Ren barely made it through the rest of the day. Each class dragged on endlessly, every tick of the clock a reminder of Li Wei's presence only a few desks away. His golden eyes never strayed for long, and every time Ren dared to glance up, he caught that same faint smirk playing on Li Wei's lips.
By the final bell, Ren's nerves were shot. He avoided Hana's invitation to walk home together, muttering something about needing rest, then hurried out of school as fast as his shaky legs would carry him.
When he reached home, he collapsed face-first onto his bed, burying his face into the pillow. His entire body still felt drained—weak and sore from what had happened, his mind running in frantic circles.
This can't keep happening, he thought miserably. I'll lose my mind if it does.
He shut his eyes, willing himself to sleep, even if only for a short nap. But sleep didn't come easily. Every time he drifted near, fragments of the dream replayed: Li Wei's hand pinning him, golden chains burning across his skin, the low growl of "Mine."
Ren turned onto his side, hugging the pillow to his chest as if it could shield him. His breathing evened out eventually, exhaustion finally dragging him into slumber.
The room was quiet, the evening light soft through the curtains. For a moment, it seemed peaceful.
But in the corner of the room, unseen, a faint golden glow shimmered briefly before fading.
Li Wei's voice was a whisper across the silence, almost tender this time.
"Rest while you can, beloved. The bond between us only grows stronger while you sleep."
Ren stirred faintly, caught between dreams and reality, unaware of the shadow that lingered just beyond reach.
And though his body finally rested, his soul remained restless—because even in sleep, the serpent was always watching.