Chapter Fifty-Eight

Adrian drives back to the campus again while I catch up on some emails and eat my protein bar. There are a few new emails from my agency about several job opportunities coming up within the next few weeks, but since Diana only mentioned the runway in Dubai next month, I’m assuming that she’s only interested in pushing that job on me. It must be a pretty big deal if she’s trying to convince me this much. Maybe I should take it if I ever plan to continue modeling. I used to be so certain of what I wanted in life, but now all that I can think about is what’s going to happen in the next few weeks. I feel like making plans for the future makes no difference now, until I know what the outcome of all of this is going to be. If Adrian’s hunch is right about me pursuing this magic unveiling, I could die if I’m not good enough to beat these Hybrids. And if Adrian knows that even he doesn’t stand a chance, who am I to expect a favorable outcome?

Adrian seems to be able to tell that something is on my mind, but he doesn’t pry as we pull into an empty parking space on campus. It’s not surprising that we weren’t able to get the same space by the building as we did earlier since there are more students here now later in the day. I pull down the sun visor to make sure my hair is fixed before stepping out into the cold, grateful for my oversized coat. A bitter breeze has picked up since this morning, and Adrian walks slightly behind me in order to shield me from the wind that comes in from behind us.

People mill about talking to each other in between classes as we enter the building, and I shudder, grateful for whatever warmth the hallways grant to me. Adrian guides me forward with a hand on my back, pushing me through the crowd with little issue. The heat from his touch seeps through my coat in no time, offering a little more warmth to help fight off the chill from outside. I notice several people make eye contact with me this time, neither condescending nor respectful. Just looking, like normal people. It makes me feel a little less out of place here, especially now that I know where I fit in. A Sorceress without any powers who is Mated to the Alpha. Just your average girl.

As we near the hallways where the lecture halls are located, I notice a group of guys that are gathered in one of the doorways, laughing obnoxiously at something one of them said. The familiar white-blond hair of one of them tells me exactly who they are and why they look familiar to me. The Vampires, I realize just as the Draco-look-alike turns to lock eyes with me. Despite Adrian’s obvious presence looming over me, Vincent snickers and nods in my direction. “Hey, baby. If you get tired of dog breath, you can come over and sit on my lap.”

I open my mouth to bark something snarky back at him, but a guy heading the opposite direction passes by the doorway and knocks shoulders with Vincent, purposefully obscuring his view of me as I pass by. The stranger stays planted in front of the Vampire like a roadblock, nearly touching noses with him as he snarls in his face, fearless. “How dare you speak to the Luna like that. You’re lucky I don’t knock those fangs of yours into your throat.” The guy is a few inches taller than any of the Vampires in the group and doubles their weight in muscle.

I slow my pace in order to keep watching, curious to know what happens to the sweet stranger. He called me a Luna when he rushed to defend me, so I’m assuming that he’s a member of the Pack. Adrian sighs at the inconvenience of the delay and half-turns to look back at the guys. “Syaoran,” He warns to gain the Wolf’s attention in a commanding tone that fills the hallway, stilling the other students in their steps. This must be his Alpha tone, considering how quickly it succeeds in collecting Syaoran’s attention, making him take a step away from Vincent. “Come with me.” The order is simple, spoken with authority that the President himself couldn’t muster. It’s effective in making Syaoran peel his glare away from the Vampires and stalk away, coming to Adrian with incredible obedience. Adrian collects him with a nod and we begin forward again with a new companion. He sneaks the Vampires a dark look as we leave, and I understand in an instant what it means. Adrian has the power that Vincent lacks, and he is threatening to exercise it whenever he deems it necessary.

I have to admit that I’m impressed by the display of dominance, excluding confidence with the very air he breathes. This is a side of Adrian that I haven’t seen yet, and it doesn’t disappoint. In fact, it makes something stir deep inside of my belly that’s entirely too distracting for a lecture. “Thank you,” I pipe up, leaning over Adrian to address Syaoran. It earns me a polite smile, though it’s evident that he’s still annoyed by what happened. He casts a look at Adrian, like a little kid asking permission from their parent before speaking in a conversation.

Adrian looks over at Syaoran with the slightest of nods, apparently giving him permission to speak to me. What is this, the Military? “No need for that, Vincent is scum. It’s insulting that he even looked at you.”

I glance up to Adrian with a raised eyebrow, curious. “Oh? Why is that? Because I’m the Luna?”

Adrian answers instead, wrapping his arm tighter around my waist, pinning me to him. “Yes. You’re essentially the Princess of the Pack now, remember?” I vaguely recall the conversation from yesterday, about how I’m some sort of royalty on both sides of the Sorcerers and the Werewolves. I still don’t get why it’s such a big deal, but I don’t bother correcting anyone. At least I know my title, now. We turn the corner of a new section of corridors and Adrian pauses outside of the door to what I assume is our next lecture hall, turning to face Syaoran. “I appreciate your loyalty, but don’t take it too far. The Wolves will not be the first to break the Treaty, do I make myself clear?”

I notice that Syaoran doesn’t make eye contact with either of us, keeping his gaze towards the floor. Despite being the same height as Adrian, Syaoran is strangely submissive, especially considering how willing he was to pick a fight with some Vampires in my honor. He looks like a Koa warrior that I saw on a trip to Hawaii a few years ago, so it feels odd to see his sudden meekness. “Yes, Alpha Adrian.” He clearly still harbors strong feelings about the Vampires, but he doesn’t bother trying to justify his actions any further.

Adrian looks down at him for a long moment before he speaks again, continuing the same authoritative tone as he holds onto me possessively. “Meet me back here in two hours.” He instructs, and Syaoran nods before turning to head back the opposite way we just came from.

Adrian ushers me inside of the classroom without another word, ignoring my quizzical looks until we’re seated and prepared for the lecture to begin. I smack his arm when once it seems like he has no intention to explain any of what just happened, making him look at me. “What the fuck?” I ask quietly, mindful of the other students around us.

Adrian sighs and pushes his fingers through the strands of hair that frame my face, his expression softening. “I’m sorry, that was probably weird, right?” He asks, sounding back to his usual self.

I give him an incredulous look, folding my arms. “Uh, yeah it was. Can you really just turn it on and off like that? Alpha one second and Adrian the next?”

He presses his lips together as the Professor begins the lesson, lowering his voice. “They’re the same person, Lydia. Like I explained before, the Pack respects me so I have to present myself a certain way to them. I don’t want you to get upset by that.”

I frown, turning to the laptop to jot down notes as the Professor speaks. “I’m not upset. By the way, I think you should go see Jas after class while I hang out with Serene. We’re just going shopping for decor, so there’s no need for you to bore yourself with that, right? Serene can protect me.”

Adrian gives me a strange look as if he can’t believe I suggested that. “Why? You don’t want me to come?”

“That’s not what I mean,” I say, rolling my eyes at him. “I just think I should get to know Serene a little more one-on-one. She clearly isn’t your biggest fan, and I think you should spend some time with Jasper. No matter what you say, you clearly treat him differently than your other underlings. You’re friends. It’s just for a few hours anyway, it’s not a big deal.” I add, just in case, he deems the request unreasonable.

Adrian looks forward with a deep frown, working his jaw. “I’ll think about it. That doesn’t mean yes, though.” He adds, quelling my hope with a cool look.