Chapter 5 Chapter 5

Ramy Clemson

The rest of the day passed by, and the girls kept swooning all over the Alpha brothers. I was careful not to look in Kael's direction, even when I felt his gaze burning into my back. I didn't dare turn around or look back. The last thing I wanted was to become both his academic rival and his personal rival. If he ever marked me as prey, then my peaceful days at Ashford High School would be numbered. I couldn't afford to end up in his bad books.

I've seen the students he dealt with and how they ended up getting expelled or suspended from school. Those were wealthy kids with rich parents who could speak for them. What about an ordinary scholarship student like me who had no one to defend her?

The sudden whispers and murmurs around the classroom jolted me out of my thoughts, only for me to realize that Ryker had been leaning against my locker, watching me.

My lashes blinked rapidly in confusion as I tried so hard to stay composed.

Wait...

I remembered sending him a message asking if he would show me his face.

Could this be him showing me his face?

I pressed my lips together, trying to hide my excitement as I slowly lifted my gaze, meeting his gorgeous brown eyes. I could also feel everyone's attention on us. The whole class was literally staring at us.

"Can you teach me?" he suddenly asked.

It was the first time he had ever spoken to me.

"Teach you?" My voice came out calm, almost like a whisper.

"Hmm. You're the best student in Chemistry. I can't understand anything, so I want you to be my tutor. Can you do that?"

I was doing a happy dance inside.

Could it be he's looking for an excuse to spend more time with me?

Yesssss! My longtime crush finally noticed me.

Is he going public with me?

"So... what's your answer?"

"Yes, yes." I nodded continuously, a smile spreading across my face.

"Great. Come meet me here after school. Don't worry, I'll pay you very well. It's not for free."

Pay?

I was about to tell him that he didn't have to pay me, but he had already left.

I looked at the piece of paper with the address on it, and memories from that night came flooding back.

The code...

And this piece of paper with the address.

This is his signature.

I'm more than assured right now that it's him.

I kept staring at the address in front of me.

"Ramy?"

I heard my name and turned. It was the girl sitting right beside me.

"Uhm... do you know the Alpha brothers?"

I was surprised because this was the first time she'd spoken to me. And to think the only reason she spoke to me was because of Ryker. I remembered he came to her the other day to borrow a book.

"No," I responded calmly.

"Hmm."

She nodded and continued writing her notes.

Throughout the rest of the class, I was so nervous, maybe because it was my first time officially meeting him.

School was finally over, and I grabbed my backpack and walked out of the school building when a car suddenly stopped right in front of me. A man wearing a suit stepped out of the car and opened the door.

"Alpha Ryker sent me to get you," he said respectfully.

I observed him, and he looked like one of those bodyguards assigned to rich kids. The moment he mentioned Ryker's name, I already felt safe.

I bowed respectfully and entered the car. He closed the door, got into the driver's seat, and drove off.

He was worried about me. That's why he sent a car to pick me up.

That's so thoughtful of him.

I was blushing so hard at this point.

Who would've thought the heavens would answer my prayers so quickly?

The car came to a stop, and I unhooked my seatbelt. Just as I was about to open the car door, the driver was faster and opened it for me.

"Thank you," I said courteously.

Right now, I was standing in front of the Rune Mansion gate.

Who would've thought that after my last visit here, I'd be returning again?

As I made my way past the gate, I couldn't believe I was finally getting a proper look at the mansion.

It was three times bigger than North Villa.

The night I came for the Rune initiation party, it had been dark and full of crows, so I didn't get a good look at it. But now that I was staring at it, I understood just how rich, wealthy, and powerful they were.

"You can go in now," the driver said.

I nodded and took a step forward.

The door before me opened on its own as I walked in.

The place was massive, but right there on the couch lay a familiar figure with a book covering his face.

Could that be Alpha Ryker?

Is he sleeping?

Looking around the quiet mansion, with not a single soul in sight, I began taking ginger steps toward the person lying on the couch.

It could only be Alpha Ryker since he was the one who invited me. Besides, his face was covered with a book, so he might have fallen asleep while waiting for me.

When I got close to him, I quietly squatted down.

For a moment, I leaned against the couch, simply watching him and listening to his faint breathing.

Why does he smell so much like Ryker?

Or could it be... because they're brothers?

Slowly, I brought my hand closer.

Just as I was inches away from grabbing the book, his hand suddenly grabbed mine.

"You're here?"

I heard a voice behind me and turned to see Ryker standing by the door, his face filled with smiles.

My eyes widened.

If that's Ryker... then who...?

Slowly, I turned my gaze to the man still holding my hand as he removed the book from his face.

Piercing green eyes.

A cold face.

A dark expression.

"Ka... Ka... Kael?"

I slumped to the floor in shock.