Chapter 29

Both of them woke up at the same time, their bodies entangled in the sheets. As they sat up, their eyes met, and they both looked shocked. Achilles quickly reached for his boxers, trying to cover himself, while Shea pulled the bedsheet up to her chest.

"I'm sorry," Achilles blurted out, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "I don't know what happened. Something took over me."

Shea shook her head, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "You don't have to apologize. I was the one who came to your room."

Achilles looked at her, his blue eyes filled with confusion. "I've never felt this way before. It's like...something else was in control."

Shea nodded, her own eyes wide with realization. "I know what you mean. It was like I couldn't stop myself. It was like...something was driving me to you."

They sat in silence for a moment, both of them trying to make sense of what had happened. It was clear that there was more to it than just a one-night stand.

"This is weird," Achilles finally said, breaking the silence. "I don't know what's going on, but we need to figure it out."

Shea nodded in agreement. "We should talk to your father when he gets back. Maybe he'll know what's happening."

Achilles nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to their connection, something that went beyond just physical attraction.

As they got dressed, the awkwardness between them dissipated, replaced by a sense of determination. They both knew that they needed to get to the bottom of what had happened, no matter what it took.

When they emerged from Achilles' room, the butler was waiting for them in the hallway. "Good morning, sir. Miss Wolfe. Breakfast is ready in the dining room."

They followed the butler downstairs, their minds still preoccupied with the events of the previous night. As they sat down at the table, Achilles looked at Shea, his eyes filled with concern.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice low.

Shea nodded, giving him a small smile. "I'm fine. Just trying to make sense of everything."

Alaric Grey stood poised in the grand dining room, his hands deftly arranging the silverware with meticulous precision. The morning light filtered through the tall windows, casting an ethereal glow over the polished mahogany table. He had prepared a breakfast feast of scrambled eggs, bacon, freshly baked croissants, and a fruit platter—a spread fit for the young master and his guest.

Achilles and Shea descended the grand staircase, their footsteps echoing softly in the cavernous foyer. Alaric offered them a warm smile as they took their seats, the scent of coffee wafting through the air.

"Good morning, sir. Miss Wolfe," Alaric greeted, maintaining his composed demeanor while serving them. "I trust you both slept well?"

Shea's cheeks flushed a delicate shade of pink, a stark contrast to the cool composure she tried to maintain. Achilles merely grunted in response, his eyes fixed on the plate before him. Alaric, ever the observant butler, pretended not to notice the palpable tension between the two.

Breakfast proceeded in relative silence, save for the clinking of cutlery against fine china. Alaric retired to the background, allowing Achilles and Shea to navigate the awkwardness that lingered from the previous night's unexpected events.

Once they had finished eating, Achilles rose from the table, gesturing for Shea to follow. "We should get going. We don't want to be late for class."

Shea nodded, gathering her belongings before joining him. They bid Alaric farewell, the butler offering a polite nod as they exited the mansion.

Achilles' car, a sleek, black vehicle that exuded power and elegance, awaited them in the driveway. As they approached, Achilles unlocked the doors with a press of a button on his key fob. Shea slid into the passenger seat, the comfortable leather cradling her form.

The drive to Lockewood College was a quiet one, the hum of the engine filling the space between them. Shea glanced at Achilles, taking in the stern set of his jaw and the focused intensity in his eyes. Despite the silence, she found comfort in his presence.

Upon arrival, Achilles expertly maneuvered the car into a parking spot, cutting the engine as he looked over at Shea. "Ready?" he asked, his tone hinting at an unspoken understanding of the drama that might await them.

Shea offered a small, determined smile, nodding as she opened her door. "Ready."

As they walked towards the college entrance, whispers began to ripple through the crowd of students gathered outside. Eyes widened, and lips pursed as the envious gazes of several young women locked onto Shea, walking side by side with Achilles.

"Is that the new girl?" one of them hissed, her eyes narrowing.

"She's with Achilles," another murmured, a note of disbelief in her voice.

Shea felt the weight of their stares but said nothing, her stride unwavering as she walked alongside Achilles. He, too, seemed to notice the attention they were receiving, but he merely shrugged it off, his hand brushing against Shea's in a silent show of solidarity.

"Don't mind them," Achilles said under his breath, a hint of protectiveness lacing his words. "They're just jealous."

As Achilles and Shea made their way across the campus, a familiar figure stepped into their path. Ryder, with his trademark smirk plastered across his face, stood before them, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

"Well, well, well," Ryder drawled, his gaze lingering on Shea. "If it isn't the new girl and her guard dog. Enjoying your time in Lockewood, sweetheart?"

Shea felt a flicker of irritation at his condescending tone. She straightened her spine, meeting Ryder's gaze head-on. "I'm doing just fine, thanks for asking. And I don't need a guard dog."

Ryder's eyebrows shot up, clearly taken aback by her sharp response. He recovered quickly, his smirk widening. "Feisty, aren't you? I like that in a woman."

"Too bad the feeling isn't mutual," Shea retorted, her voice cool and collected.

Achilles watched the exchange with a mixture of surprise and admiration. He'd been ready to step in, but Shea was holding her own against Ryder's cocky attitude.

Ryder's eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of something dangerous passing across his features. "You've got quite the mouth on you, new girl. Better be careful how you use it around here."

"I think I can manage just fine," Shea replied, unflinching.

Ryder's grin returned, but there was an edge to it now. He took a step closer, his voice dropping to a low, menacing tone. "We'll see about that. Lockewood has a way of chewing up and spitting out those who don't know their place."

With that, Ryder brushed past them, deliberately bumping Achilles' shoulder as he went. He called over his shoulder, his voice carrying across the quad, "Watch your back, sweetheart. Things are about to get interesting."