Chapter 8 Mate

I went around all of the rooms, but none of them were willing to take me in. Knox was beginning to get frustrated by the entire thing, and I was feeling sorry for him. He was, after all, working overtime just to make sure I didn't have to sleep in the hallways tonight, and I didn't even have anything to repay him with.

"No," the person Knox had been talking to for the last fifteen minutes suddenly said, then slammed the door on Knox's face.

Knox gave a small growl, and I gently held his arm. "I will be fine, Knox. I promise. I used to do this all the time outside."

He looked genuinely sorry before he gave a small sigh, then nodded. "How about.. I grab you a few beddings, then? Where do you intend to sleep?"

I shrugged. "Would the library be open?"

"Yes, definitely. Do you know how to find it?"

I shook my head. "No, I..."

"Wait here. I will go grab your beddings and then take you to the library. It will be time for lights out soon."

"Thank you very much," I said, and he smiled, then simply walked away.

I stood there, observing the quiet hallways. He had been going round with me ever since after lunch, and we had both skipped dinner, partly due to the large lunch and the preoccupation of finding me a room.

"I am back," he said, running up to me. He had a large blanket and pillows and a smaller cover. "It gets cold."

"Thank you very much, Knox."

"Don't mention it," he said. "The library has a toilet and bathroom too, so you can change up and rest in there. I will come get you for breakfast."

"Well, this isn't too bad."

He chuckled, ruffling my hair lightly. I immediately grabbed onto the wig, then smiled nervously, my chest heaving. I had honestly thought of just cutting my hair, but I wasn't sure why...

Maybe I had grown attached, but I ended up opting for a brunette wig instead.

We got to the library, and I stopped oitaide, my eyes wide. It was massive, almost as big as the cafeteria. I walked in, and my eyes widened even more.

It looked like something straight out of some sort of fantasy movie. It spiralled upwards and just went on and on. The shelves were filled with books, too, and there were ladders resting on each shelf.

"Feel free," Knox said, putting the blanket on one of the chairs. "Rest well, and if you need anything, you know my room."

"Thank you very much," I said, and he smiled, then turned away towards the door.

I turned around, quietly observing the place, my head thrown back so I could try to see the top.

"Kian?"

I turned, and Knox was by the door. "Yes?"

"I like women. Don't take the fuck toy comment seriously."

I broke into a laugh, then nodded. "Thank you. I had already forgotten about it."

He smiled, then waved at me before walking away. I let out a small sigh as he closed the door, and I bit down on my lips. Now I was all alone again, and it all felt too real.

I pulled my bag and bedding down the long lines till I found the toilets and bathroom, then dropped my things on the seats closest to it.

I grabbed a change of clothes and went straight to the bathroom. It was large, and I honestly couldn't complain. It was truly not that bad. I just hoped Valerian was treated this kindly, too.

I removed my wig and hung it, then the mole, then the contacts, then the tight tape around my breath sthaat pressed them down till they were unnoticeable in the large shirts I had packed, and then finally, I removed the slim bit of hair around my chin.

I stood naked under the shower, the water pelting down on me, my eyes closed. It would be easier to just be home. To just mourn Valerian and hope that karma would catch up with his killer.

Being here, however, gave me a sense of clarity, and I would do this again and again if I had to.

I sighed, letting the water trace my body before I finally dried off. I wrapped myself up in the towel I found inside, then started to dry my hair out.

Dressing was a hassle, but I needed to make sure. Besides, another extra could come in here to sleep, too, and then I would be busted. That was the last thing I wanted.

I finished up but left my hair in a towel so it would dry out. I walked out in another large pair of shirt and shorts and started to fix my bed.

I had just finished when I heard the door open.

I froze and looked up, then immediately ran back to the toilet. I fixed my wig and contacts, then walked back out, my eyes on the sharp lookout for whoever it was.

It was quiet, and I went back to fixing my bed. I finished up, put my bag away, then started to get to bed.

"Who are you?"

I looked up, my heart immediately doing a flip. Not because there was someone else here, but because I knew who that voice belonged to. After hearing it in my dreams for years, and then earlier, I knew it like the back of my hand.

Eros was leaning on a shelf, his eyes so fucking cold that I could feel myself shiver.

"I... I was..."

He raised a brow, his lips slightly pursed. "Why? Are you not supposed to be here?"

I blinked. "Wh... what do you mean?"

He took me in, his hands folded in front of him. He gave a small one-sided smile before he leaned away from the shelf.

"No matter what you do, stay the fuck away from me."

He turned away, and I felt a sudden rage swell inside me. I turned, facing his back.

"Why? I don't reckon you are intimidated by a student."

He turned back to me, his eyes the same emotionless ice. Something must be up, and I knew for sure that he could probably see through me. He probably saw Valerian in me. He probably knew.

"I could kill you," he said softly, like it was yet another sentence. "Your body will go cold, and you will end up as nothing."

I swallowed hard. "The same way you did to your former roommate?"

He gave a small laugh. "Knox does know how to rum his mouth, doesn't he?"

Colour drained from my face, and I could tell he saw it, too. He broke into a small, wicked laugh.

"There is a duelling session tomorrow," he announced, pushing his hands into his pockets. "Make sure to come so you can see me destroy his other hand."

Tears immediately filled my eyes. Of course, I knew what he was capable of. I knew he wouldn't just bluff. He had the power, and he had the backup to be scot-free and do whatever he wanted.

"Why do you hate me? Was it because I went into your corner? Why won't you take it out on me, then?"

"I hate the way you look," he said, taking a step towards me. "I hate the things you remind me of."

Before I knew it, I was backed up against a wall, and he was hovering right in front of me, his eyes holding mine.

"And I hate the way you smell."

Silence fell between us, and my eyes darted slowly across both of us. I could hear the electricity cackling. I could hear the way my blood boiled. The sound of my own pulse. The calmness of my wolf.

"And you are taking it out on Knox?"

He didn't reply and started to turn away. I reached after him and grabbed his hand, catching him a little off guard.

My fingers came in contact with his skin, and I gasped, a sudden shock reverberating through me.

I immediately let go of him and fell back, but he looked just as flustered, his eyes wide. My body stayed fixed on the wall, my chest heaving hard.

I could hear my wolf howling it now, but no. No, I can't accept it. I can't possibly accept it.

Before I knew it, Eros was gone, and I sat there, my eyes wide, all fatigue and sleep leaving my eyes.

"Mate," my wolf whispered again, but hell, I would be damned. I would be so fucking damned.