Chapter 8: Part 8
Colour drained my face as I watched the Alpha cover the distance between us. My heart was in his throat once again, threatening to break through skin and ligaments.
He towered me, the heat of his skin radiating between us. My breath hitched in my throat, lungs squeezing painfully as I looked up to meet his eyes. What did he mean by that? Did I hear it right?
"Excuse me?" I spluttered, trying to ignore the sudden swoop in my belly.
A snark escaped the Alpha, hands coming around to cross against his chest, mouth forming a thin line. "You need to know your place, Miss Emma, especially in my class. I don't tolerate people like you."
My body recoiled at his tone, mentally slapping myself for thinking something else. Of course, he meant it as a way to intimidate me. Still, it offended me as Abel talked me down.
Clenching my jaw tight, I looked up at him. "People like me? Mind explaining what do you mean exactly?"
"Nosy people like you who can't seem to mind their business...." He continued. "Also petty and selfish ones who have no regard for others time and feelings. You wasted half the lecture today simply to prove a nonsense point. I know this was some revenge plan for what I said earlier."
Those words cut deep, almost carving in my skin even though they were not true. How can any person have such a wrong case of judgment? I wondered.
"And you, sir, are no treat either. You have been assuming things about me from day one and treating me poorly." I daringly met his eyes, my voice wavering slightly.
His top lip twitched at that. "Treating you poorly? You sure love to live in a fantasy world, Miss Emma. Don't forget you were the one who ran into me with that cold office!"
"I apologised for that! What more do you want me to do?"
Something shifted in his eyes at my raised tone, the emotion gone too soon for me to figure out. He muttered something under his breath before pointing towards the door. I rolled my eyes, turning on my feet and slamming the door a bit harsher than intended on my way out.
***
As soon as I stepped out of the hallways and towards the stairs in a daze, my phone pinged with several messages. Our classes were cancelled for the rest of the day because of the heavy rains. Peeking out, I cursed under my breath, clad only in a sweater and blue jeans.
Naya and Avon had already left the campus as soon as it started pouring.
Having no choice, I decided to step outside and wait near the parking.
My heart rate sped up, and I swallowed, inconspicuously letting my eyes roam the deserted road in front, hoping for another person to be around. In a matter of a few minutes, a car pulled up next to me, and despite knowing better, I turned my head to look at the driver.
I never thought I would ever be glad to see the familiar blank face and a mop of curls staring back at me. But, in any case, it was only a short moment of tense relief, the realisation that there was no immediate danger lingering. I raised a questioning eyebrow at the Alpha before staring at the pole in front again, acting indifferent.
"Get in the car, Miss Emma. I can drop you to the dorms."
My eyes widened in disbelief, mouth parting at his muffled voice over the heavy rain. "Why would I ever volunteer myself to be in the same space as you after the way you treated me?"
Abel rolled his eyes in return, a bored expression taking over him. "I am trying to be helpful here. Can you stop being dramatic and accept it?"
"You are the reason I am in this mess."
He sarcastically raised his brow. "Are you saying I am incharge of the weather? Do I have some hidden powers that I am unaware of?"
"No...I meant because you asked me to stay back so I am all alone here."
"Which is why I am offering you a ride back home. Get in the car already." The Professor drummed his fingers on his steering wheel.
"I don't stay in dorms."
He sighed. "I will drive you wherever you want, alright?"
My teeth sunk on my bottom lip, eyes roaming around. I wanted to flip him the finger and stalk off on my own, but the truth was there's not a single soul around. Even accepting help, it took enormous effort to swallow my pride and walk to the passenger door, a hand on my head.
"Now that wasn't hard, hmm?" Abel said, and if it weren't for the aloofness that overshadowed his every action, I would say he almost sounded pleased.
I decided not to respond, I wouldn't find nice words to utter anyway. The last thing I needed was another fight. And anyway, why was Abel feeling the need to take me home? Did the Alpha consciousness suddenly wake up inside his dark and twisted body?
There was tension in the air that I couldn't correctly place or define it. The Alpha offered a ride, forthcoming and friendly, so different from the brief words we had exchanged in the past hour, futile in comparison to the situation.
I was still wet, soaked to the bone and dripping filthy water onto the no doubt inestimable leather seats. Folding my hands in my lap, tightly, I kneaded fingers and swallowed thickly, finding my eyes fixed upon his side profile. The Alpha had defined cheekbones, a sharp jawline and a dip in between his cheeks, almost making me want to reach out and poke.
"Where do you want me to drop you?"
The question was enough to snap me out of the attention, staring the wipers ahead rather than his handsome face.
"Umm...I will show you the directions."
"Alright." He bobbed his head. "What about your other classes?"
"They are cancelled for the rest of the day."
He hummed, eyes focused on the road. As we drove along the empty streets, I felt something flip inside me, as if some kind of button had been pressed. My omega had more and more trouble keeping calm and collected.
My throat was suddenly parched, heart-pounding inside my ribcage so hard that I feared Abel might hear it. It took me a good few minutes to figure out why I was reacting like this, and when I did, it left me reeling.
The thing was that the entire car smelled like Abel, like Alpha; musky, manly and heady. It was affecting my omega in ways I didn't like at all. The last thing I needed was to get aroused by this. Especially since that raunchy dream last night.
My body had always been a traitor, so much has been clear to me ever since the morning I woke up with a wet dream. I refrained from thinking about it again, fearing that I would dampen my pants and Abel's leather seats with my slick.
The thought alone stained my cheeks pink, and I lowered his lashes, hoped to moons that the Alpha didn't notice my stiff shoulders and tense composure. My hands were clawing into my thighs while I tried to avoid breathing in through my nose.
"Please stop the car."
Abel turned to me. "Why?"
"M-My place is around the corner. I can walk."
"I don't mind...."
"Please."
"Alright."
As soon as the car came to a halt, I exhaled loudly, straightening my cold and ever-trembling frame.
"Thank you." I slurred before turning on my feet and slipping between the narrow alleys. Somehow I managed to reach the building and decided to take the stairs instead, calm my overpowering thoughts.
***
As soon as I was in the comfort of my room, I felt like breaking down. I let my bag fall to the ground carelessly and sank against the closest wall, my eyes snapping shut as I exhaled shuddery breaths.
I shouldn't have gotten into his car in the first place. Whatever happened to my promise of keeping my distance from him beforehand? What was wrong with me? Why did I get into these situations?
***
"What's the deal with you and Professor Abel?" Naya asked as we sat in the cafe, our legs crossed and steaming cups of coffee on our table. I could quickly tell that the question had been burning on her tongue for ages.
"I think he hates me, and I don't know why. I haven't done anything wrong." I said, almost ready to throw my hands in the air, my words heated but helpless all the same.
"Oh...I am sure he will come around, though."
"In your dreams, loser."
Before I could reply, an unknown voice cut me off, followed by the sound of heels clicking against the floor. A shadow loomed over our table. My eyes widened at the person who came to stand in front.
***