CHAPTER 45
**ZION**
As I make my way back to the coach where I was earlier, Cindy’s whining grates on my nerves. “I don’t see what the big deal is. You left me to talk to her,” she says, pointing across the room at Winter.
I couldn’t believe I’d spent the last three months chasing her just because she was playing hard to get. I’ve always thrived on challenges, and she was a particularly enticing one. But now that she’s decided to give in, I’m finding her increasingly irritating.
My eyes drift back to Winter, and I see Ethan say something that makes her smile. My fists clench involuntarily. The urge to go back and beat the shit out of him surges through me, but before I can act on it, Clark steps in.
He pulls Winter close, whispering something in her ear. Winter looks at me briefly, then nods before leaving with Clark and Clair.
“She’s not even that pretty. She looks a little lean...”
I silently chant to myself, "I do not hit girls, I do not hit girls," trying to drown out Cindy’s whining. Her opinions of Winter’s looks mean nothing to me
Ronald chimes in, “I have no idea what you're talking about Cindy. She’s fucking hot with a capital H,” his gaze fixed on Winter as she heads towards the door.
I clench my fists tighter.
It's obvious she's captured everyone's attention, with nearly every guy in the room eyeing her as she walks away, swaying those enticing hips. This only fuels my anger further.
Despite Cindy practically sitting on my lap, I can't take my eyes off Winter.
Ronald, ignoring my earlier warning, continues, “Damn, just look at that ass.” His comment almost drives me over the edge, and I’m about to grab him by the collar when I see Winter bump into Shane, one of our players. His hands grip her upper arms to steady her, and the sight of him touching her, fuels a fierce anger inside me.
“What the fuck!” I snap, my voice low and seething.
Why the hell is every guy touching her
Seeing anyone touch Snowflake ignites a rage in me that I can’t fully understand. It’s a fury like I’ve never experienced before.
And I have no fuc*ing idea why.
Ronald notices my reaction and frowns.
“What’s going on, Zion? You said she was off-limits. Are you claiming your right on her first?” He tilts his head, scrutinizing my face.
My reputation is built on doing whatever the hell I want, when I want. Everyone here knows to let me handle things my way. That means skipping class, getting trashed, and most importantly, getting first choice of the girls. The others can have them once I’m finished; I don’t care about passing them on. But one thing is non-negotiable: I never take sloppy seconds.
“When you're done with her, can I have a go?”
“She’s off-limits. Period!” I repeat, glaring at him before turning back just in time to see Winter finally leave the house.
“I fucking knew you wanted her. Don't blame you, man, she's the sexiest chick I've seen in a long time,” Ronald taunts, a smirk playing on his lips.
“I mean, come on, that body, those hips, and those eyes. Curves in all the right places. Can’t say I’m not feeling a little jealous.” He laughs, nudging me with his elbow.
That’s it. I grab his shirt, ready to take him down. The color drains from his face as he braces for the hit.
"Woah...Z relax!"
"Don't talk about her like that! I don’t want her, and nobody else will have her. So let me make it clear: she's off-limits. Got it?"
“Yeah, yeah. Off-limits, got it.”
I let go of his collar and sit back down.
“Make sure everyone here and at college knows it. She doesn’t belong here, and I'm going to show her exactly who’s in charge.”
Ronald looks at me, puzzled. “What did she do to you...”
“None of your fucking business Ro. Just spread the word: Winter is off-limits. If I see anyone even glance her way, they’ll answer to me!”
“Fine!” Ronald replies with a sigh. He’s always been the more level-headed one of us.
Claiming a girl isn’t unusual, but what I just did crosses a line. I’ve unintentionally revealed a side of myself to Ronald that I never wanted anyone to see—vulnerability.
Only Clark knows that side of me.
“Are you sure everything’s okay?” Ronald asks again as we head towards our first class.
“Yeah, just feeling the pressure,” I reply.
"Don't worry, this year’s going to be even better than the last," he says confidently.
I arch an eyebrow, silently urging him to explain further.
"Cause we've got the best team. We're unbeatable."
He's right
The Castle deCreme College ice hockey team has always been top-notch. We’ve got the passion and drive to keep us on top.
For me, ice hockey is a way to blow off steam and escape from my complicated life, my stepdad, and now Winter. I give it everything I’ve got, but I’m not aiming for a career in hockey. My plan is to take over my parents’ business once I finish my degree.
Ethan cuts through the crowd with a steely resolve. “Zion!”
I roll my eyes, turning to face him with a bored expression. Cindy, still draped over me, tries to draw my attention back with her touch, but my focus remains on Ethan.
“What’s your issue, Royal? Winter’s fair game, and who the hell are you to keep interfering whenever I’m with her?”
I don’t bother responding. Ethan’s words are meaningless to me.
“Worried I might get to fuck her before you? She’s up for grabs, Royal, and trust me, no one, especially you, is stopping me from taking my shot,” Ronald sneers.
“I’ve seen the way she looks at me. She wants it, and I’m not about to let you or anyone else get in my way. You think you can control everyone, but not this time, man. Winter’s mine for the taking.”
A wave of anger surges through me. I spring up from my seat, gripping his collar tightly as the fury takes hold.
“Talk about Winter like that again, and I’ll fucking kill you!”
“Why? Who are you to stop me? I'm not one of your minions that I take orders from you.” Ethan sneers releasing my grip from his collor
I step closer, my voice low and menacing.
“She is off-limits. Lay a hand on her, and I’ll break every one of your fucking fingers.”
Ethan smirks. “You’re, the biggest man-whore I know. To you, all girls are just a means to an end. So stop pretending Winter is any different. Tell me, Royal, how many girls have you hooked up with this summer? Or can you even count that high?”
That’s the last straw. I lunge at him, fists clenched.
Ronald quickly grabs me by the waist, trying to hold me back. “Zion, calm down. Ignore him. He’s just baiting you. And you, Ethan, get lost.”
Ethan sneers. “What, is Zion too scared to handle his own fights? Does he need his sidekick to step in?”
My rage boils over. “I’m not afraid of a fight. But I won’t tolerate anyone talking about Winter like that. You just crossed that line. If you're man enough, meet me at the Pit in one hour. We’ll settle this there.”
Ethan’s eyes narrow as he glances around. Only then do I notice the music has stopped, and everyone is staring at us.
“Fine, I’ll be there. But I have one condition,” he says.
I raise an eyebrow, waiting.
“If I win, Winter is mine.”
My heart races at his words. I refuse to lose Winter to anyone—not now, not ever. Even if I don’t like her, she’s mine to control. I turn to Ethan, a smirk spreading across my face, and nod.
“And when you lose, Wilde, you won’t even look in her direction, let alone be in her space. You won’t breathe the same air as Winter,” I snap, my voice icy.
Ethan thinks it over for a moment before nodding. “Deal.”
Ronald reluctantly steps aside as Ethan and I head out. The Pit, an old warehouse turned fighting ring, is where I channel my anger. It’s the place where I’ll show Ethan exactly who’s in control.
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