Chapter 7 The Rebel's Touch
Chapter 7
Lira’s POV (Selene)
The Rebel’s Touch
“You’re gradually slipping, little wolf.”
That was the mocking voice I heard from the dueling ring before I even had the chance to see who's behind it. I spun around, and behold, there stood Riven, and in his usual charismatic and charming nature, he was leaning lazily against a nearby railing, with arms folded, and eyes glinting with mischief.
"You seem to been restraining yourself lately," he said, his auburn hair giving a seducer vibe. "And frankly speaking, that has been driving me insane."
I exhaled sharply, completely lost of words to address his madness. "You're clearly imagining things for sure."
"Am I really doing that?" He grinned, and the next minute, it widened, hinting me that he has got some new crazy ideas to share. "Because, from the way I watched you parry Cael earlier today..." His voice dropped into a whisper. "That clearly wasn't the technique of an ordinary Omega, trying to survive at the bottom of the food chain. That was pure art."
I clenched my jaw as I listened to him spit out alot from his mouth. "Maybe, since the day you arrived Vanguard, you've only witnessed mediocrity to the point you are so used to it."
"Or maybe," he said, leaving his position to circle me like a wolf stalking a prey. "You're far better than what you claim to be, playing pretend all along."
I hated it so much how my pulse jumped, but I had to maintain my cool. "What do you want this time, Riven?"
"Nothing much, but what I have always wanted." He replied, stopping abruptly in front of me, his breath fanning my cheeks. "Only the truth. And maybe for friendship sake..." He lifted his hand, briefly tracing invisible patterns on my jawline. "A little taste of whatever secret you are harboring with you."
I quickly slapped his hand away, my heart rate doubling the moment his hand came in contact with mine. "You don't know me to think I have secrets."
"Oh, I know more than enough." He replied with a wicked grin, umoved by my rejection. "You have the smell of trouble. And luckily, the kind I would gladly devote a lifetime chasing."
I opened my mouth to respond, to defend my pride, but a loud voice interrupted like a sharp blade.
“Enough of that.”
I froze at the new company joining us.
And for Riven, his smirk only grew wider the moment he got a glimpse of the owner of the voice. "Well, well. Here comes the topic of discussion."
Cael said nothing, but moved straight into the ring, his eyes burning like fire. I noticed his fists were clenched by the sides, his body frame rigid like a log of wood.
“Step far away from her,” Cael ordered. It wasn't a new thing that he walks around with cold voice, and ordering others around again.
Riven chuckled like it was something less serious. "Relax your nerves, crown prince. I was only here to say hello to the hardworking lady.
"I know what I saw, and that doesn't look like hello." Cael defended, returning his gaze back to Riven. "You will not attempt laying your hands on her again."
As he said that, the courtyard stilled. A few students who had noticed the commotion, and had started gathering by the corner, pretending not to be listening, but were fully committed to getting every whisper.
“You are already possessive?” Riven teased, returning back to leaning on a post nearby. "You should be careful, Cael. This might be mistakened as being caring, and your reputation at risk."
Cael moved a step closer, building more tension and hostility. "And what if I already do?"
My stomach churned on hearing that. He wasn't talking directly to me, but I took a greater part of the blow.
Riven let out a loud laugh, his eyes shining dangerously. "If you actually do...then, she's way too dangerous than I had imagined, for her to get your attention."
Seeing how intense their exchange was becoming, I quickly stepped in-between them, raising a hand to signal silence. "Stop this barter right now, both of you!"
Neither of them moved, their gazes were still locked over my shoulder, more like two ruthless predators struggling for same prey.
"The academy has been known for eating the weak," Riven started, still not moving. "You have been in this game, long enough to know the rules. But suddenly, when this little wolf surfaced, you changed overnight." Returning his gaze to me, he continued. "Little wolf, you are not weak as you claimed, or are you?"
I kept a straight face, making it difficult for him to read my thoughts, and still not giving him any answer.
“She’s nothing that should concern you." Cael snapped.
"And she's also not yours either." Riven fired back in rage. ""Unless...the circulating rumors happens to be true."
I stiffened on hearing that. “What rumors are you talking about?”
Riven smirked, which was between amusement and warning. "That you are deadly, and also hiding something deadly that can burn this place in seconds."
I opened my mouth to talk, but shut it back. By now, the whispers had increased greatly, the two of them exchanging deadly glares.
Then, like a command, Cael started. "If you value your position at this academy, Riven, you would shut up, the words you said here buried."
"If I do that, there would be no fun." Riven drawled rather mockingly. "Secrets only stays buried for a short time, until an inquisitive soul decides to dig deeper. And for me?" His smirk increasing. "I love digging more than life."
As Riven said that, it seemed to get Cael upset, making him take one more step closer that I feared they would end up dueling.
“Touch her just one more time, and I won't hesitate to bury you myself." He growled.
Students gasped on hearing that. Many of them wondering the relationship I have with Cael for him to defend me in such manner.
Riven only laughed like the threat doesn't hold any water. "Be very careful, Cael. If I'm not mistakened, this new you sounds very jealous."
The silence that followed was defeaning, the kind that even my wolf stirred restlessly inside me.
Both of them had crossed a bold line that can't be undone tonight. How do I survive here with the pressure coming from both of them.
The truth still remains, whether I wanted it or not, I have been caught in between them. And everyone was keenly watching for the moment that I will slip.
But what if Cael isn't by my side, but playing pretence just to get me to relax, and reveal my secrets to him? Am I going to last long here and fulfil my mission, or will my covers be blown?