3. Professor Voss

Earis 

I sat through the class, eyes locked on him. I could barely breathe. His voice was doing something to me. 

The mark on my neck ignited with heat sending waves of chills through me with every word he uttered. I barely heard the words but my thighs locked in on each other as heat rose low in my belly. 

“Earis Lockwood! Would you come to the podium for the demonstration?” He said and all eyes were locked on me. 

Wait what?! 

Again with my name. There's something upsetting about the way it rolled off his tongue like he owned it. 

I swallowed hard as I stood. My legs trembled. I slid the hairpin into my sleeve ready for any foul play. 

The redhead was smiling like she had won a trophy. I still don't understand what her game was.  

“Miss Lockwood, please don't keep the class waiting,” he spoke again but his tone was less tender this time. 

My breath heaved with each step I took. I turned to Cassian hoping he would get a glimpse of something but he just looked void. 

Vanya's reaction was worse; she seemed to be spellbound by his looks. Vanya, who likes women, is stunned by the appearance of a man!? 

He stretched his hand ready to pull me up to the podium, his eyes locked on me and his face laced with amusement. 

My heartbeat slammed in my ears. Everyone was watching. I couldn’t breathe. If I refused, he’d make me. 

My first instinct was to drive the hairpin into his hand. And slit his throat. 

But I couldn't. The thought of even touching him made my skin crawl. 

I reluctantly stretched my hand towards him, as my fingers trembled. 

“Come on little hunter,” he murmured, voice dripping with warm poison “Feel the heat.” 

My eyes rolled to the back of my head from the jolt of electricity that zapped me from his touch. Every cell in my body exploded as his grip tightened and he pulled me to the podium. 

My knees almost buckled from the sheer weight of intensity I felt. For a second I forgot who I was, how to breathe, or where I was.

His hands slid behind my waist and I felt his fingers graze my bare skin. My body jerked in response. And just like that, he let go. 

I turned to him, my eyes widened in surprise. 

What was that feeling? 

My eyes met Cassian's and his gaze was different now. He was filled with rage. He must have sensed something. 

“Just like what Miss Lockwood explicitly showed us now. That's how we play the role of someone lost in desire and lust.” He said out loud to the entire class. 

What the hell…! 

Light giggles echoed in the theatre. 

“And that expression on Mr. Cassian Murdoch’s face is perfect to show his lust over Miss Lockwood,” he added almost immediately. 

My jaw dropped. How the hell does he know Cassian's full name?! Only family and hunters knew Cassian’s real surname. Murdoch! 

Everyone turned to Cassian who clearly couldn't hide his rage. He was fuming. 

Laughter filled the hall and they all teased him. 

“Well, Mr. Voss is indeed good at this. He helped you confess what you couldn't for four years.” Someone teased him. 

What the fuck are they talking about? 

“Well now she knows, I wonder how she didn't take a hint it was so obvious,” Another girl giggled at her friend.

“No wonder he didn't have my time,” another said.

I turned to him, the bloody hound. He was smiling, amused by the chaos he brought with only a few words.

“I know you liked that, the feel of my hands on your waist.” He whispered. 

And just like before the mark on my neck surged with intense heat and my hair prickled in response. 

I forced a dry swallow. 

I'll jump off this podium if he continues taunting me. 

“Alright let Mr. Murdoch be,” he said to the entire class, drawing the attention back to us. 

“Now I know Miss Lockwood hates me, but we have to continue with the demonstration. After all, Miss Lockwood loves a good hunt. Don't you, little hunter?” he said but lowered his voice at “little hunter.” 

Then came the giggles again. I could feel the eyes of everyone suffocating me. 

I turned to Vanya and she wasn't even looking at me. The redhead was seated next to her and they were… Flirting?! 

What the fuck! 

I can't take this anymore. He's taunting me and he knows it. He's clearly confident I wouldn't make a move on him in front of the entire class. That's where he's wrong. 

I pulled the pin from my sleeve, hiding it in my palm. Even if I wouldn't kill him, I'll surely inflict pain. 

“And what do I have to demonstrate Mr. Voss?” I said as lightly as I could, trying to hide my resentment. 

“The demonstration is simple. It's called claiming,” he said with a wicked grin as he turned to me. 

“I need everyone to focus. Miss Lockwood would play the role she knows best,” he started before taking off his suit jacket in a slow, deliberate movement like he was undressing for me. 

The mark on my neck pulsed so hot I could swear it glowed and everyone saw it. Sweat broke at the back of my neck and the room instantly turned hot. 

Gasps filled the hall as he placed his suit on the table exposing his well-built chest and arms even underneath his white t-shirt. 

“You'll play the role of a hunter, and I'll be your prey,” he said, folding his sleeve. That amused smirk on his face. 

What the hell is he doing? 

My pulse thundered with every fold of his sleeve. The mark seared through my veins, boiling me alive under his stare. 

Somehow I just noticed he was six feet three and he hovered over me like a building. 

I pulled my hairpin to my waist, clenching tightly on it. This might be a demonstration but clearly he wanted me to attack him in front of everyone. And hell I was ready! 

“Come on little hunter,” he said in a low voice crooking his fingers in a silent command for me to come closer. "Come to daddy."