavior?

"Come here." His voice brought her out of her thoughts and she barely stopped her gaze from meeting his eyes.

She quietly walked up to him but stood a foot away from his table as one of her hands clutched her necklace.

It was a beautiful heart pendant of her mother's. Emma used to wear it almost all the time; she never took it off after the death of her parents. Strangely she felt strong and comforted whenever she held her necklace and she often holds it whenever she's nervous.

"Yes, Mr. Colt." Emma was extremely glad that she didn't stutter.

"What's this?" He forwarded her test paper and it was already checked with three big red circles, her mistakes mocking prominently at her.

She was at a loss for words. Her hand around her bag strap tightened.

"This indicates you didn't understand anything from my lecture. Why is that?" He asked her calmly but all she felt was nervous and edgy.

No words left her mouth. Her eyes were dead set on her paper on the table.

"I've noticed your mistakes in my first class only. I've talked to your other teachers and they all seemed very happy with your performance as you're on scholarship." He said in a calm voice but all she could think of was how much he had already noticed.

Oh, Lord!

He even talked to her other teachers about her. This was so embarrassing.

"I suggest you get a tutor for your math, I'm afraid if not, it'll cause great damage to your records." His voice was deadly serious.

Emma opened her mouth to object but then closed it again. What should she say? "I- my grandfather can't afford a tutor." She said slowly.

Emma hasn't told anyone that she lives alone and has no one at her back. Everyone here knows that she lives with her grandpa because if she hasn't lied. Her bullies would've followed her to her home and lord knows what they would've done.

He was silent for a complete minute before he suggested. "You can come to my office tomorrow after your classes."

Emma's brows furrowed and she mustered the courage to ask him why.

"Why?" Her voice was soft and gentle.

"For your math tutoring, of course." He said calmly.

Her eyes shot up to his face. He was looking at the papers in his hand. His offer and so much consideration were unfathomable to her.

The fact that she would be taught by him all alone in his office wasn't sounding appealing.

"O-okay."

"Be on time tomorrow." With those words of finality, he left the class.

7

'What's up teddy bear? 😁'

Her phone dinged with a message. She has an old android phone. It was her grandpa's and now she uses it.

She checked the message and it was from Connor. No one had her number except Connor and her boss from the cafe so she didn't have to see who the text was from.

'Fan is up, you Fanta bottle.😂'

She typed while smiling. After a one-minute pause, her phone dinged with a notification.

'Be ready on Sunday.🙃😉'

Emma raised her brow at that winking emoji.

'For what?🤨' She typed back.

'It's your birthday dumbo and the food is on me.'

A wide smile stretched on her lips. He remembers her birthday more than she did.

'Of course, the food is on you. Gosh, I'll eat the whole restaurant.😋🤩🥳'

She typed while smiling.

'I'll pick you up at 8.❤️'

He messaged and she smiled happily.

Today was Friday, the last day of the hectic week. The only thing she was happy about this week was the absence of Mr. Colt.

After his command to her about that tutoring thing. He didn't come for the next two days. Emma was happy with it because she was already so nervous to be with him alone in his office.

Walking up to her locker she placed her books in there and took out her math book. She walked into her class hoping to find no teacher in there but Alas her happiness died down when she saw him already teaching the class. She was late for class.

He didn't even turn to look at who was at the door before he spoke. "You're late Ms. Richardson."

Emma gulped walking hastily to her seat in the first row where he made her sit last time. How did he always know she was there without seeing her?

"Sorry." She said softly before plopping down on her seat and writing down notes as he explained on the board.

After the class ended she was the first to leave class.

She walked into the restroom and started pacing there. Now as he was back, he would expect her to be in his office after classes. How can she tell him that she can't breathe in his presence? He intimidated her too much.

The door opened and in walked the black witch, Veronica. Veronica was blond with pale skin but she wear black lipstick that gave her a gothic witch type vibe that was why Emma think of her as black WITCH. “What do you think you're doing?" The witch bashed her like an erupting volcano.

Emma took a step back. "What are you talking about?" She asked softly, completely confused.

