Scarlet Moon: The Marked Heir

CHAPTER SIX

“How did you find out my room and my name?” I lifted my brows with intention, lowering my voice to add a touch of mystery and keep any doubts at bay. Rowan shrugged his shoulder and sent the dagger flying in my direction.

“f**k…” I shouted, tumbling off the bed, and luckily, it missed me, instead landing against the wall. I let out an exasperated sigh, realizing it would soon make a dent in it. I glanced at him, a playful smirk lingering on his lips.

“What’s wrong with you?”

The other boy gasped, as if I had just done something truly shocking. Out of nowhere, he burst into my room and hurled his knife right at me! It doesn't matter to me if he was the Alpha Emperor, the ruler of the entire world.

I really hope to be treated with respect during my stay here.

“You definitely showed some guts, new boy.” Rowan chuckled, his golden eyes shining even brighter. It sparked a flame. My face started to throb once more, the spot where his claws had struck now marked by a scar. I hope it heals; I really dislike scars.

“You were trying to kill me!” I shot back, getting back on my feet.

“Giving it a shot…” He rolled his eyes and leaped off the desk. He leaned in and whispered to the boy behind him, who then nodded with a sly grin and made his way toward me. I stumbled backward, my heart racing, feeling as if both of them could hear me, their eyes glinting with an even brighter intensity.

“No one talks back at Rowan,” he declared, then shoved me to the ground, snatching the knife from the wall. I felt a jolt of discomfort as I bumped against the tiled floor.

Just when I thought he would head back to Rowan, he suddenly yanked me along with him, pulling me with surprising strength.

“Let me go… You freak!” I shouted, struggling to escape his grip, but nothing I did seemed to make a difference. I briefly considered biting him, but that would be the worst idea, since both of them are purebreds, and I feel like I can't compare to them at all.

“Fresh face… Arian vale!” Rowan called softly, letting my name slip from his tongue so I could hear each pronunciation word for word. “I’ll ask once more, what’s going on between you and Lioran?”

“Speak…” the boy, gripping me tightly with one hand, while holding the knife in the other, shouted.

I promised Lioran that I would never reveal our secret. I can’t reveal the truth; I was his friend, and everyone here thought I was a boy. I’m not quite sure about the dynamics among the werewolves in this academy, but judging by their reactions to the lightness of my voice, it seems they weren’t fond of the idea of same-gender bonds.

If that was really a thing…

“Let’s not waste any time.” Rowan's expression tightened, his patience beginning to fray. I could feel it—any second now, he would leap right at me. And if it weren't for him, I'm certain he would have done something even worse to me.

“We hardly talked. It's just that…” I took a moment to craft in my mind the words I needed to share with him. He locked his gaze with mine, as if on a quest to uncover something hidden within.

“He said I look familiar…”

Rowan lifted his brows, crossing his arms over his chest. He glanced at the guy holding me, then back at me, and erupted into laughter.

“What’s so amusing?” I inquired, my heart pounding in my chest, as the entire room swirled around me.

“Do you really expect me to buy that? My brother…” He burst into laughter, each chuckle growing louder and louder, as if he were channeling his inner villain from those thrilling movies.

“Lioran would come up and ask if you looked familiar? The Lioran I knew back then wouldn’t have cared at all.”

Then he started to tap my shoulder, with increasing intensity. His strength surged over mine with every blow he delivered.

“You don’t seem feminine at all, so why are you so soft?”

He kept hitting as if he had just discovered something new. My entire body started to tremble as his minion behind me kept throwing me further, ensuring I couldn't break free from his hold.

"There's a sense of curiosity about you, new boy."

"Just take a look at you." He grabbed my right hand and lifted it up, shaking it playfully like a ragdoll. "You don't even have a muscle."

"Your voice…"

I trembled with rage, removing my hand from his. "Let go of me, Rowan."

"Okay,"I understand what you're saying..."

