Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Mia's POV

The party continued and students stood around, mingling and chatting with one another over drinks. I remained beside Kai, maintaining a quiet composure as I occasionally took a sip of champagne. 

My eyes darted around as I tried to search for a familiar face. I had seen a silhouette of someone who looked like him earlier, but I didn't know for sure. 

My brows knitted together when I found the same silhouette again. 

He stood in a far corner of the room, his face hidden by the shadows. 

I squinted as I tried to see if it was Liam or not, but I couldn't really make out his face. 

I had trouble seeing in the dark, which was relatively easy for my clan members because of their wolf spirits.

I gave up trying to know if it was him when I couldn't see his face clearly. 

If Liam was really here, he would show himself at some point. 

A low groan escaped me as I looked away from the shadows and I tried to take another sip of my champagne when I realized that Kai was staring at me. 

“What were you looking at?” he suddenly asked and I flinched a bit. 

“Nothing,” I quickly responded as I tried to look back at the corner discreetly. 

If the silhouette turned out to be Liam, all Kai had to do was look in that direction to know it was him. 

Luckily for me, when I glanced at the corner again, the silhouette had disappeared. 

I didn't know when I let out a sigh of relief. 

Kai followed my gaze and narrowed his eyes at me when he didn't see anything. 

“That wasn't nothing. Who were you staring at?” he demanded, and I met his eyes. 

“I wasn't staring at anybody. I just zoned out and happened to be fixated on that dark corner,” I responded, and his expression hardened. 

“That's a lie.”

“No, it's not,” I said defiantly. “Besides, there are a lot of people here, and I can't help it if my eyes happen to find them interesting enough to stare at.”

Kai eyed me before straightening up. “I don't believe you. But just know I have my eyes on you, Mia.”

I let out a quiet huff as he looked away. 

Kai was soon drawn into a conversation with one of the professors while I was left alone. 

Having had enough of the ball, I found a chair close to me and sat down. 

If it had been up to me, I wouldn't have come to the academy's grand ball at all. It was an annual event and was usually held to celebrate the anniversary of the academy's establishment, to give the professors their accolades, and also for students to interact. 

I had attended during my first year at the academy, but I found that it wasn't really my thing. Not only did I not have any friends to attend with, which would have made it more interesting; I also became a spectacle to other students. They seemed disgusted that a girl without a wolf spirit was allowed to study at their prestigious school. 

That was the first time I would be joining a school gathering since high school. I was always looked down upon in my clan and school when I was younger, and I thought being at the academy would be better. There were a lot of different people from different clans and each with their own uniqueness. 

But I had been wrong. Not only was I made to feel inferior about being wolfless, the fact that I got accepted into the academy was questioned as well.

They wondered how a wolfless girl could enter their school, but I had done it purely with my talents and abilities. They got recognized, and I was able to study at Lycan Academy despite my abnormality. 

I was still deep in reminiscing when my subconscious started feeling like someone was staring at me. 

I slowly raised my head and looked around, trying to find the person. 

Kai was still talking with some of the professors, so it wasn't him. 

I kept looking around till my eyes landed on him. 

My heart jumped when I saw Liam standing some ways off, blending in among other students. 

My eyes lit up, and I would have run to meet him if Kai wasn't standing so close by.

I settled for simply staring at him and taking in his appearance 

He was dressed in a simple black suit, his brown hair styled to perfection. He looked every bit the handsome man I had fallen in love with. His eyes were trained on me, his expression quite unreadable under the not-so-bright lights. 

I quickly looked towards Kai.

He was still engrossed in his conversation with the professor.

I looked back at Liam. He was still staring at me. Then he subtly nodded toward the hallway.

My brows furrowed. I didn't understand what he wanted me to do.

He raised his hand slightly and touched his wrist before pointing toward Kai.

My eyes widened.

He wanted me to get Kai's fingerprints.

I immediately shook my head.

