His Obsession, Her Doom: Forbidden Flame

Chapter Fourteen

Kayla

The next morning, I felt a lot better. The pain in my neck area was still there, just that it wasn’t nearly as painful as it had been yesterday. I got dressed for school, slipping on a long-sleeve black top and pale blue baggy jeans to create the illusion of being skinny. To hide the faint fingerprint Aiden had left on my neck, I wrapped a scarf around it. By the time I finished getting ready and had breakfast, it was already time to leave.

Sadie and I usually leave for class together, but this morning she didn’t wake up on time. She’d called earlier to tell me she’d meet me there instead. It felt strange walking to school alone, since I’m so used to having her by my side.

I was halfway down the road when the low growl of an engine made me stiffen. A sleek black Lamborghini purred up beside me, its tinted windows reflecting the morning sun. My stomach dropped.

Of course I recognized it. The same car that was supposed to take me home last Saturday. The door didn’t open, but I didn't need to see his face to know it was Prince Leonard.

Was this some silly joke? Or was the moon Goddess deliberately toying with me, forcing me to run into him on the morning I had prayed to stay invisible? He hardly ever came to school. So why now? Why me?

He pushed his car door open and stepped out, looking handsome as always, his dark hair falling perfectly into place, a faint smile tugging at his lips as the sun caught the golden glimmer in his eyes. The student nearby stopped walking, their eyes widening. Some of the girls hurried closer, and even the boys turned to watch. But Prince Leonard didn’t look at them. His eyes stayed on me.

He walked around the car, opened the passenger door, and leaned his arm on it.

“Get in. I will drive you to school.” His voice was calm but sharp, leaving no space for questions.

“What the hell?” One girl shouted.

“An omega riding with the prince? Someone pinch me, I must be dreaming,” another said, her voice high with shock.

The whisper grew louder, but then his hand tapped the door again, gaining my attention.

“Get in,”

My grip on my bag tightened. I lifted my head, catching the stares of the girls who were waiting for my next move. I slowly shook my head.

“No… Thank you. I will walk.”

Some of the students started whispering, while others gaped in shock at my refusal. Any girl would have been thrilled to ride with Prince Leonard—but not me. Not an omega. I just wanted to be left alone.

I adjusted my glasses and tried to step aside, walking away quietly but he blocked my path.

“Come on, school is still far away. Classes start in less than five minutes. You’re going to be late.”

“I’d prefer to walk to class,” I said with a polite smile, though every nerve in my body screamed to lash out at him for always making me the subject of attention. Then without waiting for his response, I turned on my heel and walked away, fuming. Gasps and murmurs followed me.

“What the hell—did that omega just decline the prince’s offer?”

“Who hell does she think she is?”

Their voices buzzed like angry bees, but the farther I walked, the more they faded into the background.

By the time I finally reached the academy gates, it felt like I had crossed an eternity. I entered the classroom as quietly as I could. Heads turned immediately, disgust written all over the girl's face.

I walked into the omega section and sank into my seat, hoping the professor would just enter and start the class. Then Sadie came striding toward me, her steps quick and uneven. She looked a little flustered.

“Kayla,” she whispered urgently as she leaned down beside me, “are you okay?”

I arched a brow at her, confused. Shouldn’t I be the one asking her that?

“I’m fine,” I said slowly. “Why?”

She bit her lip, glancing around like someone might be listening. “You… haven’t checked the school news, have you?”

“No.” I straightened in my seat, the knot in my stomach tightening. “What happened?”

“Your… encounter with Prince Leonard—it’s everywhere. And the girls are livid. Especially Alice.”

I blinked, heat rushing to my checks. “But I didn't even get into his car. I just politely declined.”

Sadie gave a look that said it doesn’t matter. She opened her mouth to reply, but the professor entered the class, his presence silencing the class instantly.

“We will talk later.” She mouthed before heading back to her seat.

Throughout the class I could barely focus because the girls kept sneaking glances at me, whispering behind their palms as if I couldn’t hear. Their jealousy and angry stares burned into my skin. I clenched my pen tighter until my knuckles whitened, pretending to take notes, though the words on the board meant nothing. All I wished for was the class to end as fast as possible.

After two long hours, the class finally ended. I checked my schedule. The next one was combat and shifting. My chest tightened. It was the most tedious class ever, most of the activities required wolf abilities, and for someone like me, it was really difficult to participate, but I had no choice. I had to be there.

I stood up from my seat. That was when I noticed a group of angry girls heading towards me. I know I was in trouble. My heartbeat raced, my palms turning cold.

Before they could reach me, Sadie stepped to my side. She stood tall, daring them to come closer. For a moment no one moved. The air felt heavy. I thought they would attack, instead they stopped and one by one, they backed away. Only when they were gone did I let out the breath I had been holding as relief washed over me.

“That was a narrow escape, Thank you.”

She squeezed my hand, tugging me along with a grin. “I always got you,” she said, her grip firm as she pulled me out of class and toward the arena.

The low rumble of growls reached us before we even touched the door. Sadie and I exchanged a look, then I drew in a steady breath and pushed the door open.

Heat and noise rushed out, the air filled with sweat and adrenaline. No one turned our way, their snarls and strikes were locked on each other. The tension in my shoulders eased.

Stepping fully into the arena, I allowed the door closed behind me quietly then Sadie left for her spot.

The professor stood tall at the front of the arena, barking instructions. I kept my eyes down and walked toward the omega section, careful with each step so I wouldn’t stumble, until I reached my usual spot at the edge.

For a moment, everything seemed steady, until the door opened and the last person I wanted to see walked in.