Chapter 45 Restroom Showdown

Chapter 45 Restroom Showdown
Chapter 45: Restroom Showdown

“I want you, Lucian.”

He’s crazy, my wolf grumbled inside my head.

“Yes, he is,” I accidentally replied out loud.

Ryder frowned, confused. “What?”

I recovered quickly. “Don’t you already have a mate?”

He rolled his eyes like I’d asked the dumbest question. “He doesn’t have to know. It can stay between us.”

“Are you insane?” I hissed. “He’ll feel everything through the mate bond!”

“He won’t. Don’t worry about that.” Ryder took another step forward.

“Just focus on me.”

“Don’t,” I warned sharply, and he actually stopped. “Maybe you’re the clueless one here, Ryder. Let me spell it out: I’m not interested in you. I will never be interested in you. And honestly? I’m not even into guys right now.”

Okay, that was a fat lie. I definitely liked guys — especially tall, brooding, possessive ones named Darius. But now was not the time to unpack that.

Ryder chuckled, clearly not buying it. “That’s a lie and we both know it.”

“And what makes you so sure?”

“Look at you,” he said, reaching out to flick a stubborn strand of hair away from my face. “You’re too pretty to not be into this. You’re practically radiating ‘come and get me’ energy.”

“Stop it!” I slapped his hand away and stepped back. “I’m not interested in someone who already has a mate. I’m not about to help you cheat and hurt your mate. And even if I were into guys, it definitely wouldn’t be someone like you.”

Ryder’s face twisted with anger and frustration. “You’re being foolish. So many people would kill to be in your position right now.”

“Then they’re fools, and I’m not one of them,” I shot back.

He exhaled sharply, trying to regain control. “Fine. I’ll give you time to think about it. Being with me comes with a lot of benefits — protection, status, money, freedom. The higher-ups wouldn’t dare touch you. You should be grateful an alpha like me wants you. Think about it and give me your answer later.”

“Damn it, Ryder — I said I’m not interested!” I snapped.

Before he could say another word, I dumped the remaining books into his arms. “Here. Sort these out yourself. I’m done.”

I spun on my heel and stormed off toward the library restroom, heart racing.

Once inside, I made sure it was empty, then leaned over the sink and splashed cold water on my face.

“Moon Goddess,” I groaned at my reflection. “What kind of mess did I walk into? I’ve only been here a few months!”

The door suddenly creaked open behind me.

I turned around — and froze.

Professor Rivera stepped in, her eyes locked on me with dangerous intensity. Without a word, she turned and locked the door with a soft click.

“Rivera!” I whispered, eyes wide.

Ohhh dammit.

What fresh hell had I just walked into?

The soft click of the lock echoed in the empty restroom like a warning shot.

Professor Rivera stood there, eyes locked on me with pure ice-cold hostility. Her face was set in a deep scowl that screamed she was not here to pee.

Ohhh dammit.

I gulped, quickly turning back to the mirror as if washing my hands could somehow save me. Maybe she just walked into the wrong restroom? I thought desperately.

Yeah, right. This was the male restroom. And we were literally in an all-boys academy.

I spun around to face her. She took two slow steps closer, her heels clicking menacingly against the tiles.

“Are you done thinking?” she asked, voice dripping with venom.

I blinked, caught off guard. Thinking about what?

My inner wolf immediately flared up. Why are you letting her intimidate you? Darius is ours!

Okay, not exactly “ours,” I mentally corrected, but still — snap out of it!

I straightened my spine and turned to face her fully, refusing to shrink back. I had just stood up to an arrogant alpha minutes ago. Professor Rivera was not about to make me fold.

“What do you mean, ma’am?” I asked, forcing a sweet, innocent smile. “I think you might be in the wrong restroom. This one’s for students.” I tilted my head. “Or do female professors get special access to the boys’ bathroom now?”

Rivera let out a low, humorless chuckle. “I can go wherever I want, Lucian.”

“I doubt that,” I shot back, nodding toward the locked door. “Then why lock it? You planning to do your business with an audience?”

Her eyes narrowed. “Stay away from Darius.”

There it was.

“If you think just because he’s giving you a little bit of attention, you can start acting cocky and arrogant — strutting around like you’re better than everyone — you’re sorely mistaken,” she continued, voice laced with spite. “You’re just a regular student, Lucian. His interest is fleeting. It always is. Don’t get ahead of yourself.”

I raised an eyebrow, my confidence rising with every word she spat.

“Professor Rivera,” I said calmly, “what if I told you I’m not pretending to be better than everyone… what if I actually am?”

She scoffed. “You’re delusional.”

“What exactly are you here for?” I asked, crossing my arms. “Why are you cornering me in the bathroom like this?”

“Stay. Away. From. Darius,” she warned, stepping even closer. “I’m your professor. There are over a hundred ways I can make your life at this academy a living hell. I can ruin your records, punish you, put you in constant trouble. Don’t test me.”

I met her gaze without flinching. “There’s nothing going on between Darius and me.”

Rivera groaned in frustration. “Then why do you keep calling him by his first name? Dropping all the honorifics like you two are equals?”

“Because I can,” I replied with a shrug. “And honestly? Cornering a student in the restroom over your delusional crush is way more unprofessional than me using his name.”

Her face twisted. “There’s nothing delusional about it. As his mate—”

I froze.

“What?”

She smirked, clearly enjoying the shock on my face. “Did I stutter? I said I’m his mate.”

A stunned laugh escaped me before I could stop it. “You’re Darius’s mate?”

“Yes, I am,” she affirmed, lifting her chin with smug satisfaction.