Blood Curse

Chapter Seven

There he stood, an epitome of sculpted perfection, his shirtless form drawing my eyes like an alluring siren. I couldn't help but admire the way his skin hugged his well-defined muscles, every contour and ripple accentuated flawlessly. Shifters were known to also have good physical form but his body has entirely captivated me. My gaze, like an explorer in unknown territory, traveled from his abs down to his V line, and I cursed inwardly at my own lack of control. With a mental jolt, I forced my eyes back up to his face, only to find my gaze inadvertently locking with his piercing golden eyes.

In that moment, time seemed to stand still as a surge of adrenaline shot through me. My heart skipped a beat, my palms grew slightly sweaty, and a whirlwind of anticipation and nervous excitement enveloped my being. His messy, tousled black hair falling effortlessly across his forehead added an alluring charm to his already striking features. But it was those captivating golden eyes, so unusual yet so captivating, that held me in a trance. I had never seen a shifter with eyes like his before, but now that I looked at him, I couldn't imagine them being any other color.

"See something you like". He smirks looking down at me breaking my daydreaming, causing a sudden rush of embarrassment to spread across my cheeks. Gathering my composure, I huffed with mock annoyance, refusing to give him the satisfaction of knowing his good looks had affected me. "No, I was just trying to get over my embarrassment of falling over," I retorted, my voice laced with both determination and a touch of defensiveness.

As I dusted myself off and regained my footing, I felt compelled to apologize for the collision. "I'm sorry I bumped into you. I thought I was the only one in here," I muttered, hoping to diffuse any potential tension.

"You are a shifter, and you were not aware anyone was in here" His questioning gaze and side-eye made me question whether his response was an insult in disguise. My eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of annoyance seeping into my voice, "You're a shifter too, aren't you? And you, so conveniently, still stood in my way when I ran into you?"

He leans in, I can feel his breath dance along the skin of my neck as he whispers, "Maybe that was my plan all along, to wipe the competition off their feet, but it seems I don't have to worry about meeting a strong shifter here". He smirks, I straighten my posture, making sure to pull away from him, and meet his piercing yellow eyes with unwavering determination. "It's not about being a strong shifter," I retort, trying to steady my voice, "it's about not expecting anyone to be here, especially someone whose lack of attire could easily be mistaken for arrogance."

A flicker of amusement dances in his eyes as he crosses his arms, a cocky smirk playing at the corner of his lips. "Well, I can assure you, it's not arrogance. More like a personal preference," he replies, his voice tinged with a teasing undertone. I fight the urge to roll my eyes at his response, refusing to let his confidence shake me. "Personal preference or not," I say, my voice tinged with an edge of frustration, "it doesn't excuse the lack of consideration for others. But I suppose manners and common courtesy aren't high on your list of priorities."

His smirk widens as he takes a step closer, the effect of his proximity making my heart race even faster. "Ah, so she's not only feisty but also believes in manners. And here I thought I was the only one with surprises up my sleeve." I raise an eyebrow, a hint of defiance in my eyes as I meet his smirking gaze. "Feisty? Believe me, there's more to me than just feistiness. And as for surprises, well, I assure you I have a few up my sleeve too. Don't think you're the only one capable of keeping secrets." I take a deliberate step forward, closing the distance between us. "So, Mr. Mysterious, be prepared because I intend to give you a run for your money when it comes to surprises." A confident smirk plays on my lips as I challenge him to match my boldness. His smirk fades slightly, as his yellow eyes dance with a challenge and a glimmer of curiosity as he gazes into my eyes. "Well, well, it seems I've finally found someone who can match my taste for surprises," he retorts, his tone laced with a subtle challenge. His gaze lingers for a moment before he turns on his heels, slowly starting to walk away. "But be careful what you wish for. I'm afraid you're not quite ready for the storm that's brewing in my world" his smirk widens into a teasing grin, his eyes glinting mischievously. "Oh, and don't worry, darling," he says with a playful wink, "I'll put a shirt on so as not to risk any other unfortunate incidents where you're caught checking me out." His comment catches me off guard, and a blush creeps up my cheeks, but I quickly recover, meeting his gaze with a defiant glare. "Don't flatter yourself too much. It was just a momentary lapse of judgment." I cross my arms, determined not to let him get the last word. "But keep your surprises ready, because I won't be so easily defeated."" With a mysterious smile, he tosses one last glance over his shoulder before walking into dorm room three. I cringe on the inside, he is going to be living with me, just what I needed.

My heart pounds erratically as I walk away, quickly making my way outside unable to shake the flustered feeling that courses through my veins. "What was that?!" I mutter under my breath, my voice laced with frustration. "Why did he have to be so infuriatingly good-looking? And why did I let him get under my skin like that? Ugh!" I clench my fists, my face flushed with embarrassment and annoyance at my own reaction. The audacity of his confidence, combined with those dazzling looks, had rattled me to the core.

I keep replaying the encounter in my head, mentally berating myself for letting him see how flustered I had become. "I won't let him get to me," I mutter, trying to regain my composure. "I won't be just another swooning admirer falling for his charm."

As I continue pacing, my stomach growls loudly, betraying me in the midst of my frustration. I halt mid-stride, a mixture of exasperation and amusement crossing my face. "Of course," I mutter, rolling my eyes. "Even the rumblings in my stomach seem to conspire against me."

Realizing that my hunger is not something to be ignored, I let out a resigned sigh. "Alright, fine. I'll deal with this later," I mutter to myself, accepting that food takes precedence over my annoyance. Determined to find something to eat and regain my focus, I hastily make my way towards the nearest café, leaving thoughts of that infuriatingly good-looking man behind, at least for the time being.