"I know what a whore you are but stay the fuck away from my Xander or else you know what I'm capable of." Veronica hissed while grabbing her backpack and throwing it on the floor.

Emma was too shocked to comprehend her words.

Her Xander?

As in Mr. Colt?

"This is your first and last warning, fatty!" Veronica yelled and pushed at her shoulder roughly making her stumble back. Luckily there was a wall behind and she composed her balance.

Veronica left the restroom and banged the door loudly.

What exactly just happened?

Veronica the black bitch threatened her to stay away from their teacher! She behaved as if Mr. Colt was her boyfriend.

Now Emma has another problem at her head. Wasn't all the problems enough that God had to place another worry on her plate?

If she went to Mr. Colt's office and Veronica sees her. Who in the world would save her from that witch's wrath?

She behaved like a psycho jealous girlfriend.

Emma picked up her backpack from the floor and dusted it off. She must tell him that she can't take his tutoring classes.

Emma took the rest of her classes and finally it was time to meet professor Colt. With each step towards his office, she felt her heart beating faster.

She took the whole five minutes outside of his office door mustering up her courage to face him. With determination and confidence, she knocked on his door hearing a loud come-in from the other side.

Twisting the knob she walked inside his office and the strong whiff of his manly cologne with a hinting smell of cigarettes reached her nose making it clear whose territory she just entered.

Didn't he know the rules? Smoking isn't allowed in school.

Her eyes scanned his office. The walls were painted in a combination of dark gray and white. His table was set in the middle with a couch on the left wall and a shelf of books to the right with a large window on the opposite. It looked beautiful.

"Mr. Colt I-" He cut her off.

"Sit down." His voice was serious.

Quietly she sat down on the seat in front of his table. Before she could open her mouth to speak, he placed a bundle of notes in front of her.

"Let's start with this." He said pointing at the first problem.

Not knowing if she should listen to him or say her thoughts, she ends up writing down that problem. She was glad for the distance between them.

She bit her lower lip in frustration when he stood up from his chair and rounded the table, standing right behind her chair.

Concentrating on the problem was one thing but him standing above her head like a giant was another thing.

"You're doing it wrong." He muttered, making her eyes raise for the very first time towards his face after she entered his office. He was looking at the table while opening his cufflinks and rolling his sleeves up, revealing his veiny muscular arms filled with tattoos.

Her eyes widened slightly at that intimidating act. He looks ready to go on a war or something. Yanking the chair from the side he sat right beside her and scooted his chair towards the table so the paper was now in front of them both.

"You're lacking here. Now pay attention." He said as he began solving the problem.

Her wide-open eyes came back to their original size as she tried to absorb his teaching.

"Is it clear?" He asked after putting the pen down and looking at her.

Emma looked at him to nod her head but stopped when their eyes met.

Forest green to ocean blue!

8

Forest green to ocean blue!

For the slightest second, everything stopped. Only the ticking of the clock could be heard. Both drowned in each other's eyes.

Emma was the first to come back to her senses as she lowered her gaze. "C-clear." She answered softly while the man peered at her with an intense gaze.

He looked as though he was in a trance. Her heart stopped beating for a second when he raised his hand towards her face. She watched his hand with her wide blue eyes.

What was he doing?

His fingers caressed her cheek, and a chill ran down her spine as she jerked back from his forbidden touch and it was enough for her to get off the chair abruptly. Her legs were jello and her heart was stuttering badly.

With no words out, she recklessly put her books in the bag and zipped her bag ready to leave when all of a sudden he stood up and blocked her way, making her take two steps back abruptly.

Emma was speechless. She was too shocked before but now her brain was working properly and the fact that he as a teacher tried to cross his line terrified her.

She heard him cursing under his breath. "It's enough for today." He said calmly but she didn't respond.

She tried to walk past him but he didn't budge, making her a lot more nervous. "Mr. C..Colt, please move aside." She said with mustered up confidence to which she was thankful to herself.

"On Monday, be on time." He ordered her curtly, making her nod hesitantly.

With that said he moved to the side so she could pass. Emma didn't wait for a single second and dashed out of his office at full speed. The hallways were almost empty as everyone had left.

