Fantine
I flashed Coach Rufus my best smile, the one I’d practiced in the mirror for years until it could melt steel. He, like most men, didn’t stand a chance. A little eye contact, a tilt of the head, and a faint trace of innocent confusion… and bam. Cupid’s arrow, straight through the chest.
It was too easy.
He cleared his throat like he’d just remembered I was a professional hire, not a centerfold, and turned briskly toward the hallway.
“Follow me. I’ll introduce you to the team.”
“Of course,” I said sweetly, falling into step just behind him, the sound of my heels echoing off the polished corridor.
Inside, I was practically humming with energy. Not nerves, excitement. This was my first official solo mission. No older sisters hovering at my shoulder, no “training exercises” under Father’s watchful eye. Just me. After years of tagging along on their assignments or being told to “sit this one out,” I had finally convinced him I was ready.
It had taken weeks of arguments, demonstrations, and a fair amount of shameless pleading. But he’d relented in the end, saying it was the perfect opportunity to prove I could handle myself.
And he was right. I was ready.
My objective was clear: kill Riley Porter.
The hockey prodigy. The rising star. The next Alpha of the Hades Realm pack. The heir to a stolen throne, my father’s throne. A pack ripped from our family years ago. My father had never forgotten that betrayal, and neither had I.
As we moved through the sports complex, students crossed our path, tossing glances my way. Some appreciative, some suspicious, some… envious.
I’d nailed the hot PR-manager look, fitted pencil skirt, silky blouse just shy of too sheer, heels that said I belong in charge. The boys were drooling. A few girls too, though others scanned me like they were desperate to spot a flaw. Good luck.
We stopped outside the men’s locker room. Coach Rufus pushed the door open and called, “Gentlemen, get decent!”
A few muffled groans, the shuffling of movement. I leaned casually against the doorframe, waiting.
Two minutes later, someone yelled from inside, “Our dicks are out of view now!”
My lips curved, though my eyes stayed cool. Charming.
Rufus gave me an apologetic look before gesturing me in.
The moment I stepped inside, conversation died. A charged silence fell over the room, heavy as a slap.
Dozens of eyes tracked me, some wide, some hungry, some calculating. It was like someone had hit pause, freezing them mid-breath.
“That’s a nice-looking trophy,” someone muttered from the back.
Disgust rippled through me.
“Whoever said that will be benched for the rest of the season,” Coach Rufus barked, his voice like ice.
Internally, I smirked. Points for him. I’d known coming in that a locker room full of college boys wouldn’t exactly be a bastion of decorum. They were young, dumb, and barely domesticated. Still, I wasn’t here to reform them. My target was one man, though that didn’t mean I couldn’t collect a few “side quests” along the way.
“Alright, listen up,” Rufus continued. “This is Fantine Lennox, your new PR manager.”
A low whistle cut the air. Then, from the back, “Damn, she can manage my body anytime.”
I kept my expression pleasantly neutral, though what I wanted to do was plant a bullet between his eyes. That wasn’t part of Fantine Lennox’ carefully crafted persona. She was meant to be charming. Approachable. A little flirty. Not homicidal.
Rufus began the introductions, rattling off names I half-listened to. I wasn’t here for the roster, I was here for one name.
“Where’s Hunter?” he asked, scanning the room.
“He’s not here yet, Coach,” said a tall, broad-shouldered blond, Jayden, I thought.
“Why the hell not….” Rufus started, but the rapid thud of footsteps down the hall cut him off.
We both turned toward the door.
And there he was.
Riley Porter jogged into view, hair damp from a shower, dark strands falling just over his electric blue eyes. Sharp cheekbones, an aristocratic nose, and full lips that looked far too inviting for someone I was supposed to kill.
I hated him instantly.
“Where have you been?” Rufus snapped.
Riley ’s gaze flicked to me, and the world stopped.
Pressure bloomed in my chest, my wolf stirring violently beneath my skin. Ava’s howl echoed through my bones, deep and primal. My entire body shivered with the raw, unrelenting urge to shift. It took every ounce of willpower not to let it happen right there on the polished tile floor.
No. No, no, no.
This couldn’t be.
But the truth slammed into me like a freight train.
The man I’d been sent to kill… was my mate.
“Miss Lennox?” Rufus’ voice came from far away. A hand settled on my shoulder.
I blinked, dragging myself out of the fog. “Were you saying something?” I asked coolly, ignoring the heat of Riley ’s stare.
“Yes,” Rufus said slowly. “This is our captain, Riley Porter. Sorry about his tardiness. He can be… free-spirited.”
Riley extended a hand toward me, lips curved in a faint smile.
I didn’t take it.
“Miss Lennox?” he said, his tone just this side of teasing.
“I see,” I replied, keeping my face unreadable. Inside, Ava clawed and snarled, furious at my refusal to acknowledge him. I turned to Rufus instead. “Is this everyone?”
“It is,” Rufus confirmed. “We’ve got practice in twenty minutes and a promo shoot after. Stay, get to know the boys’ dynamic.”
“Of course,” I said, my smile soft enough to pass for warmth.
From the corner of my eye, I caught Riley ’s frown. I could already hear his thoughts. Why isn’t she reacting to me?
He was used to women falling over themselves for him. Too bad. I was here to seduce him, yes, but on my terms. And in the end, I would kill him.
The coach led me out, ignoring the catcalls trailing behind us.
***********
Practice ran for an hour and twenty minutes. I spent the entire time pretending I wasn’t hyperaware of Riley ’s every move. Each time our eyes met, a rush of molten heat surged through me, pooling in places I refused to acknowledge. It was maddening. I had to pinch myself more than once to keep my head clear.
On the outside, I was composed. On the inside, I was barely holding it together.
“Good job, boys,” Rufus called out at the end, “but you can do better!”
I followed him toward the rink, watching the team huddle.
“Jayden,” he continued, “you kept your head in the game better today, but you still missed opportunities to get the puck past defense. Riley , strong instincts, but you’re too cocky with your passes. Clean it up.”
“Yes, Coach,” Riley replied, his gaze locking on mine again.
I looked away deliberately.
“Alright,” Rufus said, “same time tomorrow. Don’t be late.”
A voice piped up, “Can’t we hang with our PR first?”
“Go home,” Rufus ordered. “Except you, Riley . You still owe us your promo shots.”
The others groaned and filed out.
“What pictures?” I asked.
“Promotional posters,” Rufus explained. “Riley ’s the last one. Won’t take long.”
My pulse kicked up. Alone with my target already? Fate had a cruel sense of humor.
Riley approached, shirt clinging to his damp skin, a smirk firmly in place. “Are you staying to watch, Miss Lennox?”
“Yes,” I said simply, turning away before he could bait me into more.
Frustration radiated off him. I didn’t care. I had bigger problems, like the fact that the man I needed to kill was bound to me for life.
Before I’d taken more than a few steps, he blocked my path.
“What’s your problem with me?” His voice was low, sharp.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me. Did I do something to offend you?”
If only he knew.
“You’re in my way,” I said evenly.
He stared at me, shock flickering into disbelief. This was a man who had never been denied, not once.
I stepped around him without breaking stride, every step a reminder: this was the enemy. Even if my wolf didn’t agree.