Chapter Ten: Misread Signals
567 Words
The cafeteria was unusually quiet—at least around Asia. She had chosen a table at the edge, far from the chaos Kael had stirred earlier. But she knew he wouldn’t leave it alone.
Of course, he didn’t.
Kael approached slowly, eyes glinting gold. Every step measured, silent, confident. Asia’s wolf coiled, tense and ready, warning her even before he spoke.
“May I join you?” he asked softly, tone smooth, predatory.
“I didn’t invite you,” Asia replied flatly, blue eyes icy.
He smirked faintly, ignoring her tone. “I’m not asking.”
Asia froze—slightly—not because she liked him, but because he had the audacity to ignore her control.
From across the cafeteria, her mother watched. She had come to check on her daughter after hearing about the earlier chaos. What she saw made her stomach twist.
Asia and Kael, sitting close, leaning in, faces inches apart. Her blue eyes sharp, Kael’s gold, their conversation private but intense.
Oh no, her mother thought. He’s… her boyfriend?
Kael’s voice was low, almost a purr. “You know you can’t let your wolf out here. People will notice… again.”
Asia’s jaw tightened. “I know. That’s why I’m holding it back.”
“Good,” he said, leaning back slightly, just enough to show a smirk. “Because I’d hate to see you lose control… especially in front of humans.”
Blue eyes narrowed. “You’re enjoying this way too much.”
“Not enjoying,” Kael corrected. “Observing. Learning.”
Asia’s wolf bristled, twisting in frustration at his calmness. He’s a predator. He knows it. I hate it.
“Then leave,” she said through gritted teeth. “Or get out of my way.”
Kael’s smirk didn’t falter. “You’ll need to teach me to leave, White Wolf. Not the other way around.”
At that exact moment, her mother’s hand covered her mouth, stifling a gasp.
“Oh my… she’s… dating him?” Luna Mara whispered to herself, voice trembling.
From her vantage point, it looked exactly like a conversation between two teenagers flirting. The intensity, the closeness, the private jokes—they couldn’t possibly be arguing about supernatural survival, could they?
Asia, oblivious to the misunderstanding, finally snapped. “Enough!” she barked. The wolf flared in her mind, white and vast, ready to answer every nerve.
Kael leaned back, raising his hands in mock surrender. “I’ll leave. For now.”
Blue eyes followed him as he walked away, every inch predatory confidence.
Her mother exhaled, still whispering to herself. “She’s… dating a vampire?”
Asia noticed too late. She froze. Her mom’s expression was wide-eyed, horrified, and suspicious.
“Mom,” Asia said, voice low, sharp, and cold. “He’s not… he’s—don’t—”
Luna Mara blinked. “Not what? He’s not your boyfriend?”
“No!” Asia snapped, cheeks flaming—not from embarrassment, but sheer disbelief. “He’s the enemy! I hate him!”
Her mother squinted, unconvinced. “You… seem awfully calm about it.”
Asia groaned, gripping the edge of the table. Her wolf snorted inside her mind. Humans and their ridiculous assumptions.
“This is going to get worse before it gets better,” her wolf muttered.
Asia nodded grimly, glaring toward the direction Kael had disappeared.
Yes, she thought. And it’s not about dating.
- Writer
