Chapter 58: Life With Anna 2
The history lecturer’s voice booms across the classroom, but Adrian barely hears half of it. His notebook lies open, completely untouched.
"...Now, Enigmas," Professor Rowan says from the front of the room, "are believed to be the Moon Goddess’s rarest creations."
The professor writes a single sentence across the board.
’An Enigma’s greatest power is the power they have yet to awaken.’
"They are said to stand above ordinary Alphas," he continues. "However, an Enigma who never unlocks that hidden potential is no stronger than an exceptionally gifted Alpha. Their true abilities awaken only when the Goddess deems them ready."
Adrian’s jaw tightens. So now even the universe is messing with him?
First the Oracle. Now this lecture.
He lets out a quiet breath, rubbing a hand over his face. If this is some kind of joke, it’s not funny. It’s not funny at all.
The bell finally rings shortly after that, ending the torturous lecture.
Students swarm into the hallway in noisy groups, though the seniors’ building is significantly more organized than the other side of the academy. Here, everyone wants to look cool, so they are hardly rowdy.
Adrian has barely taken a few steps away from his class when someone grabs the front of his black T-shirt.
Jason. His usually calm eyes are blazing with anger.
"I can’t believe I was once friends with you! You’re such a stupid jerk who thinks he’s better than everyone else just because he carries royal blood!"
Adrian jerks his collar free."What the fuck is your problem now?"
"My problem?" Jason laughs bitterly. "It’s you! You’re the problem! How can you mark Nyra, then go running back to Anna a few days later!"
Adrian’s brows pull together as Jason steps closer.
"Did you mark her out of spite? Because you thought she was going to choose me?" His voice cracks with frustration. "Do you think she’s some toy you can throw away and pick back up whenever you feel like it?"
Adrian forces his fists to unclench. He had promised Nyra he would stop fighting Jason, but the guy was really testing his patience.
"The hell are you talking about, Jason? Stop speaking in riddles!"
Before either of them can move, John, David, and two other friends rush between them.
"Whoa! Break it up!" David says sternly. "If the coach catches you both fighting again, he’ll write you up."
Jason doesn’t seem to care, and David has to forcefully hold him back. "Both of you, calm down!"
John, on the other hand, grabs Adrian’s arm, shaking his head. "It’s not worth it, man!"
Jason doesn’t respond, shaking David off. Then he glares at Adrian one last time before storming away.
Adrian watches him go, completely confused. "What the fuck is his problem?"
John glances around to make sure no one is listening before lowering his voice. "You seriously don’t know?"
Adrian shakes his head, and John sighs.
"Anna’s been telling everyone you two got back together since she came in with you this morning."
Adrian’s expression darkens in an instant. "She fucking what?"
Adrian doesn’t wait to hear another explanation.
He turns on his heel and walks straight toward the Health Club building, the angry pheromones trailing behind him, drawing curious glances from passing students.
By the time he reaches the lounge, the irritation is already rooted deep beneath his skin.
Inside, Anna sits at the center of a circle of girls with her legs crossed, laughing brightly as though nothing in the world could touch her. Every pair of female eyes seems to be on her, hanging onto her every word.
At first, Adrian wants to ignore the group--girls being girls--until his eyes sweep across the group and land on one familiar face.
Claire.
The same junior who had helped her boyfriend spike Nyra’s drink.
She is sitting beside Anna, offering her snacks and drinks like she needs Anna’s validation to breathe.
Adrian’s scowl deepens, his face contorting with anger. "Anna!!"
The tone of his voice makes the conversation die down instantly. All their heads turn to the entrance where Adrian is currently fuming.
Anna’s face lights up when she sees him.
Adrian! I was just telling them-"
He cuts her off with a cold look before glancing at Claire.
"Why the fuck are you still hanging around the girl who almost got your sister assaulted?"
The room falls silent. Claire’s smile disappears as she tries to half-hide behind one of the other girls.
Anna’s expression stiffens. "Claire already apologized."
"To who?" Adrian shoots back. "Certainly not to Nyra."
None of the other girls dare say a word in her defense.
Without waiting for an answer, Adrian grabs Anna lightly by the wrist and leads her out into the hallway.
She pulls free once they are out of earshot. "What is wrong with you?" she hisses. "Why do you keep embarrassing me like this!?"
"I should be asking you the same thing." His silver eyes lock onto hers. "Are you telling people we’re back together?"
Anna blinks as though it’s the most obvious thing in the world. "Of course. We came to school together this morning."
Adrian lets out a humorless laugh, like he can’t believe what goes on in her head. "We’re living under the same roof because you’re recovering from a medical emergency. That’s it."
Anna’s smile fades as he continues. "You need to stop this. Right now."
"But..."
"No." His voice drops very low. "You will stay away from me, and you’ll stay away from Nyra."
The way he says it makes Anna take an instinctive step back, then she quickly tries to mask it like she was just shifting her footing.
"If you keep trying to come between us..." he says evenly, "...you’re going to regret it." He doesn’t wait for her response.
Turning away, Adrian leaves the senior building and walks straight to a small café a few feet away.
He buys Nyra a small bouquet of her favorite daisies, then a box of the strawberry milk candies and chocolate truffles she always reaches for.
Carrying both bags carefully, he heads toward the junior academy building. He has no intention of letting another misunderstanding stand between them.
Over his dead body.