Sophia couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.
The entire day, students whispered about her—about how she looked different, glowing, otherworldly. Some were curious, others envious. But one stare felt different from the rest.
Lucian.
No matter where she went, he was there. In the halls. Across the cafeteria. At the far end of the classroom. His silver eyes never left her.
His presence was both unsettling and addictive.
She should have been annoyed. No, she should have been scared. But deep down, some part of her craved it—craved him.
And that terrified her.
---
At the end of the school day, as she made her way to the parking lot, Ryan caught up to her, throwing an arm around her shoulder.
"You coming to my place tonight?" he asked.
Sophia hesitated. "I—"
Her breath hitched. Lucian was there.
Standing beside his sleek black motorcycle, arms crossed, his gaze locked onto Ryan's hand resting on her shoulder.
The air seemed to shift.
A storm was brewing.
Ryan didn't notice. "Come on, babe, my parents aren't home." He leaned in, voice dropping. "It'll be just us."
Sophia stiffened. A shiver ran down her spine, and not from the cool evening air.
Before she could respond, Ryan was yanked backward.
Lucian had moved.
One second, he had been by his bike. The next, he was standing between them, his fingers clenched around Ryan's wrist—his grip deadly.
Ryan winced. "What the hell, man?!"
Lucian's voice was smooth, calm, but lethal. "Take your hands off her."
Ryan glared. "She's my girlfriend."
Lucian's eyes darkened. "Not for long."
Sophia's heart slammed against her ribs.
Because for the first time, Lucian wasn't just watching.
He was warning.