The Girl They All Hunger For

Chapter 5 Like Catnip

I regretted it. Immediately.

Logically, if two people share a horse, the one holding the reins should sit in the back.

But Adrian was… tall. Like, over six feet tall.

If I sat behind him, the position would look weird. Worse—once the horse started moving, my entire face would basically be buried in his back.

Yes, I like pretty faces. I admit it. I forgive a lot for a good face.

But that doesn’t mean I want to touch one.

And horseback riding? It bounces. A lot.

For everyone’s mental health, I took the front seat.

Adrian got on behind me. Naturally, his arms came around my waist.

My whole body went stiff.

He lowered his head slightly. I could feel his breath against my neck. His hair brushed my skin—soft, ticklish. My shoulders tensed instantly.

Then—

He sniffed.

Not subtle. Not even trying.

He nuzzled closer, like—

Like a cat high on catnip.

My scalp prickled.

“Try biting me,” I said coldly, “and I’ll kick you off this horse.”

He froze.

His lips, which had just parted, slowly closed again.

A few seconds later, he asked, almost confused,

“They all do it. Why can’t I?”

“…They all do it?” I repeated.

“Mm.”

I tilted my head back. He lowered his gaze.

We locked eyes for a few seconds.

Then I looked away first.

…Bad idea.

That face.

Too good. Way too good. No flaws. None.

I sucked in a breath and forced my heartbeat to calm down.

“Following people is creepy,” I said. “Don’t do that again.”

He tilted his head slightly. Then—like a big dog—rested his chin on top of my head.

“Okay. Next time I’ll walk with you.”

“…That’s not what I meant.”

God. There was a communication gap here. A serious one.

I gave up and switched topics.

“They always talk to you like that?”

That kind of blatant bullying… In any normal school, it would’ve been reported and punished.

I had planned to build some emotional connection from that angle.

Then maybe—just maybe—I could ease into asking what I really wanted to know.

Adrian answered slowly,

“They’re not wrong.”

I choked.

Wait—what?

“In the Vampiric Lineage,” he continued, voice calm, “half-bloods are inferior.”

Oh.

So the system itself was broken.

And he believed it.

That belief was already rooted deep inside him.

He didn’t care what they said.

I went quiet.

Great. Conversation dead.

How was I supposed to build emotional rapport with that?

We were getting close to the riding field.

I gave up on subtlety.

“About the Forbidden Forest… someone told me you guys can go in. Is that true?”

“Mm. But only on Hunting Day.”

Hunting Day?

I frowned.

A forest would make a good hunting ground… maybe for training?

“Won’t that harm protected wildlife?”

“They release prey.”

“Oh.” I nodded. “That’s fine then.”

At the time, I had no idea we were talking about completely different things.

Adrian’s gaze lingered on the top of my head.

“So,” I asked, “can you bring someone with you?”

His grip tightened slightly around my waist.

I felt it.

His senses were sharp. Too sharp.

My heartbeat had picked up again. And with it—apparently—my blood smelled stronger.

He swallowed.

“Mm.”

Yes, you can bring someone.

But that someone becomes prey for others.

His fingers slid lightly against my waist.

I jerked forward instinctively.

A shiver ran down my spine.

…Something about the way he touched me felt wrong.

Hungry.

“I want to go,” I said, trying to sound casual.

He asked softly,

“What for?”

I coughed.

“…Curiosity.”

Lame. Very lame.

“…I can take you,” he said.

If you’re still alive by then.

We arrived late on purpose.

When we got there, everyone else had already gathered.

Not just our class.

Another class was there too.

The moment my black horse stepped into view—

All eyes turned.

Too many of them.

Curious. Evaluating.

Some… cold.

Some downright malicious.

Like they were sizing up meat on a cutting board.

Someone laughed lightly.

“Looks like the hybrid got there first.”

My chest tightened.

Theodore’s gaze landed on us.

Specifically—on the horse.

