Chapter 17: Caught on Camera

VANESSA’S POV

The phone light was blinding. Melissa was holding it right in my face, and for a second, I thought I was dead. My heart was jumping and my skin was so hot I thought I’d start smoking. I was ready to shift. I was ready to lose everything and just go wild.

Then, it just stopped.

The fire in my blood went cold. The growling in my chest died down. It was like my wolf realized I was about to get caught and just decided to behave. I took a slow breath. The heavy feeling in my head cleared up. I looked at my hands. The shaking was gone. My eyes felt like my own again.

I couldn't believe it. This was a miracle. I didn't think I could stop the shift once it started, but somehow, I was okay.

I looked at Melissa. I was covered in sweat and my hair was a mess, but I wasn't a monster anymore. I was just a girl standing there, looking at the most annoying person in this school.

"I knew it." Melissa was staring at her phone with a nasty look. "I knew there was something wrong with you, Vanessa. Look at you. You look like a total junkie."

I didn’t even say anything. I just watched her. Honestly, of all the things I had to deal with tonight, the specialists, the fire, the fear, it was this girl that had to show up.

“What are you hiding?” She stepped closer. The light was right in my eyes. “Why are you out here looking like you just crawled out of a hole? Are you on something? Answer me.”

I stood up straight. The fear was gone. Now, I was just irritated.

“I could ask you the same thing, Melissa.” My voice was calm. Maybe even too calm for how I felt.

"What?"

"Look at us." I pointed at her. "Curfew started twenty minutes ago. We’re both out here. And wait, where’s your neck brace? You know, the one you’ve been using to tell everyone I broke your neck?"

Melissa’s hand shook a little. She froze. She wasn't wearing the brace. Her neck was moving perfectly fine as she looked around.

"That doesn't matter," she snapped. "I can say I took it off to sleep. But you? You’re out here acting like a freak. I have you on video. You’re done. One click and—"

"And what? The Dean gets it?" I almost laughed in her face. "Go on. Show it. We both get in trouble then. Are you really that dumb?"

Melissa’s eyes narrowed. She looked like she wanted to spit. “I’m not stupid. I’ll just post it anonymously. No one will know it’s me. But everyone will see the scholarship girl looking like she’s on drugs in the woods.”

She stopped and her face changed. The smug look went away, and this petty, jealous look took over.

"Anyway, why was Chloe Miller talking to you today? What did she say to you?"

I blinked. "Wait. You’re stalking me in the dark because you're worried about Chloe Miller? Are you for real right now?"

"Answer me!"

"She was just saying thanks, Melissa. It’s not that deep. Maybe if you weren't so busy faking injuries and being a brat, people would actually like talking to you too."

Melissa’s face went red. "Shut up! You don't belong here. People like Chloe only talk to people like us. Not trash like you. Stay away from her, or—"

I’d had enough. I was tired, my body ached, and I just wanted to sleep. The Ghost in me was gone. I was just done.

"Drop the phone, Melissa."

"Make me." She smirked and waved the phone in my face.

I moved before she could blink. I was right in her space. I didn't touch her, but I made sure she felt how much I was done with her.

“I’m not playing with you. Drop the phone or I’ll take it and smash it.”

"You wouldn't dare." Her voice was tiny now. She was actually shaking.

"Try me. I have nothing to lose, remember? I'm just trash. But you? You have a name. You have a fake injury. You have everything to lose."

I looked her dead in the eye. I saw her realize that I wasn't the quiet nerd she thought I was.

"Actually, I won't even break it. I’ll just grab your arm and drag you to the main building right now. Let’s go show everyone together. I’m sure they’d love to see how well your neck is moving."

I reached out like I was going to grab her. Melissa flinched and scrambled back, nearly tripping over something on the ground.

"You can't do that!"

"Watch me." I stepped toward her again.

"What's going on here?"

A voice cut through the dark. We both froze.

Adrian Thorne stepped out from behind a tree. He looked at Melissa, then he looked at me. He was wearing a dark hoodie. He looked way too relaxed for someone breaking his own father’s rules.

I couldn’t help it. I laughed. A real, loud one.

"Oh, this is gold." I shook my head. "The whole gang is out tonight. What’s the matter, Adrian? Did you forget the curfew too?"

Adrian didn’t look mad. He looked like he was watching something funny. He walked closer, his eyes going from Melissa’s phone to my sweaty face.

"Adrian!" Melissa cried, running to his side. She looked like she was about to start crying. "Vanessa attacked me! She’s out here sneaking around and she tried to steal my phone because I caught her!"

Adrian looked at her, then at me. He looked at her neck, the one with no brace. He didn't say a word, but I could tell he wasn't buying any of it.

"She looks fine to me, Melissa." His voice was dry. Then he looked at me. "But you look like you’ve been through a lot, Vance."

I let out a long breath and started walking past them. I was finished with both of them.

"Whatever." I looked back at Melissa over my shoulder. She was standing there looking like a fool. "Next time you point a phone at me, Melissa, make sure your own hands are clean. It’s hard to play the victim when everyone can see you're a liar."

I looked at Adrian for a second. He was watching me with that intense look.

"And you. You should worry less about me and more about why your dad’s men are acting like they’re in a war. It’s creepy."

I didn't wait for them to say anything else. I walked back toward the dorms, leaving them standing in the dark woods. My fever was gone. My legs were still shaky, but I kept moving anyway. I just wanted my bed. I just wanted this night to end.

Behind me, I heard Melissa’s voice rise again, angry and fast, but I didn’t turn back.

I was done with her.

Done with all of it.