A Devil’s Offer

"We're so late!" I squeal, as I run after Blaze towards the ceremony.

Eyes, everyone's eyes are on us as we stride down the narrow path.

The ceremony doesn't stop, and the headmaster continues to speak, but no one is listening to him. Everyone is looking at us and I could only imagine what people were thinking.

Why am I showing up with Blaze?

I would wonder it too. I would also want to know how someone like me could be arriving with him.

He's gorgeous, strong and the future Alpha, and I'm just the drug addict's daughter, the nerd.

I quietly sit down at my assigned seat in the front, only to be called onto the stage for my speech. The speech I didn't write, the one I thought I could write last night, but no...

Life had other plans for me, some destroyed me and some made me feel alive and I hate that the good ones were with him.

My legs shake as I still behind the microphone, my shaky hand wrapping around the pole keeping it in place.

I lock eyes on an angry Monty, his jaw sharp as he glares daggers at me.

I hate myself for looking at him, but it's what I have been practicing all this time. I practiced looking at him when I was nervous, but he, like the rest, obviously saw me entering with Blaze, but screw him.

All of the anger pulsing through me makes me forget about the nerves when I start talking.

"Today isn't an end, but a new beginning – a platform for our dreams to soar. I'm immensely proud of each one of you and grateful for the bond we've shared. Here's to a future brimming with endless possibilities. Thank you all.

My gaze flicks to Nicky, her teary eyes does nothing to me.

"Go and achieve big things!" I end my speech, which unexpectedly gets a round of applause, but as I find Monty between the clapping hands, he's furious.

After the ceremony, every single student leaves to meet up with their families, and I stand under a tree, watching as they hug and laugh, how they love and congratulate, but I stand alone.

Well that was until Monty spotted me and comes striding over with a twisted up face.

"I called you like a thousand times last night and then you show up with Blaze? You were with him all night? Did he fu*k you?" he seethes, keeping his voice low as he tries not to make a big scene.

I blandly stare at him, disgust makes bile rise in my throat and I'm stuck staring at his face, feeling more nauseous by the second.

Is that the only thing on his mind?

I roll my eyes and walk away. I have no fight left in me to argue with Monty, and even if I did, he didn't deserve a damn thing from me.

Monty grabs my arm, pulling me back and I snap on him.

"Leave me alone, cheater!" I yell while shoving him back so hard that he falls on his ass.

It takes me a second to realize all eyes are on us.

Blaze comes jogging over, trying to pick up Monty on the ground "Monty, watch your mouth!"

His words angered Monty even more, "You said you didn't know where she was!

But you actually fu*ked her!"

I really didn't want to hear his poorly constructed slur, or anyone else's unfounded speculation, and turned to leave.

I stroll through the pack, not sure where to go when loud footsteps jog up beside me, slowing down and a shadow falls over me.

"Aerilyn." Blaze's stern voice boils my blood, but I stay silent as he strolls with me.

"Where are you going?" he asks as he grabs my arm.

I cross my arms. "I'm going to get my luggage."

"Where? That place that wants to kill you, your home?" he snorts, chuckling lowly.

His words leave me speechless. The decisiveness with which I cut ties with them that day contrasts sharply with the need to return now to pack my belongings. It's indeed not safe. But I have no choice; I have to go early to the human city to prepare and hopefully secure a student loan. I'm so broke right now; I can't even afford a towel...

There's really no better option for the moment. I purse my lips and lower my head.

Perhaps he's already counted on me being in a dilemma. He pats my shoulder and says, "I'll take you back."

I can only nod, and we get back into his car together. We're in the pack now, and there's no need to drive. I know he must have some boring small talk in mind.

Sure enough, as soon as he starts the car, he asks me, "Where are you going after packing your luggage?"

I murmur quietly, "I have places to get to."

I don't want to tell him where I'm planning to go, let alone my life plans. My first priority is to draw a clear boundary with this hellish place, which of course includes him, this devil!

"Where? You don't have any money." his taunting tone makes me roll my eyes.

"I have my last paycheck. I have an apartment for six months and I'll find a fu*king job." I grit out.

He snorts, "And just what? Work as a human?"

I nod. "Yes, I will if I have to."

He didn't expect me to be so resolute. He hadn't even prepared his mocking words yet, but I noticed his hands gripping the steering wheel tighter, even whitening his knuckles.

Is he really that upset? I just won a verbal exchange with him, and he's acting like he wants to crush the steering wheel.

Seeing him angry, and recalling his argument with Monty earlier, a twinge of guilt washes over me. "Well, sorry for causing a fight between you and your friend."

"Don't worry about him; he's gone mad," he says nonchalantly.

I nod in agreement with his assessment.

Unexpectedly, he adds, "I would never fu*k with you. There are plenty of beautiful women out there."

My nodding stops instantly, and I grit my teeth, turning to glare at him. "Right. Anyway, I'll be leaving soon, so you won't have to worry about those rumors anymore."

"Sure," he finally murmurs.

There's something in his tone that feels different, not triumphant but rather a negative emotion I've never felt from him before.

But there's no time to figure out his thoughts; I'm about to be free!

Stepping through the threshold of the house, it's cold and I know they're here.

"Aerilyn, is that you?" My mother's voice travels through our house.

I glance back at Blaze, and as ridiculous as it is, I feel comforted that he's here.

"Yeah," I yell back.

"You are in so much trouble," my father yells.

His furious, loud voice makes me freeze and Blaze walks into me. I look over my shoulder at him, and he nods his head, silently telling me to just keep walking.

My father yells as I head for the stairs, "Where are you going?"

I turn, facing him and his narrowed eyes are locked on me.

"You won't be leaving this house..."

Blaze asks, "Why not?" which shuts my dad up.

"Oh, Blaze...What are you doing here?" his rage is now gone and his cheerful facade falls into place.

"It has nothing to do with you," Blaze shrugs, acting cold towards my father.

Blaze's steel orbs lock on me, "Hurry up," he demands, and I choose to listen to him.

I come back downstairs with my bags and the tension is thick, making it almost impossible to breathe as Blaze and my father stare each other down.

"I'm done," I murmur, and Blaze strides over, grabbing two bags of the four that I've managed to carry and we leave.

My parents didn't try to stop me. They didn't ask where I was going, and they didn't care. Just as I had said before, we were completely indifferent to each other from then on.

After stepping out the door, I reached out to take my luggage from Blaze, but he avoided me. Ignoring my questioning gaze, he placed my belongings in the trunk and then grabbed my hand, shoving me into the passenger seat.

He quickly slid into the driver's seat, tossing his phone to me, and coldly instructed, "Put in the location of your apartment."

I stared down at the maps app, feeling a lump in my throat. Was he going to drive me there?

But I didn't want him to know where I'd be staying.

"No, I can go by myself," I demanded, but I was met with silence, and he started the car without giving me the chance to refuse.

"Blaze, stop the car!" I demanded, wondering if he even heard me.

I had already planned it out. I would go through the border to the human city, where I could take public transportation. I had plenty of ways.

"No," he deadpanned. "If you don't input it, you're not going today."