Chp 18
1129 Words
Zyra POV
The cafeteria is louder than usual today,metal trays clattering, voices overlapping, chairs scraping. I weave through the crowd with Aurora at my side, hugging my lunch plate like a shield. My shoulders still feel warm, as if Dael’s stare from earlier carved its way into my skin and refused to leave.
Aurora picks a table near the window, the sunlight spilling over her silvery hair. I sit opposite her, trying to keep my breathing steady. She’s quiet for a moment, studying me like she’s waiting for me to start.
I stab a fork into my salad.
“Okay…” Aurora finally says. “What happened? You’ve been spaced out the whole walk here.”
My fingers tighten around the fork. “Nothing happened.”
Aurora raises a brow. “Nothing? Zyra, you nearly walked into a wall. What’s going on?”
I exhale, letting my eyes drift across the cafeteria, big mistake. Dael isn’t here, but the memory of earlier flashes in my mind anyway. His friends talking animatedly while he stood still, eyes locked on me. Like he could hear nothing but the sound of my heartbeat.
Just remembering it sends heat crawling up my neck.
“I just…” I started slowly, “had a weird morning.”
“Weird how?”
I hesitate. How do I explain Dael Morozov staring at me like I’d personally offended the moon?, Or the way he appeared behind Ryan out of nowhere, towering, silent, glare sharp enough to cut through bone?
“Is it about Ryan?” Aurora asks.
“No,” I say too quickly. “It’s not Ryan.”
Her expression sharpens instantly. “Then who is it?”
I try to redirect. “Can we just eat?”
“Zyra.”
I let out a frustrated sigh. “Fine. Dael. It’s… it’s about Dael Morozov.”
Aurora freezes.
Like literally freezes.
Her fingers go still halfway to her mouth, and the color drains from her face.
“What about him?” she whispers, suddenly alert.
“I didn’t do anything,” I say defensively. “I barely even spoke to him.”
“He spoke to you?” she demands, leaning forward. “When?”
“In the café earlier. And today in class he…well, he didn’t exactly talk, but he was…” I swallow. “Watching.”
Aurora visibly shudders and drops her spoon.
“Oh Goddess.”
“What? What does that mean?” I ask, panic curling in my stomach.
Aurora glances around as if checking whether someone is eavesdropping.
Her voice drops into a near-whisper.
“Zyra… he’s not someone you want watching you.”
That stings, even though I don’t know why. I don’t even know him.
But Aurora’s expression is too serious, too wary.
She continues, “Dael Morozov… he’s from the Red Moon Blood Pack.”
The way she says it makes my spine go rigid.
I’ve heard stories, rumors whispered by students since day one. Their pack is known for their strength, their ruthlessness, their supernatural intensity.
And their eyes. Those unmistakable crimson red eyes.
“That explains the… color,” I murmur.
Aurora nods. “Exactly. And he’s not just any wolf from that pack. He’s the next in line to be Alpha. He’ll take over after graduation.”
My breath catches.
Of course he is.
“And before you ask,” Aurora adds, “yes. People are terrified of him. Not because he’s cruel or anything like that, he doesn’t go around hurting students. But he’s… unpredictable. Dangerous when provoked. And he’s cold. Like, he barely talks to anyone. Even teachers tense up when he walks into class.”
I stare at my untouched food.
Cold?
Unpredictable?
That’s not what I saw today.
What I saw was… intense. Focused.
Like he was trying to understand something he didn’t have the vocabulary for.
Aurora keeps going.
“And there’s the whole thing with his brother.”
“What thing?”
“They hate each other,” she says bluntly. “His brother wants the Alpha title too. It’s not… illegal, technically. But challenging the heir is rare. Their pack is divided between the two of them.”
My chest feels tighter with every word she says.
“And Dael is…” Aurora’s eyes flick toward the cafeteria entrance. “He’s the one people expect to win. He’s stronger. More disciplined. Just…”
She inhales deeply.
“Stay away from him, Zyra.”
I open my mouth to argue, but she cuts me off.
“No, I’m serious. He doesn’t get attached. He doesn’t get involved. If he’s suddenly paying attention to you…” She shakes her head. “It’s not normal.”
I look down at my tray, trying to process all of it.
Alpha heir.
Red Moon Blood pack.
Unpredictable.
Dangerous.
Someone everyone fears.
Then why… why did he keep looking at me like that?
Aurora suddenly sits up straighter, eyes widening.
“Oh Goddess…look.”
I follow her gaze out of instinct.
And my stomach flips.
Dael walks into the cafeteria with his friends, wearing the academy’s football gear, dark maroon and black, matching the intensity of his eyes. His jersey clings to his broad frame, outlining muscles that look carved with purpose. He has a football tucked loosely under one arm, his other hand resting casually at his side, knuckles bruised from practice.
He’s laughing at something one of his teammates says…well, not laughing. Smirking. The kind of smirk that looks like it should be illegal.
Aurora’s head ducks immediately.
“Don’t look at him,” she hisses.
But I can’t help it.
As if feeling my stare, Dael slows.
His eyes—those feral, blood-red eyes lift and lock onto mine across the room.
The cafeteria noise fades into a dull hum.
For a moment, he just… watches me.
Not blinking.
Not pretending.
Just openly, unapologetically staring like I’m the only person who exists in this overcrowded space.
A shiver runs down my spine.
Aurora kicks my shin under the table, whisper-yelling, “Stop looking at him! Zyra!”
I force myself to look away, but I still feel his stare burning holes into my back.
He shifts the ball in his hand, says something short to his friends, and then still watching me he turns toward the field door. His gaze flicks away only when he’s seconds from exiting.
Aurora exhales shakily.
“See? That. That right there. That is exactly why I’m telling you to stay away.”
My heart thuds against my ribs.
But something inside me whispers a different warning.
Stay away?
The problem is… I’m not sure I can because he is the one who approaches and I try to run away but he keeps chasing me.
- Writer
