Three: Prey & Predator.

CHAPTER THREE: 

Saphielle's POV:

Monday classes were always boring but I'd sell my soul to the devil if my professor could drag this class till night.

I'm not kidding. I'd do it.

I would do basically anything to hide away from people and keep their attention off me.

Not that my appearance was helping matters right now. My eyes were swollen and red from hours of crying. My hair looked like I rolled out of bed and just forced it into a bun—that's literally what I did since I was trying to avoid people, especially Annika and Rosita.

The rest of the weekend was an endless torture. After the humiliating public break up, I'd returned to my dorm room with Annika and Rosita waiting to give me the punishment they'd promised.

I had to clean their room, reorganize every shelf, and wash their toilets. 

When they were satisfied, I was asked to crawl until I couldn't feel my knees and my back ached. At one point, I forgot about my recent heartbreak.

They even made me stand outside in the cold for hours until they got bored.

When I'd gotten back to my room, I'd stuffed my face in my pillows and bawled my eyes out.

On every inhale, the pain in my heart intensified. I cried until there were no tears left. I cried until my throat felt too dry like I'd been eating sand.

It wasn't fair how I was always in some trouble or drama.

I just wanted it to be over.

But I knew it was far from being over with how Kasper had handled the break up.

And because of that, I didn't leave my room the whole of Sunday but the rumors definitely got to me through my annoying roommate. Rumors of how I got dumped because of my ‘promiscuous’ activities.

I'm beginning to think my reasons for enduring this suffering weren't enough. 

Surely, I wouldn't be the first person forfeiting a fully funded scholarship, right?

I could look for very cheap colleges and work shifts to help out?

Did I have to further my education? I could just learn a skill instead.

I could—

“Miss Caelwyn?” Professor Oakwood's stern voice broke my thoughts.

Oh shit. 

All eyes were on me now. I wanted nothing more than to disappear.

“I can see my class is meaningless to you,” he said, adjusting his glasses. “I'm hoping you have something more interesting to share with the class,” 

Anxiety flared, my cheeks burned. “N-no sir.” 

His lips thinned, a disapproving look etched on his face. “Tell the class what I was saying before I called your attention.” 

I blinked. Wait, what?

He didn't mean that, right? 

But the stern look on his face as he waited impatiently for response proved otherwise.

But I had no reply for him.

I'd been so deep in thoughts I hadn't heard a word he said.

He huffed, folding his arms. “Do you at least know what today's topic is?” 

Of course I did. Just not what he was talking about.

“Ask her about dicks!” A boy hollered just before I could reply. 

“Yes! She's an expert in that area!” Another added much to my horror. 

“She might suck yours, Professor!”

“Saphielle takes it like a good little slut!”

“She–”

“ENOUGH!!” Professor Oakwood barked. “Not another word from any of you!”

The class fell deathly quiet.

I hung my head low, staring at my clenched fists until they blurred by the tears gathered in my eyes.

“Miss Caelwyn.”

I did not look up. 

I swallowed thickly, fighting back tears.  “Yes, professor.”

“Please pay attention in class next time.”

I nodded. Scared if I opened my mouth to say one more word, the dam would break free.

The rest of the class went smoothly and soon, it was over.

I was the first to rise, my bag already packed and I was out the door in seconds.

It was better this way. I couldn't face anyone after that humiliating scene. 

My next class wasn't until noon. It was either to go back to my dorm room and risk running into my bullies or finding an empty class to hide in until it was time.

I chose the latter.    

Letting out a sigh, I clutched my bag strap and kept my head low.

I could feel some student's eyes on me as I moved past them.

Judging. Disgusted. 

When I finally found an empty classroom, my shoulders sagged in relief.

I'd just slipped inside when a voice reached my ears. I felt my spine stiffened as goosebumps scattered across my skin.

“Look who the cat dragged in.” 

I spun around so fast, I almost got a whiplash. 

My pulse roared in my ears as Gavril's smile widened. 

Nerves lined the walls of my stomach as I took a few steps backwards. 

He stepped inside the classroom. And what's worse was he wasn't alone. He had his three best friends with him. 

Panic crashed into me, wrapping its claws around my heart.

I knew it.

Nothing ever worked the way I wanted it to. 

“You've been avoiding me,” he said as he took slow, measured steps towards me and I took several back. 

I felt like a caged prey and Gavril was the predator. I could feel his lustful eyes on my body and I shivered in disgust.

“I… I don't want any trouble, please,” I begged.

“Trouble?” He laughed. “I'm not here for trouble, baby. All I asked was a question and I expect an answer.” 

A lump formed in my throat. “I… I'm not a-avoiding you.”

