Chapter 28

Chapter 28
Chapter 28 – Sera

Kael’s grip was tight dragging me through the corridors like I was a notorious criminal being marched to execution.

My heart hammered against my ribs, not just from his fury but from the eyes I felt on us as we passed. There were too many eyes. If anyone looked too closely if anyone saw me stumble or saw the flush on my face I was finished.

He didn’t stop until we were inside our dorm. The door slammed behind us, the sound echoing around the room . He released me so suddenly that I staggered back a step. My wrist throbbed where his hand had been.

I rubbed at it, trying to steady my breathing. “Kael...”

“Don’t.” His voice was harsh, it looks like he was barely containing himself.

I froze. He stood there his fists clenched, his whole frame shook with fury. The silence between us stretched and became suffocating.

Finally, he turned, his intense blue eyes burning into me. “You let him do it again.”

My chest squeezed. “I didn’t mean it...”

“You didn’t stop him,” Kael cut in, his voice was sharp enough to slice through me. “You stood there and let him kiss you. In front of me! In front of everyone.”

I flinched. He didn’t know. He couldn’t know. To him, Luca had just kissed Seth. Not Sera. But the way Kael looked at me like he could see straight through the carefully built walls of my lie made my stomach twist.

“I didn’t want that,” I managed, my voice came out smaller than I wanted.

“Then why didn’t you shove him off?”

Because I couldn’t. Because freezing felt safer than risking a reaction that was too soft, too feminine. But I couldn’t say that.

“I was… shocked,” I whispered instead. “I didn’t expect it.”

Kael’s jaw tightened, a muscle appearing in his cheek. His hands trembled at his sides, restrained violence just barely leashed.

“Do you have any idea what it does to me?” he asked, his voice was low and dangerous. “Seeing him touch you like that?”

I swallowed hard. “Kael…”

“It makes me want to break him,” he ground out, stepping closer to me, his presence was overwhelming. “To make sure no one else dares to lay a hand on you. To make sure they all know you’re...”

He stopped himself. His chest heaving

My breath hitched. “I’m what?”

His eyes bore into mine, a storm of possession and something I couldn’t name but that terrified me more than his fury.

“You’re mine,” he said finally, voice raw.

The world tilted, heat rushed to my face, my throat tightening. He couldn’t mean it right? Not like that not when I was supposed to be Seth.

I forced a laugh which was unsteady. “You sound insane. We’re roommates, not...”

Kael slammed his hand against the wall beside my head. I jerked, my back pressing into the cool plaster, every nerve in my body stood up

“Don’t mock me.” His voice was a growl, his face inches from mine. “I don’t give a damn what anyone else thinks. I know what I feel when I see you and I certainly know what I can’t stand.”

His breath brushed my cheek too close. If anyone walked in if anyone saw...

“Kael,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “People already think it’s strange you talk to me more than others. If you keep...”

“I don’t care!” His eyes blazed with fury. “Let them think whatever the hell they want. You’re different, Seth. You make me...” His voice broke off, teeth gritted. “You make me lose control.”

Panic clawed at me. This was dangerous. Every word, every step closer threatened to expose me. If he kept looking at me like that, if he touched me again...

“Tell me to stop,” Kael said, his voice was suddenly lower, more strained. “Tell me you don’t want me this close. Tell me you don’t feel it. Say the words, and I’ll back off.”

My lips parted. The words should’ve been easy. Of course I don’t, of course I want you to stop. That’s what Seth would say rhat’s what would keep me safe as a boy here.

But the words were stuck in my throat.

Kael’s eyes darkened, his chest rising and falling fast. He leaned closer, his voice brushing against me.

“That’s what I thought.”