Chapter 3 Your Secrets are Safe with Me!
Chapter 3
Riven’s POV
Your Secrets Are Safe with Me!
“Another wasted sunrise again,” I muttered, as I carelessly tossed a dagger at the exact table where Joren lounged with his boots up. His hand dodged the dagger by just an inch.
He didn’t flinch unlike what I expected. “Be careful, Riven. Someone might assume this is you compensating for boredom with boring theatrics.”
I grinned, but there was no warmth. “Well, at least, it's a better theatrics than babysitting recruits.”
“Speaking of new recruits,” Joren started, removing his jacket. "Did you get to hear the latest update about Cael? Words has been flying that he got himself paired with a new meat in drills, an omega. But unfortunately for him, he got scratched too."
I froze on hearing that. Then, slowly, I turned to face him. Cael actually sparred with an omega, a new one? And he did it willingly?
“That’s what the murmuring and the whispers has been all about. From what I heard, they said she's got bite." Joren smirked like the pervert that he is. "And good enough, her name is Lira. She's such a pretty little thing. But a word of it should not get to Cael, except you plan on having him gut me."
Lira. My interest doubled on hearing her name. I know for sure that Cael isn't the type to waste his Precious time, on a nobody. If he actually noticed her, to the point of pairing with her, then, there's definitely something special in there to be noticed.
I calmly leaned back in my chair, another dagger by my side. "An ordinary Omega that caught Cael's interest? That's completely new."
Joren shrugged like it was nothing serious. “You’re definitely not the only one bored out of your mind. Maybe, it's time you considered meeting her also, or what do you think? It would probably save you from sulking all day."
I didn’t respond to his bluffing, but I had already bought the idea that he sold to me.
If Lira could stand a chance to shake Cael in this manner, then she was more than “pretty little thing as many see her.” She was a raging storm... and storms, I always derive joy in playing with.
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Later that night, by the time the academy was fast asleep, everywhere was quiet. The only part that had shadow movement was not patrolled much, hence the movements. And for me? I wasn't going to lie down and waste such precious moment.
By the corridor, I perceived a faint scent, more like smoke, but it was sharp and sweet at same time. I tried to figure out if it was magic, but it ended up complicating my smell. It was so intriguing that I couldn't help but continue moving so as to find out what it was.
I quietly traced it, but made sure my doorsteps were soundless, and my dagger still in my hand for protection. Not to mention how restless my wolf was as I moved.
As I continued in my escapades, I saw her.
The Moonlight painted her figure silver, giving her a perfect illusion. She moved so graceful that I doubted she was an omega. Her strikes against an invisible opponent were too precise, that I almost didn't believe it was coming from her. From close observation, I noticed what she was practicing wasn't any of the academy drills. It was way dietier. And if I'm not mistaken, it's actually a rogue combat, the kind the even new comers are prohibited from engaging in.
And rogues, in Vanguard, weren't given any chance for trial before execution.
From where I was leaning against the wall, I whispered to her hearing. "I can remember that's not the regulation form."
I thought she might attack me, but she didn't.
“Who’s there?” She asked, her voice sharper than a meek omega appearance she carried in daylight.
“Relax.” I moved closer, deliberately showing my face through the help of the moon. "It's just me."
But even after seeing who it was, her stance still didn’t lower. “Riven.”
“You do know my name. I’m flattered.”
She scowled, but I can't scratch the fact that she was suspicious. “What do you want here?”
I chuckled at her defense mechanism. “I think, the question should rather be; what brought you here, little omega? Why are you training in the dark? And not only that, you are using techniques that both of us are certain the Council won't be happy seeing you practice."
Her eyes shone brightly, but she covered it too quickly. “It’s actually none of your concern.”
“On the contrary.” I replied, with my head raised high. “Everything that is going against the Academy, oozing of secrets is my concern.”
She stiffened, maybe shocked that I could read through her. That was exactly all the answer I needed from her.
I took few steps closer to her, then circled her in the same manner that Cael had done. "You did a great job at hiding your scent. And that only created curiosity in the minds of many."
"So tell me, Lira. Who exactly are you? I mean, the real you!"
I watch as her wrist formed into a fist. "I already told you all you needed to know. My name is Lira."
“Really?" I smirked. “The same pattern of lie you skillfully fed Cael.”
Her composure cracked for a while, the moment I mentioned Cael's name, before she regained herself. I laughed at the display.
“So everything is true. You’ve succeeded in getting him tangled already. That's very impressive.”
“I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about,” she hissed, insisting on her innocence.
“Of course, I know you don’t, and won't agree.” I replied in a mocking tone. But I knew that if she was able to keep Cael restless, then, she's definitely very dangerous or valuable. I could make good use of her.
I watched her shift her stance again, in readiness to lunge. My wolf noticed the change in the atmosphere, and stirred wildly.
“Take it easy. I didn't come here to rat you out.”
But the look in her eyes showed she was still suspicious. “Then, what brought you here?"
“To watch and have fun” I leaned against the wall, in the most laziest way, but the dagger was still in my hand for defense purposes. “And maybe… if you are sensible enough, make an offer.”
She furrowed her brows. “What kind of offer do you have to make?”
“The type that in ways you never imagined, keeps your little midnight sessions silent." I stayed calm, letting the words travel down like poison. "But in exchange, you would give me something valuable."
Her brows remained furrowed. “Could this pass for a blackmail?”
I grinned, at her smartness. “I prefer we go by the term; mutual benefit.”
She didn’t respond, she just kept quiet. But her silence already said alot. She definitely had real secrets, and if I play my cards well, I would found leverage on it. I just need to trap her in her own web, and she won't have options than to follow my lead.
I moved just few steps away from her only for me to see a strategy map slip from her sleeve. At first, I thought it's nothing, until the moment it formed a crest, which I'm sure belongs to a family, and it started glowing faintly. Before I could take a closer look, it vanished the way it came, and her face turned pale.
"Interesting, so the pretty little omega has more secrets than I thought. What is a family crest craftily hidden in a forbidden ink doing in this Academy? I must uncover all her secrets." I whispered to myself.
And the best part is? Unlike what Cael has been doing over the years, I wasn
’t planning to peel her mask off gently. I would rip it apart in anyway possible… piece by piece.