Settling As An Outcast

Liliana’s POV

Darian’s green eyes give nothing away before he eventually speaks, “Follow me.”

He moves. I fall in step behind him as he leads us out, through the hallway illuminated by both natural lights and the chandeliers above.

His strides are fast. I can hardly meet up. Not when I have my little bag back weighing on my arms heavily.

Students pass around us in clusters, and I find myself searching for Sloane- the first year I met earlier before everything escalated. I don’t see her. Instead, my eyes catch a group of three girls watching me.

Their eye colors are…something else. But they keep looking.

Then I hear one say, “I would love to spar with her. I heard she’s got some temper.” I swallow. She must be sick in the head to sound so amused at the idea of fighting someone with a temper.

Then the tall blonde beside her grins. “Me too. Let’s see how far her temper would get her when I feel her bones crack in my hold. Orgasmic.” She swoons.

I blink away, realizing Darian is already far ahead and has cornered, climbing the stairs. I rush to join him, ignoring how my heart’s still pulsing as an effect of the threats I just received.

The climbing is endless. Don’t they have an elevator here or something…

He finally stops in front of a door and I release a deep breath I just realized I’ve been carrying.

As he opens it, I feel tempted to ask the question that’s been weighing on my mind since he protected me in the hall. “Are you…a twin?”

Darian doesn’t answer.

“Thank you for saving me earlier.” I add, but meet silence.

The door opens. I notice another door opposite mine, briefly wondering who lives there.

“Go in. I don’t have all day.” He says, jolting me as I turn away from the opposite door.

I enter and take in the already set-up room. My nerves tighten, knowing the girl who used to live here just died under Xaden last night. While they were… I don't understand the context yet. I plan to.

A neatly made bed sits against the far wall, covered in dark sheets that contrast with the white walls. A wooden desk stands by the window, arranged with writing materials, a lamp, and a stack of blank notebooks. A wardrobe stands slightly open, revealing a few sets of academy uniforms hanging inside, perfectly arranged by color and type.

There’s even a small shelf lined with books.

All were Karen’s. They belong to someone Xaden killed. But I can’t afford to back off now. I am here for a reason.

“I don’t want to live in this room.” I suddenly say, turning to Darian who hasn’t said anything since we entered.

He leans against the wall and folds his tattooed arms around him. “Tell that to my mum.”

I almost roll my eyes as I move towards the bed and release my backpack on it before letting out a groan.

The weight of the day finally catches up to me.

“For a wolf that’s rumored to be full of violence,” Darian says from behind me, “you’re groaning over a backpack. That’s…disappointing.”

I stiffen, feeling the bruises I got earlier sting under the beige sweatshirt I have on. I don’t have any powers and this won’t heal by itself. The thought startles me for a moment, but then I’m here to pretend. Whatever I do, I pretend.

I turn to see his upper lip curling slightly upward in what looks like a smirk or mockery.

“Snarky much,” I retort. “But I guess my wolf is resting.” My voice doesn’t sound as defiant as I need it to be, and definitely, my response is weak. I will work on that.

Darian’s expression shifts subtly. His silence is suffocating as he studies me.

I clear my throat, “Thank you for saving me from that…wizard earlier.” I say again- just to clear the uncomfortable tension.

His gaze sharpens, then he releases his hands and starts walking towards me.

I step back immediately, scared that he might know something. Can he see through me? Will he strangle me before I can even defend myself?

He doesn’t stop walking even as I back away from him. The back of my legs hit the bedframe and I stop with a gasp. He almost crowds me before stopping . He doesn’t look away for once. And I hate that as scared as I am, I notice how breath-taking he is. His scent smells…unique. Can’t describe it.

He finally speaks, his tone nothing close to friendly. “My brother’s room is opposite yours. I’d advise you not to make unnecessary noise. He hates disturbance and won’t hesitate to kill you.”

My pulse instantly vibrates with happiness but I don’t show it. Not only is the fact that Darian doesn’t see through my facade like I feared, but the revelation that Xaden’s room is in that door directly opposite mine makes me jittery.

Maybe I won’t have to spend upto a month here afterall. All I have to do is get close and kill him. Two weeks should be enough.

Soren told me Xaden is a threat to this academy…Cursed and ruthless. A dark thought suddenly crosses my mind but I quickly let go.

Someone who causes others death doesn’t deserve to live.

“You don’t have to worry about that. I’m here to mind my business.” I say.

Darian snorts.

“What?” I ask.

His eyes pin mine as he steps backward. “You don’t strike me as violent. I expect you to be difficult.”

Is that a smile I caught on his face? He tosses a key and I catch it by reflex.

One moment, he feels like a threat. The next, almost… playful.

It’s unsettling.

“I’m choosing my battles,” I say carefully.

His lips twitch. “Don’t go anywhere without my consent unless you want to risk getting killed by students who are angry at your mother.” One.

“I was assigned to watch you. Don’t make me regret it.” Two.

“After the initiation process for first years, you will be part of our pack and you will be able to mind-link me whenever you want to step out.” Three.

I swallow hard. Terrifying.

It’s not a good thing that he’s assigned to guard me. I have to be alone if I intend to take Xaden out of the way fast.

“Okay.” I mutter.

He turns and grabs the doorknob, only to pause and turn his head my way one last time. “Again, don’t piss my twin brother off. Stay away from Xaden.” Then he’s out.

Silence fills the room after he leaves. My chest rises and falls too fast. I have to make proper research about who Hannah Wales and her family were.

I have to find a way to get moved to the cooking class instead.

Shit. I feel so worked up. I need some grounding.

I opened my bag and reached for a folded paper. One I’ve kept for thirteen good years. I inhale deeply. The edges are worn now, the color faded into a dull brown, but its context still holds the same weight.

My chest aches as I read it again. ‘When I grow up, I will marry you and you will never cry again.’

Flower boy. He wrote this for me during that ball event, shortly before tragedy befell everything I had ever known. I never got to see him again. Never knew if he died or is still alive.

I close my eyes briefly to mourn that life, where I was kept safe by my adopted parents like a secret, but the beautiful flower boy showed outside my window and solace found me in the flowers he gave, his presence. I had never forgotten for once.

And those bright blue eyes…They remind me of…who?

Suddenly, a voice speaks in my head. “Welcome to destiny, Liliana. We never left you. He’s ours now.” I jump, almost running away from myself. Did I just imagine that or is that a voice in my head? The paper drops from my hold.

As if that isn’t scary enough, I hear footsteps climbing up the staircase.