EIRA POV:
Oh God, why do mornings have to come so early?
I grumbled to myself while brushing my teeth, still half-lost in my restless thoughts.
Will Adrain come to college today?
Will he finally answer my question?
It's been fifteen days since the abduction incident, and I haven't seen him once in class.
Every day feels heavier without answers. Damn it, I'm getting late!
The first lecture was biology.
As I hurried into the classroom, I collided hard against what felt like a wall and tumbled to the ground.
But—there was no wall near the door. My eyes lifted, and my breath caught. It wasn't a wall. It was him.
Adrain.
"At least learn to walk," he muttered, an evil smirk tugging at his lips.
"Sorry! I was in a hurry!" I stammered, scrambling to my feet.
He turned as if to leave, and my heart lurched. "Wait! I need to ask you something." He paused but said nothing, so I forced the words out. "How… how did you make the wolves run away that night?"
His eyes flickered, unreadable, but he didn't answer.
He simply walked back to his seat, cold and silent as ever. My chest tightened with frustration. Why does he have to be so infuriatingly rude?
I sighed and slid into my seat just as Mr. Robert entered, starting the lecture.
Tessy sat beside me, scribbling in her notebook.
Later, after class, Tessy and I strolled down the corridor, chatting about movies. Suddenly, she stopped mid-step, cheeks turning crimson.
"What happened?" I asked, confused.
"I'm… I'm getting engaged," she whispered, her face redder than a tomato.
"What?! Tell me everything!" I squealed, hugging her tight.
"I'm so happy for you!"
She giggled, still blushing. "Do you know Peter Dawn?"
I nodded immediately. Of course I knew him—a senior, decent and attractive. I'd seen him countless times in the library.
"He's my boyfriend from school," she confessed shyly. "A few days ago, he proposed, and I said yes. Our parents have agreed to our engagement, and after college, we'll marry."
I gasped and hugged her again. "This is such amazing news!" My heart swelled with joy for her.
But later, in chemistry class, that joy twisted into unease. The prickling sensation of being watched crawled across my skin. I turned back—and saw Adrain. His gaze wasn't directly on me, but the weight of it… I couldn't shake the feeling. It followed me all through the lecture until I thought I might lose my mind.
When a free period finally came, I escaped to the library.
I searched for a medical book—Abdomen and Lower Limbs—when a soft laugh echoed from the back corner.
Curious, I followed the sound.
And froze.
Peter. With another girl in his arms. Whispering something that made her giggle.
The books slipped from my grasp, thudding to the floor.
They both turned toward me.
"I'll meet you later," Peter muttered to the girl.
She kissed his cheek and left, leaving only him and me.
He walked toward me with a smug smile plastered across his face.
"How could you do this to Tessy? She loves you so much!" My voice shook with fury.
"I love her too," he said smoothly,
"but I can't say no to… such a beautiful girl." His smirk deepened.
"Then why marry Tessy? Go and marry your beautiful girl," I spat, disgust dripping from my tone.
He shrugged. "Tessy is marriage material. They're just for fun."
"You're disgusting. I'll tell her the truth about you."
"Oh?" He chuckled darkly. "Do you really think she'll believe you?"
He leaned closer, pretending to shiver. "Oh no, I'm so scared."
And then, with vile arrogance, he whispered, "If you want, you can join me too." His finger brushed along my cheek, and bile rose in my throat.
I snapped. I swung my hand to slap him, but he caught my wrist mid-air and twisted it brutally behind my back. Pain shot through me, tears springing to my eyes. My back pressed against his chest, trapped.
"Shh… don't make this harder for yourself, Eira," he hissed against my ear. "Don't interfere in my life."
I whimpered in pain, refusing to answer.
His grip tightened like iron. "Say yes!" he demanded, twisting harder until I thought my bones would snap.
Helpless, I nodded.
The bell rang, and he shoved me to the floor before striding away. Red welts already marked my wrist.
The next lecture became a blur.
I couldn't focus.
Couldn't think.
Couldn't breathe properly.
The bruises on my wrist burned.
But not as much as the truth.
Tessy deserved better.
So much better.
I was gathering my books when suddenly—
A hand wrapped around my injured wrist.
Gentle.
Careful.
Almost impossibly gentle.
I looked up.
Adrain.
And immediately froze.
Because the moment he saw the bruises...
Something terrifying happened.
His expression changed.
Not annoyance.
Not irritation.
Not curiosity.
Rage.
Pure rage.
The kind that made the air around him feel dangerous.
His eyes locked onto the marks.
And for one terrifying moment...
I thought he might actually kill someone.
"Who did this?"
His voice vibrated with fury.
Every word sounded forced through clenched teeth.
"It d-doesn't matter to you."
I tried pulling away.
A second later his hands were on my shoulders.
Firm.
Strong.
Unmovable.
He turned me toward him.
Forcing me to meet his gaze.
"Don't test my patience, Eira. Tell me—who did this?"
My heart skipped.
Then stumbled.
Then completely lost rhythm.
Because this wasn't anger.
Not really.
There was something else underneath it.
Something raw.
Something protective.
My breath hitched, but defiance sparked. "When you don't answer my questions, why should I answer yours?"
His eyes narrowed, his voice dropping lower, controlled but lethal. "Haven't you ever watched Discovery Channel? When we look an animal in the eyes, without fear, they see us as stronger. They back away."
The realization struck me like lightning. That's how he made the wolves run. But… still, how could one person terrify so many? My doubts tangled tighter around me.
"Now," he pressed, "answer my question."
Panic flared. If I told him about Peter, what would Adrain do? Kill him? God knows what he's capable of.
So I forced a laugh. "Tessy and I were fighting. She twisted my wrist by mistake."
The atmosphere changed immediately.
His face darkened.
His jaw tightened.
And suddenly—
I was against the wall.
A startled gasp escaped me.
My heart slammed violently against my ribs.
His palms hit the wall beside my head.
Trapping me instantly.
No escape.
No distance.
No oxygen.
Just him.
His presence surrounded me completely.
Overwhelming.
Terrifying.
Intoxicating.
"You think I'm stupid?"
His voice was low.
Dangerous.
Each word sent shivers down my spine.
His eyes never left mine.
Not for a second.
As though he could see every lie.
Every secret.
Every heartbeat.
I shook my head desperately.
"N-no…"
He stepped closer.
My breath caught.
Then disappeared entirely.
His face was so close.
Too close.
Close enough to see every detail.
Close enough to feel the heat radiating from him.
Close enough to make my thoughts completely unravel.
Then he leaned toward my ear.
And my knees nearly gave out.
"I will find out."
A whisper.
Just a whisper.
Yet it felt like a promise carved into stone.
Not a threat.
A certainty.
The kind that couldn't be stopped.
The kind that would chase the truth until it found it.
For one endless moment, neither of us moved.
Neither of us breathed.
Then he pulled away.
Turned.
And walked off.
Leaving me standing there.
Heart pounding.
Breath stolen.
Completely shaken.
And somehow...
The thing terrifying me most wasn't Peter anymore.
It was the look in Adrain's eyes when he saw someone had hurt me.