OLIVIA'S P.O.V
But before I hit the floor, a strong arm wrapped around my waist, steadying me and pulling me into a warm, firm embrace.
My breath froze.
Slowly, carefully, I opened my eyes… expecting disgust. Irritation. Maybe even a shove.
Instead, my gaze collided with starry green eyes—bright, deep, and shimmering with genuine concern.
There was only one boy in the entire school with eyes like that.
Cole Wolf.
The school's golden boy, their heartthrob. The definition of perfection.
He was good at everything—sports, grades, looks, family name. Every girl in school adored him, worshipped him, and dreamed of him.
Everyone but me.
Not because I didn't… but because I wasn't allowed to.
Hailey was obsessed with him—dangerously so. I wasn't even allowed to breathe near him.
I tried to pull away from Cole's hold, but he tightened his grip slightly.
"Hey, hey—wait," he said, concern lacing his voice. "Are you okay?"
His tone was deep and warm, brushing against my ears like velvet. It made me shiver.
"I-I…"
Words. I couldn't find them. No one ever asked how I felt. I didn't know how to answer.
Cole gently released me once he was sure I was steady. I kept my eyes lowered, terrified that if I looked up, he would change—his warmth would turn into the cruelty I was used to. Hailey's cruelty.
I nodded silently.
He smiled.
It was soft, warm, and too beautiful. It made him look almost unreal. A walking dream. His green eyes caught the hallway light, sparkling like stardust.
"Here—let me help," he said before I could protest.
He crouched down and picked up every invitation that had scattered across the floor.
Every single one, Even though I whispered desperately for him to stop.
Then he placed them gently in my arms.
Except for one.
He lifted the final card—the one meant for him.
He scanned it, and his lips quirked. "So you're delivering invitations for Hailey Miller's banquet?"
I nodded.
He was about to tear the card in half when panic jolted through me.
I grabbed his wrist.
"Stop!"
The word escaped louder than I intended. I slapped my hand over my mouth in shock.
He blinked, raising a brow. "Why?"
"It's… it's…" I stuttered helplessly. How could I tell him if he didn't attend Hailey would tear me apart? And proceed with ending her banquet?
He studied me a moment, then his eyes widened slightly.
"Wait—are you Hailey's sister?"
…Sister. The word stung.
But I nodded.
"Cool."
That warm smile returned, softening his sharp jaw line. "Then I guess I'll see you tonight?"
He tucked the card into his bag with surprising care.
Something about his sudden change in attitude… confused me. I didn't understand it. And maybe I never would.
"Hey?" he called again when he noticed my dazed expression. I nodded quickly. He smiled once more before walking off to his friends.
Cameron wild and Davis Fox—two of the school's other living Greek gods—flanked him, talking, laughing.
[None of them noticed the girl hiding in the shadows behind the lockers.]
Her eyes burned with fury.
And the lipstick in her hand… snapped clean in two.