Chapter 12: The Weight of a Touch

SEBASTIAN’S POV

I strode back to the podium, my boots echoing in the lecture hall, a smug grin tugging at my lips. Touching Isabella's hair—her soft, fiery red strands brushing my fingers—had sent a jolt of peace through me, a calm I couldn’t explain. My wolf, Maximus, purred, his usual restlessness quieted, like the world had righted itself for a fleeting moment. The class’s gasps, their whispers buzzing like flies, didn’t faze me. I’d separated Caleb Reed from her, that smug Alpha’s son who’d sat too close, his smirk a challenge. Seeing him move, his eyes flashing with defiance, felt like a victory. I didn’t know why it mattered so much, why my chest tightened at the sight of him near her, but it did. And for once, I didn’t care about the why.

I launched into my lecture on the Roman Empire, my voice steady, my hands gesturing with practiced ease. But my mind churned, replaying the moment. Her hair, her wide green eyes, the lollipop falling from her shocked mouth—it all felt right, like a piece of me had settled. Maximus rumbled, content, but a darker thought crept in. Why did I do it? Why did I need to mark her like that, in front of everyone? I hated it—this loss of control, this pull toward Isabella Hart, a student, a liability. Yet, touching her hair, seeing Caleb back off, made my blood sing. It was crazy, reckless, and I was fucking thrilled.

The bell rang, students scrambling, their whispers louder now—“Did you see him touch her?” “She’s totally with the professor!”

I ignored them, packing my notes, my grin fading but the warmth lingering. I slung my briefcase over my shoulder and left the classroom, the gothic halls of Crestwood swallowing me as I headed to my office. The rumors would spread, I knew it—students loved their gossip—but I didn’t care. Not today. Not after that moment.

In my office, I dropped into my leather chair, the room’s dark wood and bookshelves a quiet refuge. Papers cluttered my desk—essays from last class, waiting for grades. I dove in, my pen scratching, my focus sharp, trying to bury the strange joy still humming in my chest. Isabella’s essay caught my eye, her neat handwriting a contrast to her trembling demeanor. I lingered on it, my thoughts drifting to her freckled face, her shy voice. Maximus whined, urging me closer to a truth I wasn’t ready to face.

A sharp knock jolted me. “Who’s there?” I called, my voice gruff, my pen pausing.

“Professor Wolfe? It’s… Isabella Hart.” Her voice, soft but edged, pierced the door.

My heart lurched, a rush of excitement and nerves flooding me. I didn’t understand it—this sudden thrill, like a pup before his first hunt. Maximus growled, eager, and I cursed under my breath. Get it together, Sebastian.

“Come in,” I said, shoving papers aside, straightening my tie, my movements quick, almost frantic. I stood, smoothing my blazer, trying to look composed, like I wasn’t unraveling inside.

The door creaked open, and she stepped in, her red hair loose, her green eyes blazing with something new—rage. Her sneakers scuffed the floor, her hands clenched, her legs tapping a furious rhythm. Tears glistened in her eyes, turquoise and raw, her jaw tight. I froze, my wolf sensing her pain, my own confusion spiking. What had I done?

“Are you going to stand there all day?” I asked, my voice low, my arms crossing. “How can I help you?”

She glared, her voice sharp, trembling with fury. “What the hell was that, Professor? Why did you touch my hair in class? In front of everyone?” Her hands flew up, gesturing wildly, her cheeks flushing red. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”

I raised an eyebrow, leaning against my desk, playing oblivious. “What are you talking about?”

“Don’t act dumb!” she snapped, stepping closer, her voice rising. “You touched my hair like we’re… lovers or something! Do you know what they’re saying about me? The lies, the rumors?”

Her voice cracked, tears spilling, her hands shaking. “It’s too bad that lies going on about me sending my nudes to my ex is still viral and now you’ve added to it. My parents calls me a disgrace, everyone calls me a cheap slut, and now you—”

She pointed at me, her finger trembling. “You just made it worse! Everyone’s gossiping now, saying I’m chasing you, the professor! How could you be so insensitive?”