 “Liar,” he scoffed, crowding me. 

And when my back hit the wall, my stomach sank.

Gods. Please let this bastard get away from me, please.

“...If you weren't avoiding me, why the fuck do you skip the class we share?” He arched a brow as he placed one hand on the wall above my head and I felt myself shrink further. “Why, Saphielle?”

I gulped, my heart beating wildly. “I-I dropped it.” 

“Another lie.” When his free hand brushed a stray strand from my face, I felt my stomach recoil violently in disgust… 

“You can't run from me, baby,” he murmured. 

I hated when he called me that. Felt like worms were crawling underneath my skin.

“...I want you so badly, and I'll have you whether or not you want it, baby.”

Sweat trickled down my temples as fear coiled in my gut. “Please, just let me go,” I begged. “You have a girlfriend. Mistress Annika.” 

And she's going to fucking kill me.

His eyes darkened with anger. “Don't bring up that bitch's name. You're the one I want!” 

‘And have you perhaps considered the fact that I might not want you back?!’ 

I said that in my head of course. I dare not say such words out, I'd be dead meat in seconds…

“Kiss me,” He suddenly ordered and my eyes grew wide.

“W-what?” 

“You heard me, Saphielle,” his voice was a low growl. “Kiss me.” 

Shit. Shit. Shit.

My eyes darted to the door. Then to his friends who stood a few feet away like guard dogs.

There was no way I could outrun them. 

I was trapped. What do I do?! 

“Don't even think about it.” Gavril's voice sliced through my chaotic thoughts. “There's no escaping me.” 

 I knew that. Gavril wasn't just another senior, his family was also one of the founding fathers and they are close to the Alpha King.

But why he was making my life so damn difficult? I had no idea. 

All I wanted was peace and quiet until my next class and I couldn't even have that.

Angry tears pricked at the corner of my eyes, I wanted so badly to gouge his eyes out. 

But I don't, instead, “Please… I can't do that, Master Gavril.” 

“You're so goddamn stubborn for someone as skittish as a mouse,” he sighed like I'd exasperated him. “I'm being nice by asking you to do it, if I wanted, I could take it by for—” 

I felt it first. A presence so powerful and suffocating before a voice growled,  “What is going on here?”

Gavril stiffened while relief flooded me, my body going slack as the tension seeped out.

When he turned away from me, creating a distance between us, I was finally able to breathe in air that didn't contain his harsh scent.

I peered over Gavril's shoulder, catching a glimpse of my savior. My breath hitched when Prince Azrael's cold, green eyes met mine.

“I'm just talking to her,” Gavril forced a laugh, breaking the silence. “What are you doing here anyway, your highness?” 

Azrael's eyes narrowed as they moved from Gavril to me. “Talking? That didn't look like ‘talking’ to me.” 

‘Because it wasn't.’ I wanted to yell but I knew better.

Gavril stepped further away from me, approaching Azrael and it was only then I noticed that his minions were nowhere in sight. 

“You know how these junior students are,” he huffed. “Too stubborn and don't take corrections. I had to discipline her.” 

“Ah, yes and you had to do that in an empty classroom,” Azrael said flatly as his eyes landed on me again. “Get out.” 

Oh good. Goddess be praised! 

Finally! 

I grabbed my bag which had fallen earlier, about to dash out of the classroom…

“Not you, little red,” Azrael growled.

Little red?

“...Get out, Gavril.” 

Gavril balked, anger flaring in his eyes as his jaw tightened. He was seconds away from telling Azrael to fuck off but he stormed off instead.

As soon as Gavril was out the door, Azrael stalked closer to me, each step stealing my breath away. 

As scary as he was, he was magnificent, a sight to behold. He had that arrogance and effortless grace about him all wrapped in sinful, dangerous good looks.

His eyes were studying me though, like I was a new species… Like I was worth looking at with that much attention. 

His gaze was so intense, it was a struggle to not squirm.

Why was he looking at me like that? Like… like he thinks I'm familiar?

That's stupid. We've never met.

“You're an odd one,” He said at last. 

I frowned. 

I've been called slut. 

Cocksucker. Whore.

Fat—only because I wasn't a size 6 or 8.

But odd? That's a new one.

Either way. I don't care. 

I'm grateful for his interference but I wanted to be anywhere but here. 

“Thank you for your help, Prince Azrael,” I said sincerely. 

And also, hoping he'd get the hint and let me leave. Instead, he inched closer… 

Too close for comfort, all I could smell was his intoxicating scent. I could almost feel his warmth—

Wait… 

My eyes widened. 

Was he fucking sniffing me? 

“What are y—”

“Same hair… Same—” A pause, then he leaned back. “But no scent… You're not her.”