The Hunter's Wolf Captive

Episode four

Chapter 004:

Playing with Fire

The after-school bells had long stopped ringing. The hallways of Shadowvale College were completely dark, lit only by the pale moonlight filtering through the fogged windows. Everyone had gone home, leaving the ancient stone building eerily quiet.

Nyx pushed open the heavy door to Mr. Creed’s private office.

The room looked more like a billionaire’s penthouse than a teacher's workspace. It had rich leather couches, a massive mahogany desk, and bookshelves filled with ancient, leather-bound texts. Mr. Creed was sitting behind his desk, his designer jacket removed, the sleeves of his crisp white shirt rolled up to his forearms.

He didn't look up when she entered. He was staring at a small, delicate silver necklace resting on his desk. Nyx’s eyes instantly locked onto it.

'Freya’s,' Leo whispered darkly in her mind. 'It smells like the dead twin. And it’s pure silver.'

Nyx let the heavy door slam shut behind her. The loud noise echoed in the quiet room. She walked forward and dropped her backpack onto one of the expensive leather chairs, sitting down without being asked.

"You're late, Miss Claire," Creed said. His voice was a low, dangerous growl that cut through the silence. He finally raised his gray eyes, his gaze heavy and intense.

"I had to wash Elara's tears off the floor," Nyx replied smoothly, leaning back in the chair. She crossed her legs, completely unfazed by his intimidating presence. "I figured you wouldn't want me tracking bully-juice into your nice office."

Creed’s jaw tightened. He picked up the silver necklace, wrapping the delicate chain around his knuckles. The metal caught the light, and Nyx felt a sharp, phantom burn in her chest just from being near it.

"You're proud of what you did today," Creed murmured, standing up. He walked around the desk, his massive frame casting a long shadow over her. "You exposed a high-ranking student, humiliated her family name, and did it all with a smile. You think you're untouchable."

"I know I can handle a spoiled brat like Elara," Nyx said, her voice dropping an octave. "And I don't need a teacher lecturing me about my behavior."

"I am not just your teacher, Nyx," Creed said, stepping closer. He used her first name deliberately, dropping the formal act completely. He leaned down, placing both of his large hands on the armrests of her chair, effectively trapping her between his body and the leather.

The scent of ash and wolfsbane rolled off him, making Leo growl softly in protest. But Nyx didn't pull back. She kept her face inches from his, staring right into the stormy depths of his eyes.

"You think you're an apex predator," Creed whispered, his breath hot against her skin. His gray eyes flared with a toxic, possessive hunger. "But you don't know the rules of this town. Freya thought she could play games too. She thought she could hide what she was. And look where it got her. They broke her."

A sudden wave of cold fury washed over Nyx. Hearing him talk about the sister she never knew—the girl who looked exactly like her—made her blood boil.

"I am not Freya," Nyx hissed, her knuckles turning white as she gripped the edges of the chair. "Stop looking at me like I'm a second chance to fix your guilty conscience. Whatever happened to her won't happen to me. If anyone tries to break me, I'll break them first."

Creed’s eyes darkened at her fierce defiance. Her words hit his massive ego like a physical blow, but instead of backing away, his grip on the chair tightened. He was completely captivated by her strength. Freya had been soft, easily frightened, and constantly looking to him for safety. But Nyx was a wild fire, dangerous and completely untamed.

"We'll see about that," Creed murmured, his voice dropping to a harsh, rough purr. He raised his hand, the silver chain wrapped around his fingers brushing lightly against the sensitive skin of her neck.

A sharp, agonizing sting flared through Nyx’s veins where the silver touched her. Leo roared in her mind, demanding she shift and tear this arrogant human to pieces. Nyx’s eyes flashed a bright, dangerous gold for a single second, her supernatural heartbeat racing.

But she didn't move. She forced her body to remain perfectly still, enduring the pain, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing her flinch.

Creed noticed the flash of gold in her eyes. His own breath hitched, realizing exactly what she was enduring just to prove her point. A dark, twisted admiration filled his mind. She was a monster, a creature his family had trained him to hunt and kill since birth—but right now, all he wanted to do was claim her as his own.

He pulled his hand back slowly, pocketing the necklace. He straightened up, the cold, professional mask sliding back over his features, though his eyes remained fiercely possessive.

"Detention is over for tonight, Miss Claire," Creed said coldly, walking back to his desk. "But don't get too comfortable. Elara Sterling’s father is a very powerful man, and you just painted a massive target on your back. Tomorrow, the real war starts."

Nyx stood up, grabbing her backpack. She didn't look back as she walked toward the door, but just before she opened it, she paused.

"Let them come, Mr. Creed," Nyx said over her shoulder, a ruthless, predatory smile on her lips. "I’ve been fighting for my life since the day I was born. A few rich kids won't change that."