Disguised Before The Alpha Prince

Chp 35

PEARL – POV

That guy—Lucien—walked straight toward me like he belonged here. My spine stiffened the moment he leaned down, his breath grazing my ear.

“Don’t worry. I won’t bite,” he murmured, voice smooth like silk laced with poison. “But remember what I told you.”

Then he moved away and took a seat in the back row like nothing had happened.

But everything had changed.

My fingers curled tightly around my quill. Goosebumps prickled my arms, and a cold sweat broke out at the back of my neck. I couldn’t focus. His words kept circling in my mind like vultures.

What exactly does he know?

Is it… that I’m a girl?

My throat tightened.

My aunt had warned me that those responsible for my parents' deaths still believed I might be alive. That they were watching. Waiting. And if anyone suspected—even slightly—I could be their next target.

Was Lucien one of them?

I tried to keep my expression blank, but inside I was spiraling. I forced myself to breathe, to look down at the parchment in front of me, pretending to read.

That’s when I noticed movement from the corner of my eye.

Demyan.

He stood abruptly and stalked toward my row. His face was unreadable, but his jaw was tight, his steps deliberate. Then—he stopped right beside me.

“I want this seat,” he told the guy sitting next to me, voice low but firm. “Find another.”

The boy looked up, startled, but didn’t argue. He simply nodded and moved away.

Demyan sat down beside me, sliding into the space like it was always meant for him. He didn’t say a word. Didn’t look at me.

But I could feel him.

The steady presence of him. The heat of him. The silent protection that wrapped around me like a cloak I hadn’t asked for but desperately needed.

Had he seen Lucien whisper to me? Was that why he came?

I turned slightly toward him, offering a small smile. The best one I could manage. I didn’t want him getting involved. Not with this.

This is my fight. My secret. My past.

I would handle it.

Even if my heart was still racing, even if I felt a thousand cracks threatening to break through the mask I wore every day—I had to be strong. I had to be Perin.

But part of me… a small, fragile part… was deeply grateful that Demyan had come anyway.

Even when I didn’t ask.

U“Are you okay?” he whispered silently, his lips barely moving, but his eyes full of concern.

He definitely noticed Lucien, and I’m sure he suspects that something’s wrong—that this guy is trying to trouble me. I could see it in the way Demyan’s posture shifted, in the sharpness of his gaze. He’s never behaved like this before.

I gave him a small smile. “I’m fine,” I whispered silently back, hoping that would be enough.

But it wasn’t. He narrowed his eyes, clearly not buying it. Of course he wouldn’t—this man never simply believes what I say. It’s like he can read me too well.

I dropped my gaze to my book, desperate to escape the intensity of his stare. It felt like he was looking straight into my soul.

Oh Moon Goddess, please do something…

This Lucien guy is dangerous, and I don’t want to put Demyan’s life at risk. Whatever game Lucien is playing, I have to stay one step ahead. I need to protect the people around me, and that includes Demyan—even if he refuses to back down.

I’ll deal with this myself.The rest of the class blurred into nothing. I could barely hear the scholar’s voice as he spoke from the front of the room. My mind was a mess of worry, fear, and one stubborn boy sitting too close beside me.

Lucien’s presence still lingered like a shadow in my peripheral vision. He didn’t look at me again, didn’t say a word—but the damage was already done. His warning echoed in my head like a haunting melody I couldn’t shut off.

What does he want from me? Why now?

I shifted in my seat, hoping the movement would ease the tightness in my chest, but it didn’t. Demyan sat beside me, arms crossed, one leg bouncing slightly under the desk. He was trying to look relaxed, but I knew better. He was on edge—watching, waiting, ready.

And I hated that I might be the reason for it.

I sneaked a glance at him. His jaw was clenched, his fingers drumming lightly against the table. He looked so calm to everyone else. But not to me.

To me, he looked like a storm held barely at bay.

I need to keep him out of this.

Before I could spiral further, the scholar finally dismissed the class. Chairs scraped against the floor as everyone stood. I gathered my things quickly, determined to leave before Demyan could question me again.

But the second I stepped into the hallway, I felt a hand wrap gently around my wrist.

“Perin,” he said, his voice soft but commanding.

