~YULIA.
I’d barely caught my breath from that test before Davina was in front of me, her gaze sharp and unrelenting.
She looked me up and down, her expression unreadable as she tapped a manicured finger against her lips.
“Well?” I dared to ask, my voice tense. “Did I pass?”
She raised one brow, a cool smirk playing on her lips. “It’s still under consideration, Yulia,” she replied, her voice as detached as ever. “But that isn’t your concern right now. You’d do well to focus on learning as much as you can. Now, off to class with you.”
Her dismissal stung, and I couldn’t help the scoff that escaped me. “Right. Thanks for the encouragement,” I muttered, but Davina had already turned away, ignoring me completely. She acted like she was untouchable like nothing I said or did mattered to her.
It was infuriating.
I stormed out of her office, forcing myself to breathe in and out, steadying the wild energy that still hummed through my veins. I didn’t know what that test had done to me, but the magic- or whatever it was- had stirred something inside me that still hadn’t settled.
The sensation lingered, electrifying and unsettling, like a distant storm waiting to break.
“Whatever,” I muttered to myself as I stepped out into the main hall.
I had other things to worry about, like figuring out what classes I was supposed to take and finding the textbooks. I remembered the sheet of paper from yesterday, folded in my bag, and decided I’d head to the library to see if I could track down some of the books listed there.
The campus was bustling, with students milling around or rushing to their next classes, and I kept my head down as I wound my way through them. But as I reached the library’s entrance, I felt someone blocking my path. I looked up-and froze.
“Pete?” I said, my voice a mix of shock and irritation.
For the second time in two days, I’d run into my ex, and the way he looked at me made my skin crawl.
“You’ve been avoiding me, Yulia,” he accused, his voice laced with frustration. “Ignoring my texts, ghosting me for weeks, and now… now I hear you’re with a Lycan?” His words dripped with bitterness, and his eyes narrowed as he studied my face.
I let out a shaky sigh, trying to keep my voice steady. “Pete, I lost my mother,” I snapped, feeling a wave of anger bubble up. “I’m grieving, alright? I don’t have the energy or the mental space to deal with your heartbreak on top of everything else.”
He stared at me, his expression shifting from anger to a kind of stunned guilt. “I… I didn’t know. I’m sorry, Yulia,” he mumbled, dropping his gaze. “I shouldn’t have… I had no idea.”
“Exactly,” I replied, crossing my arms over my chest. “You didn’t ask. You just assumed, jumped to conclusions, and turned this all into some petty drama. I need space, Pete. Do you understand that?”
He hesitated, glancing at me with uncertainty. “Does that space include… Issa?”
I let out a harsh scoff, shaking my head. “You know, I’m actually glad I ghosted you,” I replied coldly. “Insecure men aren’t my type.” With that, I turned on my heel and walked away, not sparing him another glance.
Pete’s fingers dug into my arm, his grip firm as he leaned closer, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper. “You don’t get to use your grief as an excuse to treat me like I’m nothing, Yulia.”
“Let go of me, Pete,” I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady despite the heat creeping up my face.
I could already feel eyes on us, curious students slowing down to watch the unfolding drama. My pulse quickened, anxiety buzzing in my chest. The last thing I wanted was an audience.
“Not until you give me some answers,” he hissed. “You ghosted me without a word, then you show up here with that… that Lycan, and expect me to just accept it?”
I clenched my jaw, yanking at my arm, but his grip only tightened. “Pete, I’m serious. Let go.”
“Is there a problem here?” A calm, steady voice sliced through the tension, and I turned to see Detective Khan standing just a few feet away, his gaze locked on Pete.
Pete shot him an annoyed look. “Mind your business,” he snapped, barely glancing at the detective.
Detective Khan smiled-a small, knowing smirk that carried more weight than words. “I’m afraid this is my business, Pete. You see, I happen to know quite a bit about you. In fact, I know your father very well. He mentioned a certain incident in school… how your family had to pull a few strings to keep you from being expelled.” He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. “So when I ask you to let go of Miss Yulia, I suggest you listen. Because I’m not just asking as a concerned bystander. I’m a lecturer here at Canis Academy, and if I have to repeat myself, you’ll cease to be a student here.”
The color drained from Pete’s face, his fingers loosening as the reality of Detective Khan’s words sank in. He looked from me to the detective, eyes wide with alarm, as if realizing just how much trouble he’d stepped into. Slowly, he let go of my arm, his hand dropping to his side.
“Fine,” he muttered, barely meeting my eyes as he took a step back. “I… I didn’t mean to cause a scene.”
He turned on his heel and quickly walked away, his shoulders hunched, his face red with embarrassment. I watched him go, feeling a mix of relief and residual anger simmering inside me.
“Thank you,” I murmured, turning to Detective Khan.
He offered me a reassuring nod. “You’re welcome, Miss Yulia. Just make sure you don’t let people like that rattle you.” His gaze softened slightly. “If you need anything, you know where to find me.”
I nodded, watching him disappear into the crowd of students. As I turned back toward the library, I felt a new resolve settle within me. I wasn’t going to let anyone control my life, least of all people like Pete.