~Yulia
As I made my way through the towering bookshelves of the library, a simmering anger still clouded my mind, lingering from my encounter with Pete.
His behaviour had been embarrassing, especially since it was my first official day at Canis Academy. The last thing I wanted was to draw attention, and yet, there I’d been-a spectacle for everyone to see. I tried to push the memory aside as I scanned the shelves, searching for the textbooks I needed for my classes.
Each book I pulled down seemed larger and heavier than the last. After piling up a stack of nearly five, I decided I’d only carry two and return later for the rest. As I stuffed the books into my backpack, my phone buzzed. Glancing down, I saw a notification with my course timetable, and a sudden wave of panic hit me.
My first class was about to start, and I was cutting it close.
“Great, just what I needed,” I muttered under my breath, tightening my grip on my bag and rushing out of the library.
I navigated the winding corridors as fast as I could, my pulse racing as I tried to avoid colliding with other students. Finally, I reached the door to the self-defense techniques class just as the bell chimed.
I slipped inside and found an empty seat toward the back, taking a quiet, relieved breath as Detective Khan stepped to the front of the room. He was tall and imposing, his gaze sweeping over the room with a kind of quiet authority. He flashed a wry smile, beginning his introduction.
“Welcome, everyone,” he said, his voice smooth and steady. “I’m Detective Jamal Khan. By day, I teach you all how to defend yourselves. By night, I deal with the kinds of cases that make that knowledge necessary- cases involving our kind; werewolves, witches, and all those creatures lurking in the shadows.”
A hand shot up from the middle row-a young man with an eager expression. “Have you… taken any lives, Detective?” he asked, his tone part-curious, part-nervous.
Detective Khan raised an eyebrow, giving a small, amused smile. “Let’s just say… that information is classified.” The class chuckled, and he continued, “You’re here to learn the skills that will protect you beyond the walls of this academy. So pay attention, and remember that what I teach isn’t just theoretical. It might save your life one day.”
I was fully engrossed, feeling the gravity of his words sink in, when a voice whispered behind me, cutting through the silence.
“Looks like someone’s already stirring up drama on her first day.” I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.
Leia Craven.
I took a deep breath, willing myself to stay calm, and finally turned to see her smirking at me. Her dark eyes sparkled with something close to glee, as though she’d been waiting for this opportunity.
I rolled my eyes, keeping my voice low. “I don’t remember inviting you to talk to me.”
Leia’s smirk widened. “Oh, please. Issa’s not going to be happy when he finds out your ex-boyfriend still has a thing for you.”
I clenched my jaw, trying to focus on the class, but her words sliced through any attempt at calm. I leaned closer, whispering through gritted teeth, “Leia, maybe we could just… pretend to be strangers. It’d be much easier on both of us.”
She chuckled softly, clearly entertained. “Where’s the fun in that?”
“I’m not interested in being anyone’s amusement,” I muttered, wishing I could ignore her and focus on Detective Khan’s lesson.
Leia tilted her head, raising her phone with a sly grin. “Too late for that.” She tapped her screen a few times, and a faint vibration buzzed from my own phone in response. My heart dropped as I glanced at it, seeing her message.
A video of me and Pete. The confrontation.
Leia leaned in closer, her voice dripping with mock sympathy. “Oops, did I just send that to Issa? My bad.”
I felt a surge of anger rising within me, mixing with the frustration that had been building all day. Every nerve in me was on edge, and all I wanted was to grab her phone and erase that video. But there was no going back now.
“What are you playing at, Leia?” I whispered, trying to keep my voice steady, though my fists were clenched tightly under the table.
She shrugged, feigning innocence. “Nothing personal. Just thought he’d appreciate seeing his new mate in action. Besides, if you have nothing to hide, why should you be worried?”
I gritted my teeth, every word laced with barely-contained fury. “I don’t have to prove anything to you, Leia. And if you think Issa will care about something as petty as this, then maybe you don’t know him as well as you think.”
Leia’s smirk faltered just slightly, a flicker of irritation in her eyes. She was about to respond when Detective Khan’s voice called out.
“Is there a problem, ladies?” His sharp gaze had zeroed in on us, and the rest of the class had turned to look, curious about the interruption.
Leia’s expression shifted instantly, masking any sign of malice as she turned to him with a sweet, innocent smile. “Not at all, Detective. Just welcoming Yulia to the Academy.”
He narrowed his eyes, clearly not convinced. “Good. Then perhaps we can focus on the lesson.”
I took a steadying breath, forcing myself to drop the tension from my shoulders as the class’s attention returned to the front. But Leia’s words echoed in my mind, the warning about Issa now prickling under my skin. He hadn’t reached out since dropping me off at the campus.
Would he even believe me if I tried to explain? And yet, somewhere deep inside, I felt Yara stir, her quiet, steady presence urging me to stay strong.
As soon as class was dismissed, I bolted from the room, Leia’s laughter trailing after me like an unwelcome shadow. I wanted to put as much distance between us as possible, but I knew I couldn’t run from this forever. I’d have to face Issa and whatever fallout awaited me.
I stepped outside, the cool air filling my lungs as I tried to clear my head. But my phone buzzed in my pocket, and dread settled over me as I pulled it out, seeing Issa’s name flashing across the screen. The sight of it alone sent my heart racing.
With a deep breath, I answered. “Issa…”
There was a pause, heavy and charged, before his voice finally broke the silence. “Yulia, why didn’t you tell me about… him?”
I swallowed, steadying myself, knowing that whatever I said next would determine everything.