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.
Through the next lecture, I couldn't focus. My mind churned with what had happened. I couldn't let Tessy marry that monster.
As I gathered my books, a sudden hand gently closed over my bruised wrist, holding it in a way that didn't hurt. I looked up.
Adrain.
His eyes burned with fury. "Who did this?" he asked, his teeth clenched, voice vibrating with rage.
"It d-doesn't matter to you," I muttered, trying to free my hand and escape.
But in an instant, his hands were on my shoulders, spinning me around to face him. His grip was firm, unyielding.
"Don't test my patience, Eira. Tell me—who did this?"
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."
A lie.
His face darkened instantly.
Suddenly, he shoved me back against the wall. My heart leapt into my throat. Why do I always end up like this with him?
I tried to dart left, but his arms caged me in, palms slamming against the wall on either side of my head. He leaned in, so close that only a breath separated us. His presence was overwhelming, suffocating, every nerve in my body set ablaze.
"You think I'm stupid?" His voice was low, dangerous, each syllable a dagger. His eyes pierced into mine, holding me captive, stripping away my lies.
I shook my head desperately. "N-no…"
He leaned even closer, his lips hovering at my ear, his breath searing my skin. My knees trembled under the weight of his nearness.
"I will find out," he whispered, the promise slicing through me, chilling and burning all at once.
And then he pulled back, turned, and walked away, leaving me crushed against the wall—heart racing, breath stolen, and utterly unravelled.