My eyes widened in surprise, and I felt every muscle in my body tighten. If he discovers I'm a girl, I'll be in big trouble, and changing genders at this academy just to pretend to be someone else is a serious offense.

It was as if he could read my mind when he said, "Don't lie to me. I can tell when someone isn't being honest..." He smiled with a chilling and dangerous edge. " And if you do, I suppose I'll join you with this silver sparkling in my hand…"

Silver…

What was he doing with that? Should I be worried? That is what we were taught to be afraid of. Anything containing silver is lethal to werewolves, and now that I'm supposedly human, should I be afraid?

"What's with the silver weapon you're holding?" I inquired, attempting to mask my growing fear. That s**t is risky!"

As I spoke, he burst into loud laughter, sending shivers down my spine.

No, Arian, there is no reason to be afraid! You are here to embrace change, so don't let some random alpha's heir bring you down.

"You are quite the surprise, new boy. Why does it matter to you whether it's dangerous or not?" He pressed the tip of the blade against my throat. My breath got caught in my throat, and I struggled to inhale. My entire body trembled as the man's grip on me tightened, firm, and unyielding.

"Stop doing this... I did nothing to you!" I jerked my head back, narrowly avoiding the blade's contact with my skin.

"Of course you did," he sneered, moving his finger around my neck. Fearful chills danced across my skin. I found myself hoping that something or someone would swoop in and save me.

But, once again, I don't need a savior. What shall I do? This guy is wild!

I've heard some disturbing news about him—apparently, he stabbed a man in the heart with a silver spear, and no one did anything about it. He accepted the gods' grace to bring himself back to life, but in doing so, he lost his wolf. With that, he dashed out of the academy, never to be seen again, and Rowan pretended that none of this affected him.

"Arian, I really don't want to repeat myself. Or this blade will cut right through your neck." He exhaled with a whoosh, and his warm breath brushed against my face.

"What the f**k did you discuss with Lioran? What's going on between you two that everyone at school is talking about?"

"Nothing… we just talked."

I shook my head, pressing my lips together and silently pleading with him to understand what I meant, even though I wasn't really letting him in on it.

Rowan gritted his teeth, his eyes gleaming with intensity, sending a shiver down my spine. That was an obvious sign that he was losing his mind. I've seen the same thing happen to my brother or Kael.

"I don't believe you, new boy. Lioran, don't interact with random losers." He chuckled before tossing the knife to the side of the desk. Before I could say anything, he grabbed my hair and pulled it with all of his strength, while the other guy held me down, preventing me from moving.

He took his phone from his pocket and held it directly in front of my face. " Hey everyone... Target number two, I asked a simple question, and you won't believe it—he left me speechless!"

What?!...

I fought with all my might, determined to be free of his grip. Despite my embarrassment, he gently held my chin and pressed his claw-like nail into my skin.

"Please stop," I begged, holding back tears. Their laughter filled the room, as if everything was just a big joke for them.

"If anyone can explain why this academy is discussing him and Lioran, I will gladly offer a generous reward! Just tell me the price!"

My whole body went into high alert. It was only Lioran and I who understood what was going on between us; no one else would be present, right?

This felt overwhelming to me as a newbie here. Why does it seem like trouble follows me wherever I go?

I need to move quickly; I'm tired of feeling ashamed. I won't allow this happen again.

I kicked Rowan in the groin without warning, knocking him to the ground. When his friend realized what I had done to him, I was able to break free from his grip. I took one of the vases and broke it on his head.

And without hesitation, I ran out of my room in my pajamas, as if I was mad. I didn't bother to see if they were following me. And, surprisingly, I heard footsteps behind me. I turned to look, but Rowan was not chasing me; instead, his friend and some other boys were running after me.

"Get him!"

One of them growled, and their footsteps grew louder and faster. They were right behind me and moving very quickly.

I needed to escape and help myself, even though no one was willing to help me.

The chase continued unabated, and the other students saw it as part of their daily routine. Then, all of a sudden, a hand grabbed mine and pulled me through a door into a room.