Chapter nine

The next day, Marcus approached Alina with another ridiculous task.

"I need you to mop the library after class," he said with a straight face.

Alina blinked in surprise.

"But why? I thought that was your punishment for coming to school late the other day," she protested.

"So what? Don't you want your book back, or have you forgotten you're my servant? Just do it," Marcus insisted.

She sighed, reluctantly agreeing.After class, she went to the library, grabbed a mop, and started cleaning. The library was vast, and the task felt never-ending. As she was mopping near a bookshelf, she slipped on a wet patch and fell, twisting her ankle.

"Ow!" she cried out, pain shooting up her leg.

At that moment, Evan walked in.

"Alina! Are you okay?" he asked, rushing to her side.

"I think I hurt my ankle," she winced.

Without hesitation, Evan scooped her up in his arms. "I'll take you to the nurse."

As they left the library, Marcus saw them from down the hall.His eyes narrowed, jealousy flaring up inside him. He stormed over and intercepted them.

"Put her down, Evan," Marcus demanded.

Evan glared at him. "She's hurt, Marcus. She needs to see the nurse."

"I said, put her down!" Marcus growled, grabbing Evan's arm.

Evan carefully set Alina on a nearby bench before facing Marcus.

"What's your problem, man?" Evan snapped.

"You are!" Marcus shouted, shoving Evan. The two boys quickly got into a fistfight, throwing punches and grappling with each other.

"Stop it! Both of you!" Alina shouted, struggling to stand despite the pain in her leg. "Marcus, what's wrong with you? Evan was helping me!"

Marcus glared at her, chest heaving with anger.

"You're coming with me," he said, his voice low and dangerous.

"No, I'm not," she retorted, turning to Evan. "Thank you, Evan. Let's go."

"Alina," Marcus called out.

She looked up to see him waving her scrapbook in the air. Her heart skipped a beat.

"Well, I bet you don't mind me reading this crap to the class then," he said, a smug grin on his face.

"Alina, let's go. He's not worth it," Evan said, supporting her.

"Well, if you don't want everyone to hear it, you better do what I say," Marcus sneered.

Alina looked at him, torn between her anger and the desire to protect her privacy.

"Let's just go, Alina," Evan urged, gently guiding her, as they hobbled away, Marcus's voice followed them.

"Fine, go. But don't think this is over, Alina!" he shouted, his face red with fury.

Kendra, who had been watching the whole drama unfold, decided it was time to step in. She cornered Marcus, grabbing his hand firmly. "Follow me," she demanded.

Marcus was reluctant, pulling back slightly. "Where are you taking me? I need to go outside and smoke, clear my head."

But Kendra was insistent, practically dragging him down the hallway. "Just come with me."

They reached the science lab, and Kendra swiftly locked the door behind them. Marcus glanced around, his brow furrowing in confusion. "What are you doing, Kendra? I'm not in the mood for this right now. I've got a lot on my mind."

Kendra crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. "Is this about Alina? What's going on with you, Alina, and Evan?"

Marcus leaned against a lab table, crossing his arms as well. "If you're so curious, go ask your boyfriend."

Kendra's expression softened momentarily, then hardened. "I've told you countless times, Marcus. If you were willing to date me, I'd dump Evan in a heartbeat and be with you instead."

Marcus shook his head, his voice cold. "I'm not into you, Kendra. I never will be. And let's be real, Evan isn't dating you because he likes you. He's using you to get information about our pack. The only reason I haven't forbidden you from dating him is because it keeps you off my back."

Kendra's eyes flashed with hurt and anger, but she didn't back down. Instead, she stepped closer, trying to seduce him. "You don't know what you're missing, Marcus. I could make you forget all your problems."

Marcus pushed her away gently but firmly. "Not happening, Kendra. Just give it up."

Kendra's face twisted in frustration. "Why her, Marcus? Why Alina?"

Marcus sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's complicated. Just leave it alone."

Kendra's eyes darkened, a mixture of jealousy and determination flickering in them. "No, I won't. Just tell me the truth. Are you into Alina?"

Marcus was caught off guard, feeling a mix of surprise and nervousness. "What do you mean? She's just my new toy," he said defensively.

"Really?" Kendra replied, skepticism lacing her voice. "Are you sure?"

Marcus's eyes narrowed. "What's your point, Kendra?"

She stepped closer, her gaze piercing. "I think you have a thing for Alina."

Marcus refuted her claim strongly, his voice rising. "Even though it's none of your concern, I don't have any feelings for Alina."

Kendra's lips curled into a sly smile. "You're lucky, then. Because the only person Alina likes is Evan. If you had fallen for her, you'd be hurt because she'd reject you coldly."

Marcus's expression hardened, a smirk playing on his lips. "I beg to differ. If I wanted to, I could make any girl fall for me."

Kendra throws her arms around his neck, her eyes pleading. "Can't you see? I'm the girl who loves you. I always have. If it's not Alina you like, are you still waiting for Sasha?"

