The BAD Brothers' Obsession

CHAPTER 3

Cassandra’s POV

For a fleeting second, I wanted to lean into him, to feel every inch of him even more. My mind screamed at me to close the gap, to do something reckless, to do something I knew I shouldn’t.

But then reality hit me like a slap in the face. This wasn’t a romantic moment. This was Brian. The same guy who’d made Crestwood Academy a living nightmare for me since the day I set foot there.

With trembling hands, I pushed against his chest, creating just enough distance to breathe. “Don’t think for a second that just because you’re staying here, I’ll let you walk all over me,” I said, though my voice wavered. “Bully me all you want at school, but this is my home. My little sister doesn’t need to grow up thinking she’s living with a monster.”

His smirk faltered, replaced by something darker, more dangerous. He leaned in close, so close that I could feel the heat radiating from him. “Monster?” he whispered, his voice a low growl. “Careful, Cassie. Words like that can get you into trouble.”

I crossed my arms, trying to summon a courage I didn’t feel. “Go ahead. Trouble’s nothing new for me,” I muttered, though my voice cracked. “The worst you could do is—” My throat tightened, and I hated how small I sounded. “Finish what everyone else started.”

The flicker in his eyes stopped me cold. The playful smirk disappeared completely, replaced by a predatory gleam. His fingers tightened on my hip, pulling me slightly closer.

“Finish what they started?” he repeated, his tone soft but laced with menace. His lips brushed my ear, and I shivered involuntarily. “Cassie, you don’t know how lucky you are. If I wanted to, I could destroy you in ways you’ve never imagined.”

“Then do it,” I whispered, the words leaving my lips before I could stop them. “You keep saying you can, but you haven’t. Why? Because deep down, you know I’m not worth the effort?”

He stilled for a moment, and I thought I’d gotten through to him. But then his fingers brushed along my waist, sending an unwanted jolt through me. “Oh, no,” he murmured, his lips curving into a chilling smile. “I just like to savor my victories.”

“Don’t,” I breathed, my voice barely audible.

“Don’t what?” he taunted, his fingers sliding lower, just enough to make my breath hitch. “Don’t test me?” He pulled back slightly, his eyes boring into mine. “Or don’t make you feel something you wish you didn’t?”

I froze, every nerve in my body betraying me as my skin burned where he touched me.

He smirked again, the smugness returning in full force. “Good girl,” he said softly, like I’d just proven his point. And with one last lingering glance, he stepped back, leaving me shaky and breathless as he strolled down the hallway.

As soon as he was out of sight, I pressed a hand to my chest, willing my heart to calm down. “f**k him,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “And damn his werewolf abilities.”

**********

The next morning, I did my best to avoid the BAD brothers altogether. But no matter where I turned, one of them seemed to materialize like shadows I couldn’t shake.

Draven caught me first, lounging by the door with a grin that screamed trouble. “Morning, sunshine,” he drawled, his gray eyes flicking over me like he knew secrets I didn’t.

In the kitchen, Axel leaned casually against the counter, his sharp blue gaze tracking my every movement as though he were trying to dissect me.

And Brian... Brian was everywhere, his presence a suffocating constant.

I was a bundle of nerves by the time I got to school.

At lunch, I slipped into a seat at the farthest corner of the cafeteria, hoping for just one moment of peace. I unwrapped my sandwich with shaky hands, each bite a small victory in my quest to stay invisible.

But, of course, I wasn’t that lucky.

“Interesting choice, sitting all alone.” Brian’s voice dripped with sarcasm as he leaned over my shoulder, his voice loud enough for everyone nearby to hear. “Reminds me of that time back at your last school, doesn’t it, Cassie?

I froze, the sandwich halfway to my mouth, my blood running cold. How does he always know things about my life in my last school? And the way he said it, it felt like he knew every painful detail, like he actually saw them happen to me.

He didn’t stop there. “Always the outsider, always so... different,” He smirked, clearly enjoying the growing attention from nearby tables. Snickers and whispers spread like wildfire, the cafeteria’s noise morphing into a suffocating hum.

“How do you—” My voice cracked, and I hated how weak I sounded.

Brian’s smirk widened. “What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue? Or is it that I know more about you than you’d like?”

My fingers clenched beneath the table, my nails digging into my palms. Before I could muster the courage to respond, a shadow fell over us.

Lucien.

He stepped between us, his tall frame radiating an easy confidence that silenced the entire room.

“Don’t you have anything better to do?” Lucien’s voice was calm, yet each word carried an edge that dared Brian to challenge him.

Brian chuckled, crossing his arms as he looked Lucien up and down. “And who are you supposed to be, the knight in shining armor? How cliché.”

Lucien tilted his head, his gaze steady. “It’s not about being a knight. It’s about knowing the difference between strength and insecurity. You should try it sometime.”

The entire cafeteria went silent, all eyes fixed on us. Brian's smirk faded, his expression darkening as he stepped forward, the space between him and Lucien shrinking with each measured step.

"Careful, hero," he murmured, his tone soft but edged with menace. "You have no idea who you're messing with."

Lucien stood firm, his gaze unwavering. "And I’ll always tell you," he replied, his voice steady, "I don’t give a f**k. Walk away, Brian."

Brian’s jaw tightened, his tone dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Stay out of this. Whatever little crush you think you have, drop it. Cassie’s my business, my plaything."

Lucien didn’t flinch. His lips curled into a faint, disdainful smile. "Then maybe it’s time for you to find a new hobby. You can't make tormenting someone every day your hobby.”

“And if I say no?” Brian asked through gritted teeth, his eyes flashing between his and his wolf while he took menacing steps to close the remaining gap between him and Lucien.

Lucien didn’t move. But then, without warning, a low growl rumbled from deep within Brian’s chest, his eyes flickering with a dangerous, animalistic glow.