Chapter 5
1704 Words
Nikolas POV
Bang!
Nikolas kicked at the metallic railings that lined the rooftop terrace of the annex building.
Crkkkk
It gave a loud creaking sound as it bent into itself.
“Damn it!” He cursed, his blood boiling in his veins as he paced two steps forward, then back.
Even though he had walked a long distance from the dormitory, he still couldn't calm the storm brewing within his body.
Everything was wrong from the start.
First, he had gotten a roommate, which was against the agreement he had with the school authorities. Everything was set up so that he would be the only one in his room.
Now, he was stuck with said roommate for the entirety of goddess knows when!
How could his fate be determined by a weakling for the upcoming tests?
Of all things!
A growl slipped free from his lips at his thoughts.
Running his hand down his face, he released a deep breath that did nothing for his growing need to punch something.
The image of a scrawny boy with hunched-up shoulders that shook at the sound of his voice flashed in his mind.
A face so smooth it screamed of softness and delicacy. Black eyes that shook with fear and yet, housed a pool of fire that fought to be let out.
But that willpower wouldn't be enough. Not for Novix, not for the instructors. One needed brute strength to survive.
Nikolas’ eyes snapped closed as the image of him towering over his roommate settled in his mind.
His gaze focused on the jet-black eyes that seemed to pull him in, the longer he stared into them.
If the shrimp hadn't jerked back suddenly, Nikolas was sure he would have kept leaning closer towards him. It was as though he was being pulled in by an unknown force.
“Arrgg!” He growled as he shook his head, struggling to push the images away.
Air. He needed air.
“I'm already outside,” he grunted, his voice deep as he gritted his teeth and glanced to the left and right.
Gripping the handrails with both his hands, he pressed down on it, controlling his strength just enough to not destroy the academy’s property.
Closing his eyes as he exhaled slowly, trying to get himself settled.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Breathe …
Still, his mind wouldn't listen to him.
Instead, the image of his fragile-looking roommate flashed in his mind. His small, slender hands that looked so soft and probably felt like feathered pillows.
Those lips that–
“F*ck it!” Nikolas cursed as he pushed the image away with all the force he could muster. His nose crinkled as irritation crept up within him at his own thoughts.
“Damn it all!” He turned to a pillar on the right and threw his fist at it.
A collective gasp echoed around as the sound of his punch filled the air. He watched silently as part of the pillar broke and fell away.
Just like the wall in his room.
He had almost lost control. But that was nothing compared to the fear he saw in his roommate’s eyes.
The fact that he had been responsible for that look stirred something wrong within him.
‘But, that was the reaction he wanted from that shrimp, right?’ Nikolas wondered, his fingers running through his hair as he let out a sigh.
Shaking his head, he turned around and caught the gaze of some students. Their eyes were filled with curiosity, uncertainty and judgment.
“Whatever,” he muttered.
They didn't matter. How they saw him or thought of him didn't matter.
This was an academy filled with young werewolves whose wolves wanted to burst out and dominate.
This outburst of his was little. At least, compared to the ones he had seen from his father's pack.
Looking down at his clenched fist, he relished the slight sting of pain in his knuckles.
Gosh, that felt good.
Opening and closing his fist, he stretched his hand muscles as the small bits of broken skin began to heal.
Kylos, his wolf, was still restless.
But, this was different from before. Even though his outer appearance gave people the impression that he was calm. Kylos was anything but.
But why? Why now?
The image of his frail roommate came to his mind.
“Yes, that was it,” Nikolas nodded, crossing his arms against his chest.
His protective instinct was all rammed up because of how breakable that shrimp looked. The need to protect the weak ran through the veins of every alpha, and Kylos was having a mighty tough time controlling his.
But, this only led to more complicated things for him.
“Going crazy already?”
Nikolas snapped his head to the side at the voice, his brows rising slightly.
Before him stood a short beefy boy with blonde hair.
“You must have been thinking deeply if you didn't sense me coming,”
“Zackriel,” Nikolas called, turning fully to face him, his tone flat. “What do you want?”
Shrugging, Zackriel glanced at the bent railing and broken pillar as he answered, “I haven't seen you since yesterday,”
“So? Are we meant to be attached or something?”
