Chapter 40

Chapter 40
Third POV

The camp hall was crowded and noisy. Students shuffled around with their instruments and music sheets. Elisa clutched her folder tightly, trying to calm her nerves. Today’s rehearsal felt heavier than usual. She couldn’t explain why. 

Perhaps because of what she heard last night. 

Roman stood at the front, arms crossed. His sharp eyes scanned the room, then flicked to her. She already thought as much. She flinched quickly but had already noticed something,  the dark circles under his eyes. He looked tired, but there was something else—something restless.

“Everyone, quiet!” he barked. “Group three, vocals first. Let’s go.”

Elisa sat down, trying to focus. Then Sylvia walked in, swaying like she owned the room. She lifted her music sheet and started singing louder than anyone needed. Her notes clashed with Elisa’s soft ones. A few students laughed. Elisa felt her cheeks burn.

Her wolf growled harshly within her. 

“Let's teach this bitch a lesson!” 

She escaped. Sylvia is a werewitch. 

“I wonder if we would be able to deal with her,” she hissed, making her wolf sad. 

Roman’s eyes narrowed. “Sylvia, lower your volume,” he said sharply. Sylvia only smirked and continued, teasing, “I thought you liked a challenge, Roman.”

Goshhhh! 

Roman? 

She didn't even add a sign of respect? 

Elisa thought within her, shrugging her shoulders with disgust. 

Elisa’s stomach twisted. She tried to focus on her own singing, but the nerves made her voice tremble. Roman stopped conducting. Silence fell immediately.

“Elisa,” he said, his voice echoing through the room. “Sing the solo.”

Elisa froze. 

“Urghh?” She didn't want a solo attention, now all eyes were on her. 

She could hear her heart pounding. She breathed out slowly. She wanted to run, but Roman’s gaze held her in place. “You can do this,” he whispered, almost under his breath, and then he straightened up, pretending nothing had happened.

Taking a deep breath, Elisa cleared her throat, then began. 

The first few notes wavered, but then she found her rhythm. Her voice grew stronger with every line. She was gaining confidence. By the time she finished, she was shaking, but the applause surprised her. A few whispered compliments reached her ears, her wolf relayed it.

But Roman’s face didn’t change, though his eyes lingered on her in a way that made her pulse race. Pride, maybe something more, glowed there.

Sylvia’s smile disappeared. “Lucky guess,” she murmured, but Elisa caught the slight tremor in her voice.

Lunch break was no relief. Elisa tried to eat quietly on a bench, away from the group. But Sylvia had other plans.

“Oh look! Careful!” Sylvia said, tipping her juice cup. Red liquid spilled all over Elisa’s white shirt.

Elisa jumped back. “Sylvia! Why are you doing all these? Must you show everyone you're a–”

Sylvia laughed, loud and cruel, cutting Elisa short of her words. “Oops. My bad!” she said, but her smirk said otherwise.

Elisa ran to the bathroom to clean up. When she returned, Sylvia was already sitting beside Roman, leaning close, laughing at some joke. 

“Not even ashamed of what the students would say?” Elisa’s chest tightened as she smirked. She wanted to scold her, but she just sank into a seat across the room.

Roman’s jaw clenched. His eyes flicked to Elisa’s stained shirt. Something strange showed in his gaze, and for a moment, Elisa’s heart skipped a beat.

“Are you okay?” he asked, not moving from the front. His voice was low, but loud enough for her to hear.

“I… yeah,” she stammered. Her hands fidgeted with the edges of her folder.

He didn’t look away. “Stay close if she bothers you again,” he said quietly, almost a warning.

Elisa felt a flutter in her chest. His possessiveness, even hidden behind professionalism, made her pulse race.

“Roman is such a wonder!” She said within herself. 

The rope course challenge was next. Students circled around the towering wooden structure. Roman was their supervisor, his eyes scanning every move.

When it was Elisa’s turn, Sylvia smirked. “I think this is too hard for you,” she called out. Some students snickered.

Roman’s face darkened. “That’s enough,” he growled. Then he turned to Elisa. “I’ll go with you,” he said.

Elisa couldn't believe her eyes, her hormones swayed up, rising above their normal level, she was just a step to misbehaving in the midst of people. 

Elisa’s hands shook as she clipped herself to the ropes. Roman stepped behind her, close enough for her to feel his warmth. “Step carefully,” he whispered. “I’ve got you. Don’t worry.”

Her heart raced. Every movement made her pulse skip. Their bodies brushed, and she could feel the strength in his arms guiding her. Sylvia was breeding jealousy underneath. 

“I… I don’t know if I can do this,” she admitted, voice small.

“Yes, you can,” he said firmly. “I’ll be right here. Trust me.”

She took a shaky step. Then another. Her foot slipped. Roman’s hands shot to her waist. She gasped as he pulled her against him. His chest pressed to her back, firm and warm. Worst was his bulge lurking against her ass. Her legs wanted to shake. 

“Are you okay?” he whispered, voice meek. 

“Yes,” she breathed, but she couldn’t stop the tremble in her body.

“Good,” he said, his hands steady. “Now, focus. One step at a time. You’re stronger than you think. You can do this!”

Elisa felt the tension between them spike. She wanted to pull back, but at the same time, she wanted to feel him closer. The closeness, the safety, the electricity—it was too much. But her wolf wanted it. 

Later that evening, Roman asked her to help him carry equipment for the next day. It forced them alone together. She wondered why he was focusing so much on her. 

The air between them got laced with eerie suspense. Roman ran a hand through his hair, sighing. “I almost want to tell you everything,” he admitted, voice low. “Why I had to push you away.”

Elisa’s stomach twisted. “Then… why not?” she asked quietly.

He looked at her, eyes flicking away. “I… I can’t. Not yet. It’s complicated.”

Before she could respond, Sylvia appeared with a group. She pretended to help, but shoved a heavy stack of equipment at Elisa.

Elisa stumbled. Her foot caught the edge of a platform. She lost her balance.

Roman reacted instantly. He lunged forward, catching her in his arms. They toppled together. Her body pressed to his. She could feel his heartbeat, strong and fast. His hands clutched her waist tightly. 

“Careful,” he muttered, his voice rough. “I can’t… I can’t let anything happen to you.”

Elisa’s cheeks heated. “I… I’m fine,” she said, though her voice trembled.

He didn’t let go immediately. His eyes locked on hers, dark and intense. “Sylvia is done,” he growled.

Sylvia only shrugged, smirking. This wasn't what she was expecting, she brewed with jealousy. 

Roman straightened Elisa slowly, but his hands lingered. “I can’t let this go on,” he said, voice low, almost desperate. “Tonight… you’ll finally know why I had to push you away.”

Elisa’s heart raced. Her chest tightened. He was finally going to tell her. Finally.

“I… I’ll wait,” she whispered, barely able to breathe.

His eyes softened slightly, but there was still that tense feature on his face. “You will be okay,” he assured. Then he turned and carried the rest of the equipment silently, leaving her mind spinning.

Elisa watched him go, stomach twisting with so much expectation. The secret, the reason he rejected her, would finally be out. Tonight, everything could change.

She swallowed hard and clutched her folder. Her heart pounded, while her thoughts raced. 

Nothing will ever be the same after tonight.