Kael trudged toward his dorm, his mind already picturing the glorious collapse onto his bed. But his vision of peace shattered when he spotted Ingrid leaning against his door. Her red hair shimmered in the light, and her piercing gaze was locked on him.
"Oh no," Kael muttered under his breath, but it was too late. She had seen him.
"Kael," she called, her voice sweet but laced with steel. "We need to talk."
Kael stopped, considering his options. He could turn and run, but that hadn't worked so well last time. Resigned, he forced a smile. "Ingrid. Fancy seeing you here."
"Wow, you finally got my name right. Now cut the small talk," she snapped, stepping closer. "You ran out on me last night. Care to explain why?"
Kael sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look, Ingrid, last night was great, but—"
"But what?" she interrupted, folding her arms. "You had a good time, I had a good time, and then you just vanish like some... some romantic fugitive?"
"It's not like that," Kael said quickly. "I'm not looking for anything serious."
"Oh, please." She rolled her eyes. "That's the oldest excuse in the book. What's the real reason?"
Kael hesitated, knowing this wouldn't end well. "I'm waiting for my mate. You know how it is for lycans. One mate, forever, destiny, all that jazz."
Ingrid stared at him, unimpressed. "You're seriously using the mate card? Kael, we had a connection. A spark. Are you really going to let some mystical bond dictate your life?"
"Yes," he said firmly.
She wasn't deterred. "Kael, think about it. We're perfect together. I'm gorgeous, you're... well, you're you. We could be a power couple!"
Kael shook his head. "Ingrid, I'm flattered, but—"
"But nothing!" she interrupted, stepping closer. Her voice dropped into a melodic hum, the air around them vibrating slightly. "Kael, don't you feel it? The pull between us?"
Kael blinked, suddenly feeling a strange warmth spread through his chest. Her voice wrapped around him like a soft blanket, coaxing him to step closer.
"Wait a second," he said, shaking his head. "Are you... Are you using siren magic on me?"
"Of course not," she said, her tone dripping with innocence. But the melodic hum continued, her words weaving a subtle spell.
Kael stumbled back, holding up his hands. "You totally are! That's cheating, Ingrid!"
"Cheating?" she said, offended. "I'm just helping you see reason."
Kael shook his head furiously, trying to clear the haze. "Nope. Not happening. You're amazing, but I'm not falling for this. Literally."
She groaned, the siren melody cutting off abruptly. "Kael, you're impossible! Do you know how many people would kill to be in your position? To have me?"
"Probably a lot," Kael admitted, backing toward his door. "But I'm not one of them. Look, Ingrid, you're great, but I'm not your guy."
Her eyes narrowed, her frustration clear. "Fine. But don't come crawling back to me when you realize your mate doesn't exist or she's some boring lycan who can't even keep up with you."
Kael smirked. "Noted. Can I go now?"
She stepped aside with a huff, and Kael darted past her into his room, slamming the door behind him. He leaned against it, exhaling loudly.
Theron looked up from his desk, his brows raised. "Rough day?"
"You have no idea," Kael groaned."Ingrid ambushed me."
Theron's lips twitched with amusement. "And let me guess: she wasn't thrilled about you running off?"
"She used siren magic on me, Theron!" Kael exclaimed. "Do you know how unfair that is? It's like emotional blackmail with a soundtrack!"
Theron chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "You really are hopeless."
Kael sighed, walking towards his bed "Tell me something I don't know."
Kael glanced at Theron, sprawled out on his desk, fiddling with wires and some kind of device. "Why are you even in my room, anyway? Don't you have gnome things to do? Like inventing stuff that doesn't involve invading my space?"
Theron didn't even look up. "I'm here for science. Obviously."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "Science?"
Theron gestured vaguely at the contraption in front of him. "The mate detection device. You know, the one you begged me to make because you're so desperate to find 'the one.'"
Kael groaned, covering his face. "It wasn't begging. I was just... emphatically suggesting."
Theron smirked. "Sure. Anyway, I need a few samples from you. So I'm here to collect."
Kael squinted at him. "Samples? What samples? Hair? Blood? I'm not letting you poke me with needles again. That last time was borderline traumatic."
He froze mid-step as Theron brought out an intimidatingly large syringe and a sterile kit laid out in front of him.
"What's with the vampire starter kit?" He asked suspiciously
Theron looked up casually, as if Kael's reaction was completely unreasonable. "Collecting samples. For science. Remember?"
Kael glared at him. "Science? What kind of science involves invading my room and setting up a mini blood bank?"
Theron ignored him and continued setting up the syringe
Kael instinctively stepped back, clutching his arm. "Theron! You're not sticking me with that thing! Do I look like a guinea pig to you?"
Theron tilted his head, scrutinizing Kael like he genuinely needed to think about it. "A little. Maybe a very large, very hairy guinea pig."
Kael threw up his hands. "Forget it. Device or not, no way am I letting you stab me!"
Theron sighed, pulling out a small notebook. "Fine. Let's make a deal. Either I take a small blood sample, or I start collecting hair, nails, and saliva. Your choice."
Kael's face twisted in horror. "You're insane! Who asks for nails? That's serial killer behavior, Theron!"
Theron shrugged. "Your call, but the longer you argue, the harder this gets."
Kael groaned, eyeing the syringe like it might attack him. "You're really not giving me a choice here, are you?"
"Nope." Theron grinned, brandishing the syringe with way too much enthusiasm.
Kael sighed, reluctantly rolling up his sleeve. "Fine. But if I pass out, I'm suing you."
Theron leaned in, all business now. "Relax. I'm a genius, remember? This'll be quick."
Kael squeezed his eyes shut, muttering a stream of complaints under his breath as Theron expertly drew the sample.
"There. That wasn't so bad, was it?" Theron said, holding up the vial like a trophy.
Kael glared at him. "Wasn't so bad? You practically drained me! I'm surprised I'm still standing!"
Theron ignored him, carefully labeling the vial. "Okay, step one done. Next up: skin swabs and possibly tears."
Kael threw his arms up. "Tears?! What is wrong with you?"
Theron smirked, packing up his kit. "Relax, big guy. The tears are optional. Unless you cry easily. In which case..."
Kael grabbed a pillow and hurled it at him. "Get out of my room, you lunatic!"
Theron dodged, laughing. "This is all for you, Kael. Remember that when you find your mate and live happily ever after."
Kael flopped onto his bed, exhausted. "You're impossible."
Theron stood, heading for the door with his kit in hand. "And you're dramatic. We're even."
Kael groaned into his pillow. "Next time, warn me before you decide to play mad scientist in my room!"
"Noted," Theron said, completely unapologetic as he walked out.