Chapter 3

The room pulsed with its usual energy as Bas locked eyes with me. His gaze met mine, the ambient light casting a haunting glow on the surroundings and intensifying the tension in the air. This was the first time I stood face-to-face with the infamous Bas. I had always fantasized about this day, envisioning it ending with a bullet in his heart. Yet, here I stood, rendered hopeless and submissive to his grip a reality I detested.

"Do you plan on pinning me like this?" I challenged, gritting my teeth. The atmosphere crackled with an electric charge, amplifying the discomfort of our proximity.

He held his ground, staring deep into my eyes. The undeniable resemblance to Darius became apparent in his tousled black hair, possibly disheveled from a restless night. His piercing gray eyes hinted at hidden depths and met mine. The way his body pressed against mine left no room for doubt about his perfectly sculpted figure. Despite the external admiration he effortlessly garnered, the complexities and conflicts beneath the handsome face couldn't deceive me.

After a minute that felt like an eternity, he finally released his grip, and my hands dropped to my sides.

"Next time, look for something stronger," he commented, his eyes flicking to the shattered snowball on the floor.

Suddenly it hit me. Yesterday at the woods. The mysterious savior was Bas.

"I could have handled it," I asserted, letting him know that I did not need his help. The room echoed with our conflicting energies.

"You'd be dead by now," he scoffed.

I stared him down, raising my chin high. "It's better than being here with you," I responded with a smirk. The subtle play of shadows on his face revealed the contours of his unreadable expression.

He looked me up and down as if I were a little child, then turned to walk away. Anger surged through me, wanting to challenge him to see a flicker of emotion, but there was nothing. Before leaving, he said, "Clean up and come downstairs." His departing figure blended into the shadows, leaving behind a lingering sense of uncertainty. Who did he think he was to command me like I'm one of his stupid minions?

Ignoring him, I picked up my bag and walked past him. He grabbed my hand. "Where do you think you're going?" Flinging my hand from his grip, I retorted, "Just because you marked me doesn't make me your puppet. Last I checked, I was going to be yours when I'm 21." The muted hues of the room witnessed the defiance in my stance.

"You're hurt," he observed, his eyes lingering on my left leg. The subtle glow outlined the pain etched on my features. "Don't try to be the savior that you're not," and with that, I walked out, feeling his eyes on my back.

Stepping out of Bas's penthouse, I swiftly slid into my car, the weight of the night's events pressing down on me. Pulling out my phone, I couldn't ignore the realization that I had spent the entire night away, and my parents would likely be frantic with worry. A sigh of relief escaped me when I noticed a text from my dad,

It's fine hunny have fun with Lola

As I scrolled through the message, another text caught my attention Bas had messaged my parents, assuring them that I was spending the night at Lola's house.

Well, at least he did something right. I thought but then I wondered How did Bas know about Lola? Was he spying on me? Shaking off the unsettling thoughts, I tried to push Bas out of my mind.

Knowing I couldn't head home just yet, lest it raise suspicions, I waited in the school parking lot. Soon, Ravi rushed to my car, concern etched across his face. "What the heck, Becks? I've been worried about you," he exclaimed.

"I can explain," I replied, noting the worry in his eyes. He cast a glance at my clothing from the previous night. "Why are you still wearing that?" he asked with furrowed brows. "Did you spend the night?"

"Can you let me explain?" I requested. He looked at me, anticipation in his eyes, and I began to recount the events from the forest, the encounter with werewolves, and the unexpected involvement of Bas. Ravi's eyes widened as he absorbed the details.

"Say something," I urged, hoping for some reaction or insight from him.

Rather than uttering a word, Ravi swiftly took my phone. "Here, just dial one whenever you're in trouble, and I'll come to save you," he said, showing me his contact saved as an emergency contact. I couldn't help but smile at his thoughtfulness. "Thanks, Ravi," I replied.

"Are you okay?" he asked, concern etching his features. "Any pain?" His hands gently roamed over my shoulder, searching for any sign of injury. "I'm fine, Ravi. Nothing serious," I reassured him. Just then, his phone rang, and Lola's name lit up the screen.

"How's Lola holding up?" I inquired, a mix of concern and guilt lingering in my voice. Ravi sighed his expression a blend of understanding and worry. "She's a bit peeved, but you know Lola; she'll bounce back," he responded, attempting to lighten the mood.

The memory of Lola's face haunted me—the frustration, confusion, and the hint of betrayal that flashed across her features. It cut deep, knowing she was unwittingly pulled into the chaotic mess that had become my life. A surge of protectiveness washed over me, a determination to shield her from the supernatural dangers lurking beneath the surface.

As if summoned by our conversation, Lola approached my car. When our eyes met, a mix of emotions flickered on her face, and without a word, she turned and walked away. Panic gripped me, and I hurriedly called after her, but my pleas fell on deaf ears. "Lola, wait!" I rushed out of the car, desperate to catch up.

"I'm not in the mood for this, Becca," she said dismissively, not bothering to slow down. "Can you just hear me out?" I pleaded, and to my relief, she stopped abruptly. Her brows furrowed a storm of anger in her eyes.

"Hear you out?" she snapped. "First, you leave Carter's party without letting me know. I called you over a hundred times, and you didn't pick up. Then, I got a call from your mom saying you were at my place. Where on earth were you?"

Lola's frustration echoed in the tense air, and Ravi attempted to diffuse the situation. "Lola, calm down," he urged, but her anger refused to be pacified. Her accusation hung in the air, "I can feel you're hiding something from me. Friends don't hide things from each other." Her eyes bore into mine, a plea for honesty.

The internal struggle was real. I wish it was that easy to let it all out, to make her understand why I had to keep this away from her. If I had the power I wouldn't have told ravi now everyday I pray that ravi is safe but the constant fear still lingers but with lola, I could keep her safe in the best way I could think of and that was leaving her in the dark. "I'm sorry," I admitted, defeat heavy in my voice. The disappointment etched on Lola's face as she walked away weighed on my conscience.

"You should go after her," I suggested to Ravi, who hesitated for a moment. "I'm fine, really," I reassured him with a forced smile. "I'll call you and make sure you answer," he insisted before rushing to catch up with Lola, leaving me standing there, watching my friends retreat.

Goosebumps, the sudden change of atmosphere, a stare so deep it felt like a whole was at my back. He was here. Turning back I saw him standing from afar with a subtle smile.

Darius...