Chapter 14: Chasing Her Scent

SEBASTAIN’S POV

I slumped in my office chair, my hands raking through my hair, my heart still pounding from the chaos with Isabella. Vanessa’s camera click echoed in my mind, that damning photo of me hugging Isabella now a ticking bomb. Maximus growled, restless, urging me to find her, to fix the mess I’d made. I’d been reckless—touching her hair in class, hugging her in my office—letting the mate bond drive me like a fool. Now she was out there, drowning in rumors, and I was the idiot who’d pushed her deeper. I shoved papers aside, my briefcase half-packed, ready to bolt out and track her down when a commotion outside my door stopped me cold.

Students rushed past, their footsteps pounding, their voices a chaotic buzz. “Did you see the picture?” one girl hissed, her phone glowing. “Isabella and the professor—holy shit!” a guy laughed.

My blood ran hot, my jaw clenching. Vanessa had done it—spread the photo, turned our moment into campus poison. Their stares followed me as I stepped into the hallway, my boots heavy, my blazer tight across my shoulders. Eyes darted from phones to me, whispers trailing like smoke. “That’s him,” someone muttered. “He just got here and he’s screwing that weirdo.”

I ignored them, my senses sharpening, Maximus sniffing the air. Isabella’s scent—jasmine, rain, fear—hit me like a beacon. She was close, and she was in trouble.

I moved faster, my strides long, my wolf guiding me through the gothic halls of Crestwood. The whispers grew louder, students crowding, their phones pinging with notifications. My stomach twisted—she was taking the heat for my mistake. I had to find her, protect her, make this right. Her scent grew stronger, pulling me toward the main exit, where a crowd had gathered, their voices a mix of jeers and gasps. I pushed through, my heart racing, and froze at the sight.

Isabella was on the floor, her red hair splayed, her face tear-streaked, her right wrist clutched in pain. Caleb Reed knelt beside her, his hand gentle on her arm, his voice low, protective. “Are you okay?” he asked, his green eyes scanning her injury.

Two boys, whom I suspected to be her brothers, loomed over her, the taller one’s face twisted with rage, his hand still raised from the slap that had sent her down. Another guy stood, whom I believed to be her ex, stood there smirking and spewing venom.

“Bella, I never knew you were such a whore,” he sneered, his voice dripping with scorn. “You’re now spreading your legs for anyone who’ll have you. Well too bad, you ain’t that good in bed, you ain’t even juicy or tight. You’re just a waste of time and effort.”

Maximus roared, fury surging, my fists clenching. Maximus wanted to rip him apart, to tear through anyone who dared hurt her and lie against her. Isabella isn’t just some fling as this tramp describes her to be, and she’s got the tightest and juiciest openings ever—damn she was the only girl that made me see stars with the way she rode me that night. Fuck my thoughts!

I wanted so badly to turn back and walk away like I didn’t see any of these, but the sight of Caleb’s hands on her awoke a certain fire in me that I couldn’t name—jealousy, possession, something primal.

I stepped forward, my voice cutting through the chaos. “You know that’s a lie, right?” I said, my eyes locked on the guy, my tone low, dangerous.

Isabella’s head snapped up, her green eyes wide with fear, her hand grabbing my arm, her touch a silent plea. Don’t say it, her gaze begged, tears shimmering.

She was terrified I’d reveal our night, expose the truth, and ruin her further. My chest ached, Maximus whining at her pain, but I held back, my jaw tight, fighting the urge to wipe her tears in front of everyone.

She bit her lower lip, a nervous habit, and it sent a shockwave through me. My body reached, heat flooding, my wolf howling to claim her right there. I leaned down, my lips brushing her ear, my voice a whisper. “Stop biting your lips, baby girl.”

Her shiver was instant, her breath hitching, and the crowd gasped, their whispers exploding. “Oh my God, did you hear that?” “He called her baby girl!”

I straightened, my face hard, turning to her brothers. “You’re supposed to be her family,” I snapped, my voice sharp, my wolf snarling. “Protecting her, not hitting her. And you,” I turned to the lean looking dude that had a lot to say about her sex game, my eyes blazing, “why lie? You know the truth will come out in the end, and when it does, you’ll face the school board.”

