Chapter 29

Anila POV

It was so sudden, and out of the blue that Xaden had to blink a few times to even process what I said. Then his brows furrowed, and that desire that was soaking his features evaporated in guarded skepticism.

My chest tightened at the look, and it confirmed that what I had seen last night was… not normal. Not even by abnormal standards.

“What?” Even his voice was taut.

“When I got back to my dorm this morning, I took a shower. After my shower I got back into my room and looked in the mirror… my eyes were glowing purple. It only lasted a second. When I blinked, they were back to normal. I thought maybe I was losing my mind. Maybe I am… I don’t really know.”

My mouth was moving without my registering of what was coming out of it. Maybe that’s because I was desperate to have some sort of understanding. About me, about this world, and about what it all means.

“That’s… impossible.”

His arms dropped to his sides, the elevator stuttered to a stop and the doors opened with a soft ding. Contrition hazed his features, his jaw ticked as his teeth ground together, uneasy.

Which in turn made me worried. If he didn’t know, then who would? What does it mean? What will I turn into during my first shift? Suddenly, my approaching birthday seemed daunting, and maybe even a bit terrifying.

Before either of us had a chance to stew, I waved my hand carelessly, dismissing the subject as I started out of the elevator, Xaden on my trail.

“Well, it was kind of dark in my room and I was really tired. Maybe I imagined it,” I said, attempting to brush it off.

I risked a glance behind me, frowning at the puzzlement knitting Xaden’s features—he was already beginning to spiral into a voice of questions, and no answers.

“Maybe we can find something in the library,” He mumbled more to himself than to me.

I nodded and forced a smile, though I knew it wasn’t reaching my eyes. He took my hand, entwining his fingers through mine, and walked by my side.

The air around us returned to something comfortable, and familiar. But still, I couldn’t help the uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach when I thought about my first shift. What was I going to be?

My birthday was only in a few weeks, and I worried that I was going to become a monster, someone that I didn’t recognize. Or worse, someone Xaden doesn’t recognize.

We reached his car in the parking lot, and I slid into the passenger seat while he ran around to the driver’s seat. He held my hand with his right hand and the steering wheel with his left hand while he drove.

It didn’t take long to get to the breakfast place; it was a small hole in the wall called “The Breakfast Nook” located in the center of the small town around the corner of the school. It took us no time to get there. Most of the shops around this town were close together and I instantly recognized the place where I got my necklace and a few of the outlets and stores where I got my clothes and essential supplies.

Xaden had explained that these stores were open all night and closed during the day because most beings around here are nocturnal.

I found myself already used to the strange time change and I hardly noticed the fact that it was 8 pm and not 8 am. The only difference was the moon was lighting up our way and not the sun.

Xaden parked the car on the side of the road, and we walked a short distance to the restaurant. The small bell on the door chimed as we entered and the waitress, who was placing food on another table, glanced in our direction and gave us each a fond smile.

“I’ll be right with you,” she called to us.

Xaden wrapped an arm around me and pulled me close to his side.

“Take your time,” he said in return.

She nodded and continued to hand out food to the table she was serving.

My mouth was already watering from the scent of the coffee and delicious foods being cooked in the kitchen. My stomach was growling hungrily, and I had to place my hand on my belly to keep it calm.

This caused Xaden to chuckle, and I looked up at him with flushed cheeks, embarrassed.

“Sorry,” he laughed. “You’re just cute.”

Before I could say anything, the waitress returned.

“Sorry about that. A table for two?” She asked, glancing between us.

“Yes, please,” Xaden said, nodding his head.

She grabbed a couple of menus and motioned for us to follow her. She took us to a small booth near the window.

“Can I get you some coffee?” She asked, taking out a notepad and a pen.

“Yes,” I said, a little too quickly, which earned a smile from Xaden.

She nodded and went to get our coffee.

“So, what are your classes?” Xaden asked once we were alone.

I took my schedule out of my skirt pocket and slid it across the table for him. He glanced it over and gave it an appreciative nod.

“You’ll like these professors,” he told me, handing me the schedule back. “If you need extra help with anything let me know.”

I smiled, appreciative of him.

“Are we training later today?” I asked him.

“We both have a free period at 2 am, so yeah, we can train,” he told me. “We can train again at 4 am too before dinner.”

The waitress returned with our coffee and then gave us a few more minutes to look over the menu. Everything looked so delicious, especially because I was so hungry. By the time she returned, we were both ready to order.

I ordered cinnamon roll pancakes and Xaden ordered a Belgian Waffle.

Once she was gone, I picked up my coffee mug and took a deep breath, allowing the scent to invade my nose and wake all my senses. I could feel the effects of the caffeine before my first sip. I took a sip and allowed the flavors to dance off my tongue and heat to run down my throat as I sighed, satisfied.

We talked for a little bit longer, mainly about our lessons for the day. Not before long the waitress returned with our food and we both dug in quickly. I was ravenous and this food was amazing.

By the time we finished, Xaden paid the bill, leaving the waitress a generous tip and thanking her. Then he took my hand and escorted me back to his car.

The drive back to school was quiet, but it wasn’t awkward. Neither of us felt the need to fill the silence with meaningless conversation. It was actually nice not saying anything, just enjoying one another’s presence.

We reached the school and when Xaden parked, he leaned over and brushed his lips across mine.

It was almost 9 pm, so we couldn’t stay there long.

“Oh, I almost forgot,” he said, reaching into his backseat and pulling out a purple backpack. “I got this for you yesterday. Figured you’d want a backpack for school.”

My eyes brightened as I grabbed the bag.

“I love it, thank you,” I breathed. With all that had happened these last couple of nights, I completely forgot I would need one of these. “Your professors will give you a supply list. We can run by the school store later to get everything you need.”

I nodded in appreciation before kissing him again and then we left his car.

Xaden was sweet enough to walk me to my first class, History of Shifters with Professor Santina. I knew Penny was in this class too and I was relieved for that.

Before I could disappear into the classroom, Xaden grabbed my arm and pulled me into his chest. I stared up at him, breathlessly with my cheeks flushed as he leaned down and kissed me with such a hungry passion that it took my entire breath away. My whole heart thudded violently against my ribcage, and I found it difficult to step away from him.

Just when I thought he was going to pull away, he ended up deepening the kiss. His tongue broke through the barrier that was my lips and searching my mouth with such curiosity. I couldn’t help but smile into his kiss.

I ran my fingers up his broad chest, clutching his shirt within my fist and pressing myself closer to him.

I completely forgot where I was and what I was about to do at that moment. All I knew was that Xaden was mine and I was his. Nothing could ever change that. My heart was completely his and nothing else mattered.

That is until I heard a throat clearing from behind us, making me jump away breathlessly and completely flustered.

I whipped around to see an older woman standing at the doorway of the classroom with her brows raised to her greying hairline and her lips pressed in a firm line. Her arms were folded across her chest, and she was tapping her foot almost impatiently.

“Mind telling me why you are groping one another outside my classroom?”