Rick's POV
I walked silently behind the Vice Principal as she led me down the long corridor to my next class. My footsteps made no sound against the tiles—an instinctive trait of what I was. Vampires were hunters by nature, and silence clung to me like a second skin. Still, the quiet only deepened my unease. Guilt gnawed at me for leaving Hayley alone. She was never comfortable around crowds, and I prayed she would hold her temper. One spark of anger, one slip of control, and our secret would scatter into the open.
"Here we are," the Vice Principal said, breaking into my thoughts as she stopped at a classroom door.
From inside, sharp voice cut through the noise. The teacher I assume. "Just because you're seniors now doesn't mean you shouldn't pay attention to my class."
So, my classmates were rebellious. Great. That instantly reminded me of Hayley, and for a second I almost smiled. As much as she drove me insane with her constant defiance of Mum, I already missed her. Someone had to be the responsible one, though not only because I was next in line to being Maestro, but because I couldn't let Mum believe we both hated her.
Then it hit me.
The pull.
It slammed into me with the force of a storm, knocking the air from my lungs. My soulmate was in this room. Every word the clan elders had ever spoken about the bond rushed back to me. It was irresistible, magnetic, and it dragged me forward like chains tightening around my chest. My fangs ached, threatening to pierce my gums, as if my body already knew.
But dread slithered into my veins. What if they weren't human? This school was filled with more than just mortals. It could be a witch. Another vampire. Or worse, a werewolf.
The Clan had forbidden bonds with wolves. If fate had chosen one for me… they would tear us apart before we even began.
Inside, the Vice Principal was already scolding the class. "If you came here to be disrespectful, you can take your things and get out," she snapped.
Silence. No one dared move.
"Well then. Since no one's leaving, I'll introduce you to your new classmate ." She gestured to me. "This is Rick Davidson. Make him feel welcome."
Every pair of eyes in the room turned toward me. I hated the attention, but there was no escaping it.
I stepped forward, and that was when I felt it—eyes locking on mine with startling intensity. My gaze found him.
Blue eyes. Bright, unshakable, alive.
For one suspended heartbeat, the world stilled. His cheeks flushed pink, and my chest tightened at the sight. He looked away too quickly, as if overwhelmed, leaving me with an ache of disappointment. I really liked him staring.
"So, Rick, nice to meet you. I'm Mrs. Fiona, and I'll be teaching you Geometry for the year," the teacher said, offering her hand.
After a brief hesitation, I took it. "Nice to meet you too, Mrs. Fiona," I said, forcing a polite smile.
"Alright then," the Vice Principal muttered, already heading out. And just like that, I was on my own.
"Rick, take a seat," Mrs. Fiona instructed.
I nodded and slid into the nearest chair, using the moment to steal another glance at him. The bond was undeniable. My entire body still hummed from that single look.
I pretended to focus on the lecture, but my mind betrayed me. Thoughts of him flooded in what he was like, what made him laugh, what foods he enjoyed. It was ridiculous. Damn, I just met him and I was already hooked.
But beneath the rush of excitement, a darker truth gnawed at me. If the Clan discovered him… if he was what I feared…
They would never let me be with him.
And for the first time in years, I felt my control waver. My fangs pressed harder, and a sharp hunger twisted in my throat.
The bond had been sealed.
And nothing—nothing—would ever be the same.