Chapter 10 The wrong kiss
IRIS
I check the time again, it's ten minutes to five pm. He’s late.
I close my notebook and glance toward the door of the study room, hoping maybe, just maybe, he’ll rush in with one of his ridiculous excuses. But the door stays shut. Just like it has every other day for the past week.
Adrian stood me up. Again.
I sigh sharply, louder than necessary, and shove my notebook into my bag, followed by my pen case and the set of highlighters I don’t remember using. It feels like I’ve wasted not just an hour, but the whole damn week.
The chair scrapes loudly as I push it back. I’m halfway to the door when it creaks open.
“He didn’t come again, did he?” Daisy’s voice is soft, but laced with irritation. Her eyes sweep the empty room behind me, already knowing the answer.
I don’t respond.
“Forget it, Iris,” she says, walking fully in and leaning against the doorframe. “He’s clearly not interested. In the tutoring. In helping. In whatever this is.”
“I can’t,” I say, my voice lower than I intend. “I just… I can’t.”
She steps closer. “Why? Because of the mark? You’re stressing so much over someone who refuses to even see you?”
“That’s not fair,” I whisper.
She folds her arms. “I’m not lying though.”
I want to defend him, to explain that it’s not that simple, but I don’t even know what it is. All I know is the pull hasn’t gone away. Every time I think about Darian, it’s like something in me aches. Something I can’t switch off.
I brush past her, murmuring, “Let’s go.”
Daisydoesn’t argue. We walk down the hallway in silence. But every step I take, every breath, feels heavier than the last.
Daisy and I are halfway across the parking lot when I spot him, leaning casually against a car, laughing at something a brunette in a red crop top just said. His hand brushes her arm like he’s done it a thousand times.
I stop in my tracks. “Daisy,” I whisper, tugging her sleeve. “That’s Adrian.”
Her eyes snap to where I’m pointing. “Oh my God. He’s even in school today?” Her voice sharpens. “That bastard’s been avoiding you.”
I don’t respond. My legs are already moving.
“Iris!” Daisy calls after me, but I ignore her.
I march across the lot, my chest tight with frustration. The girl notices me first, then steps back slightly, sensing the tension. Adrian lifts his head, his smirk already forming.
“Claiming me in public now?” he teases. “I’m flattered.”
“Have you been avoiding me?” I ask, standing in front of him.
He shrugs, unbothered. “I’ve been… occupied.”
“Too occupied to show up for tutoring? All week?”
The girl gives him a look and mutters something about catching up later before quickly walking off. Good.
“Look,” I say, ignoring his raised brow, “I’m not here to play games. You said you’d help me talk to Darian.”
“And why should I?” he replies, folding his arms. “What’s in it for me again?”
“Nothing,” I snap. “Just, I don’t know, basic decency? And moreover, you promised. You can’t just disappear on me like that.”
He chuckles. “I’m a Lycan prince, Iris. Not your guidance counselor.”
My patience frays. “I really need to talk to him, Adrian. I’m not asking for much.”
His expression shifts slightly, serious for once. Then he glances away and mutters, “He told me to stay away from you.”
I blink. “What?”
Adrian straightens. “He doesn’t want to see you. Said I should stay away too.”
“But why?”
He hesitates, then sighs. “You really want to see him?”
I nod.
“Fine,” he says after a beat. “Dinner. At Lycan’s Haven. Tomorrow night. Be ready.”
My heart lurches. “You’re serious?”
He smirks. “Deadly.”
I don’t even say goodbyeI turn and run back to Daisy, who’s waiting on the path.
“Well?” she demands.
“He invited me to dinner at the Haven.”
Her eyes widen. “Iris! You just scored another freaking invitation.”
“I know,” I breathe. “I’m scared out of my mind.”
\~~~~
The moment I step into Lycan’s Haven, the air feels different, charged, like the walls themselves hold secrets.
Adrian meets me at the entrance with that infuriating smirk of his. “Right on time,” he says, offering his arm like he’s some kind of gentleman.
I don’t take it. He only grins wider and leads me into a massive dining hall. The long table is already set, but two seats are conspicuously empty; Darian’s, and what I assume is their father’s.
“They’re not here?” I ask, trying to keep my voice neutral.
Adrian shrugs. “Change of plans.”
Zeus is already seated, arms crossed, golden eyes narrowed at me like I’m an intruder. “So this is the girl causing all the noise.”
“Nice to meet you too,” I mutter.
Kelvin, the youngest, rises politely and pulls out a chair for me. He has softer features than the others, and a gentler energy that immediately calms me.
“I’m Kelvin,” he says with a warm smile. “Welcome.”
“Thank you,” I say quietly, sitting between him and Adrian.
Dinner is… interesting. Adrian spends most of it tossing flirtatious comments my way-“You clean up nice,” and “Hope you’re not too nervous being surrounded by royalty.” I ignore half of them. The other half? I pretend not to blush.
Zeus watches me like I’m some puzzle he doesn’t trust. “Tell me, Iris. Why are you so desperate to get close to Darian?”
Adrian cuts in before I can speak. “Jealous, brother? She didn’t ask for your number.”
Kelvin lets out a laugh, trying to lighten the mood.
“I’m not here for anything other than answers,” I finally say, meeting Zeus’s gaze.
He hums, clearly not convinced.
The rest of dinner passes in a blur of teasing, quiet tension, and Adrian’s intense gaze.
Dinner ends with Kelvin helping me push my chair back, and Adrian offering one last wink as he stretches and gets up. Zeus says nothing and just walks off like he couldn't be bothered to breathe the same air as me.
I’m just about to follow Adrian out when the door swings open.
Darian.
He strides in like he owns the entire world, the tension in my chest snapping the moment I see him. My breath hitches. He’s taller than I remember. Sharper. Colder. Every part of me screams to say something, but I don’t.
He hasn’t seen me yet. His eyes scan the room, then someone screams his name.
“Darian!”
A blur of legs and perfectly styled hair comes flying down the grand staircase. She throws herself at him, arms around his neck.
I freeze.
Her lips crash against his, and he doesn’t stop her.
“Oh?” I mutter to myself.