CHAPTER FOUR: MINE

Kael watched the camera feed again.

Eden. Walking fast across the courtyard. Looking down. Always looking down.

Like she thought hiding her eyes could hide the heat in her body. Like he could not smell her confusion from a mile away.

He leaned back in his chair. The leather creaked.

She had been avoiding him.

Since the last time. Since he told her she was his.

But he felt her everywhere.

Her scent clung to the walls of the hallway. Her heartbeat echoed in his ears even now. She was in his bones.

He clenched his jaw and opened the second drawer of his desk.

Inside, a photo.

Her student ID. It had been left behind once. He never gave it back.

Kael ran a thumb over the picture. She looked so sweet. So innocent.

But he had seen what lived in her eyes when no one was watching.

Curiosity. Fire. Need.

She tried to hide it behind straight posture and quiet words, but he had tasted that kind of hunger before. Hers was untouched. Raw. Meant for only one man.

Meant for him.

He stood.

His wolf stirred under his skin, restless. Hungry.

Every day she spent ignoring him made the beast angrier. He had been patient. He had given her space. But now the line had snapped.

Kael walked out of his office and down the hall. Students moved aside when they saw him. They always did. Fear did that.

He went straight to the library.

He had seen her go in ten minutes ago.

Inside, it was quiet. Too quiet. The air smelled like old paper and fresh girl. He followed it.

Row after row of books passed. Then he saw her.

Alone. Near the back.

She was reaching for something on the top shelf.

Her skirt lifted as she stretched.

Kael stepped into the row without a word.

She turned.

The look on her face said it all. Shock. Panic. Heat.

"Sir-"

"You have been avoiding me."

"I haven't-"

"Do not lie."

He moved closer. She backed up.

Her spine touched the bookshelf.

His hand came up, flat on the wood beside her head.

"You were told."

Her breath hitched.

"Told what?"

Kael leaned in. His voice dropped.

"You were told that you belong to me."

Eden blinked fast. "You can't say that. I'm a student."

He nodded once. "You are."

Then his hand moved. Slowly. His fingers brushed the edge of her jaw.

"And you are mine."

Eden closed her eyes.

Kael tilted his head.

"You feel it. Say it."

"I don't-"

His grip stayed gentle, but firm. "Say it."

Her lips parted.

Kael waited.

A pause.

Then...

"I feel it."

It was soft. Barely more than a whisper.

But it was enough.

He stepped back.

The cold air rushed in between them.

Eden looked stunned. Shaken. Like she could barely stand.

Kael gave her one last look.

Then he turned and left.

Because next time he touched her, he would not stop.

And they both knew it.

Eden could still feel his breath on her neck.

It had been two hours. Maybe more.

But her heart had not slowed.

She sat in the cafeteria, untouched tray of food in front of her. She was not hungry. She could not stop thinking.

About the library.

About his voice. The way he had looked at her like he owned her soul.

She rubbed her hands on her skirt. Her skin felt too tight. Like her body knew something her mind was scared to admit.

Across the table, Liam was talking. She had no idea what he was saying. Something about practice. Or the football game.

She nodded, pretending to listen.

Liam had always been nice. A little flirty, but harmless.

"You okay?" he asked.

Eden blinked. "What?"

"You look... pale. Like you've seen a ghost or something."

She gave a tight smile. "No. Just tired."

"You want me to walk you to class after lunch?"

Before she could answer, the room changed.

A sudden silence.

Liam's eyes moved over her shoulder. His mouth shut.

Eden felt it before she turned. The air grew thick. Cold.

Then she saw him.

Kael.

At the back of the cafeteria, by the entrance. He stood still, in his black suit. The other staff near him kept their heads down.

But he was not looking at them.

He was looking at her.

No. At Liam.

Eden's stomach dropped.

Kael's eyes were sharp. Unblinking. Like a wolf that had just caught the scent of another male near his mate.

Liam shifted beside her.

"I think he's looking at me," Liam said with a nervous laugh.

Eden could not speak.

Kael took a step forward.

Liam stood fast. "I need to get to class. I'll see you later."

He was gone in seconds.

Kael stayed still. Watching her.

Then he turned and left.

Eden let out a breath she had not known she was holding.

Her hands shook under the table.

He had not said a word.

But it was clear.

No one else was allowed near her.

No one.

Letting her a breathe, she excused her self and went to the bathroom.

Eden gripped the sides of the sink.

The bathroom lights above her buzzed softly, but her ears rang louder.

She stared at her reflection. Her cheeks were flushed. Her eyes wide. Her lips parted like she could not catch her breath.

"What is happening to me," she whispered.

She turned on the tap and splashed cold water on her face. It didn't help.

She could still feel him.

Even when he wasn't near, her body acted like he was. Like it remembered. The way he touched her wrist. The heat in his voice. The way Liam had gone pale as soon as Kael looked his way.

She knew it wasn't normal.

She pressed her palm flat against her chest. Her heart would not calm down.

She leaned forward.

Her voice cracked. "I should stay away from him."

But the second the words left her mouth, something deeper spoke back.

You don't want to.

She slammed her fist on the sink. Not hard. But hard enough to feel it.

Then she heard the door open.

She stilled.

"Occupied," she called out, trying to steady her voice.

But no one answered.

The footsteps were slow. Heavy. Measured.

She turned.

Kael stood at the entrance to the girl's bathroom. His eyes locked on hers.

She froze. "You can't be here."

He said nothing.

He took one step inside. Then another.

"Kael," she whispered. "Please."

He closed the door behind him. Click.

"I warned you," he said, voice low.

She shook her head. "I didn't do anything."

He kept walking. "You let him touch you. You let him sit close. Laugh. Smile."

Her back hit the cold tiled wall. "He's just a friend."

Kael stopped inches from her. His hand came up. He touched her cheek with the back of his fingers. Gentle. Too gentle.

"You think I care what you call it?"

She didn't answer.

His eyes dropped to her lips.

"You are mine," he said. "Even if you're scared of it. Even if you run."

"I didn't run."

He leaned in. His nose brushed her neck. She gasped.

"You smell like him."

"I don't-“

Kael growled low. Animal low. His hand moved to her jaw. Tilted her face up.

"No one will touch you again. Not unless I say so."

He kissed her.

Not soft.

Not gentle.

Hungry. Possessive.

Like he needed it to breathe.

Her mind screamed to stop, but her body melted. Her fingers grabbed his shirt. She held on as his other hand slid to her waist, pulling her closer.

When he broke the kiss, her lips tingled. Her breath caught.

"You'll stay after class today," he said, voice rough.

She nodded.

No hesitation.

He stepped back once. Twice. Then left.

Eden stared at the door long after he was gone.

She didn't know if she should cry or scream.

But she knew one thing for sure.

She would stay