Evaline:
The bus ride was... peaceful.
Oscar kept holding my hand even when we were done talking. Not that I tried to pull away. His thigh occasionally kept brushing mine whenever the bus hit a bump.
The strangest part? No one seemed to care.
No one glanced at the back even once. Everyone seemed pretty busy either catching up on their sleep or just playing on their phones. It was almost as if no one was aware of Oscar’s presence in the bus.
But I highly doubted it. As a Rogue Alpha, his wolf tended to have a much stronger presence than usual Alpha wolves. This alone was enough to give away his presence anywhere unless he had it under control.
What made it even more peaceful was the fact that by some miracle, none of the usual class bitches - Nadine, Bianca, or Violet - were on this bus.
Everything was just... calm.
Well... except Kyros.
I noticed him turning in his seat to check on everyone near the back, his eyes scanning with a practiced, responsible gaze, until it landed on me... and then on the man sitting next to me.
I watched as his brow furrowed instantly in confusion. But before I could panic, he turned around, returning his attention to the front as if nothing happened.
A few seconds later, my phone buzzed in my lap.
Kyros:Why is Instructor Oscar sitting next to you???
I just unlocked my screen to answer when Oscar took the phone from my hand like he owned it.
"Hey-" I began in a whispered voice.
But he ignored me. He started typing quickly with one hand, while still casually holding mine with the other one.
I peeked at the screen.
Oscar (to Kyros): Because I’m the assigned in-charge for this trip. Problem?
I gave him a sideways glance. "You are in-charge?"
He shrugged while returning the phone to me. "Yeah. One of two. Me and Corey got tagged for it. Since this trip’s to a historical site, they needed someone who could keep things under control. You know... in case something stupid happens."
I blinked. "And who better than one of the Rogue Alphas?"
He grinned. "Exactly."
It made sense. Forty-something first-year students on a multi-day field trip? No way Professor Aldric could manage that circus alone. With Oscar around, the chances of anyone acting out were nonexistent.
One hour into the drive, I finally relaxed. The silence between us was companionable, not awkward. The hum of the bus, the scent of trees outside, and Oscar’s steady presence beside me - it all made me feel... safe.
And that was the problem.
Because lately, Draven was making me feel that too.
He had been patient, gentle, always trying. I was starting to see him in a new light, like really see him. How he kept sneaking in food just to make sure I ate properly, how he held me whenever I was feeling low.
And now, Oscar.
Though he took his time with the initial push and pull after learning about our bond, he had never once walked away from it since accepting it. He had been just as persistent in trying to win my heart as his younger brother.
And here I was, opening up to both of them.
Only... they still had no idea about each other sharing a mate bond with me.
And I knew that if I didn’t come clean, this delicate balance that was finally making its way into our relationships would shatter fast.
I had seen what happened when Alpha wolves got territorial, especially over mates. I wasn’t sure I could survive being the reason they turned against each other.
At some point, I must have fallen asleep with my head still buzzing with thoughts.
It was Oscar’s deep voice near my ear that stirred me awake. "Wake up, Sleeping Beauty," he murmured.
My eyes fluttered open, and I realized my head had been resting on his shoulder the entire time. Heat flared in my cheeks as I straightened up, brushing my hair behind my ear awkwardly.
"We are almost there," he informed. "Hotel’s just up ahead."
I rubbed my eyes and nodded. The last thing I needed was for anyone to have seen us like that. But judging by the quiet atmosphere of the bus, no one had noticed us yet.
When the bus finally pulled up near the hotel, which was nestled just at the foot of the Halendor Mountains, I shot up from my seat like I was lit on fire. Oscar laughed under his breath as I made my way down quickly.
Kyros was already by the doors with clipboard in hand. He handed me the list of names we were assigned to check before entering. I was grateful for the distraction.
The duties of Class President gave me something to focus on besides the lingering warmth of Oscar’s hand or the fact that my shoulder still tingled where it had pressed into him.
Kyros leaned closer. "We’ll talk later," he murmured, low enough that only I could hear.
I nodded.
Then came the chaos of students unloading, dragging bags, reuniting with friends from other buses. And then there was them - Nadine and her group.
The moment they spotted Oscar, it was like watching a switch flip. Squeals. Giggles. Hushed shrieks of "Oh my god, it’s him!" followed by pathetic attempts at fixing their hair in their reflections on the bus windows.
Bianca practically tripped over her suitcase trying to strut past him. Violet twirled a strand of her hair like she was starring in a bad soap opera.
While Nadine caught my eye and gave me a hard glare. Her signal was clear - to stay away from their beloved instructor. Noted.
I rolled my eyes and continued ticking names off the list, Kyros stood beside me, helping me with the duties. I knew he had questions, but he didn’t press. He never did. That was something I really liked about him. He respected boundaries.
After some minor chaos, all students had their luggage and were ready for room assignments. I hadn’t even reached the front of the line when Mallory appeared by my side.
"Roomies?" she asked with a huge grin.
"Please," I smiled, feeling relieved. "I need someone sane to share a room with."
We approached the check-in table where room keys were being distributed, and Mallory was already pointing out her preferred beds before we even got the number.
But then... I felt it.
That intense gaze.
I turned my head slightly and locked eyes with Oscar, who was standing across the lobby near the check-in roster with Instructor Corey.
He was looking right at me. Or rather... right at Mallory.
His jaw was clenched. His expression was unreadable, but something about the way his eyes narrowed told me he wasn’t happy.
Why? What was his problem?
Before I could piece it together, he turned away, handing a clipboard to Corey and murmuring something too quiet to catch.
A chill slithered down my spine. Because I knew that look. He was planning something.
And I had no idea what it was.