Chapter 3 I got caught

The wooden door felt heavier than it should. My hand trembled on the handle before I finally pushed it open. Professor Charles sat behind his desk, his eyes already fixed on me as though he had been waiting.

“Close the door,” he said.

The sound of it clicking shut behind me made my wolf stir. I swallowed and forced myself forward.

“You called me, sir?” I asked, keeping my voice steady even though my palms were damp.

His gaze slid over me, slow, sharp. “Yes, sit.”

I sat, my back straight, my hands gripping my knees. His office smelled faintly of leather and ink, but beneath it lingered something else, his scent, heavy and commanding, brushing against my wolf. She bristled but didn’t retreat.

Professor Charles leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. “You came to me desperate,” he said, voice calm. “Do you remember what I told you?”

My throat tightened. I nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“That I could help you,” he continued. “That I would give you another chance.” His lips curved faintly. “And I did. You passed, didn’t you?”

I nodded again, my hands tightening in my lap.

“You’re welcome.”

The way he said it sent heat rushing to my face. I hated that I couldn’t look away from his eyes, he kept watching me like I was prey caught in a trap.

“You understand,” he said slowly, “that I don’t help anyone for free.”

I nodded, my heartbeat thudding in my ears.

He stood, walking around the desk until he was standing in front of me. His shadow fell over me. I tilted my chin up, refusing to shrink, though every nerve in my body screamed at me to run.

“You think I’m only giving you grades,” he said quietly. “But that’s not it, Elena. I see more in you than the others do. You’re stronger than you realize. Smarter too. But strength without direction is wasted. That’s why you need me.”

My throat tightened. “Need you?” I echoed.

“Yes,” he said firmly. “Moonbridge is full of wolves, devils in human clothing, they will tear each other apart for rank, for power. You’ve seen it. Students pretending to be friends while sharpening their claws behind each other’s backs. Do you think you’d survive that on your own?”

I didn’t answer. He was right, but I didn’t want to give him that satisfaction.

“You came to me because you were desperate,” he continued, pushing away from the desk. He moved closer again, slow, steady steps that made my pulse race. “But desperation isn’t weakness. It’s instinct. It means you know when to kneel, when to rise, when to fight. Wolves who can’t bend, break. Wolves who can’t see the truth, die. But you…” His hand brushed my chin, tilting my face up. “You bent. You lived. That’s what makes you different.”

Heat crawled up my neck, I felt uneasy, I didn't want him any close.

“Don’t look at me like I’m your enemy,” he said softly. “I’m the only one who can keep you safe here. The only one who will push you where you belong.”

I found my voice, shaky but real. “And where do I belong, sir?”

His lips curved into a slow smile. “With me.”

The words landed heavy in the air. My chest rose and fell too quickly, and I hated that I couldn’t pull away. He leaned closer, his breath brushing my ear.

“I’ll prove it to you, Elena. Every time you doubt, every time you fight me, I’ll remind you. Until you finally understand that nothing and no one can take you from me.”

He drew back, his expression calm again, as though he hadn’t just said something that made my blood run cold.

“What do you want from me?” I asked, my voice small.

Professor Charles smiled. Not warm, not kind. A smile that made my stomach twist. “You already know,” he said. His fingers brushed my hair, tucking it behind my ear. The touch sent a shiver racing down my spine.

My wolf stirred again, restless, uncertain.

“I want you,” he said simply.

The words sank into me like claws. My heart pounded. I wanted to deny it, to say no, but I remembered my mother’s words. I remembered the paper with my passing score. I remembered what I had already done.

His hand lingered against my cheek, his thumb brushing my skin. “You came to me begging,” he murmured. “And you let me in. You can’t pretend it didn’t happen.”

I closed my eyes, my breath catching. The memory crashed back, the desk, his hands, the way he had taken control until I had nothing left to give.

“I can make sure you never fail again,” he whispered. “I can protect you. I can push you higher than you ever dreamed. But only if you give yourself to me.”

My eyes flew open. His face was close, too close. His scent wrapped around me, pulling at something deep inside my chest.

“Sir…” I whispered, but the word caught in my throat.

“You’re my student,” he said. “You understand loyalty. You understand power. That’s all this is.” His lips curved again. “Submit, and I’ll give you everything.”

I swallowed hard, my mind a storm. He was wrong. This wasn’t loyalty. This wasn’t power. This was control. And yet… I didn’t move. I didn’t speak. My silence was enough for him.

His hand slid away, but his eyes never left mine. “Good,” he said softly. “You’re learning.”

I gripped my knees tighter, nails digging into my skin to keep from trembling.

“From now on,” he continued, “you’ll come when I call. You’ll do as I say. And in return, you’ll have more than just passing grades. You’ll have me. And that… is worth more than anything Moonbridge can offer.”

I wanted to scream at him. I wanted to run. But my wolf sat still inside me, ears pricked, watching. She didn’t fight him. And that scared me most of all.

Professor Charles straightened, his smile fading into something sharper. “Do you understand, Elena?”

I forced myself to nod. “Yes, sir.”

“Say it.”

My voice shook, but I obeyed. “I… I understand.”

His eyes gleamed with satisfaction. “Good. Then we’ll get along perfectly.”

He turned and walked back to his desk, as if the conversation were finished. But I knew it wasn’t. Not really.

“ I've been watching you and there's something about you I feel attracted to." He works his hands up to my top and unbuttoned it.

“We can't do this here," I snapped, putting his hands down.

“I don't need your permission," he said, loosening my buttons and slidding his hands into my bra, his hands rubbing my nipples teasing them gently.

“You have nice nipples." He bent down and takes them in his mouth, gritting it between his teeth.”

" Ahh..”I let out a soft moan, clutching my hands on the edge of the table.

“Hmmn…professor Charles.”a voice called, the door clicked softly and it opened. It was Ryan.