Chapter 67: Anna Is Sad
Nyra is halfway to trying to stop Adrian from making a scene when she freezes.
She watches the anger in Adrian’s eyes, the way he practically yanks Anna off the other boy, and her heart drops.
For one terrible second, every ugly thought she’s buried digs its way back to the surface.
’You can never replace Anna. Just look, even now, he’s still going after her.’ The voice in her head whispers, grim but very convincing. ’After all the promises... he’s still choosing her.’
Her head feels light. She stops walking after him, chest feeling like it would implode at any moment.
John, behind her, pauses too. "What are you-" He catches the look on her face and groans.
"Oh, for Goddess’ sake." He rubs a hand over his face. "No. Don’t start imagining nonsense."
Nyra finally blinks away from them, trying to act normal. "What?"
But John isn’t buying it. He grabs her wrist before she can turn away. "Come here. We are going to eavesdrop properly. I’m not dealing with another misunderstanding between you two."
Before she can protest, he drags her closer, stopping just out of sight, where a pillar is blocking the light. It’s just in time to hear Adrian booming at Anna.
"...Who the fuck is the father of that baby you’re carrying!?" It doesn’t sound at all like jealousy--instead, it’s a mix of rage and doubt.
Nyra’s eyes widen at the question, while John just runs a hand through his messy strands. "I can’t believe he’s actually asking her that."
"Did something happen?" Nyra turns to him questiongly.
John nods. "One of the Silver Fang players said something about Anna carrying another man’s child just to rile him up. I guess seeing Anna with that guy like that only made him more suspicious."
Nyra’s brow furrows. "I don’t think--Anna wouldn’t really do something like that, right?"
John shrugs. Honestly, Anna has gone low so many times that he doesn’t even know how far she’s willing to go anymore. He doesn’t respond.
Meanwhile, Anna is staring at Adrian as though he’d just ripped her heart out of her chest. "W-what...?"
"The baby," Adrian repeats, his jaw tight. "Who is the father?"
Anna’s face crumples almost instantly, tears filling her eyes. Nyra watches Anna closely; there’s no trace of deceit, she looks devastated by the accusation.
She shakes her head. Maybe Adrian is really going too far this time.
"How... how could you even ask me that?" Her voice shakes so badly it hurts to hear. "Adrian, after everything we’ve been through together... you think I’d pin another man’s child on you?"
Adrian clenches his jaw, refusing to give in despite the tears streaming down her face now. "I’ve done nothing except love you!" she yells, shaking her head. "I know you rejected me. I know I’m not perfect... but how could you even accuse me of something this disgusting?"
The other students nearby start throwing them curious glances, though they’re not close enough to overhear.
Anna wipes at her tears frantically. "Do you know how serious this accusation is? You actually think I’m capable of doing something like that!?"
Adrian still doesn’t look convinced. His silver eyes trace every expression, every move, waiting for a crack in her performance, but there’s nothing.
She looks really, really hurt by his words, and the indignation in his chest slowly starts to crumble.
"Fine," he says quietly.
Anna sniffles, wiping her eyes.
"If you’re telling the truth..." Adrian continues, his voice void of the earlier anger, "then you won’t have any problem taking a DNA test... right?"
He doesn’t see Anna’s hand raise, only feels the sharp sting when her palm crashes across his face.
The sound echoes all the way to where Nyra and John are eavesdropping. John even winces, clutching his cheek.
That must’ve hurt.
"Fuck you, Adrian!" she screams, shoving him away from her.
This time, Nyra can’t hold back anymore. She comes over and grabs Adrian’s arm.
"Adrian, stop. You’re going to stress her and the baby out."
Anna lets out a broken sob before shoving past the both of them. "I hate you. Both of you!" She runs toward the parking lot, shoulders shaking as she disappears into the night.
Adrian exhales loudly, one hand slowly rising to the stinging mark on his cheek... He looks conflicted.
One part of him wants so badly to believe the woman who has been by his side for two whole years.
But he just can’t--he can’t get past this, no matter how much he wants to pretend it’s just words.
He would have to bring this up with his parents. But for now...
He turns to Nyra with a smile, but Nyra can see it doesn’t reach his eyes. "Are you okay? Still want to party?"
Nyra sighs for the hundredth time tonight. She has so many questions, but now’s not the right time. "I-I guess."
He smiles at her response, and offered her a hand. All three of them make their way back into the hotel hall.
The moment the other team fighters notice Adrian by the door, they rush toward them, oblivious to the tension, dragging them deeper into the group of tipsy fighters.
---
The entire night, Adrian spends it doting on her. Every few minutes he’s handing her another drink, stealing food from the buffet for her, a hand wrapped possessively around her waist, keeping her pinned to his side the entire time.
By now, half of the fighters are drunk. They are dancing and yelling combat songs off-key, some are playing drinking games by the side, while the rest are arguing over who landed the best hit during the match.
Eventually, he leans down, his lips brushing close to her ear. "Are you tired?"
Nyra lets out a small giggle, glancing around at the chaos. "A little."
"I figured." His thumb absentmindedly brushes circles on her palm before he clears his throat.
"The academy reserves a few rooms upstairs whenever there’s a win party." He nods toward the elevators. "Too many people get drunk and can’t make it back safely."
She blinks. "Really?"
"Mm." His lips curve smugly. "But as captain, I usually get one all to myself."
He presses a kiss to the back of her palm.
"Would you like to go up with me, away from the noise?"
Nyra’s heartbeat quickens as she slowly realizes exactly what he’s implying. She tries and fails to hide her blush, her face and ears turning bright pink.
She looks down at her lap, feeling the familiar heat between her legs. She wants to. Fuck, she does. But isn’t it too soon?
The last time it was because Adrian’s wolf had completely taken over--she could use that as an excuse.
But this time, they are both clear-headed. If she decides to do this, there is no going back anymore.
Adrian studies her face, notices the hesitation, and sighs. "I’m sorry if you feel pressured," he says. "If you’d rather stay here or head back, we’ll do that instead."
Nyra studies him. The honesty in his eyes, seem very genuine. And right there, I’m that moment, she realizes that she is already starting to fall for Adrian. It scares her.
But despite the fear, a small thought slips in.
What if I give this a try? What if I find myself being happier than ever with him?
She meets his eyes again and nods. "Okay... I’ll go up with you."