Chapter 2

"Do you want to drink more?" The man asked, his voice deep and smooth.

My response was quick. "Yes. In...in another glass if you don't mind." I noticed the corner of his mouth raised, but it disappeared just as quickly.

He towered over me as he stood up and walked to the refrigerator. His commanding presence made me feel small, intimidated even, but I tried to keep my composure. I didn't know him and he didn't know me.

Riri's teasing tone interrupted my thoughts. "Stop staring and start eating, An."

I replied, "I'm eating," as I stuffed a piece of fruit into my mouth. "You can tell me what you want to tell me while I'm eating, Ri. That way, we can save time."

In my peripheral view, I saw him take his seat before placing the glass of OJ near my plate. Despite his obvious presence, I ignored him and focused on Riri.

"As you know, school is over, and you want to find a job." She started. I hummed in response, still eating. "Remember the Creekpine town?"

"Your hometown that you never let me visit because of some weird traditions? Sure, yes. Why?"

"You're here now." Riri's voice was barely above a whisper.

I looked at her like she had grown a third eye, two heads, and some weird body extensions.

I was the one so eager to visit her hometown, but she was adamant I shouldn't. There was one time she got overly irritated at my insistence to visit and meet her family. I thought it was something personal and I never bothered her anymore about it. I didn't want her to be upset anymore.

But then, out of the blue, she would tell me I AM HERE?!

"You're kidding, aren't you?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at her. She slightly shook her head. "Why?"

Thinking I had enough, I wiped my mouth with the napkin and turned my body to her, fully concentrating on what she would have to say next.

"So, do you want to tell me what's going on?" I asked her again.

She let out a sigh. "The town needs a teacher, so I thought you would want to work here. You and I."

I chuckled at that. "Don't you think it's my decision to make?" I raised a playful brow, but looking at her face, she didn't smile.

"I will work here, An. I love it here. This is my home and I have been far away from home for so long already. The town needs me."

"You're talking as if you bear the town's responsibility on your shoulders, Ri. And no, I don't think I can work here. I don't know this place. And my parents. I haven't even told them about my whereabouts."

"You haven't seen the place, An. It's beautiful here, and your parents will support your decision."

I shook my head lightly, "I don't know how to say this, but it feels like you're trying to make me do what you want me to do, Ri. This is so unlike you. Back then, you never wanted me to be here as if talking about your hometown was taboo. So what changed?"

Riri avoided my gaze and threw a glance at the man, who was staring at me with a serious expression. I felt uncomfortable under his scrutiny.

Is this man threatening her?

But a man as good-looking as this man won't be a threat to anyone's security but...to the heart, maybe. I sensed something more though, but I couldn't quite put a finger on it.

And talking about the man—he looked serious. His brow was furrowed and he had his hands clasped together as he stared at me with expressions I couldn't read but left me uncomfortable in my seat. I wished he would quit staring at me!

"I'm sorry An," Riri whispered, drawing my attention back to her. "It was my fault I made you think that way. At that time, the situation here was so bad. It was not the right time. I'm sorry that you're feeling that way. When you stopped asking about it, I thought you were not interested anymore."

"I was always interested, Ri. I stopped because I respect your privacy. I won't force you if you don't want to. And how did you bring me here without me knowing it?" my suspicion was growing. "Who is he? I demand an answer because he won't stop staring at me and it's so uncomfortable!" There I finally said it, meeting the man's eyes. "I am not panicking right now because I have you and I know you, Ri," I added firmly without breaking eye contact with him. My heart skipped as I swallowed deeply.

The man's jaw was tense, our eyes never cut the connection. Now that I could finally stare into his eyes, I realized their beautiful color was a mixture of green with gold specks. It was his lashes that were so dark you would think he had black eyes. They were as black as his hair. How can he be so attractive?

"You can call me Kallum." He said, straightening his back. "Riabhel is part of the pack." His eyes never left mine. Mesmerizing and a mixture of green and gold with dark lashes, they were framed perfectly.

"She's part of the community, of this town, is that what you mean?" Confused, I looked at Riri. Worries etched on her face.

I could sense the tension in the air as Riri spoke. Kallum, on the other hand, seemed unfazed by her apprehension. "We've been planning this for weeks, Riri. We can't just delay it any longer," he replied firmly. 

Riri bit her lip, still looking hesitant. "I understand, but I just don't feel ready yet. Can't we postpone it for a few more days?" she pleaded and stood up, placing one hand on her hip and the other over her mouth, displaying a look of unease. This was a typical gesture for Riri when she was nervous. And it confused me even more.  "Does it have to be today?" she asked, casting a worried glance in my direction. "I'm sorry, but I think this is too sudden. Can't we wait a bit longer?"

"The longer we keep the truth from her, the harder it will convince her to believe it. I'm making things easy for you." He told her. The underlying authority was blatant in his voice.

"No. I'm making things easy for you!" she snapped.

Simultaneously, I gasped at the growl while Riri flinched in response to the sound.

I looked at the man. He made that sound.

No. People couldn't make that growl similar to an angered beast. But it was so clear it rumbled through his chest.

"You're lucky I'm letting it slide this time, but don't give me the same attitude again. I won't be so forgiving next time," he growled in a low, almost inhuman voice.

He wasn't looking directly at me, and for that, I was grateful to the heavens.

Though a single vein on his forehead seemed almost ready to burst, his demeanor remained remarkably calm.

Riri had a tense posture, with her head slightly inclined downwards as she apologized, "I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

Without another word, he left us, causing Riri to audibly swallow and take a heavy sigh of relief.

"I survived that," she said.