Zackriel smirk widened, “I guess not, since we are paired to different people.”
Twisting his lips, he continued. “Speaking of which, who is your buddy?”
“I'm sure they're ecstatic about you.” he added.
“Don't bring him up.” Nikolas shut him down.
Zackriel’s eyes widened at his words, his lips parting into a smile, “Ooh? Now I'm curious.”
Taking a step forward, he pressed, “Are you going to tell me or what?”
Nikolas' wolf, Kylos, pushed to the surface, causing his muscles to ripple under his skin as the threat of shifting came near.
Zackriel paused, unmoving as his gaze settled on Nikolas' shoulder.
Tightening his jaw, Nikolas pushed Kylos back as he growled out, “How is that any of your business?”
“Just a friendly concern,” Zackriel wore a smile that didn't reach his eyes as he took a step back.
“You should be more focused on scaling the upcoming tests instead of wondering who my buddy is.”
Slipping his hands into his pants pockets, Nikolas wore a lazy smile as he added, “You will need a lot of help after all,”
Fury flashed through Zackriel’s eyes before he could hide it.
“I guess you’re still sane then,” he muttered, a hint of disappointment in his tone as he walked away. “See you later, Niki.”
Clenching his jaw, Nikolas narrowed his eyes as he watched Zackriel leave.
‘That boy was bad news,’ he thought. ‘It would be better to warn the shrimp.’
Nikolas paused at his thoughts, his brows furrowing.
No. Why should he care?
“Nikolas,”
Turning at his name being called, he sighted a man making his way towards him and waving– Viktor.
“Were you able to get any new information?” Nikolas asked as soon as Viktor got closer.
“Is that the way you're going to greet me, Nikolas?”
Something stirred within Nikolas, causing him to turn his head towards the dormitory hall. His eyes narrowed as he scanned the building which was a few meters behind the one he was in.
“You good?”
“No,” Nikolas answered, returning his focus to Viktor. “Why did I get a roommate?”
“You're still on that?” Viktor asked, his tone laced with surprise.
“I believe the head instructor explained himself well enough.”
“But, tell me honestly,” Viktor continued, “Are you pissed because you want to be a loner, or you just don't like your buddy?”
“Both.” Nikolas growled.
“Ha! Then, you had better get over it. "There's no way we would let a Draven be on standby,”
A growl slipped free from Nikolas' lips at the name.
“Watch it,” Viktor growled, a warning in his tone as his voice deepened. “I'm still an instructor here.”
“I can see that.” Nikolas eyed the instructor uniform he was putting on.
Closing his eyes, he let out a sigh, “Yeah, sorry about that. I'm just…”
“Grumpy? Snappy? Being you?” Viktor offered, a chuckle leaving his lips as he tapped Nikolas on his shoulder.
“Come on. You have to head over to building B to get your uniform. I'll lead you,”
“Thanks,”
“No problem. I owe your father a favor after all.” Viktor replied as he started walking towards the exit door.
His father.
Nikolas stopped at Viktor’s words.
Everything was always about him. His whole life was centered around the Alpha of the West.
Could anyone ever look at him without seeing his father? Would that ever be possible?
Furrowing his brows, Nikolas turned towards the dormitory building as something caught his attention.
“Speak of the …” he started.
His frail-looking roommate was standing in the middle of the road while the other boy he had eaten with called out to him.
But the shrimp didn't answer.
Instead, his focus was on some other student approaching.
Nikolas took a step closer, shifting towards the rail as he zeroed in on the expression on Anton’s face.
Surprise? Shock? Guilt? Or something else?
His brows deepened as his wolf stood up, his senses spreading out towards Anton.
“Hey Nikolas, you coming?”
Nikolas blinked at the sound of Viktor’s voice, breaking whatever haze he was in.
“Yeah,” he answered as he turned away from the sight, and walked towards the exit door.
Somehow, he didn't like the look Anton was making, and he hated the fact that Anton’s gaze was focused entirely on someone else.
Clenching his hands beside him, he pushed back the senseless anger that was rising inside him as another question stirred at the back of his mind.
What was wrong with the shrimp now?
- Writer
