✦ EIRA POV ✦
I was standing in the corner of the hall, clutching a glass of ice-cold juice, my mind spinning with ways to reveal Peter's true face. His father had already made the grand announcement, and now everyone was on the dance floor, moving gracefully in a ballroom dance.
Peter's eyes found mine across the room—his lips curled into that wicked, taunting smirk while he twirled Tessy in his arms. My stomach turned in disgust, and I tore my gaze away.
But then, my eyes met his.
Adrain.
He was watching me from across the hall, his stare sharp and unreadable. Behind him stood a breathtakingly beautiful woman and a striking man. Their skin was pale—unnaturally pale—and their presence radiated unimaginable wealth and power. They didn't even look old enough to be parents, yet the way they stood beside Adrain made it obvious who they were.
His parents.
And they were staring at me. Directly. Unblinking. The weight of their gaze pressed down on me until my skin prickled. I quickly looked away, heart racing, but before I could think more, someone tapped my shoulder.
It was Tessy, glowing in her gown, smiling at me as if nothing else in the world mattered.
✦ ADRAIN POV ✦
I stood in the hall, waiting for Mr. Dawn's announcement, when I noticed Tessy speaking with him. So, she's the girl they've chosen. But she's also Eira's best friend. That means… she must be here.
My eyes swept across the hall, searching. But she wasn't there.
Then—her scent. Soft, unmistakable. It hit me like fire in my veins. My head turned toward the source, and I followed it to a half-open door.
And then I saw her.
Eira.
Trapped in Peter's grip.
Something inside me snapped. Molten rage surged through me as I ripped her from his hands. Tears streaked her face, and when I touched her cheek, she flinched in pain. My chest constricted at the sight of the bruise on her delicate skin.
My vision went red.
I grabbed Peter by the throat and lifted him off the ground as though he weighed nothing. His legs kicked wildly, his hands clawing at mine, but I didn't loosen my grip.
He touched her. He dared to lay his filthy hands on her.
Her wrist… her cheek…
So it was him.
She screamed my name, begged me to stop, her fists pounding desperately against my chest. But I couldn't hear anything—only the thunder of my own fury.
It wasn't until his eyes rolled back, his face turning red, that I forced myself to release him. He collapsed to the ground, coughing violently, barely breathing.
"Stay away from her," I warned, my voice like fire.
Then, without another word, I seized Eira's trembling hand and pulled her out of the room. She looked up at me in shock, but I couldn't bring myself to meet her eyes. I released her only once we reached the hall.
But not before I noticed them.
Mike and Elisa—watching. My parents. Their gazes fixed not on me… but on Eira. On my hand holding hers.
Damn it.
"Who is she?" Mike's voice was cold, sharp, cutting into me.
"No one," I replied, forcing the words through clenched teeth.
He narrowed his eyes. "It doesn't seem like that."
"She's nothing to me," I said firmly.
Mike smirked faintly. "Good. She should always be nothing."
Elisa's eyes lingered on Eira. "She's different," she murmured softly. "Not like every human."
"She's human," I snapped.
"Yes… but something about her feels unusual."
"You're imagining things," I muttered.
But even as I denied it, her words gnawed at me.
✦ EIRA POV ✦
The music swelled again as people returned to the dance floor. I tried to stay invisible, but then Peter—damn him—appeared right in front of me.
"Dance with me," he said, his smirk sending shivers of disgust down my spine.
I wanted to refuse. I wanted to scream. But Tessy… she was still smiling, still oblivious. So, for her sake, I forced myself to nod.
His hand slid to my waist as he pulled me closer. My skin crawled.
Tessy was busy talking to Mrs. Dawn. No one was watching.
I tried to slip away, but his grip tightened, his fingers digging cruelly into me. His smirk widened, as if he could read every thought of escape in my head.
Suddenly, his face twisted in pain. His grip faltered.
I turned my head and froze.
Adrain.
His hand clamped around Peter's wrist, squeezing so tightly Peter's knuckles turned white. His eyes blazed with fury.
Then his gaze flicked to me.
I shook my head desperately. No. Don't. Please.
His jaw tightened, but after a beat, he let go of Peter's wrist. Instead, his hand found mine—firm, unrelenting—and he pulled me off the dance floor, out of the hall, away from the crowd.
My heart thundered as he led me outside, into the cool night air.
🚘 Car Confrontation (Full Scene)
We reached the parking lot. Before I could say a word, he spun me around and pinned me against his car. His arms braced on either side of me, caging me in.
My breath hitched.
"W-what are you—"
His face lowered dangerously close to mine, his eyes dark, molten. "What does he want from you?" His voice was sharp, trembling with restrained rage.
My throat tightened. "It has nothing to do with you," I whispered.
He growled softly, his jaw clenching, his stare burning through me. "Will you ever answer my question?"
I pressed my hands against his chest, desperate for space, but he didn't move an inch. His heartbeat hammered beneath my palms, wild and violent.
"Get inside," he ordered.
Before I could argue, he opened the door and shoved me gently but firmly into the passenger seat. The locks clicked shut with a heavy finality.
He slid in beside me, his knuckles white as they gripped the steering wheel. The silence was unbearable, suffocating. Then his eyes cut to mine again, colder, sharper.
"Will you answer me now?" His voice was softer this time, but far more dangerous.
I glared back, crossing my arms. "No. I will not."
That smirk appeared on his lips—dark, cruel, terrifying.
"You will, Eira," he said slowly, each word dripping with certainty. "Tonight… you'll answer all of my questions."
A shiver ran through me. That smirk. That wicked, dangerous smirk.
Oh God.What is he going to do to me?