Chapter 13: Chapter 13

Chapter 13: Trapped in the Classroom

Noah’s

I sat at my desk in the classroom, the chatter and laughter of the other students buzzing loudly around me like irritating static noise. Just a week ago, I would’ve been right there with them, joking easily with James or happily dodging spitballs from the back row.

Now, all I could think about was the large clock on the wall, ticking down the agonizing five hours until I had to return to that hellhole of a house. Enzo’s rules ran constantly through my head like a broken, repetitive record: don’t talk, don’t get comfortable, and don’t be late. My life wasn’t mine anymore, and that devastating fact hurt more than I could possibly say out loud.

I stared down at my desk, my pencil untouched on the wood, my mind completely focused somewhere else entirely. How could my dad have sold me out so easily? Hand me over to some scary, powerful guy like I was nothing more than an object? The thought instantly made my chest tight and constricted, like I couldn’t physically breathe anymore. I didn’t hear the classroom door open, and I didn’t notice the sudden, strange quiet as everyone stopped talking. I was too lost inside my own head, completely drowning in painful memories of my dad’s fists and Enzo’s cold, cruel eyes.

A loud thump on my desk snapped me instantly out of my thoughts. I jumped violently, my heart racing, and looked up to see him. Dean. The same guy who had been in Enzo’s house, the one who had openly laughed about me being human as if it was some kind of joke. He stood directly over me, his smile sharp and utterly creepy, his eyes glinting with a knowing look, as if he understood something crucial that I didn’t. “Don’t zone out again in class, kid,” he said, his voice smooth but undeniably mocking.

I swallowed hard, my throat dry with fear. “Sorry,” I mumbled, immediately dropping my gaze down to my desk. My hands were shaking, and I gripped my pencil tightly to hide the movement. Why was he here? Was he following me around? I could feel his eyes on me, sharp and persistent, like tiny needles on my skin, and the feeling made my stomach twist uncomfortably.

“Are you okay?” he asked, leaning closer to me, his voice softer now, almost like he was pretending to care about my answer. “You look like your mind is a million miles away from here.”

“I’m fine,” I said quickly, still keeping my eyes firmly down. “Just… tired, I guess.”

He chuckled softly, a low sound that made my skin crawl with discomfort. “Tired, huh? That’s not what I see on your face. You look very scared, Noah.”

I froze. He knew my name? Enzo must’ve told him who I was. “I’m not scared at all,” I lied, my voice unfortunately shaking slightly, instantly giving away my true feelings. “I just want to get through this class.”

“I’m sure you do,” he said, his smile widening even more. “But you’re not fooling anyone in this room. Not with that look you have on your face.”

I didn’t say anything more, just stared fixedly at my desk, strongly willing him to go away and leave me alone. The clock ticked loudly in the sudden quiet, or maybe that was just the sound of my own fast heartbeat. I could feel him standing right there, watching me intently, and it felt like an eternity—minutes, maybe hours, I didn’t know the difference. All I knew was Dean’s creepy smile, his eyes never leaving my face, treating me like I was some strange puzzle he wanted to take apart piece by piece.

The bell rang suddenly, sharp and loud, and I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding in my lungs. Students grabbed their bags, laughing and shoving each other as they headed quickly for the door. I stayed exactly where I was, my hands still shaking slightly, my bag untouched. Going back to Enzo’s house sounded absolutely awful, but staying here alone with Dean staring at me wasn’t much better either. I just desperately wanted to vanish.

“Are you going to sit there all day?” Dean asked, his voice cutting clearly through the residual noise of the now emptying classroom. I looked up, and he was still there, leaning casually against a nearby desk, his arms crossed over his chest. “Class is over now, kid.”

“I’m going now,” I said, quickly grabbing my bag. My voice was small and weak, and I truly hated that about myself. I stood up, slinging my bag over my shoulder, and headed toward the door. I didn’t notice the classroom was completely empty now, everyone gone, until I heard a distinct click sound. I turned my head and saw Dean standing by the door, having just locked it shut. My heart stopped instantly.

“What are you doing to me?” I asked, my voice shaking uncontrollably as I backed away from him. “I said I am leaving this room.”

He smiled slowly, creepily, and took a single step toward me. “Relax, kid,” he said. “I just want to talk to you for a moment.”

I took another shaky step backward, my bag slipping in my sweaty hands. “I don’t want to talk to you,” I said, trying desperately to sound firm and confident. “Let me out of here now.”

He laughed, stepping closer to me. “You are so jumpy,” he said. “What exactly has you so scared, huh? Is it Enzo that worries you? Or is it something else entirely?”

“I’m not scared of anyone,” I snapped, but my voice immediately cracked with tension, giving away my lie. I backed up again until my hip hit a chair. I couldn’t go any further back. “Just let me leave the room, okay?”

Dean’s smile didn’t fade at all. He stepped closer, so close I could smell his strong cologne, sharp and completely overpowering. “How does a ruthless Alpha like Enzo manage to keep someone like you around him?” he said, his voice low, almost a chilling whisper. “You are so soft. So… innocent and fragile.”

I froze in terror, my heart pounding violently. “What do you mean by that?” I asked, my voice barely audible above my ragged breathing. “What are you talking about now?”

He chuckled softly, leaning in, his face now inches from mine. “You don’t even realize what is right in front of your eyes,” he said, his breath hot and unpleasant against my cheek. “You are so innocent. It’s almost too easy to manipulate.”

I tried to step back again, but the chair was still in my way, trapping me completely. My hands shook violently, and I gripped my bag strap like it was the only thing that could possibly protect me. “Stay away from me,” I said, my voice shaking with raw fear. “I mean it completely.”

Dean raised his hand slowly, reaching out toward my face, and I flinched immediately, my heart racing so fast I thought I would pass out cold. “Don’t be like that toward me,” he said, his fingers lightly brushing my cheek. “I’m just trying to—”

A strong hand suddenly grabbed Dean’s wrist, forcefully yanking it away from my face. I stumbled backward, my breath hitching in my throat, and saw Ren standing there, his face as cold and hard as stone. His eyes were locked onto Dean, intense and dangerously focused. “He belongs to Master Enzo,” Ren said, his voice low and firm, each word cutting

cleanly through the air like a sharp blade. “Only.”