Chapter 54: CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR | FLYERS

CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR | FLYERS

ASPEN

Flyers with my face on them were plastered everywhere in the school. I bit my nails nervously as I walked through the school compound.

“Don't be obvious, girl,” Rachel whispered in my ear as we walked side by side toward the male dormitory. “You look like Alex, not Aspen.” She playfully hit my shoulder and pointed toward my short hair and the nerdy glasses I had been using for a while now.

“What if someone figures it out?” I asked as we approached the building.

She scoffed and rolled her eyes. “That's only if you call attention to yourself.” She shook her head and let out a small hiss.

“Are you fine?” I asked her, remembering the scene her father caused earlier that morning.

“With what?”

“Your father.”

“I'm used to it.” She shrugged and turned her attention back to the building before us.

“That's sad,” I muttered quietly under my breath as the memory of staying with Alpha Darius hit me.

He made sure I became an outcast within the pack.

“Damn, I hate this shit,” Rachel said loudly as the noise in the hallway grew louder the closer we got to my room.

“There are guards everywhere,” I heard a guy behind me say as he squeezed through the crowd to move away.

“No. No,” I said nervously as I spotted one of the guards holding a wanted flyer in his hand.

“Don't draw attention, Aspen,” Rachel said in a stern voice.

“I think the prison is safer.”

“Aspen!” She called with a serious look. “Don't let your fear mess this up.”

I nodded slowly and breathed in and out. “Let's go.”

Quietly, we walked toward my room while avoiding the eyes of guards stationed at every part of the hallway.

One of the guards suddenly stepped into our path, his boots scraping against the tiled floor as his sharp eyes settled on me. My heart slammed violently against my ribs, and for a terrifying second, I forgot how to breathe. I lowered my head instinctively, clenching my fists to stop them from trembling, reminding myself that panic would give me away faster than anything else.

“Hey,” the guard said gruffly, scanning my face. “You. Lift your head.”

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to comply. I kept my expression blank, dull, unremarkable. Every lesson I had learned about survival screamed inside my skull.

Before the guard could say more, Rachel stepped forward, laughter spilling from her lips with practiced ease. “Seriously?” She scoffed, hooking her arm around mine. “This is my boyfriend's roommate. I'm just taking him to my boyfriend's room before curfew. He promised to help with an assignment.”

The guard’s brows furrowed as his gaze shifted between us. “Roommate?” he repeated slowly.

“Yes,” Rachel replied without missing a beat, rolling her eyes. “You know how boys are. Always forget where they're supposed to be.”

I forced out a low chuckle, nodding awkwardly, hoping it sounded convincing enough. Sweat trickled down my spine beneath the oversized uniform.

The guard studied me for another long moment, then sighed. “Fine. Make it quick. And don't wander.”

“Wouldn't dream of it,” Rachel said sweetly.

We walked past him without looking back. Only when we turned the corner did I release the breath I had been holding, my legs shaking as reality crashed over me. Rachel leaned closer and whispered, “See? Fear didn't win.”

I nodded, silently grateful, knowing one wrong glance could still ruin everything. Yet danger lingered in every shadow, every footstep, every breath, reminding me that survival meant staying invisible until freedom finally dared to look back at me.

We finally reached my room, and Rachel wasted no time pushing the door open with a dramatic flourish. The hinges creaked softly, and the familiar scent of soap, books, and damp concrete filled my nose. My relief was short-lived. A strange guy was sprawled lazily across Ronan’s bed, one arm tucked behind his head like he owned the place. Before I could even ask, Rachel squealed, her voice echoing off the walls.

“Brian!”

I stiffened instantly, my eyes flicking to the stranger. So this was Brian. He looked relaxed, dangerous even, with sharp eyes that seemed to notice everything at once. My instincts screamed at me to stay quiet, stay forgettable.

“Brian…” Ronan’s voice followed from behind us.

I turned just in time to see Ronan step out of the bathroom with only a towel tied low around his waist. Water dripped from his hair, sliding down his bare chest and well-defined abs. My throat went dry, and I swallowed hard before snapping my gaze away the second his eyes met mine. Heat rushed to my face, and I cursed myself internally.

Rachel rushed forward and threw her arms around Ronan like nothing else existed. Something sharp twisted painfully in my chest, unexpected and unwelcome. Jealousy. I hated it immediately.

Brian cleared his throat loudly, breaking the moment. “Wow. Get a room,” he joked, grabbing a pile of clothes and tossing them at Ronan’s chest. “Some of us are trying to breathe here.” He shoved Ronan playfully back toward the bathroom. “Go dress. Properly.”

Ronan laughed and disappeared again, leaving tension thick in the air.

Rachel turned to Brian, her smile fading. “Why are you here?” she asked.

Brian’s expression hardened instantly, amusement draining from his face. His voice dropped when he answered, cold and deliberate.

“To uproot evil.”

A chill slid down my spine, and from the look on Rachel’s face, I knew she felt it too.

An awkward silence followed, thick and uncomfortable. I cleared my throat, forcing a small, careless laugh. “Okay… that sounds intense,” I said, trying to lighten the mood.

Rachel shot Brian a look. “You could've just said you came to visit.”

Brian shrugged, unfazed. “Where's the fun in that?”

I relaxed a little, though my instincts still hummed.

Whatever game he was here to play, I had a feeling we were already part of it now.