It was impossible.

Kai barely left my side.

And even if I managed to get close enough to him, there were always bodyguards around us.

Liam looked at me again and subtly motioned for me to try.

I swallowed.

He was counting on me.

I looked down at my hands.

I had promised him I would help.

I couldn't disappoint him.

I slowly stood up from the chair and walked toward Kai.

He noticed me approaching and looked in my direction.

“Are you okay?”

I nodded quickly. “Yes. I just wanted to stand with you.”

His brows furrowed slightly. “You could have stayed seated.”

“I was getting bored.”

He stared at me for a moment before placing his hand on my waist.

“Then stay close.”

My heart sank. This was going to be harder than I thought.

I looked past him and saw Liam still watching us.

He made another subtle gesture.

I needed to get Kai's attention away from everyone.

I glanced around the room.

There were people everywhere.

Professors.

Students.

Bodyguards.

There was no way I could get Kai alone.

I waited until the professor speaking to Kai walked away before turning toward him.

“Kai.”

He looked down at me.

“What?”

“Can we go somewhere quieter?” I asked hesitantly. 

His eyes narrowed. “Why?”

I forced a small smile. “Because it's too noisy here.”

He studied my face.

I could feel my heart pounding.

For a moment, I thought he was going to agree.

Instead, he glanced around the room.

Then his eyes landed on Liam.

My heart nearly stopped.

Kai's expression changed.

He stared at him for several seconds before looking back at me.

“Why do you want to go somewhere quieter?”

My stomach tightened.

“Because I don't like the noise.”

“You were fine sitting over there.”

I swallowed. “I just changed my mind.”

Kai continued staring at me.

Then he leaned closer.

“Are you trying to get away from me?”

“No.”

“Then why are you acting strange?”

“I’m not.”

His eyes narrowed. “You are.”

I looked away. “I just want some air.”

Kai didn't respond immediately.

Then he nodded toward one of his bodyguards.

“Stay close to her.”

My eyes widened. “You're sending someone with me?”

“Yes.”

I forced myself to smile.

“Of course.”

I turned away and caught Liam's gaze.

His expression had changed.

He looked frustrated.

I gave him a small shake of my head.

There was no way I could get Kai's fingerprints.

Not here.

Not with his security watching my every move.

Liam seemed to understand.

But instead of giving up, he pointed discreetly toward Kai's suit pocket.

I frowned.

Kai was carrying something there.

My eyes moved toward the pocket.

Could it be the contract?

I remembered what Liam had told me.

The fingerprint-locked contract could save his business.

Maybe Kai had brought it with him.

I looked at Liam again.

He nodded.

My heart started beating faster.

I didn't know how I was going to get it.

But I had to try.

I slowly moved closer to Kai.

My hand brushed against his arm.

He looked down at me.

“What are you doing?”

I smiled nervously. “Nothing.”

His eyes narrowed.

I could feel the bodyguard standing a few feet away.

There was no opportunity.

I tried moving my hand toward his pocket, but Kai suddenly caught my wrist.

I froze.

“What are you trying to do?”

My heart pounded.

“Nothing.”

His gaze dropped to my hand.

Then he looked back at me.

“You're acting strange tonight.”

I quickly pulled my hand away.

“I told you. I'm just tired.”

Kai didn't look convinced.

He kept staring at me.

I forced myself to smile.

“Can we just go back to the ball?”

He studied me for another moment before finally releasing my wrist.

“Fine.”

I let out a quiet breath.

As we walked back into the ballroom, I glanced toward where Liam had been standing.

He was gone.

My heart sank.

I had failed.

I hadn't gotten the fingerprints.

I hadn't even gotten close.

And now Kai was watching me more carefully than ever.

I looked down at my hands.

I couldn't stop thinking about Liam's disappointed expression.

I had promised to help him.

But I had no idea how I was supposed to do it when Kai's security seemed impossible to get past.