His expression darkens. "Get your hands off me," he says angrily. "Don't you ever talk about Sasha with those lips of yours."

He eyes her from head to toe and scoffs. "You think you're all that." He turns to go, but Kendra becomes enraged, her face turning red.

"I will definitely marry you and be the Luna of our pack, bet me," Kendra says, her voice laced with anger.

Marcus shakes his head. "You've definitely lost it." He unlocks the door and goes out.

Kendra screams in frustration, her eyes filled with anger. She storms out herself, watching Marcus in the hallway. She will never give up; if she can't have him, nobody can.

Marcus bumped into Alina in the hallway. This time, without even asking for her permission, he held her hands and led her to an empty classroom.

"What are we doing in here, Marcus? Let me go; you know our art class is starting in a few minutes."

"Don't worry; we can skip that one," he said, forcing her to sit in one of the empty seats in the class. "

"Wait here, I am coming," Marcus repeated before leaving the class. Alina wondered what he was up to. A few minutes later, he returned with something in his hand.

"What are you holding? What is that?"

Not answering her questions, Marcus took an empty seat and placed it in front of her, then sat down.

Alina gazed at him, confused. "What are you up to now?"

"Which leg are you hurt?" he asked her.

"This one," she said, showing her left leg.

Marcus reached out to hold her leg.

"What are you doing?" she said, pushing his hands away.

"Wait, Alina, allow me. I'm not going to hurt you," he said, taking her leg gently and placing it on his lap. He brought out what he was holding—a spray for pain relief. He sprayed her ankle and massaged it with an ointment.

"Didn't the nurse treat you? I thought Evan took you to the nurse," he said, concern on his face.

"She was not around. We heard she had an emergency at home," she replied calmly.

"Alright, don't worry. Let me do what little I can," he said, still massaging her leg.

Alina couldn't understand why he was being nice to her after bullying her the whole day. She wanted to be angry with him, and now he was acting like he cared.

That wasn't the only thing driving her insane; she was mostly angry with herself because she couldn't understand why her heart was racing just because Marcus was massaging her leg.

For goodness' sake, it was his fault she was in this position in the first place, she reminded herself as she removed her leg from his lap.

Marcus looked at her, surprised. "I haven't finished."

"Don't worry, I'm fine," she said, trying hard not to look at his face.

"So, aren't you going to say thank you for the massage?" he said, smiling.

"Thank you," she said quickly, still trying to avoid eye contact.

"Okay, I'm sorry for overworking you today. I guess it was partly my fault you fell. I stressed you out a lot today."

"Thank God you know," she said, eyeing him.

"At last, she finally looks at me," he said, laughing.

"Whatever, as long as you know you are one of the reasons I hurt my leg."

"Okay, okay, I said I am sorry. Forgive me."

"You are forgiving," she said calmly.

"But can I give you some advice: stay away from Evan; he is not what you think."

"That's impossible. You know how I feel about him," Alina retorted.

"Whatever suits yourself," he said, irritated. "You are coming with me after school to my house."

"Why? Can't you see my leg is hurt? I ain't going nowhere."

"Don't worry about your leg. We are going in my car, so you will be fine."

"But what am I going to your house to do?" she said, infuriated, her eyes red with anger.

"Oh, I need you to help me with my history assignment," he said.

"No! I am not going anywhere with you. I have plans with Lizzy."

"Are you sure you won't come? I am planning to give you half of your scrapbook, but if you say you won't come, I guess I should give it to Joe and the boys. They've been begging me to give them the book so they can read it again."

"Don't you dare give them my book," Alina said, flaring up.

"So, are you coming or not?"

"Yes, you win. But immediately after school, we must go, because I need to be back home before my dad comes home."

"All right, we will go immediately after school closes," he said, getting up from his seat and stretching his body.

Alina likewise stood up, staring at her leg, wondering if the pain had subsided and if it would allow her to walk properly.

"What? Are you still in pain? Should I help you?"

"No, I am okay, thank you."

"Are you sure you don't need my help?"

"Yes, yes, I can walk on my own. I think the pain has subsided thanks to the pain relief spray you used on me."

"All right, if you say so."

They both left the empty classroom and headed to their next class.

Immediately after school, Marcus was already outside waiting for her, with his car keys dangling in his hands.

"I hope you have not forgotten our agreement," he said once he saw her i coming out of the school compound.

"I'm here, aren't I? Let's go, I told you I don't want my dad to come home before me."

"Okay, less talking, more doing," he said, excited. "Get in, let's go."

Reluctantly, She followed Marcus to the parking lot, her mind racing with worry and uncertainty. As they reached his sleek, black car, she glanced at him, trying to read his intentions.

They got in, and Marcus started the engine, the low hum filling the silence between them. As he drove, Alina stared out the window, her thoughts a whirlwind.

What was he planning? Why was he doing this? she couldn't help but wonder what was really going on in Marcus's head. What were his true intentions? And how far was he willing to go to get what he wanted?