Once she reached the main gate she panted heavily because of all that running.

What was that?

Emma is no child that she would not notice a sudden change in someone's behavior. He looked in a trance as if he wanted to see something by touching her. Has he lost his mind?

Why would he do that?

In no freaking way, she was going to take math lessons from him ever.

Emma went straight to her work.

"Why so tense?" Connor popped his head in from the kitchen door startling her and Stacy.

"You scared us!" Stacy complained, making him pout.

"Nothing, just all assignments, and stuff." She said softly with a smile.

Emma was good at hiding her feelings behind her smile. Connor raised his brow at her before he ruffled her hair just to annoy her.

"Hey!" She complained.

"What? I like to ruffle your hair." Connor feigned innocence, making Stacy chuckle as Emma glared at him.

As soon as they got back to their work, those mysterious green eyes invaded her mind all over again.

At home, she didn't feel like having dinner. She laid down on her bed and gazed out of the window. The moon was almost to its fullest form and looked beautiful. The stars twinkled, looking exquisite. She closed her eyes for a peaceful slumber only for a certain someone's face to flash in front of her eyes.

She groaned in annoyance. Thank God she got weekend days otherwise God knows what would've happened tomorrow if she went to Horace Mann.

After tossing and turning on her bed like a gazillion times she finally went to sleep.

The next day she did all her outstanding housework like laundry, cleaning, and whatnot. At night she made pasta for herself and watched Man of Steel that was on tv.

A harsh knock on the door had her body freezing all of a sudden. No one ever came to her place. Connor just left after walking her home. Who could it be?

With shaking hands, she mute the tv and then walked to the door. She peaked through the small hole and her brain ceased to work when her eyes landed on two men standing at her door. She knows them, they are gang members but why are they here? Did they find out she was a girl and lives alone here?

She's not even in her boy attire so she can't face them. Dread started creeping into her bones when they knocked again making her flinch.

"We just need some water for our friend." Said one of the guys.

Emma was fast to dash into the kitchen; take out a water bottle from her fridge. She walked back to the door. Wore her grandpa's gloves and slightly opened the door making sure not to remove the safety lock. The door opened as much as the safety lock allowed and she pushed the bottle out.

Only her glove hand was visible. Both the men stared at each other before one of them took the bottle. She immediately closed the door shut and secured it with all the locks.

She finally let out a breath of relief when their footsteps fade away.

Wiping the sweat away from her forehead she plopped down on her couch and took a few deep breaths in to calm herself down.

That night she double-checked her door and also locked all her windows before sleeping peacefully.

The next morning she woke up to the shrill sound of her phone ringing wildly.

Groggily she picked up her phone only for her eardrums to blast with Connor's high yelling voice.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!"

"Stop shouting, Connor." She mumbled softly while rubbing her eyes.

"You're no fun Em!" He muttered and she was sure he was rolling his eyes now.

"Be ready at 8 okay. You're finally 18! God, I cannot believe this. Just yesterday you were so tiny and today you're all grown up." He was so cheerful.

"Relax Connor!" She mumbled softly.

"You're not a morning person at all," Connor grumbled, making her chuckle.

"See you at 8." She replied as they bid their bye.

A deep sigh left her lips.

One year down, God knows how many to come.

"Finally I'm an adult now." She muttered to herself with a smile and snuggled more into her sweet bed.

9

Fucking pathetic shit!

This was the best his beta could do. To make him a fucking math teacher at this stupid high school.

He was already pissed off at all the things going on among the packs and now he has to teach these bratty kids math!

Xander rubbed his stubble-clad jaw when his phone started ringing. "What's up, Xander?" Came Ethan's voice making him grit his teeth in anger.

"I'm gonna show you what's up in hell when I come back!" Xander growled lowly making Ethan chuckle lightly.

"Sorry bro but this is all I could do. No one would ever suspect that an Alpha of Moon pack is teaching math at some high school." Ethan mused, making Xander angrier.

"Come on! It's not that bad there. You'll get to see young girls, perhaps you'll like someone and you know..." Ethan was cut in the mid-sentence.