Her words hit like claws, ripping through my smug satisfaction. The room, soundproofed thank the gods, held her screams, but they echoed in my skull. Her pain, her humiliation, was real, raw, a wound I’d deepened. Maximus whined, urging me to fix it, but I stood frozen, my jaw tight, her tears burning me. I’d heard about the rumors, the lies, and the fake photos. Touching her hair, marking her in front of Caleb, had felt right, instinctual. Now, seeing her break, I felt like a bastard.

“Isabella,” I started, my voice softer, but she cut me off.

“Don’t!” she shouted, her hands fisting, her body shaking. “What we had was one night. One mistake. I don’t want it again, and neither should you! But you act like… like we’re something more, and now I will be the only one paying for it!” Tears streamed down her face, her voice breaking. “I can’t take this, Sebastian. I can’t.”

Her sobs hit me harder than any blow. My chest tightened, a strange ache blooming, my wolf howling in distress. I wanted to stay cold, to keep my distance, but her pain pulled me apart. I’d fucked up, let the mate bond cloud my judgment, and now she was crumbling.

I stepped around the desk, my boots heavy, my hands itching to reach for her. “Isabella,” I said again, my voice low, urgent. “I didn’t mean—”

“Stop!” she cried, her hands covering her face, her shoulders shaking. She bit her lower lip, hard, trying to stifle her sobs, and the sight sent a shockwave through me. My wolf growled, my body reacting, a primal urge to protect her surging. Her lips, trembling, full, were too much.

“Stop doing that,” I said, my voice rough, my hands clenching to keep from grabbing her.

She froze, her eyes wide, confused, her lip slipping free. “What?” she whispered, her voice small, her tears glistening.

I stepped closer, my heart pounding, my control fraying. I raised my hand, my thumb brushing her cheek, wiping away a tear. Her skin was soft, warm, and my wolf purred, the mate bond humming.

“You don’t look pretty when you cry,” I said, the words slipping out, surprising even me. I’d never said anything like that—not to Vanessa, not to anyone. “I don’t like it when you cry.”

Her eyes widened, shock replacing rage, her breath hitching. “What… what are you saying?” she stammered, her voice barely a whisper.

I didn’t know myself. The words felt foreign, like something else was speaking through me, the bond taking over.

“I’ll handle it,” I said, my voice firm, though my mind reeled. “The rumors, all of it. I’ll fix it. Just… don’t cry.”

I was losing it, my walls crumbling, my wolf pushing me to claim her, protect her, make her mine.

She stood rooted, her eyes searching mine, her tears slowing. I acted on instinct, pulling her into a hug, my arms wrapping around her, my hand cradling her head. She didn’t hug back, her arms limp at her sides, her body stiff.

“It’s okay,” I murmured, patting her hair, my voice softer than I’d ever heard it. “Everything’s going to be fine.” I didn’t believe it, but I needed her to.

A sharp click shattered the moment—a camera, unmistakable. My head snapped to the door, my wolf snarling, my arms tightening around Isabella. Vanessa stood there, her black hair gleaming, her phone raised, her smirk cruel.

“Well, isn’t this cozy?” she said, her voice dripping venom. “This picture’s going to be a hit, honey.”

Isabella shoved me away, her hands shaking, her face pale. “No, it’s not what you think!” she cried, her voice desperate, her eyes darting to Vanessa. “Please, I have nothing to do with him!”

Vanessa laughed, cold and sharp, waving her phone. “Save your speech for the school board, Ginger. This says otherwise.” She turned, her heels clicking, and vanished down the hall, leaving her threat hanging.

Isabella’s tears fell faster, her breath hitching, her hands clenching. I reached for her, my voice low. “Isabella, I’ll—”

“Don’t!” she snapped, pushing my hand away, her eyes blazing with pain. She bolted from the office, her footsteps fading, leaving me standing in a daze. My wolf howled, rage and guilt clawing my chest.

What the fuck had just happened? I’d screwed up, let the mate bond drive me to act like a fool, and now Vanessa had a weapon. Isabella was drowning, and I’d pushed her deeper. I sank into my chair, my head in my hands, the weight of my curse, my choices, crushing me.