The taller brother laughed, cold and mocking, stepping closer. “Us?” You’re the professor screwing a student. We’re taking this to the board first, Mr. Wolfe. You’re done.”

I smirked, unfazed, my voice steady. “Go ahead. I’m already taking it to them—because I won’t stand by while a student’s bullied for lies fabricated to make her look bad.” I glanced at Caleb, Maximus bristling, his hands still holding the tip of Isabella’s finger. “And you, Reed—keep your hands off her.”

Caleb’s eyes narrowed, his smirk sharp, but he didn’t respond. I grabbed Isabella’s good arm, gentle but firm, pulling her from the crowd. “Come with me,” I said, my voice low, urgent.

She stumbled, her wrist cradled, her tears slowing but her face pale. We pushed through the gawking students, their phones still flashing, and headed for the principal’s office, my heart pounding, Maximus pacing inside me.

The principal’s office was stark, all wood and glass, the air heavy with authority. Principal Harris sat behind his desk, his gray hair disheveled, his eyes blazing as he waved his phone. “Professor Wolfe, Hart, I was about to call you both in here to explain to me what this photo means!” he barked, his voice sharp.

I stepped forward, my voice calm, my mind racing. “Then it’s good that we came to you first,” I said with a smile. “There have been lies going around about Miss Hart—like this nude photo,” I pulled out my phone, my fingers steady despite the stakes.

He took my phone staring at the photos like he hadn’t seen them before.

“Those photos are fake, clearly photoshopped to dent her name,” I continued, my voice calm. “The original photos belong to a stock model and Isabella’s face was only manipulated on it.”

I grabbed my phone back, swiping to the left to show the original model that owned the photos. I slid my phone across his desk, the images side by side, undeniable. Isabella stared at me in shock, like she wasn’t expecting me to defend her—I was even shocked that I could spend two hours online trying to find evidence to clear her name.

“Then how do you explain this photo of you two hugging in your office?” Harris questioned, his eyes darting between I and Isabella.

I ran my fingers through my hair, letting out a sigh. “I was only consoling her after she was attacked by her classmates and her own brothers. You can check the group chat comments for more details.”

Harris’ eyes narrowed, scrolling through my evidence, his jaw tightening. Isabella stood beside me, her breath shaky, her eyes wide with shock. I could feel her staring, stunned at the lie I’d spun—not a lie, but a half-truth, shielding our real connection.

“Is this true, Miss Hart?” Harris asked, his voice gruff.

She nodded, her voice small. “Yes, sir. They… they hit me, called me names. Professor Wolfe was just… helping.” Her words trembled, but she held her ground, her wrist still clutched.

Harris sighed, leaning back. “I’ll have the disciplinary board sit on this case. You both can leave.”

I led Isabella out, my hand on her elbow, guiding her into the empty hallway. The silence was heavy, the gossip left behind for now.

She stopped, her eyes meeting mine, her voice soft. “Thank you, sir,” she said, her tears gone but her face still pale. “For saving me back there.”

I looked at her, my chest tight, Maximus whining. “No problem,” I said, my voice gruff, “but next time, I might not be there.”

Her eyes widened, hurt flashing, and I pushed on, harsher than I meant. “You need to stand up for yourself, Isabella. The more you let them walk over you, the worse it gets.”

Her jaw tightened, her voice sharp. “Thanks for the advice,” she snapped, turning to leave, her sneakers squeaking.

Guilt hit me hard, as Maximus growled at my own stupidity. “Bella,” I called, my voice softer.

She turned, her eyes wary, confused. I stepped closer, my heart pounding. “Stay away from Caleb Reed. I know you don’t get it now, but for your own sake—for your life—stay the hell away from him.”

Her lips parted, questions in her eyes, but I didn’t give her a chance to ask. I turned, my boots heavy, walking away, my wolf howling, torn between protecting her and pushing her away. I’d saved her today, but at what cost?