Chapter 5

Aiden's pov

I was excited to see her face. The shock was evident in the way her lips parted, and I could see her hand trembling as she clutched the desk to hide it. My coming late was intentional, her reaction was everything I wanted. It shows how affected she was by our last encounter.

I smirked, enjoying the moment. She looked like she had seen a spirit. No, not a spirit. Me.

Elena Hayes. She had no idea who I was, but I had known her. The sharp-eyed trainee who always carried herself stiffly, too carefully, as though discipline would fetch her wealth or eternal life. I always looked forward to seeing her. She was beautiful in a quiet, inaccessible way, but I could smell the starvation she tried so hard to bury.

And last night, she let me have a taste of her.

The remembrance hit me with the force of a punch, her soft gasp when I kissed her, the way she clawed at me like she had been starving her whole life, the fire that broke free when her cautious disguise broke. In that moment, she was mine, heated, desperate, and begging with her words

I sat back in my chair, my arms folded, just watching her. She stood in front of the class and tried to act like nothing had happened, but I could see the reality all over her. Her cheeks were red, her voice tight, and the chalk shook a little in her hand. She was pretending to be calm and in control, but it was all an act. I almost laughed.

Did she really think last night could disappear, concealed with lectures and notes on the board?

She tried not to look at me, but I didn't let her off that easily. Every time her eyes were up, I was there, staring right back at her. I made sure she saw me, I made sure she saw the smirk on my face, and reminded her that I had not forgotten. I knew the memory was still fresh for her, no matter how much she tried to hide it, it was going to come flooding back.

And as I sat there, watching her wriggle, the truth hit me. I wanted another opportunity with her. Once was not enough for me. I wanted more, and I was definitely going to work towards getting it.

The class went on, though not for me. My head was filled with fantasies of the woman standing in front of me. I was enchanted by every flicker of her lashes, every uneasy fall in her voice, every time she turned away too quickly.

The bell rang, and the students rushed out of the room, but I stayed back. She scanned the room, and our eyes met. She stiffened, and I knew what her next option was. To run.

I quickly got up from my seat and dashed to her side before she walked out of the room. She was not expecting me to be so fast, and she froze in place. Her knuckles looked pale. I was close to her, and I wanted her to feel the warmth of my presence.

"Good Morning, Ms. Hayes," I drawled, letting the her name drip with irony.

Her eyes snapped to mine, fire burning with panic.

"You should leave my way."

"Why?" I slanted my head, checking out her.

"Are you afraid someone might notice how you look at me?"

Her jaw clenched.

"Nothing happened."

Her words made me laugh loudly and harshly.

"Did you say Nothing? That is not what you were screaming last night."

Her cheeks went red. She pushed against my chest, trying to create space.

"If you say one more word about that night, I'll..."

"You will what?" I cut in, leaning closer until her breath caught.

"Report me? Tell the proprietor? Go ahead, sweetheart. We will see who they believe. The rogue's daughter, or the Blackthorn heir."

I noticed her wolf for the first time. It flashed. There was a flash of defiance in her eyes, but I saw the truth, I was difficult for her to escape. And I liked her like this.

"Leave me alone. I don't want any of this," she hissed.

I smiled, pushing a lock of hair from her face, letting my fingers linger to watch her shudder.

"You and I know you're telling a lie, Elena. You wanted it then. You want it now. You will want it again."

I noticed the movement of her gut as she swallowed. Elen was torn between anger and something she could not name. She pushed past me, gathering her books with trembling hands.

"Stay the hell away from me."

I let her go for now. Watching her retreat, spine stiff, breath shaky, only sharpened my craving. She thought she could push me away, but she would learn. No one ran from me.

I did not waste time. If Elena wanted distance, I would make sure she had none.

The hallway was empty when I left the lecture room. I went to find Professor Rylan in his office. He was lost in the book on this desk. I gave his door a slight knock that drew his attention. He looked up, stunned, then immediately straightened when he saw me. My family name had that effect.

"Adrian," he said, forcing a smile.

"Should you not be in class?"

I stepped inside, closing the door behind me.

"I was. But I need a favor." He frowned, hesitant.

"A... favor?"

I leaned against his desk, then I held his gaze for a while, letting him feel the weight of the Blackthorn name.

"Elena Hayes. She is wasting her time with congested classrooms. I need a private tutor. And she fits the role. No one else."

Rylan blinked, confused.

"Miss Hayes? She is still a trainee and not qualified to tutor the Blacthorn heir."

"No." My voice cut sharply. "It has to be Ms. Hayes. She understands my... learning style."

Professor Rylan paused, but I saw he was not convinced. He was trying to analyse the situation. I made sure our eyes were locked. He knew better than to go against my wish.

It took less than a minute. He nodded stiffly.

"Very well then, if it is what you want. I will make necessary arrangements to put it in place."

I smirked, satisfied.

"That's great. I knew you would deliver."

As I walked out of his office, I felt the same thrill I had felt when Elena first moaned under my touch. She thought she could warn me off, pretend last night was a mistake, bury her hunger under responsibility and shame.

But now she has no way out. She was stuck with me.