Chapter 37

Elisa’s POV

I was in bed when my phone rang, panic cruised through my chest. I jerked up immediately to see who was calling but my wolf had growled sadly, a sign that it wasn't going to be a good call.

I peered into my screen, it was Roman.

I dropped it back, letting him call. “I hate you!” I screamed and returned back to bed. I fell into a quick trance to which I felt the call repeating.

My heart beat with panic feeling the call still ringing against my ears.

I was pushed to wake up and answer him.

“Hello?” I said with a rather harsh voice but silence took over the entire call space. My wolf began to shake.

“What? Say something?” I growled rather angrily.

“I reject you, Elisa.”

“Urghh?” The gasp just escaped without even thinking about it first.

I jumped off the bed.

I stood there, staring at him, unable to breathe. My wolf whimpered inside me, clawing against my ribs. She didn’t understand. She wanted him, needed him. She took control of me, pushing off my human wish. I never wanted to have anything to do with him again.

“You don’t mean that,” I whispered. My wolf.

Roman closed his eyes, his jaw tight. “I have no choice.”

“No choice?” I laughed bitterly, though tears were already running down my face. “You always have a choice. You’re just too much of a coward to make the right one.”

I quickly switched to a video call. I wanted to see him and I wanted him to see me.

His hands twitched at his sides like he wanted to reach for me, but he didn’t. He stood frozen, his silence worse than any words he could have spoken.

Even with us being on the phone, it felt so real like we were just standing close apart in real life.

“Say something!” I cried. “Look at me and tell me you don’t mean it.”

He heaved, lowering his head for some minutes. My gaze persisted. Then he finally lifted his head. His eyes were dull, he looked pale. “Leave me, Elisa. Forget me. If you don’t, your life is in danger.”

I staggered back, the pressure from his words crushing me. I didn’t want to hear more. I turned and walked back to the bed before my knees gave out.

This was it, he's been ruled by a decree we can't control. I gazed right at him, letting the tears fall. With one long breath, I ended the call. I knew I was going to suffer dreadfully for the rest of the night but I just didn't have anything to say to him.

The next day was school and I was going to meet both Sylvia and him. I would continue what we were supposed to talk on the phone.

My first class had just been canceled, the professor picked up some sudden illness. The next I had was close to afternoon, after the brunch break and Roman would be taking the course.

Having nothing to do, I just wandered around the hallways, pondering on my thoughts, wishing I could meet Roman just now, hold him and tell him to explain what he said yesterday. I didn't want to have anything to do with him but now I guessed his rejection was getting my wolf crazy.

Suddenly, a familiar voice rang across the hallway, a silent one, the one leading to Roman’s office.

Sylvia’s low laugh carried through the hallway.

“Well done, Roman,” she purred. “You finally came to your senses.”

“I don't want distractions in my life, let the bitch be.” He responded.

Bitch?

I collapsed, pressing my back hard against the wall. For real, he's calling me a bitch?

I hated her. I hated him. But most of all, I hated myself for still aching for him.

Two days later, the college announced a camp event. It had been a long projected event but my ordeals wouldn’t even let me think of it. As one of the top music students, I needed to show some concern. This was expected to be a big celebration—students from other colleges, a concert in a natural space as always, music echoing through the woods. The moment I heard about it, I prayed not to be chosen. I wanted to stay away from everyone, especially him.

I attended the audition, a MUST for all the top music students but I didn’t perform my best. I didn’t want to be chosen. After finishing with this, I retired to the back fiddling with my phone throughout the rest performing theirs. I couldn’t wait for the results of the qualified students to be called and I would quietly return to Maya’s room. I was still too weak to go back to stay in my apartment alone.

“Elisa, congratulations,” Professor Hart called. I shrieked in horror, raising my face from the phone for the first time.

“Please come up,” he urged. The students turned, all eyes on me. I was the first to be called meaning I scored the highest point.

I stood up sluggishly, dragging feet along the midst of the all up to the podium where he stood. He stretched his hand in a handshake with a smile on his face, handing me the list. “You’ve been selected.”

I forced a smile. My hands were shaking.

When I looked down at the paper, my stomach dropped. Sylvia’s name was right below mine.

I wanted to tear the list apart. She didn’t deserve it. She wasn’t even half a musician. But somehow, she was on it.

The real blow came at the end of the announcement.

“And finally, the lecturer chose to accompany you…” the Professor paused, looking around the room, “Is Padre Roman.”

My eyes shut. I couldn’t breathe.

Of course it had to be him. Who was I expecting?

That night, I stayed awake, staring at the ceiling in Maya’s dorm room. She snored softly beside me, but I couldn’t close my eyes. My chest hurt every time I thought about the trip.

Forced to be near him again. Forced to see his face, hear his voice, feel the pull that was slowly killing me.