Chapter 17 SIXTEEN

MORGIANA'S POV He was literally dragging me up the stairs and even with my hybrid qualities, I still almost tripped. "Hey!" I called out but he continued to walk ahead, holding my wrist as though it was the most rational thing he could do. I don't know where he plans to take me and what he wants to do to me but I need to get away. Is he going to kill me for hearing that? How is that even my fault? They were doing the deed! How was I supposed to know they were at it? I pulled my hand free from his grip and I was successful. He stopped walking and looked at me. His eyes were fiery and I figured it was the best time for me to explain my side so he won't kill me. "Look, I didn't know, okay? I didn't know you were-anyway, it isn't my fault that I heard you. You should have been more careful especially when you knew I was in the infirmary. I have hybrid senses, just in case you have forgotten." But he was silent as he looked at me. His eyes were still dark, probably from the pleasure of what he and Ms. Mont had done. And then he muttered a curse before he turned his back on me. "Go away," he said. What the fuck? I stood there, unable to believe that he just dragged me here to tell me to go away. "Are you hearing yourself, Alaris?" I asked and he turned to me. This time, he's furious. I am not even sure what he's so furious about. "If you're embarrassed that I heard that then just think of it as a lesson and don't fuck women at the school-" "Shut the fuck up." "Why the hell would I? It's not my fault you were busted. And why are you getting mad at me? I should be the one getting mad at you. That was extremely uncomfortable." Another series of curses came out of his mouth and I rolled my eyes. "I will just forget about it and go on with my life as if I didn't hear you-" I did not finish the thought and let out a sigh. "Next time, go find a hotel. Jeez." I turned and was about to walk downstairs when I felt his grip on my wrist. The next thing I realized was I was cornered and I groaned in pain when I hit the back of my head on the wall. He just pushed me to the wall and as if it wasn't shocking enough, he leaned too close that I could feel his warm breath on my neck. Bells rang in my head and my first instinct was to push him away. I did manage to push him away but I forgot about the strength I possess Alaris' back hit the wall that he groaned in pain. "Fuck. I'm sorry!" I ran in his direction and crouched to look at his face. But it was a wrong move on my end when he grabbed both my wrist and pinned me on the floor. My eyes were wide as I looked at him. His eyes...his eyes looked different. They glowed differently. The amber now turning almost golden. What the heck is going on? "What are you doing, Alaris?" I asked and he was breathing hard. He was looking at me and I could have sworn I heard his thundering heartbeat and the way his gaze darkened even more. Or it could be my thundering heart, I don't know. I was also looking at him as if waiting for him to do something. And then he leaned closer, and closer, and closer that I hitched my breath. Or I might have stopped breathing. He was leaning in to kiss me. I know and I am not stupid enough not to realize it with the way he was staring at my lips. It's not like it's my first kiss or anything but I didn't know what to do! Are there any rules for wolves to kiss? What am I supposed to do? Should I just let him do it? Is it even right? We're on school premises. He's a teacher and I am a student. This is wrong. So wrong. And yet I found myself closing my eyes as I waited for his lips on mine. But seconds passed and it didn't happen. Before I could even open my eyes, I felt his forehead on my shoulder and a shuddering breath came out of him. "Alaris..." I called and I heard him mutter a silent curse. It sounded more like he was cursing himself. "You have no idea..." he trailed and I waited for him to say something more. But nothing came next. "I have no idea about what? What do you mean?" He waited for another few seconds before he got off me and sat on the wall. He closed his eyes and massaged the bridge of his nose. When he opened his eyes, they were still of the bright shade of amber-wild and captivating. And the look on his face seemed like he was having an internal battle. Before I could even say anything, he stood and looked at me who was still sitting on the floor. "Fix yourself and go out. Laurent should be out there somewhere," he said and then went to walk down the stairs. "Alaris," I called and he stopped to look at me. "You're an asshole, you know that?" I said and my statement did not even surprise or offend him. Then he said, "I know." And then he walked off. I hope he trips. *** Just like what Alaris said, Laurent was indeed outside the school premises and he was talking with someone I don't recognize. I was still quite far when both of them noticed me. And even with my distance, I heard how they cut off their conversation as soon as they saw me approaching. The guy was tall, around as tall as Laurent and Alaris. His brownish hair was in contrast with Laurent's blond. And looking at him, I couldn't help but groan inwardly as I saw how this new man could be another Alaris. They give off the same vibe. "Hey, Morgy," Laurent called and I was about to correct him on his choice of the nickname but he already went on. "I hope you didn't get too curious about whatever you saw or heard back there." He knew. He knew what Alaris was doing there and he did not even tell Alaris to do it somewhere else away from a hybrid's hearing range? "And you did not wake me up? Thank you." I placed a dramatic hand on my chest and he tipped off his head and laughed. He then gestured to the man beside him. "This is Nico," he said and the name instantly popped into my head. He was that guy to whom Alaris was talking when I was unconscious. "He's often away since he does...crucial jobs for Alaris." When I looked at Nico, I couldn't see a smidge of emotion on his face. "Morgiana Davis." The way he said my name tells me that he isn't exactly very fond of me and it's alarming that I am not surprised. "I guess I shouldn't say nice to meet you," I said and let out a small chuckle but Nico just looked at me with that same blank expression on his face. I looked at Laurent and he was just grinning from ear to ear and I was about to say something to relieve the tension when I heard somebody call my name. My blood went cold when I recognized that voice very well. Laurent and Nico turned to look and that's when I saw my aunt across the street. She doesn't look so happy but to be fair, she never seem to look happy whenever I saw her. She crossed the street and when she reached our side of the road, I could almost see the smoke coming out of her red face. "You slut," she said and she didn't even care that I was with two people. "Did you know how much trouble you put me into when you didn't come home the other night and yesterday?" Oh, please. Stop pretending you care. "I had to go to the police and report you missing. Do you know the trouble I had to go through with that? Why didn't you come home? The dishes have piled up the house is a mess. What, you were planning on running away once you turned eighteen? You conniving bitch-" "I think you have called her enough," said Laurent. I know he knows who my aunt is. Alaris did admit he was watching her every move and everything about her. "And who might you be?" she asked but then her gaze went again to me."Is this the reason why you didn't come home? You're with these guys?" She scoffed and placed her hands on her waist. "Just when I thought you're different from your mother, you just proved it this time. Only a slut births a slut-" My hand raised on its own but before it could even land on my aunt's face, Laurent held my wrist. Stopping it. My aunt was surprised as she looked at me, as though she couldn't believe I wanted to slap her face and give her a taste of her own medicine. "How dare you!" She raised her hand and was about to slap me too when Nico held her wrist. Then I saw how my aunt flinched and when I looked at his grip, I could tell it would take minimal effort for him to break someone's bones. "Do your thing, hybrid," said Nico and she knew exactly what he meant to say. Laurent let go of my hand and Nico did the same to my aunt. And then I did what I have to do. "You will stop looking for me and I left your house with your permission. I left for the city to look for a job and you couldn't care less." My aunt nodded at the set of things I set on her mind. Compulsion is probably the best thing about being a hybrid. "Now you can go home, cook something for your good-for-nothing husband and spill some water on his face. Tell him to go fuck off and to go cut his dick once he insults the food. Is that understood?" Laurent and Nico gave me an unbelievable look. Then my aunt said, "Understood." And then she walked away, leaving me relieved and the two of my companions giving me incredulous stares. I shrugged and started to walk too.