Chapter 78: A Drastic Change - Callista's POV

The Alpha King looked between us with a satisfied grin. It was as if he planned to drive the wedge farther between us and we had fallen right into it.

“Go to Silver Moon Academy. I think you both need time to think about what I’m offering,” he said slowly, his eyes staying between us.

“But you said—”

“You’re not convinced. So go on,” he said mockingly. “Go to school and see for yourself. See if he slips. Check with other people to learn what they think. Friday, you’ll be begging to stay permanently with me.”

“Come on, Riven. Let’s go,” I whispered and tugged on his hand.

He came with me reluctantly, but at least he moved. His eyes were on the Alpha King’s face, just openly staring at him venomously. I almost feared he’d challenge him by the look on his face.

It was a serious expression. Too serious.

“Come on,” I said again, this time a bit louder. “We need to call our parents on the way.”

With that, he fully came with me. We walked out the same way we came in. Riven was tense the entire time, barely even looking at me. I only caught an occasional glance then his eyes were straight forward. His hand was in mine, so that had to be good.

At least, I hoped.

By the time we reached his car, his hand was already slipping from mine. He didn’t bother opening my door and went straight to his. I slowly went around the car to my side, opened the door and slid inside.

My hand reached for the bag to get my phone, but then I met his piercing gaze. It stopped me cold. I waited for a moment, wondering if he was going to say anything, but he didn’t. Instead, he started the car and looked away from me.

I called my mom without hesitating. She picked up on the second ring.

“Callista, are you okay?”

“Yes, Mom. We’re fine,” I said, my voice almost trembling.

“What did he want?”

I bit my lower lip, trying to find a way of saying it without revealing the full truth. “Well, he would like for us to live there full-time, but we’re on our way to school now. We’ve stressed that we want to keep attending Silver Moon Academy.”

“And he’s okay with it?” I heard Riven’s father say in the background. “What is with this man? He keeps yanking them around.”

“It’s fine, Mom. Tell everyone not to worry. It’s being handled.”

“So, you are on the way to school?” She asked, her voice barely audible.

“Yes, we’re on the way. I’ll text you when we’re there.”

“Okay, sweetie. Love you,” she said quickly.

“Love you too.”

The call ended and I glanced up at Riven, expecting to discuss what just happened, but he was as still as a statue. His hands were on the wheel, keeping us on the road. That was the only thing moving.

So I turned to face forward, refusing to say anything in this awkward silence.

When I looked out the window, I heard him sigh.

“What is it?” I asked, my tone firm. “You’re being quiet.”

Once again, he said nothing.

“Are you really not going to talk to me?”

He huffed. “And what would you like for me to say, Callista?”

His tone was clipped and defensive.

“What’s going on?”

I tried to reach him through the bond, but it was instantly shut down. There was nothing there, but a coldness that wasn’t the demon's. It was Riven’s.

I growled. “Look, I’m sorry.”

He shut it down harder, making me flinch. It recoils like a slammed door in my face.

My mouth worked, opening and closing several times as I tried to find something to say. I felt guilt for what it said. It ached and clawed at my chest, tearing its way through me. I hated that I had said I might have to kill him.

What kind of response was that?

I should have been more supportive. He was my mate after all, but fear overrides all trains of common sense.

I glanced at him once more as tears lined my eyes.

“You shouldn’t do that. People will know when we get to school.”

My heart sank. “So, that’s how this is going to be?”

He rolled his eyes and growled, not saying a word.

My lips trembled as I fought back a sob. Was this really how Riven was? How much of what I have seen was him and what was the demon? Had the demon been manipulating everything all this time, and this was the true him?

What if our bond was a lie, and this wasn’t even real?

What if the boy I thought I knew had never been there at all?

The rest of the drive was silent. We made it to school before the second period. As I exited the car, I thought he would wait for me, but he didn’t. He was already walking away and heading for the school.

I walked inside, not bothering to catch up.

When I got to my second period, he was already seated in the far corner of the room with no open seats. The two we usually occupied were open.

I hesitated in the doorway for a second longer than I should have. The empty seats we were sitting at felt like a silent accusation. He had chosen to sit away from me.

When I took my normal seat a second later, he never looked at me. Not even once.

The warmth of the bond was still there somewhere deep inside my chest, but now it felt muted, like something wrapped in thick cloth. I could barely feel it anymore.

So I turned away. A few students glanced up, surprised at the change, but no one said anything. Across the room, Riven leaned back in his chair, staring straight ahead.

He still hadn’t looked at me. And somehow, that hurt more than anything he could have said.