Feral

Nyra's pov.

Dante's words played in my head throughout the first class, and by the second one, Julie, who had been sitting beside me finally noticed how absent minded I was. 

“Are you okay?” She nudged my arm with her elbow, keeping her voice barely above a whisper. I nodded simply, too engrossed in my thoughts to speak. 

“You don't look okay, I can tell that something's bothering you.” She insisted, batting her long lashes at me. 

“I'm fine, Julie.” I responded, making sure my voice was firm. 

“Something's definitely got you worried. If you tell me, I can..” 

“Can you just shut up!?” I snapped, my eyebrows creased in anger. “You're so fucking annoying and I just want you to leave me alone!” 

I groaned and turned away, folding my arms on my chest. I heard her sniff, and immediately felt a pang of guilt in my chest. It wasn't my intention to be rude, I simply wanted to be left alone. 

When I turned to her again, she had moved a few seats away, causing me to bite my lip in regret. I must have really hurt her feelings. I decided to speak to her after the class.

As soon as the professor left, Julie made her way towards the door without a glance back at me. I followed suit, calling her name until I caught up with her in the hallway. She stopped, turning to me with a scowl. 

“What do you want?” She fired.

“To apologize.” 

She let out a sigh. “You don't have to. I should be apologizing for being annoying as hell.” 

“No, no,” I shook my head. “I'm so sorry I said that to you, okay? I was just a little bothered but I shouldn't have taken it out on you. I'm sorry.” I gave her puppy eyes, genuinely regretting hurting her.

I saw a smile slowly form on her face and relief washed over me.

“I'll forgive you on one condition.” She sounded sinister, and I just knew that I wasn't going to like whatever she was about to say. 

“Come with me to the hockey game this evening.” 

I groaned. “Oh, come on. I don't want to..” 

“So you hate me then?”

I gasped. “Why would you say that!? Of course I don't hate you.”

“Then follow me to the game. I promise, you're going to have the best time. Please!” 

I wanted to say no, but I was trying to make up for my mistakes so I had no other choice but to agree to her condition. I wasn't looking forward to the hockey game, I had wanted to avoid it because the triplets would be playing but it seemed like there was no running away from it. 

“Thank you!” Julie squealed, pressing her body against mine. “You're not gonna regret it.” 

I was sure I would. 

We went to the canteen together to get something to eat before heading to the rink along with everyone else. Excited chatters filled the air as we entered the rink, with the triplets' names being the only thing on everyone's lips, especially the girls. 

I shouldn't care, but hearing the giggling and some of the girls wishing that one of the triplet boys would touch them caused something unfamiliar to ripple through me. I couldn't name the feeling, but it refused to go away.

Julie and I settled down in the fifth row, and just as we sat, the players filed out, holding their sticks and looking as intimidating as ever. I had no idea why my eyes searched for the triplets, but I found them, standing next to each other and exuding danger as usual. 

My chest burned, as if someone had started a fire in it, I looked away and tried to ignore what was going on inside me. Then, Kael looked up, meeting my gaze as if he already knew where I was. 

I wrapped my arms around myself, turning away quickly, only for someone close to me to stumble into me, almost falling on me. 

“Hey!” I yelled out, but he laughed instead, pushing back his hair as the smell of alcohol coming from him filled my nostrils.

“Are you blind?” I questioned, glaring at him.

“You should be grateful that I touched you. Do you know how many girls are begging for it?” He brought his finger to my cheek, swiping harshly. I gasped and moved my face, disgust gnawing at my chest.

“What the fuck is wrong with you!?” Julie fired in rage beside me. 

“Shut up bitch, I ain't talking to you. I'm talking to this sweet little thing here, bet she tastes even better down there.” He laughed, his tone degrading in the worst possible way. He was obviously drunk.

“Julie, let's go.” I tugged on Julie's hand, attempting to stand up when the drunk guy grabbed my arm harshly, his fingers digging into me. He pushed me back into my seat and stood above me, lowering his hand to my waist. 

A scream tore from my throat. Julie moved to push him but he was stronger, probably a beta, and he pushed her first, throwing her across. Then he pinned me down and held my waist, bringing his face closer and closer to my face. 

“Stop! Get off me!” I tried to fight, kicking my legs in the air, but I didn't stand a chance against a beta. 

No one tried to stop him, they all watched me struggle and scream, and yet nothing was done, until a familiar growl behind me made him release his grip on me. 

“Kael..” I heard him mutter, and I sprang up to my feet, panting. Kael was really standing there, fuming, veins popping out of his neck. 

“You touched the wrong person, Mikel.” His husky voice echoed, and the entire rink seemed to hold its breath right before his eyes turned a vicious shade of red and he grabbed Mikel by the neck, lifting him off the ground. 

“Kael!” I yelled out, but Mikel was already struggling to breathe, Kael was squeezing the life out of him without even trying. He held him up in the air and continued to strangle him. The crowd whispered, as if they were afraid, no one tried to stop him, not even the officials. He was going to kill Mikel! 

My heart fell into my stomach.

“Kael! No!” 

But he didn't stop.