Chapter 2
The warm glow of the afternoon sun spilled across the university courtyard, where students milled about, chatting, laughing, and hurrying to their next classes. Amid the bustle, Elena walked briskly, clutching her books tightly against her chest. Her mind was a whirlwind of emotions after the events of her first day.
Adrian's charm and Ethan's intensity lingered in her thoughts, and the way they seemed to orbit her with an almost magnetic pull was both exhilarating and unnerving. She shook her head, trying to focus. It's just the first day. Maybe I'm reading too much into things, she thought.
"Lost in thought again?"
Elena jumped slightly, turning to see Adrian leaning casually against a nearby lamppost, a faint smirk playing on his lips. He was dressed impeccably, as usual, his dark shirt hugging his frame.
"Adrian," she said, trying to sound composed. "What are you doing here?"
He pushed off the lamppost and walked toward her with the smooth grace of a predator. "I thought I'd help you find your next class. You seem to have a habit of wandering aimlessly."
Elena rolled her eyes, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "I'm not wandering. I know where I'm going."
"Sure you do," Adrian teased, falling into step beside her.
As they walked, Adrian's gaze lingered on her, a curious mixture of fascination and longing. He wanted to ask her a thousand questions—what she liked, what made her laugh, what her blood would taste like—but he held back. For now, he was content just being near her.
Across campus, Ethan stood at the edge of the forest, watching the scene unfold from a distance. His wolf instincts bristled at the sight of Adrian walking so casually with Elena.
"Pathetic," Lucas muttered beside him, arms crossed. "You're just going to let him get to her?"
Ethan growled low in his throat. "This isn't a game. If I make a move now, it'll only push her toward him."
Lucas smirked. "Since when did you care about subtlety? The pack's been noticing, you know. You're distracted."
Ethan turned sharply, his green eyes glowing faintly. "Stay out of it, Lucas. This has nothing to do with the pack."
"Everything has to do with the pack," Lucas snapped, stepping closer. "You're their leader's son. If you get too close to her, it'll spark questions we can't afford to answer. You know how fragile humans are. She's not worth it."
Ethan's jaw tightened. "That's not your call to make."
Later that evening, Elena found herself in the library again, pouring over her notes in a quiet corner. The faint scent of old books and polished wood filled the air, offering a sense of calm.
"Mind if I join you?"
Startled, she looked up to see Ethan standing there, his broad frame casting a shadow across the table.
"Ethan," she said, blinking. "Sure. Take a seat."
He slid into the chair across from her, his intense gaze locking onto hers. "You've been busy," he remarked, nodding at the scattered papers and notebooks.
"Just trying to stay ahead," Elena replied, shrugging. "What about you? Don't you have a pack of... I mean, a group of friends to hang out with?"
Ethan smirked, his eyes glinting. "I needed a break."
For a moment, they sat in companionable silence, but Elena couldn't shake the tension in the air. There was something about Ethan—something raw and untamed—that made her heart race.
"Ethan," she began hesitantly, "can I ask you something?"
He leaned forward slightly, his interest piqued. "Anything."
"Why do you and Adrian seem to... hate each other?"
Ethan's expression darkened, and he sat back in his chair, crossing his arms. "Let's just say we have... history. And very different priorities."
"History?" Elena pressed. "Like what?"
He hesitated, his jaw clenching. "It's complicated."
Before she could ask more, a shadow fell across the table, and Adrian appeared, his presence as commanding as ever.
"Fancy seeing you here," Adrian said smoothly, his gaze flickering to Ethan with a subtle edge.
Ethan tensed, his hands balling into fists under the table. "Adrian."
"Ethan," Adrian replied, his tone dripping with mock cordiality.
Elena looked between them, her confusion growing. "Okay, what is going on with you two? This is ridiculous."
Adrian's smile faltered, and Ethan looked away, his expression unreadable.
"Let's just say," Adrian began, his voice softer now, "Ethan and I are from two very different worlds. Worlds that don't exactly get along."
Elena frowned. "That doesn't explain anything."
Ethan stood abruptly, the chair scraping against the floor. "You're better off not knowing." Without another word, he strode out of the library, leaving Adrian and Elena in awkward silence.
Later that night, Adrian returned to his apartment, his mind racing. He poured himself a glass of wine, though the taste offered little comfort.
"Still brooding over the human?" Marcus asked, lounging on the couch as usual.
Adrian didn't answer immediately. He stared out the window, his crimson eyes reflecting the city lights.
"She's more than human," he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper.
Marcus sat up, his expression serious for once. "What do you mean?"
Adrian turned, his gaze sharp. "There's something about her blood. I can feel it. She's not like anyone I've ever met."
Marcus frowned. "You're playing a dangerous game, Adrian. If the elders find out—"
"They won't," Adrian interrupted, his tone firm. "Not until I figure out what she is."
Meanwhile, in the forest, Ethan stood beneath the full moon, his wolf just beneath the surface.
"She's human," Lucas said from behind him, his tone cold. "Fragile. Weak. You can't protect her forever."
"I don't care what she is," Ethan growled, his voice low and guttural. "She's... different. And I'm not letting anyone hurt her."
Lucas sighed, shaking his head. "You're going to get us all killed."
Ethan didn't respond. His gaze was fixed on the horizon, where the lights of the university campus glowed faintly in the distance.
In her dorm room, Elena sat on her bed, staring at her reflection in the mirror.
"What have I gotten myself into?" she whispered.
She couldn't deny the pull she felt toward both Adrian and Ethan. But there was something deeper—a nagging sense that she was caught in a web far more dangerous than she realized.
And as the night deepened, the shadows outside her window seemed to whisper promises of secrets yet to be uncovered.