Episode 7: The Wrong Number
717 Words
"I'll see you after class?"
Daniel slung his backpack over one shoulder as the lecture ended.
Amara smiled politely.
"Sure. We both have Economics next, right?"
"Yep."
"Perfect."
"I'll save you a seat."
"Thanks."
As Daniel disappeared into the crowd, Lily appeared almost instantly.
"So..."
Amara groaned.
"No."
"You made a friend."
"I met a classmate."
"A very handsome classmate."
"Lily."
"What?"
"You deserve someone who doesn't make you cry."
"I'm not looking for anyone."
"I know."
Lily linked her arm through Amara's.
"I'm just saying... maybe university is giving you a fresh start."
Amara looked down at the fountain pen tucked safely inside her notebook.
Maybe.
Or maybe she needed to learn how to be happy on her own first.
---
Kael stood outside the faculty building, watching students cross the central courtyard.
His eyes found Amara without effort.
She was laughing at something Daniel had said.
His wolf stirred.
Who is he?
Kael ignored the question.
It wasn't his business.
Amara was free to spend time with whoever she wanted.
That was exactly how it should be.
"So..."
Ronan stepped beside him.
"Still not jealous?"
Kael didn't answer.
Ronan chuckled.
"I'll take that as a yes."
"I'm making sure she's safe."
"From dangerous Economics students?"
Kael shot him a flat look.
Ronan raised both hands.
"I'm just saying."
Before Kael could respond, his phone buzzed.
A message from campus security.
Perimeter inspection complete. No breach detected.
He read it twice.
Something still felt wrong.
His instincts had never been wrong before.
---
Later that afternoon, Amara finally decided to unpack the last remaining box beneath her bed.
Most of it contained family photos, notebooks, and old birthday cards.
At the very bottom was a framed picture of her parents.
She smiled sadly.
"I miss you."
A knock sounded on the open dorm door.
Lily peeked inside.
"Pizza?"
Amara laughed.
"Is that even a question?"
"It wasn't."
Twenty minutes later, they were sitting cross-legged on the floor with a pizza between them.
Lily held up her phone.
"Okay."
"We're making a pact."
"What kind of pact?"
"No stalking ex-boyfriends online."
"I wasn't planning to."
"No checking if he's posted the girl."
"I wasn't planning to."
"No secretly hoping he'll apologize."
Amara hesitated.
Lily noticed.
"He hurt you."
"I know."
"So let him miss you."
Amara nodded slowly.
"You're right."
For the first time since arriving at Eclipse University...
She blocked Ethan's number.
---
At almost the exact same moment, Ethan stared at his phone in frustration.
Call Failed.
He tried again.
Blocked.
"Damn it."
The girl sitting beside him glanced over.
"Still trying?"
"I need to talk to her."
"You had your chance."
Ethan rubbed a hand over his face.
"I made a mistake."
"No."
She stood, grabbing her handbag.
"You made a choice."
The apartment door slammed behind her.
For the first time all week...
Ethan was completely alone.
---
Friday evening arrived with clear skies and a cool breeze.
The campus buzzed with excitement as students filled the central square for the weekly Night Market.
Food stalls lined the pathways.
Live music echoed across the lawns.
Strings of fairy lights glowed above the crowd.
"This is exactly what we needed," Lily declared, handing Amara a cup of iced lemonade.
"No assignments."
"No heartbreak."
"Just food."
Amara smiled.
"I can definitely support that plan."
They wandered from stall to stall, tasting desserts and laughing over handmade crafts.
It almost felt...
Normal.
Then Amara's phone vibrated.
Unknown Number
Meet me behind Founder Hall in ten minutes.
You deserve to know the truth about Ethan.
She frowned.
"What is it?" Lily asked.
Amara showed her the message.
Lily immediately shook her head.
"Don't go."
"It could be someone trying to help."
"Or someone trying to lure you somewhere."
Before Amara could reply, another message arrived.
Come alone.
A chill ran down her spine.
At the edge of the square, Kael looked up from a conversation with Ronan.
His eyes landed on Amara.
Even from a distance, he noticed the color drain from her face.
"What happened?" Ronan asked.
"I don't know."
Kael's gaze narrowed.
"But something's wrong."
Across the crowd, Amara looked toward the dark pathway leading to Founder Hall.
Whoever sent the message knew about Ethan.
And somehow...
They knew exactly how to get her attention.
- Writer
