The Professor’s truth

​It had been four days since Silas left my room in that chilling silence. Four days since I had seen Killian’s motorcycle parked outside the library. I had spent every waking moment avoiding Jax too. Every time I saw his messy blonde hair in the hallway, I turned the other way. It was lonely, but for the first time in weeks, my head felt clear. My mental health was finally starting to feel like a priority again.

​But the peace didn't last. The silence from them was almost louder than their presence. It made me feel like I was waiting for a bomb to go off.

​I needed answers. I couldn't keep living in this fog. There was one person who seemed to be at the center of everything, the one who held the most power over my future and my grades.

​I walked toward the law building as the sun was starting to set. The hallways were mostly empty. I reached Alaric’s office and didn't hesitate. I knocked three times, loud and firm.

​"Enter," his deep voice called out.

​I pushed the door open. Alaric was sitting behind his desk, a single lamp lighting the room. He looked up, his blue eyes tracking me as I walked in and shut the door behind me. I didn't sit down.

​"Elena. I didn't expect to see you after our last... session," he said, his voice smooth.

​"I have questions, Alaric. And I’m not leaving until you answer them truthfully," I said, leaning my hands on his desk.

​He leaned back, crossing his arms. "I’m your Lecturer. Asking questions is what you’re supposed to do. Go ahead."

​"Are you related to them?" I blurted out. "Silas and Killian. Are the three of you working together? Are you brothers or friends?"

​Alaric didn't blink. He didn't even look surprised. He just looked at me with a blank expression. "I have no idea who you are talking about, Elena. Should I know these names?"

​"Don't lie to me!" I shouted, my voice bouncing off the walls. "They were both at the coffee shop when you walked by. Silas in the car, Killian on the bike. You all showed up at the exact same time. You’re telling me that was a coincidence?"

​"I saw you with a boy," Alaric said, his voice turning cold. "I saw a student of mine acting inappropriately in public. As for a car or a motorcycle, I don't pay attention to the traffic. If you have other crushes or boys following you around, how does that relate to me? Am I supposed to keep track of your dating life?"

​"You're full of it," I hissed. "You know exactly who they are. You all act the same. You all think you own me."

​Alaric stood up slowly, walking around the desk. He stopped just inches away from me. "I don't care about other men, Elena. My only concern is your performance in this school. And your behavior lately has been... lacking."

I'm trying so hard to believe him, what if they have no connection and it's just my mind playing tricks with me or I'm overthinking it all.

​"Stop it! Stop the act!" I screamed, the frustration finally boiling over. "Confess it, Alaric! Confess that you were the one that night at the bar. Confess that you’re the one who did all those things to me in the dark!"

​The room went dead silent. I was panting, my chest heaving. Alaric stared at me, his eyes darkening until they were almost black. The mask he always wore finally started to crack.

​"Fine," he whispered. The word was so low it made my skin crawl. "You want the truth? Yes. It was me."

​He stepped closer, his shadow swallowing me whole.

​"I was the one," he said, his voice a deep, rough growl. "I did all those things to you. And if you think for one second that I’ve forgotten, you’re wrong. I still remember the taste of you in my mouth, Elena. Every time I catch a scent of you in this hallway, my body reacts. My dick still hits the front of my pants just thinking about how you felt under me."

​I gasped, my heart skipping a beat. I wanted to run, but my legs felt weak, my body vibrated with each word that left his mouth.

​"Your moans still linger in my head," he continued, his breath hot against my face. "Every night when I close my eyes, I hear you screaming my name. Gosh, you have no idea how badly I want all of that again. I want to hear you break. I want to see you realize that no one else can touch you the way I do."

​He leaned down, his lips ghosting over my ear. "Θα μου το επιτρέψεις, μικρό μου κορίτσι? (Will you allow me, baby girl?)"

​I swallowed hard, the words sounding like a spell. I felt a wave of heat crash over me. This was bad. This was so bad. I was standing here, lusting for him, while also thinking about Silas’s kiss and Killian’s touch. I was a mess. I was falling for all of them, and I didn't know how to stop.

​Alaric pulled back just enough to look me in the eyes. The professor was gone. The fake words he always told me were gone. There was only a man who wanted to take everything I had.

“I want you more than I've ever craved for anything in my life," he said, his hand coming up to cup my throat, his thumb pressing just firmly enough to make me lightheaded. "I want to ruin you for everyone else. I want to be the only thing you think about when you close your eyes."

​I couldn't move. I couldn't breathe. I just nodded, a small, jerky movement of my chin.

​"I want to hear your voice," he commanded, his eyes boring into mine. "Speak to me, Elena. Say it."

​"Yes," I whispered, my voice thick with a need I couldn't hide. "Yes, Alaric."

​A dark, satisfied smile touched his lips. He let go of my throat and stepped back, pointing toward the center of the office.

​"Strip for daddy.” he commanded.

​