Chapter 4

Zyra's pov ~

Elric speaks next, softer than the others. “She is here. We should not be having this conversation like this.”

A pause follows indicating that they are probably agreeing with him. I stand there for a long moment, staring at the door.

Before they have the moment to finally catch me eavesdropping, I quickly run back into my room.

~~

Hopefully they don't talk about yesterday night during breakfast. I'd probably just deny it with my life anyways.

I shake off the nerves and get dressed for the day.

The mirror catches me on the way out as I make my way out of the room. I pause for a second and look at my features. My eyes and face look the same.

Maybe the change is inwards...

Breakfast is already set when I get downstairs.

Kaelen sits at the head of the table, reading something on his phone. Soren is leaning back in his chair, arms crossed, watching the room like he expects it to move on its own. Elric stands by the window, looking out, his posture still but not relaxed.

They all look up when I walk in. Talk about human monitors.

“Sit,” Kaelen says.

I do.

The chair feels soooo soft but honestly, the space between the table and the chair is like an arm apart for real. Annoying.

For a while, no one speaks. That is, if you don't add the utensils that are filling the silence.

Then Soren breaks it.

“How did you sleep?” The question is simple but I can't help but feel he is trying to reference to me eavesdropping.

“Fine,” I say.

His gaze sharpens slightly. “You are sure?”

I look at him. “Yes.” He studies me like he is waiting for something more.I do not give it to him.

Kaelen sets his phone down. “You sure you didn't see or hear anything last night?”

“I said I am fine or am I supposed to have seen or heard something?” I reply.

My voice comes out steady and calm which is terribly unlike me.

Elric finally turns from the window. His eyes settle on me.

“Did you hear anything last night?” he asks. This stupid question again. My grip tightens slightly around the fork in my hand.

“No,” I say.

A look passes between them.

"Anyways, little princess, unfortunately you have to resume school today." Kaelen

What?!

I almost choke on air. "School? I just got here."

"Yeah, you have to start now because there's no one at home today to watch over you."

"Why exactly do I need a babysitter in the first place? I'm literally 17!"

"Yes. I don't particularly care enough. So, I have instructed one of the maids to put your uniform in your room. Once you get upstairs, change and I'll have someone drop you off." He says with a tone of finality.

They didn't even give me any time of adjust to this life. Instead, they are so eager to send me off to school. They definitely want to get rid of me. My chest tightens as I keep thinking about it.

I push my chair back slightly, the sound louder than I intend. I go back to my room without a word.

~~

The car ride is quiet. I watch the road instead, the way the world slowly comes back into view.

I can't believe I will be starting a completely new school and be termed the "new girl". We soon arrive at huge school called Wave High School.

Pretty wonderful. I wonder if they would hear if someone tried to kill me inside..

As I walk down the hallway trying to find the office, I notice that whispers trail behind me. My ear picks up what they are saying.

“She is the new one.”

“Did you see the car she came in?”

“Who is she?” I keep walking. Ignore it and blend in. That is the goal.

~~

First period passes in a blur. Second too. By the time lunch comes, I can myself growing more restless by the minute.

I sit down at an empty table, trying to focus on the familiar rhythm of isolation. It does not work. Someone sits across from me.

I look up slowly. She is not like the others in the school. That is the first thing I notice.

Her presence is calm. She has light hair and beautiful clear eyes.

“You are new,” she says. I nod once.

She tilts her head slightly. “You feel it too.”

My chest tightens.

“Feel what?” I ask.

Her lips curve faintly. “You will figure it out.”

Before I can respond, loud voices rise behind her.

I turn slightly.

A girl stands near another table, her posture tense, her hands clenched. Two others crowd her space, speaking too close, too sharp.

Bullying. I should not get involved. I know that. Then the girl shoves her hard and I think that's the height of it for me.

I am on my feet before I think about it and moving towards them.

“Leave her alone,” I say. My voice cuts through the noise. They all turn.

“Or what?” one of them asks. I do not answer. She steps closer, pushing at my shoulder.

“Mind your business.” Her hand barely makes contact but my body reacts like it is something else she did.

My hand moves before my mind catches up. I grab her wrist tight as she gasps. I do not realize how much force I am using until her expression shifts to pain.

I let go immediately but it is too late. The other one lunges at me and this time… I do not hold back.

My fist connects before she even finishes stepping forward. The room goes silent.

She stumbles back, shock written all over her face. My chest rises and falls fast and something inside me feels… alive.

Before I can comprehend everything that I've done, I feel a arm wrap around mine and pull me out of the cafeteria.

It's the girl from before. She looks pretty annoyed but I'm trying to figure out whether it's at me or the stupid bitches I just handled.

"You need to chill out. You could get in trouble. Control yourself." She grits out and walks away before I can even ask for her name.

Well, shit...

~~

I turn the corner without thinking and collide with someone. The impact is solid which almost knocks me to the ground.

There are two guys standing in front of me right now. They are standing so close to me and just staring like they have nothing better to do.

Something else gets me though. There's a look of shock and recognition on their faces. However, I'm 100% sure I've never met them before.

Before I can say a word, my chest tightens and a pulling and demanding feeling inside me surges.

What is going on with me?

One of them steps closer. At the same time, the other does too. Perfectly in sync.

My heart starts beating faster. I should step back but I don’t.

One of them exhales slowly, like he is trying to steady himself. The other’s jaw tightens, his gaze darkening.

“What…” I start, but my voice doesn’t come out right. They are too close now. Close enough that I can see every detail.

One of them is taller with dark hair and eyes that feel like they are cutting through me.

The other is lighter and looks sharper in a different way. His expression less controlled and more open but both of them are focused completely... on me.

They look at each other for half a second and the next thing I can sense is hostility.

“This isn’t possible,” the darker one says, his voice low.

“It is,” the other replies, just as quiet. Their eyes flick back to me together.

I take a step back finally.

“What is wrong with you?” I ask, the words coming out sharper than I intend. Neither of them answer but they don't look away.

“Back off,” the lighter one says. The other lets out a low laugh.

“You don’t get to make that call.” What are they even arguing about and would they mind taking it elsewhere?

“This isn’t your claim,” the darker one says.

“Then why do you feel it too?” the other fires back.

"Hey! Can you guys put on your boxers and go argue elsewhere like men? I have places to be and you are blocking my way." I raise a brow at them whilst gesturing for them to part ways.

"I won't let you take her. She's not yours" One of them says and I swear I think I heard a growl. Similar to the same one I heard from myself.

I'm probably just overthinking it again. I have more things to worry about like getting these two fools out of my way.

“She’s ours.” Huh? Did I miss a part of their conversation?

Before I can process it, the other one steps forward, his expression just as intense.

“She doesn’t belong to you.”

"Mate." They both say at the same time, snapping their faces in front of mine.

Here we go...