Chapter 32: Could my day get any worse

My back aches, each movement a reminder of today’s grueling defense arts class. My head throbs, as if my skull could split open at any moment. Heavens help me if we’re in for more sessions like that. I suppress a groan as Roman walks beside me, his usual attentive self.

"Do you need help with your backpack, Mikrös?" Roman’s voice cuts through my fatigue. We’re heading to the library after our fourth and last class of the day, which couldn’t have ended soon enough. I barely managed to survive the rest of the day after that brutal showdown with Beryl Caulder. Goddess knows what reserves I tapped into just to drag myself this far.

Wordlessly, I hand my backpack over to him, grateful for even the slightest relief. I rest my hands on my hips, trying to ease the tension in my muscles with each cautious step. Roman raises an eyebrow, glancing over at me as he slings my bag over his shoulder. “You know, you could have taken it a bit easier on Caulder. Maybe she would’ve gone easier on you too,” he suggests as we reach the library doors.

I stop, turning to give him a look that says it all. “Did she look like someone who would go easy on me? Honestly, I don’t know why she even hates me. Did I steal her boyfriend in another life or something?” I scoff, shaking my head as I push open the library doors and step inside.

“She feels threatened by you.”

His words take me by surprise, and I narrow my eyes, trying to keep my voice down as we enter the quiet space. “Excuse me? I’m human, Roman. She’s a full-blooded Lycan. Why would she ever feel threatened by me?” I keep my voice to a whisper, not wanting to draw attention in the library filled with students hunched over their books and notes.

“You really don’t know, do you?” He sighs, giving me a sideways glance as we make our way to the bookshelves.

I scrunch up my nose, frowning. “No, I don’t. Care to enlighten me?”

Instead of answering, he just gives me a faint, unreadable smile. Rolling my eyes, I retrieve the history book I’d borrowed, handing it to Roman so I can jot my signature on the library’s log paper hanging above the shelves. It’s one of the things I love most about Lupin’s library—no need to consult the librarian, no waiting in line. It’s simple and anonymous.

“Did you even read it?” Roman asks as he hands the book back, his gaze following mine as I scan the rows of titles.

“I did,” I reply, sighing. “But I didn’t quite find what I was looking for.” My eyes land on a faded hardcover tucked away in a secluded corner of the shelf. The cover, once black, has dulled into a dusty gray over time. Curious, I reach for it, brushing the dust away as it floats into the air. Roman leans in to get a look, eyebrows raised.

“Moon Madness,” he says, reading the faded title. “Why are you so obsessed with finding out about it?”

“Are you really asking me that, Roman?” I arch a brow, watching as understanding finally dawns on his face. His expression hardens, his jaw set in a way that makes him look like he could take on the whole world if he wanted. I laugh softly, shaking my head. “You really need to work on your expressions. You look like you could murder the entire royal family with that face,” I joke, not expecting the quiet intensity in his response.

“I could.”

The seriousness of his tone catches me off guard, and I quickly look away, pretending I hadn’t heard him. Opening the book, I flip to the first page. No table of contents, just an illustration. Two Celtic wolves drawn in meticulous detail, their eyes locked in an eternal battle, and between them—the dagger crest. I freeze, staring at the familiar symbol, feeling my pulse quicken. Without a word, I slam the book shut.

“What’s wrong?” Roman asks, concern flickering in his eyes.

“Nothing.” I shake my head, stuffing the book into my backpack and securing the flap. “Let’s go.”

As we leave the library, my phone buzzes with a notification. I glance down, eyes widening in disbelief. Kael. A message from Kael. Princess. The single word feels surreal, and I stare at it for a second, half-expecting it to vanish. Kael never texts me—if anything, he’s been avoiding me. What could he possibly want now?

“Do you want to go somewhere before heading home, Mikrös?” Roman asks, unaware of my inner turmoil as I debate whether to respond to Kael’s message or ignore it.

“No, let’s just head home,” I reply, forcing my voice to stay steady. I fumble with my phone, fingers hovering over the screen, trying to decide on a reply when the blare of a horn jolts me back to reality. Roman swerves sharply, narrowly avoiding a collision. My phone flies out of my hands, and I grip the seatbelt as tightly as I can, heart racing.

“Damn, that was close,” Roman mutters, glancing over to check on me. But it wasn’t the near-crash that rattles me—it’s the memory of those eyes, the same pair of glowing red eyes I’d seen at the mall, now staring back at me through the truck’s window as it speeds past. A chill runs down my spine, and my head throbs as a wave of nausea rolls over me.

“Are you okay?” Roman’s voice is steady but filled with concern.

“I’m fine,” I reply, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I’m fine.” I swallow hard, hoping he doesn’t notice the tremor in my hands. After a brief pause, he nods and restarts the car, weaving through traffic with a newfound urgency. In less than fifteen minutes, we’re home, back at Kael’s suite.

As we approach the door, Sam is waiting for us, as usual. But today, there are two large luggage bags beside him. He’s dressed casually, the familiar formal attire gone, and a strange feeling tugs at me.

“Are you…leaving?” I ask, already dreading the answer.

He nods, a gentle smile on his face. “Yes, I wanted to say goodbye to you before I left.”

“Does Kael know?” I ask, a pang of disappointment settling in my chest.

“Yes, I told him last night. But you were already asleep.”

I blink, trying to process this sudden turn of events. “Is everything okay? Is it something with your family?” The question slips out before I can stop myself, and I immediately regret it.

He chuckles, shaking his head. “You’re different, you know that?”

“What?”

He looks at me with a soft expression, one I’ve never seen before. “The tales we’ve heard of humans…I never expected to meet someone quite like you. That’s why you fit so well with the Prince.” He pauses, nodding at me one last time before picking up his luggage. “Goodbye, Princess.”

He doesn’t wait for me to respond, and as I watch him walk away, I feel a pang of regret that I hadn’t gotten to know him better. I raise a hand to wave, even though he’s too far to see it.

The silence stretches as I stand there, lost in thought, until Roman gently nudges my shoulder. “We should go in, Mikrös.”

I nod, stepping inside. But before we can even set our bags down, a cold voice interrupts.

“Nicknames are quite outdated, don’t you think, Russo?”

Roman and I turn to see him standing there, a twisted smirk on his face—Talon Aspen, his lecherous gaze fixed squarely on me. Roman’s expression shifts instantly, the respectful facade barely masking the simmering anger beneath as he bows his head.

“Your Highness,” Roman mutters, each word dripping with restraint.

Talon ignores Roman completely, his eyes locking onto me with a gleeful glint. “Ah, Kael’s prized possession looking almost…at home.” He smirks, a mocking sneer tugging at his lips.

My hands clench into fists, but I hold my ground, glaring back at him. Who the hell let Talon Aspen into Kael’s suite? And how did he get this close without us noticing?

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