Chapter 39

Chapter 39
Elisa’s POV

The morning sun filtered weakly through the tall trees outside the cabin, the ground was cool and damp with dew. Birds chirped high above, their calls mixing with the crunch of boots on the narrow trail. That of students. 

We had a hiking exercise this morning, out of the need to explore the forest. 

I kept my eyes on the ground as we hiked, focusing on each step, but I could feel Roman’s presence close behind me. He was watching me just like yesterday. 

The pathway was too tight. Students moved in single file. I had tried to stay near the back, away from him, but somehow he had shifted behind me, his steady breath brushing the back of my neck whenever the students in front slowed. My wolf stirred inside me, restless, wanting to turn and meet his gaze but I resisted. Something told me Sylvia was watching as well. 

I clenched my fists and kept walking. The urge to resist was so slim, I barely kept focus. 

Sylvia walked ahead of us with a group of boys. She laughed loudly at every word they said, her voice rising high above everyone. Every few seconds she turned her head, making sure Roman could see her hair bouncing, her smile flashing but more to see that she was watching us in case Roman wanted to say something to me. 

I didn’t look back at him, but I could feel it. His focus wasn’t on her. It was on me.

The trail climbed steeply up a rocky slope. Students grumbled as they pulled themselves up, the stress was real. I bent low, using my hands to steady my balance. The ground was loose with small stones.

Suddenly, rocks shifted above me. A sharp clatter rang out as several large stones rolled down the slope straight toward me.

“Watch out!” someone shouted.

I froze, my heart racing, my legs went numb. The shock of the moment was so intense that I wanted to run really quick but my legs won't even lift up. 

But then before the rocks could hit me, Roman’s arm wrapped around my waist and yanked me back. My body slammed against his chest. He shielded me as the stones bounced past, striking the dirt where I had just been standing.

Gasps echoed from the students.

“Are you okay?” Roman’s voice was low, laced with concern.

I looked up, breathless. His dark eyes met mine for a swift second before I shoved myself out of his arms. “I’m fine,” I said quickly, my voice shaking.

Sylvia rushed down a few steps, her face pale but her lips twitching. “Oh no! Did I loosen those by accident?” she asked, clutching her chest. “I didn’t see you so close.” She said in such a low tone the rest didn't hear. 

“So you–” I wanted to scream but my lips clipped shut, unable to speak. 

My chest tightened. Accident? No. She had done it on purpose. She wanted it to hit me. 

Roman’s jaw worked as if he wanted to say something, but he simply nodded and urged the group forward.

I walked the rest of the slope in silence, my ankle trembling with every step, wishing what was just about to happen won't happen again. 

At the top, Roman gathered us into pairs for the survival challenge. We had to build small shelters using branches and leaves, a test of teamwork.

“Everyone partnered up,” he commanded. His deep voice pulled us together, he's an aura himself. 

Students paired quickly. I stood off to the side, waiting, hoping to be left alone. But when the numbers didn’t match, Roman looked directly at me.

“You’ll work with me,” he said. I froze. This isn't what I wanted. 

My stomach churned. I wanted to protest, but no words came. Sylvia, who had been left with another girl, immediately raised her hand.

“Roman, I can partner with you instead,” she said sweetly.

He shook his head. “No. Elisa’s with me.”

Her smile cracked for a second, then she turned away sharply.

We walked a little further from the group to start our shelter. Roman handed me a branch. “Hold this steady.”

I obeyed, pressing it into the ground. My hands trembled as he bent close to tie the rope around it. His fingers brushed mine, rough and warm. My wolf howled inside me, begging me to lean into him.

“Don’t let it move,” he murmured. His breath tickled my cheek.

“I’m not a child,” I muttered, trying to hide how fast my heart was beating.

He smirked faintly but didn’t reply, he must have heard it. His wolf is so sharp. Together we worked in silence, setting branches in place, layering leaves over the top. Every time his hand brushed mine, sparks shot through me. I hated it even though I loved it at the same time. I couldn’t breathe.

When we finished, he stood back and studied it. “It’ll keep you dry if it rains,” he said.

“You mean us,” I corrected without thinking.

Our eyes met. Heat flashed between us before he turned away quickly.

Later, as I carried an armful of branches back to camp, my foot caught on something. A rope tightened around my ankle, jerking me forward. I cried out as I stumbled, but before I hit the ground, Roman’s arms caught me again.

“He's just stalking me,” I said to myself. 

He lowered me gently, his face inches from mine. His hand brushed my cheek as he checked for injuries. “Are you hurt?”

The rope had left a red mark on my ankle. I winced. “It’s nothing.”

But Roman’s eyes blazed with anger as he glanced around. His gaze locked on Sylvia, anything going wrong around her was suspected to be her handiwork. She was standing nearby with firewood in her arms. She raised her eyebrows innocently, as if she hadn’t noticed a thing.

I pulled away, my chest heaving. “Why do you keep saving me if you don’t want me?” The words burst out before I could stop them.

Roman froze. His jaw tightened, his throat bobbing as if he wanted to speak. But then he looked away. “Focus on the challenge,” he said coldly.

His silence cut deeper into my heart.

That night, back in the cabin, I lay awake with my ankle throbbing. Sylvia had already curled up in her bed, her breathing slow and steady. I wondered how I could stay in the same cabin with her, my greatest rival. 

I stared at the ceiling, refusing to let my tears fall. I told myself I was done with Roman. I told myself I wouldn’t let him break me again until I fell into a trance. 

Then I heard it—soft whispers outside the window. I couldn't tell how many minutes went by. 

I slid out of bed silently, Sylvia wasn't beside me. I jerked up in shock, then pressed my ear to the thin wall. The voice was Sylvia’s.

“…Tomorrow, she won’t survive,” she hissed. “I’ll make sure Roman finally forgets her.” And I wondered who she was talking to. 

My heart stopped.

Another voice replied, low and muffled. I couldn’t make out the words, but I saw a shadow move through the crack in the curtains. Sylvia was speaking to someone outside in the dark outsides.

I strained to hear more, but the figure chuckled and walked away. Sylvia crept inside a moment later, her steps light, almost tiptoeing so I won't hear. She hadn't slept before but was just waiting for me to doze off to walk out. I remained still, hoping she doesn't use her werewitch powers to notice I'm not asleep.  

She climbed into bed and pulled the blanket over her, humming softly to herself. I smirked without a sign at her satisfying feeling. 

I lay frozen in my bed, my heart pounding. Tomorrow. She was planning something tomorrow.

I closed my eyes, forcing my breathing to stay even so she wouldn’t know I had heard. But my mind raced with one question I couldn’t shake.

What Sylvia is planning and if Roman would be able to save me this time?