Cornered
I waited until everyone else was before leaving the locker rooms. As I turned the corner, I bumped into something solid. My heart leapt into my throat, terrified that Riley had cornered me again. Instead, I found myself staring up at a pair of piercing blue eyes.
“Norrix…” I whispered, swallowing the thick lump that had formed in my throat.
“What the fuck happened today, Woodrow?” he growled at me. He was close, too close, and I took an uncomfortable step back.
“Riley Haven is an asshole, that’s what happened.” I replied. “Can’t I be paired with someone else?”
“No. You heard what my father said, Woodrow. You and Haven need to figure this shit out and stop causing drama.” I wanted to protest, to defend myself, but my mouth had gone dry, that heat coming back, pulsing through me in a wave.
I was frozen in place, unable to respond. And then, suddenly, Norrix took three strides forward and I found myself pinned between his chest and the wall. When I dared look up to meet his gaze, panic and confusion warring inside me, a chill ran down my spine.
His pupils had expanded, his eyes almost completely black as he stared down at me. It wasn’t only his eyes that had changed, he stared down at me with a strange expression, like he was in pain.
“Are you alright?” I choked out in a whisper.
He blinked rapidly, as if coming out of a daze, and recoiled. “Go...” he commanded roughly. I didn’t need to be told twice, slipping fast him and walking away as fast as my legs could carry me.
I was still shaking when I arrived home, hurrying to my room and grabbing my apron. After my punishment, I’d been excused from work for the week, but my time off was over. Since neither my father nor grandmother were home to drive me, I had to walk.
I made it into the café six minutes late; Stella shot me a look of disapproval but said nothing. The work was simple, but it gave me a chance to take my mind off everything that had happened the last two days.
Two hours into my shift, the bell above the door chimed and a couple walked in. I was surprised to see Violet enter the café. I was even more surprised to find Riley Haven’s arm draped around her shoulder.
“I didn’t know you were still working here, Tyranni.” Violet greeted as they approached the counter. “You haven’t been here in a while…” I didn’t know whether she was trying to be polite or insinuating something, but my cheeks flushed anyway.
“Yeah, I had some time off.” I replied bluntly, throwing a hateful glance at Riley. His arm was still wrapped around her, but he smirked at me. Something told me this wasn’t some coincidental encounter. “What can I get you?” I asked, ignoring him to focus on Violet.
After their order was taken and made, I left them sitting at one of the tables and went to take my break, walking outside for some much-needed fresh air. I leaned against the wall of the building, staring up at the cloudy sky.
“Hey,” I rolled my eyes, stiffening when Riley joined me. “Your dad still in the hospital.”
“Yeah.” I replied bluntly. I didn’t move, didn’t so much as turn to look at him. I heard a flick and then the smell of smoke hit me as he lit a cigarette.
“You need a ride home after your shift?” A bitter laugh of disbelief erupted from me.
“I’d rather walk.” I replied pointedly.
“You know, for someone with no wolf, you really are an arrogant bitch, Woodrow.” He muttered angrily. There was a long moment of silence, and then he held the cigarette out in front of me. I didn’t smoke, but I saw it as a chance to put things behind us, if only for the sake of making training sessions bearable.
The smoke burned as I inhaled and I let out a cough, passing the cigarette back with a grimace. “Riley, what the fuck did I ever do to you? Why won’t you just leave me alone?”
“You never had to do anything, Tyr. You just get under my skin.” He chuckled. “Been that way since we were fucking kids.” I stared at him, unable to believe what I was hearing. I couldn’t recall Riley ever speaking more than ten words to me during school.
He took another drag from his cigarette, letting out a long puff of smoke. “Are you a virgin, Tyranni?”
“That’s none of your fucking business!” I snapped, the words coming out a furious squeak.
“You are…” he stated, grinning at me as my face flushed. He turned, flicking his cigarette and stepping toward me.
I shrank against the wall like a frightened mouse, unable to move as he placed his hands on my hips. “If you weren’t, I’d fuck you right here against the wall, where anyone could watch…” he whispered.
I glared defiantly up at him, but my body was shaking in fear. There was no one around to help me, no one to stop him. In the ring, I could take him, but here? Without a wolf, I didn’t stand a chance. “I could be gentle, though, if that’s what you want…” he breathed, his tone suddenly sweet. I could almost mistake it for tenderness.
“Why don’t you let me take you home tonight?” he offered again, leaning in, his body heat pressed against me. “I could be so good to you, you know… And if you’re good to me, maybe I’ll keep you… Even without a wolf…” he whispered, his breath ghosting across my lips.
At the mention of what I lacked, anger coursed through me, finally piercing through my haze of fear and stillness. Without warning, I slammed my food down on his. Riley let out a harsh grunt and I shoved him away. “Fucking bitch!” he snarled as I hurried back inside, still trembling as I hid in the corner behind the espresso machine.
A minute or so passed before the bell on the door chimed and I heard Riley’s voice. Stella didn’t say anything, her lips pursed as she watched me. Only when I heard them leave, did I finally let out a sigh of relief.