Chapter 24 CHAPTER 24

Chapter 24 CHAPTER 24
Chapter Twenty Four

Andre's POV

I catch the heavy glass jug mid-air, my grip tightening around it just before it can shatter against my chest. My eyes snap to Henna. She’s the one who threw it, and she’s currently vibrating with a mix of rage and something else I can't quite pin down.

"How could you do that to me! Huh!" she screams, her voice cracking as she points a shaking finger at me. "You wanted to kill me. Didn't you? Wow! You absolute bastard!"

I don't even bother arguing with her. I turn my head toward Amira and the handful of customers scattered around the bar, all of whom are now staring at us. "What is wrong with her?"

"I think she's drunk," Amira replies, leaning over the counter with a worried frown.

I let out a long, frustrated sigh, set the jug down on the nearest table, and pull out my phone. "And you had to call me all the way here just because she’s drunk?" I ask, already scrolling through my contacts to dial Ric. This wasn't supposed to be my problem tonight.

Henna hunches over the bar stand, her head dropping for a second before she snaps it back up to glare at me again. "I know you don't like me," she slurs, her eyes glassy. "And I know that you're annoying, but killing me? Isn't that a bit harsh! I didn't do anything wrong to anyone!"

She lets out a sharp, bitter laugh that sounds more like a sob. "Since I came here, everyone just keeps wanting to pick at me. And what? I'm just supposed to stay still and take it anyway?" She shakes her head, her hair falling into her face. "Even Ric thinks I'm supposed to just suck it all up and not say a word. Why? Because I don't even qualify as anything in this school? Because I'm in the 'lowest rank'?"

She spits the words out like they’re poison. "What the fuck sort of language is that? What kind of society do you guys live in? I'm hearing strange things, seeing things..."

She tries to stand up straight, but her knees buckle. She stumbles sideways, nearly hitting the floor, and I instinctively rush forward to catch her by the shoulders.

The second my skin touches hers, she recoils. She pushes me away with a burst of strength I didn't think she had in her current state. "Don't touch me!" she snaps, her voice dropping to a low, dangerous hiss. "Don't you dare put your hands on me."

She steadies herself against the bar, her knuckles turning white. "I hate all of you. You all are so disgusting! Bullying people is being celebrated in this school like it's some kind of fun hobby!"

I ignore her outburst for a moment and look back at Amira, my expression hard. "What the hell did she take here? This isn't just a couple of beers."

"I have no idea," Amira says, looking genuinely overwhelmed. "She just started spiraling."

"I need to call Ric fast then," I say, tapping on Ric’s contact.

Amira snorts, crossing her arms over her chest. "Take her yourself. She clearly asked for you."

I narrow my eyes at my sister, my patience wearing thin. "Today is Olenna's birthday. I just left her side to be here. Do you know what that means?" I remind her, my voice low and warning.

Amira sighs, clearly unimpressed by the mention of Olenna. "How many birthdays does your betrothed have? A sudden birthday celebration in the middle of spring? It's not even a full moon yet."

"Whatever Olenna chooses to do, I still don't have to be here," I snap back.

"Why? Are you..." she starts to say, but I cut her off by pressing the phone to my ear, waiting for the line to connect. I need Ric to get here and handle this because I need to get back to Olenna before she wakes up and can not find me in bed with her.

But Ric isn't taking my calls. I try again, the ringing echoing in my ear until it cuts to voicemail. Nobody is picking up.

I look over at Henna. She has finally stopped shouting and is now slumped over a chair, her head resting heavily on the table. "Ric is not taking my calls," I tell Amira. "I think I’ll just leave her here. When she wakes up tomorrow, tell her not to show up at school. I think that’s the most I can do for her."

Amira reaches out and grabs my arm immediately. "You're leaving her here? In this state?" she asks, her voice rising. "She's human, remember? Can't you see the eyes following her? Every predator in this room is watching. Agnes won't be happy if she comes back and finds her here like this."

"What do you want me to do? I can't worry about anyone else right now apart from Olenna."

"You hurt her, Andre," Amira reminds me, her grip tightening. "I heard you nearly killed her today just because she splashed water on a student for bullying an omega."

"She shouldn't have interfered. And why are you so interested in her all of a sudden, Amira? You couldn't have cared less a few days ago."

"Well..." Amira shrugs, leaning in closer. "You react to her. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen that from you."

Before I can respond, Henna suddenly swoops in on me from behind. My wolf riles up instantly, sensing the sudden movement.

"You love your girlfriend so much, don't you?" she whispers harshly. Her hands whip around my neck. Her hold isn't strong, she’s far too weak for that but the heat of her body pressing against my back makes me freeze. "Maybe that's why killing someone like me is so easy for you! How about I do it to you instead?!"

She clings to me, her breath smelling of sharp alcohol as she wheezes into my ear. "How does it feel? Getting killed by me instead?"

I stand there, paralyzed by the feeling of her small, fragile frame against me. Her skin is burning hot, and for a moment, I forget all about Olenna and the school and the ranks. I can feel her heartbeat racing against my shoulder blades. I shouldn't be letting her touch me, but I can't seem to shake her off.

Finally, I reach up and grab her wrists, gently but firmly pulling her arms from around my neck. I turn around to face her, seeing the messy tears on her face and the way she can barely keep her eyes open. The anger I felt earlier is gone, replaced by a heavy, annoying sense of responsibility.

I look at Amira, then back at Henna. I can't leave her here, and Ric clearly isn't coming. 

"I think I will take you home myself," I say, my voice sounding deeper than usual.