"Shut up!" He muttered lowly.

"Let's meet tonight, I need to give you some information," Ethan said seriously.

"Okay," Xander said curtly, he cut the call and threw his phone on his king-sized bed.

An image of a certain big blue-eyed girl with that innocent face raked his mind.

He remembered the first time he saw her. How her face morphed into shock after looking at him. Of course, her shock was valid. Teachers are not that intimidating with tattoos all over them.

He knows he didn't give out gentleman vibes but more like gangsta vibes and that is what he was exactly.

He remembered how her soft body collided with his hard one. He has looked at her enough to know that she was busty and hiding her magnificent curves under her baggy clothes.

Along with that thought came the slightest bit of guilt. He shouldn't be thinking about her like this. She was his student.

After that, he saw her peeking at him through the window of those abandoned classes from the top floor. What she was doing there was beyond his understanding but he did know she was shocked when he looked up there. She must be wondering how it was possible for him to feel her gaze but she didn't know what he is and what he is capable of.

He didn't know why but he checked her file from the school. He was surprised to know she was on scholarship. The girl lived in an apartment with her grandpa and she's 17. Too f**king young for him.

When she was in his office all he could do was stare at her nervous form. It was clear that she was intimidated by him and he liked it. She didn't even look up even once.

He didn't know why but when she looked at him and their eyes met. His wolf, Blade growled with a certain ache of possessiveness.

He lost control and touched her cheek on the urgings of Blade, her cheek was soft and then she abruptly moved away.

She looked horrified and he realized his mistake but he won't deny that he liked her nervousness so he ordered her to be present in his office after classes on Monday. He smirked slightly, recalling how she dashed out of his office as if he would kill her.

But he won't deny the fact that he liked it. He knows it's forbidden, that's why it's attracting him more. Alluring him to do something sinful.

He was no saint, more like the devil. Though he appears like a respectful man, he has taken enough souls that if some sane person knew they would stay miles away from him.

In his world, he was the most ruthless of his kind. A merciless beast. Both vicious and powerful. The great Alpha Xander Colt of Moon pack.

He wasn't the man of love and softness. Callousness and roughness dripped from his personality. Dominance and intimidation were his companions. This man was a cold-hearted beast.

He has done enough wrongs in his life that no pure water of holiness can wash his sins away. A barbarian, an assassin who only cares for his pack.

Whatever he did, he did it for the safety of his pack.

His barbaric stories were told to kids. Mothers would use his name to scare their kids. The legends of his cruelty were known far across lands.

He was the most feared Alpha of their world. The most powerful of them all. This led to a great list of enemies who wanted to bathe in his blood but killing him wasn't so easy.

Those rogues and witches thought they killed him but Alas they didn't know he was fully well and alive waiting to strike them when they were most vulnerable.

He wasn't hiding as a math teacher perhaps far from it! He was preparing for the war. One last war that'll wipe out his enemies from all across the lands. The war that will declare him as the king of them all.

At night Xander left his place to meet Ethan. They had chosen a secluded area for their meeting.

Xander stopped his car with a screech and walked out in all his dominance. Ethan smiled after seeing him and walked up to him.

"Cezar was linking up with vampires," Ethan said in a serious tone.

Xander's eyes hardened in anger. That bastard of a rogue thinks he can wipe out the Moon pack with the help of those bloodsuckers. Bloody f*ctard didn't know whom he was dealing with.

"Tell Azure to start the game," Xander said coldly and an evil smirk appeared on Ethan's face and he nodded.

"I will do-" Ethan was speaking but Xander was zoned out when a certain intoxicating scent reached his senses.

A low growl erupted from Blade who soon became vicious and restless.

His feet on their own accord started moving and the next thing he was chasing that addicting scent.

Ethan watched him confused before he too followed right after him.

Xander halted in his steps when that scent became heavier and heavier. His eyes landed on a familiar head of black hair sitting with a guy as he ruffled her hair.

Rage consumed him.

A primal growl erupted from deep within his throat as he growled like an animal.

"MATE!"