Chapter 24

The rest of the school day is agonizing. I find myself checking the clock over and over again, growing more and more dismayed when I see how quickly the time is passing. Before I know it the final bell sounds.

I suppress a groan and peel myself out of my seat. I look at Vedant in the row above gathering his things and consider bolting. If he can’t find me, he can’t force me to take me to him to my house.

Before I have the opportunity to put that plan into action he turns to look at me and suddenly I’m fixed in place. His expression is serious like he knows what I’m thinking. I can tell that even if I try to hide, he will find me.

He turns his attention back to his things, taking his time as the other students begin to file out of the classroom. Of course, he’s stalling so that he’s not seen walking with me.

Alice approaches his desk chattering away, but he waves her off. I do my best not draw attention to myself as she passes, but she shoots me a dirty look. She can tell I’m waiting for Vedant.

The last person finally exits the classroom, and Vedant turns to me. The look on his face is annoyed like this was my idea or something.

I sigh. My house is on the very edge of pack lands, and I am not looking forward to making the long trek with Vedant by my side. We walk out of the class and then through the front doors of the school in silence.

I do my best to ignore his presence, but our mate bond has me drifting closer until our arms are nearly brushing. I curse internally as this happens for the fourth time, and take a big step to the side.

As we continue to walk, keeps eyeing me and I realize that he is being similarly affected. I decide to break the tension.

“I know that that night didn’t turn out how you expected, but congratulations on winning the competition. You did New Moon pack proud.”

His ears turn red, a quirk that I remember from our time as childhood friends, and I am hit with a wave of nostalgia for the way things used to be. The brief feeling of warmth is short lived.

Vedant looks at me, his expression cold. “Drop it, Chiara.”

I nod, disappointed. “Sure, sorry.”

I try not to look too upset, as we continue along the winding path. Minutes pass and the silence is more uncomfortable than ever. I shoot a glance in Vedant’s direction and am dismayed to see that I have once again wandered into his personal bubble.

I move to reposition myself but my foot catches on something along the path. I start to fall face first onto the path, but before I can hit the ground Vedant shifts and I feel his strong arms wrap around me.

He looks at me concerned; his arms still wrapped around my waist. “Are you okay?” His voice is surprisingly tender.

I nod, looking up at him. We stay like that for a beat too long before he releases me. His expression darkens and his voice turns cold as he replies. “Good.”

I nod and put the intended distance between us, careful not to trip this time.

Finally, my house comes into view. I turn to Vedant, unsure of what to say. “Um… here we are.”

I pull out my keys and let us into the small home, flipping on the lights. Vedant looks around the small living room, a peculiar expression on his face.

“Um, my computer is in my room. I can grab it, or you can follow me in there or…” I trail off as he starts to walk around the space scanning.

I am thankful that I had removed any evidence of Felix from the space, unable to look at it when I found out his real identity.

My relief vanishes when I think about the picture of yellow roses from his garden, my favorite. It is the one thing I hadn’t let go of. I think about where it sits on the desk in my room.

I need to get it first. Vedant continues looking around making his way to the kitchen to examine the few pictures I have hung on the fridge.

I edge towards my room. He looks up, suspicion etched across his face.

“I uh… was just going to grab my laptop.”

He shakes his head. “No need. I’m done here. I’ll follow to your room.”

I nod. “Right. Okay.”

I lead him through the small doorway leading to my room. I grab the laptop lying on my bed and input the password before passing it over. I watch as he navigates to the website where we met and checks the accounts.

Satisfied that he won’t find anything but the main profile under my real name, I leave him to it. I make my best effort to appear casual as I back up slowly until I’m leaning against the desk.

He looks up at me and my heart jumps to my throat. If he looks past me at all he will see the photo on the desk.

I don’t say anything and after a moment he returns his attention to the laptop, clicking out of the internet onto photo app. I breathe a sigh of relief. I reach back slowly as not to draw his notice and palm the picture.

I carefully slide my hand forward until it hangs by my side. I wait until Vedant closes my laptop and then I quickly step to the side granting him access to my desk. Once his back is facing me I slide the picture into my pocket.

Vedant finishes looking at the contents of my desk and turns to me. His voice is hard. “It looks like I was wrong.”

He doesn’t say anything else, just strides through the house and out the front door. I let out a breath as the door closes behind him.

My spirits are high when I walk to school the next morning. Yesterday went well. I am hopeful Vedant’s suspicions have been settled for good, and I can put Felix and Iris firmly in the past.

I pull out my phone, about to send a quick text to Lynn updating her on the situation when someone grabs me by the arm and yanks me to the side of the building. I open my mouth to scream but a hand quickly covers my mouth.

Alice stands before me with a feral look on her face. “If you scream you’ll only make it worse.”

She removes the hand from my mouth and rears it back slapping me. I wince, but don’t make a sound.

She smiles cruelly. “Good.”

I look around wondering if it would make any sense to run, but two of Alice’s friends come around the side of the school, smirking.

“I knew you were up to something yesterday, so I waited and followed you and Vedant out of the school.”

I don’t speak as she leans in close.

“I can’t believe you took him home with you.”

She slaps me again. “Slut.”

I shake my head. “It’s not like that I…” My words trail off as Alice extends one her claws, her eyes glowing yellow.

“First Vedant claims that bitch Iris at the competition and now he’s going home with you of all people.” She growls.

She presses the claw to my cheek, and I gasp. “You’re disgusting.”

With one sharp movement she drags her claw across my face, blood starts to gush from the wound. A small cry escapes my lips and Alice pushes me back against the bricks. “Quiet.”

I close my eyes in anticipation of the next cut. Before she can make her next attack her friends’ laughter quiets.

I open my eyes and see Vedant standing there looking between us. The mate bond must have signaled to him that I am in trouble. Maybe he’ll put a stop to this torment.

Alice steps back. “Vedant! Thank goodness you’re here. Chiara attacked me out of nowhere! I got her against the wall, but who knows what she would have done next.”

I gape at her. Not only is the fight three against one, but I’m the only one with any kind of injury. Vedant looks at her dubiously, so she continues.

“She’s has it out for me! Remember the poison?”

I don’t think Vedant is going to believe her but to my surprise his face is cold when he looks at me. His voice is hard. “Two more weeks of cleaning the school.”

They walk away and I am left reeling. Did he really believe her or was he just in a cruel mood? Thank the goddess he didn’t discover that I was Iris yesterday.