His lips curled slightly.

Sharp fangs showed.

No smile.

He was pissed.

Someone beside him chuckled.

“You’re not like those hybrid fledglings. Don’t embarrass your House, Theodore.”

I pulled the reins and stopped near our class.

Then I jumped down.

Adrian followed.

Lily shot him one quick glance—then immediately looked straight ahead like she didn’t know me.

Wow. Okay.

“They’re which class?” I asked quietly.

“…Second-year Class III,” she whispered.

So different grades trained together?

I glanced over.

The same people who had been staring at me earlier… were all from that group.

But the numbers didn’t match.

“Why are there so many?” I asked.

Lily’s face went pale.

“…Transfer students exist, you know? And—don’t talk to me outside anymore. I’m scared.”

…Fair.

I let it go.

Instead, I listened to nearby conversations.

“That’s Savi’s class, right? But he’s not here today…”

“Probably busy with the sword club. We’ll see him again anyway.”

So there was some super popular senior.

Didn’t sound useful.

I looked around instead.

Targets stood in the distance, barely visible in the dim light.

I patted my horse and climbed back on.

This time—alone.

I wasn’t about to stay tied to Adrian.

Not until I figured out what all this “choosing sides” stuff meant.

Staff began handing out bows and arrows.

Lily held hers like it was a live grenade.

“I’ll teach you,” I started—

Then suddenly—

The students in front split apart.

A group of girls rode straight toward us.

Fast. Aggressive.

They stopped right in front of my horse.

Leader first.

She wore a patterned scarf around her neck.

Beautiful face.

But pale.

Too pale.

Like she might faint any second.

She looked at me.

“You’re Tessa Shaw?”

“Hi,” I said. “And you are…?”

Her expression hardened.

“Stay away from Lord Savi.”

“…Who?”

Excuse me?

What script is this?

I’ve been here two days.

Why is my life suddenly a drama series?

Her eyes narrowed.

“You ruined my moment. And now you’re pretending you don’t know who he is?”

I blinked.

Completely lost.

A girl beside her snapped,

“You showed up somewhere you shouldn’t have. This morning.”

…Oh.

Honey-cake boy.

Right.

I closed my eyes for half a second.

…This is all his fault.

I took a breath.

“Got it, Senior. I’ll avoid him from now on.”

She froze.

Probably didn’t expect me to fold that fast.

Her prepared speech died mid-air.

“…You better,” she said coldly. “If I see you near him again—”

They kicked their horses forward.

Hard.

Lily’s horse panicked.

She almost got thrown off.

“I—!”

I grabbed her arm instantly and yanked her back.

She clung to the saddle, shaking.

“Oh? Almost fell?” one girl laughed.

“Guess beginners shouldn’t ride.”

No apology.

They rode off like nothing happened.

Lily’s eyes filled with tears.

“I—I didn’t do anything…”

My expression cooled.

I lifted my bow.

Pulled.

Full draw.

Release.

The arrow sliced through the air—

Fast.

Precise.

It grazed past the girl’s scarf—

And ripped it clean off.

Silence.

Under the dim light, her neck was exposed.

Dark bruises.

Deep purple.

Ugly.

Right at the base of her throat—two small puncture marks.

My eyes narrowed slightly.

Fangs.

The girl screamed, covering her neck in panic.

She turned toward me, furious.

Teachers rushed over.

I smiled sweetly.

“Sorry, Senior. First time shooting.”

“My hand slipped.”

“Clap. Clap. Clap.”

Applause.

Slow.

Lazy.

I turned.

There he was.

Leaning against the fence.

Riding outfit fitted perfectly. Slim waist. Long, clean lines.

Effortless elegance.

Savi.

One hand propped under his chin.

Those honey-colored eyes curved into a smile.

Warm.

Soft.

Dangerous.

“So cool,” he said.

…

I stared at him.

And sighed internally.

…That arrow should’ve hit him instead.