I turned slowly, my mask already in place. “Yeah?”

His brows furrowed, and for a second, he looked like he didn’t know what to say. “If something’s wrong... you know you can tell me, right?”

I swallowed hard.

“I’m okay,” I lied, keeping my voice steady. “Really.”

He didn’t answer. Just looked at me—like he was trying to decide if he should press me or let it go.

I gave him the smallest nod and gently pulled my hand free. Then I turned and walked away before I did something reckless—like tell him the truth.

Because the truth is...

I don’t think I am okay.

And I don’t know how much longer I can pretend to be. I didn’t even realize how fast I was walking until the voices behind me started to fade.

My heart was pounding, thoughts running wild in every direction—Lucien’s warning, my aunt’s words, the looming threat I thought I had escaped… and Demyan. The way he looked at me with concern I didn’t deserve. It was all too much.

I hugged my books tightly to my chest as if they could somehow shield me from everything crashing inside me.

“Perin!” I heard Rowan call, but his voice sounded like it was coming from underwater.

I didn’t stop.

I couldn’t.

Killian was there too—I caught the faint sound of his footsteps and a quiet, “Hey, are you okay?” But their presence barely registered.

My feet moved on their own, out of the building, past the courtyard, into the quieter halls of the academy. My mind was spinning too fast to anchor myself in the present.

I felt like I was being pulled under. Like I was standing at the edge of something I didn’t understand—and didn’t want to.

Lucien knows. I can feel it.

And if he knows, how long before the others find out too? What happens when the wrong person discovers the truth?

I let out a shaky breath, finding myself near the garden wall—the only place I knew would be quiet. Somewhere no one would look for me.

It wasn’t that I didn’t care about Rowan or Killian. I just... couldn’t face anyone right now. Not while my world was threatening to crack open.

I needed time. Just a little time to breathe.

I headed towards the garden. The garden wall felt cool against my back as I leaned into it, my hands trembling slightly as I slid down and sat on the grass. The gentle rustling of the leaves above me was the only sound in the world for a while. I closed my eyes, letting the stillness wash over me.

Until I heard it.

A crunch.

Soft, but clear—footsteps on dried leaves.

My eyes flew open.

I wasn’t alone.

I turned my head slowly, expecting to see Demyan, or maybe Rowan still trailing after me.

But it wasn’t either of them.

A man stood a few feet away, half-shrouded by the vines hanging from the stone arch. He wasn’t wearing the scholar robes—no, his clothes were darker, layered, as if built for blending into shadows. A hood covered most of his face, but I could still see the sharp line of his jaw, the faint glint of something metallic at his wrist.

My heartbeat spiked.

He didn’t move any closer, but I could feel his eyes on me watching, assessing me. I got up from my seat trying to figure out who that person was but then in a blink of an eye he disappeared. My head was beating faster, I was holding my chest. I felt like I couldn't breathe. Oh moon goddess, I need your help. Please protect me!!.

*___*---*___*

DEMYAN – POV

She said she was fine.

But her eyes… they told a different story.

I watched her walk away, her shoulders stiff, her steps quick—like she was trying to outrun something. Or someone.

The worst part was—I had no idea what it was.

My hand lingered by my side where I’d grabbed her wrist just moments ago. There was something fragile in her touch, something careful. She was always guarded, but now… now it felt like she was shrinking behind a wall I couldn’t reach through.

I hate this feeling.

That guy—Lucien—he's not just another scholar. The way he looked at Perin, the way he leaned in like he had a claim on him… it made my blood boil. And Perin’s reaction was even worse. He flinched, like the guy had whispered something vile. Something dangerous.

I should have said something. I should’ve pulled Lucien away and demanded answers.

But I didn’t.

Because something else is troubling me, something I haven’t been able to shake since the day I met Perin. There’s something… different about him. It’s not just the way he hides pain behind sarcasm, or how his eyes light up when he’s caught off guard.

It’s more than that.

A part of me—one I try to ignore—keeps whispering that maybe Perin is hiding something far bigger than I realize. And that whisper? It’s starting to sound a lot like the truth.

But damn it… if he’s in danger, I don’t care what secret he’s keeping.

He doesn’t have to go through this alone, even if he thinks he can.