~000~ PROLOGUE

EVERMONT UNIVERSITY, OFF-CAMPUS

30TH OF JUNE, 2022

08:45PM.

~~~~~

NORA

Who knew this jerk kisses better than my ex-boyfriend? Certainly not me.

Marcellus Gregory has me pinned against the wall of his off-campus apartment, his mouth devouring mine. His hands are everywhere, sliding under my top until his thumbs find my nipples.

"Always so fucking mouthy," he growls, his voice so deep that it makes my toes curl. He pinches one nipple hard, making me hiss. "Yet here you are. Dripping for the guy you claim to hate."

"Shut up." I shove his shirt off his shoulders, my nails raking down his chest. "This doesn't mean anything."

"Mm, keep telling yourself that, little Wolf." He spins me around, bending me over the table. My palms slap against the wood as he yanks my denim skirt up, shoving my panties down.

Then his dick slides between my folds, teasing my entrance.

Shit, I knew he was big. But this feels—

"Tell me you want it," he growls against my ear. One big hand fists my hair, pulling my head back so I'm forced to look at him over my shoulder.

"I hate you," I pant, pushing back against him anyway.

He laughs darkly, thrusting along my folds, the fat head kissing my swollen clit.

My legs quiver, my eyes nearly rolling back as sparks climb up my spine.

"Say it," he hisses, and I clench my jaw, squeezing my eyes shut.

I'm going to regret it. I know that. But the ache is too strong. The hatred and lust have twisted together until I can’t tell them apart.

"Fuck me," I grit out, and he kisses the nape of my neck, exhaling softly.

Without warning, he slams into me in one hard thrust.

Fuck!

...

The room is spinning. Not in the fun, post-orgasm dizzy way. This is wrong and heavy. Like someone poured syrup into my brain and lit it on fire.

I blink slowly, my eyelids weighing a thousand pounds. My body feels disconnected, my limbs too loose. I'm naked in an unfamiliar bed, pressed against a solid chest. Mars. His arm is heavy across my waist, his breathing deep and even.

A cough rattles out of me. The air tastes... bitter and smoky.

"Okay, this is not cute," I mumble, my voice slurred.

I try to sit up and woah…shit.

Am I on some kind of rollercoaster?

“Mars... hey, demon spawn. Wake up. I think we burned the building down with how hot that was. Literally."

He gives me no response. Hell, he doesn't even twitch.

Panic prickles through the thick fog in my head. I poke his shoulder hard.

“Marcellus. Gregory. Whatever your name is. This isn't funny. Get up."

Smoke is curling under the door now, thin gray fingers reaching across the floor. Somewhere down the hall, the fire alarm finally starts screaming. But it sounds like it’s miles away. My heart skips several beats, terror creeping in.

I slap his face lightly, then harder. "Mars! Please—wake up!" My words come out mushy and slow.

Why is everything so slow?

Tears sting my eyes.

"Come on, you arrogant jerk," I whisper, shaking him with all the strength I can manage.

My arms feel like cooked spaghetti. "You don't get to hate-fuck me into oblivion and then die on me. That's rude. That's... that's not how this enemies-to-lovers thing works."

I try to stand. My legs buckle immediately, and I crash back onto the bed, half on top of him. The smoke is thicker now, burning my throat.

I cough until my eyes water.

"Marcellus!" My voice cracks. I press my forehead to his, shaking him desperately. "Please wake up. I'm scared. I don't want to do this alone. I don't want you to—I can't—"

A loud crack sounds from somewhere outside the room. The hallway is glowing orange. Heat presses in, sweat pouring down my skin.

I'm sobbing now, still trying to drag his heavy body towards the window even though I can barely move myself.

My chaotic brain keeps throwing out stupid thoughts like—

At least the sex was incredible. Ten-out-of-ten, would probably fuck him again. Stop it, Nora, focus—

"I tried to save you," I choke out between coughs, tears streaming down my face as the room starts going dark at the edges. "I did. I swear I did..."

My fingers clutch his arm, my nails digging in desperately.

I’m gasping now, my heavy eyelids slipping closed.

Oh God, I’m so screwed. Of all the ways to die, this had to happen after the best sex of my life.

I’m sorry, Daddy. Forgive me, Mum.

Forcing my eyes open, I stare at the closed door and cry out with all of my strength.

“HELP! HELP US!”

But I’m too weak.

Everything goes black.