Glowing Eyes

Chapter 4

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Lina

My stomach twisted when I got in. The class seemed bitter-sweet.

Some looked infuriated, staring at their phone, while some were chatting with their friends. It somewhat made me less tense.

There she was.

Brienna.

Sitting near the middle, a leg crossed over the other, notebook open, pen spinning in her fingers. She looked up as I entered. Her lips twitched into a slow, knowing smirk.

I dropped into the seat farthest from her and opened my textbook, but I could swear anyone who took a good look at me knew I wasn’t reading.

I could feel her watching me.

Like she knew.

And that smile?

She wanted me to know she knew.

“Linaaaa.” Brienna called.

My heart raced fast as I turned to look at her.

“Hey girly.” I said with an awkward smile.

“New seat position?” She asked, tilting her head.

“Nah, I just wanna crash here for a while.” I replied.

“You're always crashing in the wrong seat.” She said, chuckling.

Before I could reply, I picked up an enchanting fragrance. I knew it was a familiar scent but I couldn't tell exactly where I picked it up from.

That's when it hit me.

Yesterday's letter.

I quickly glared at her. She smiled so innocently back.

Was she doing this all on purpose?

Our attention suddenly shifted to the popularity of the class screaming and giggling at the door.

They better be screaming at something important. But of course, it was one of the Alphas from yesterday.

I hissed as I got up from the chair and sat on my seat.

Soon after, it was time for sparring lessons.

First up were two random girls I never knew existed until now. Their battle was quite interesting to watch. The girl on black caught my attention. Her calculations and stamina were on point.

“Who do you think is gonna win?” Brienna whispered.

“My stake is on–” Before I completed my words, the other girl had pinned the girl on black down.

“Yeah nevermind.” I said to her.

Up next was the guy from earlier and some random guy. Theirs was more intense than the previous ones. Both were precise, and calculative. One looked fierce as if his life depended on it while the other seemed to be having fun.

From up close, the Alpha looked extremely handsome, and I couldn't help but stare at him.

“Don't tell me you're ogling Blake. Wait till you hear Damien JUST speak,” Brienna giggled. “You'd be in nirvana for days.”

Blake, so that was the jerk's name.

The battle ended up with Blake as the winner which wasn't really a surprise.

Blake was dripping in sweat which kinda made him look 10x hotter. The crowd were giggling again as he took off his black compressed t-shirt and we could see abs and V lines.

Those were a definition of pure art.

He walked past me and the air suddenly felt tight. He paused and stared at me for about ten seconds before turning away.

“Do you know him from somewhere?” Brienna asked.

“Yeah he was the hot jerk from yesterday, why?” I replied.

“That's like the longest he has ever paid attention to someone. I'm kinda jealous.” She chuckled.

I didn't respond.

A group of girls walked up to Brienna, and her mood instantly shifted.

They were all in black and they talked in morse code or something, which seemed suspicious.

Brienna nodded and they both walked in sync.

She looked pretty tense as she saw me staring at her.

“They are just a bunch of weirdos, don't pay attention to any of that.” She said.

I stepped out of the class for a minute to get some fresh air.

I saw Blake still shirtless, walking towards my direction.

He stopped before walking past my direction.

“Hey, you.” He looked at me.

I didn't respond.

He came closer. “There's something I wanna tell you” Blake said, reaching for my hands.

I quickly smacked off his hand. “Keep your hands to yourself, or we are both gonna end up in detention if such exists here.”

His expression quickly turned sour. “Never say that word beside me.” He said, then walked away.

His mood switch was insane. And what word was he even referring to? Everyone here was so weird and I thought I was the odd one.

Now I was curious about what he wanted to tell me.

I returned to class and sat down.

********

The class was over hours later. Brienna left in a hurry with those girls from earlier. I spotted her heading out the back gate with two other girls. Their hoods were up and they were moving quickly.

I should’ve gone back to my dorm. I really should’ve.

But instead, I followed them.

They didn’t talk much on the way. Just quiet little glances and a steady pace down the narrow path past the garden wall. The further we walked, the thicker the trees became.

“This is what I get for butting into what ain't my business.” I muttered under my breath as a branch slapped my shoulder.

Suddenly, one of the girls stopped and sniffed the air. “I smell something.”

My heart launched into my throat. I scrambled to rub some mint leaves I crushed from the bushes along my wrist, masking my scent just in time.

They moved on.

I followed until they reached a small clearing with five cloaked students waiting. They talked a bit, then exchanged something in red envelopes. Then they began chanting.

Then…..snap.

My foot hit a twig.

Before they could see me, I dropped low to the ground, heart pounding like a war drum. Seconds dragged and I heard no footsteps, no voices either. I slowly lifted my head… and they were gone.

All three.

My breath hitched. I started to quietly retreat, one foot behind the other, trying not to rustle a single leaf. I couldn’t afford to be caught. I scanned the area, trying to make sense of it, when my gaze landed on something I hadn’t noticed before.

A moss-covered structure stood deeper in the trees, partly hidden by overgrowth. Cracked stone steps led down into a shadowy entrance.

What the hell was this place?

And why was Brienna lurking around here?

I hesitated for a second before slipping inside.

The air was damp and thick.

Voices.

Low, rhythmic, and chanting.

I followed the sound carefully until I reached a half-open door.

Light flickered behind it. I took in a few deep breaths and pushed it open.

All four heads turned. Then the ground beneath me felt pulsed–like I had stepped on something I wasn’t supposed to.

One figure stepped forward, and beneath the hood… something glowed.

Eyes.

Glowing red eyes locked on mine.

And then–

Everything went still.