Chapter 8 He discovers my secret

The sky opened up and it started to drizzle. The professor and I were standing in the center of the arena still, his hand heavy on my shoulder and his eyes intense in their questioning. It felt so right to be near him. I didn’t have the heart to shove him away and leave. My body positively melted around this man.

“Did I do something wrong?” I ask and shake his shoulder off against all instinct to ask him to touch me more. I turn and square my shoulders, standing up straight. It was meant to be intimidating but my head barely reached his shoulders. I don’t understand why he would keep me behind. I didn’t perform the best today but it wasn’t poor enough to get punished for it.

“Nothing wrong.” He whispered, leaning in more. The air was electric between us as the rain fell softly. Any part of me that wanted to get to dry ground was overwhelmed by his presence. The draw to his was so strong that it cannot be helped. I moved closer without realizing and we were almost chest to chest.

“Then what is it?” I whispered back and we breathed in the same space for a moment. Lightning cracked and I jumped, his fingers ghost around my shoulders as he calmed me. His eyes, they saw all of me.

“I know your name isn’t Kara,” Atlas said softly and one of his hands moved, his thumb outlining my jaw. Eyes focused on my lips as he speaks. The movement, the situation, it’s all too familiar considering we met for the first time this morning. Remembering myself my eyes snapped down to my feet and I blushed.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have-” I started and he interrupted me.

“Your name is Aria,” he said more firmly and my eyes snapped back up to his. They are more playful than they were before as if this was all some big joke. My nose scrunched up as I processed the reality of it all.

“I’m sorry, Professor.” I said and then felt bolder. How dare he kiss a student?

If he kissed me, who else was he going around kissing? A girl you just met comes up to you and locks lips with you and you go along with it?

“I gave you a fake name because I thought you were some sort of playboy. What kind of professor goes around kissing students?” I asked and it was the first time I had seen him anywhere near embarrassed.

Before he could respond I started walking towards the exit to the arena. The rain was starting to fall more heavily now. Reaching up, I released my hair from the bun it was in and let it tumble down.

Before I could open the door and leave, I was forcefully turned in the other direction. There was a portion of the arena, which was set up for fights and sports, that was out of the rain. It falls harder as I am trapped between the door and my professor. My body tensed up and I’m filled with that deep need to close the gap between us. I would need to find some way to resist this man. I had a mate to find and a GPA to keep up with. Distantly I wondered if I was late for my next class.

We were so close to each other and without the rain to cool me down it seemed inevitable that we would kiss again. I looked at my combat boots again and let out a frustrated breath. He grabbed my chin and tilted it up so we had to look into each other’s eyes. I still fight against it. This man was not my mate, what was I doing?

Looking to the side, I tried to shake off his grasp but he persisted. His voice was deep and effective when he finally asks --

“Why did you kiss me?”

I was speechless. How dare he ask that?

The bigger problem was, I didn’t know how to answer that question. This pull I felt, something I could not put into words. Something I may never be able to put into words. There were so many reasons we couldn’t be together. He’s my professor, I don’t have a wolf yet, I hadn’t found my true mate -- it didn’t make any sense. But despite it all I felt myself leaning in more. Desperate to have his lips against mine again. His hands started moving and it snapped me out of my thoughts.

“Yes. I kissed you but I’m not interested in you. You’re my professor,” I explained and hoped it didn't sound like a lie. It was the truth, partly. I shouldn’t be interested, so I wasn’t interested. That is how it had been my whole life. Putting the expectations of others before what I wanted. Why should I change that now?

The last part is quiet. I can’t believe that he is my professor. And battle class of all classes. I can’t believe I kissed him. More than that, I can’t believe I wanted to kiss him again. It had only been one day at the Academy for the Supernatural and the problems were already mounting.

I can’t believe I wanted to kiss him again. The lack of space between us was making it even harder to not close the distance. The way he smelled was overwhelming. The cashmere and rain scent. I wouldn’t be able to be in a rainstorm again without thinking of Atlas. The thought haunted me. My gaze snapped to his lips of their own will and I bit my lip slightly.

“If you try to kiss me, I will kick your ass.” I tried to threaten but it didn’t sound as forceful as I hoped.

The professor chuckled at me, his gaze focused. He was looking at me like I was cute. My face got warm and I looked again. Shaking my head, I went to move out of his space. He allowed me to do so and even went as far as opening the door for me. Before I could walk out he spoke again.

“I know why you were avoiding Rebecca.” Atlas said coolly, so confidently that I stopped short. I’m shocked and then appalled by his getting so involved in my life. I didn’t need anyone looking out for me. I leave the arena, walking as fast as I can without running in an attempt to get to the campus. I heard footsteps behind me and began running. The pace picked up as the two of us played this game.

We were almost to the main campus when he put a hand on my shoulder. The rain was falling hard now and we were both soaked. I felt like crying but kept my composure.

“Come to my office with me, please,” he said and I huffed. I just wanted to go back to my dorm and change. My next class had to be soon. The Academy was more of a change than I was expecting. I tried to sound offended when I refused.

“If this is about the kiss then-” I started to speak and when he put his hand up, I stopped.

His Alpha energy was so commanding, I couldn’t help it. Even as the heir to a very powerful Alpha myself I had to obey. I wondered if this was how Arthur felt. His hand moved to grab my hand as he started pulling me toward the campus. Any of the other students that would be out must have left to avoid the storm, we were the only people around.

“No, no,” Atlas started and continued guiding me towards what I presumed was his office. I followed, enjoying the feel of his hand in mine.

“What is it then?” I asked and he groaned.

“It’s not that, really. It’s about your wolf.” Atlas explained decisively. My blood ran cold.

 “There’s a problem with it,” he continued.

I gasped and tried to respond but couldn't think of anything to say. The rain continued to pour as we finally made our way into the main building. We weaved through the hallways and eventually he let go of my hands when other students filled the halls. I’m curious enough that I continue to follow.

“What do you mean? I don’t think it has anything to do with my wolf,” I pretended to be calm but I was nervous inside.

How did he know that?