Their gaze locked together.

Without hesitation, he left the pool and strode straight toward her, water still rolling down his sculpted body with every step. His tall frame towered over her as he stopped just inches away. The scent of chlorine and warm male skin surrounded her.

"Wasn’t expecting to see you here, Yuki," he said, voice deep and amused.

She gulped, suddenly very aware of how close he was. "Xavier... It has been a while."

All eyes around the pool turned toward them. Whispers broke out instantly. It was clear that Xavier was a significant figure on campus.

Her chest rose as she drew in a deep breath. The water dropped off her. She tried to look away, but his cold fingers traced her chin, then held her face in his. "Why are you looking away, Yuki?" He asked in a low voice. Her gaze met his eyes, they were clear he didn’t look drunk so why was he different?

"They are staring at us." She whispered. He smiled. "Of course they would when someone as stunning as you appears." Her cheeks burned at his compliment.

"Aren’t you worried about being seen around me? The sister of a seductress..." she said in a teasing tone and Xavier chuckled..

"Why would I be bothered? I don’t mind being seduced.." Her heart jolted at his words. "Besides, they call you those names because they are jealous," he explained.

"Xavier..." a guy called over then tossed Xavier a towel he caught and started drying his hair

"I’m glad you are better. Yesterday was a mess with Eloise and all." He mentioned talking about the supposed sabotage incident. Their gaze was still pressed on him. Yuki didn’t like the attention. One thing she learnt: if you want peace, learn to avoid the popular ones.

"Yeah thanks," she said, tactically stepping back. His hand shot out and caught her wrist. "Where are you running to? You don’t seem glad to see me."

Her fingers tightened on the can. Her gaze darted around, the music was bombing around them. "You seem pretty popular. I don’t want to ruin your fun." She explained.

Understanding flickered across his face. He smiled. "I had no idea you were scared of crowds." He grinned. She was about to explain it wasn’t the case but he was already dragging her away from the backyard.

Her heart raced as she followed him completely oblivious to the phone cameras that had secretly taken several shots of the star boy of the campus and the popular seductress. .

Xavier pulled her inside and went straight upstairs. "Where are we heading?" She asked him as they went up the stairs.

"Somewhere with fewer eyes and still fun." He replied but something about his reply still gave her a feeling of unease. Upstairs was quiet, but it made her feel no better at parties like this; the quiet areas were the most dangerous at times.

Xavier’s grip on her wrist remained firm. He arrived at the corridor, strode down the corridor then stopped at a door. Xavier pushed it open and stepped in. The moment Yuki realised it was empty her stomach dropped instantly.

Her eyes went wild with several thoughts running across her mind. "Xavier, I.." she stuttered. The clicking sound of the door left the words stuck in her throat.

She glanced up to meet his honey-brown eyes that looked darker in the dim lights. Aside from the bedside lamp there were no other lights. Yuki’s back pressed against the door as her heart started to race inexplicably.

Let alone with him here she slowly realised how large he was as compared to her. Even if he wasn’t an alpha he had the build of one. Xavier’s hands were placed by the side of her head against the door. His face leaned to her eye level something mischievous crossed them

"You were about to say something, Yuki." He mentioned closing the distance between them so she could feel his breath on her face. The room felt like a separate space away from the chaos of the party. "Did something catch your tongue?" He drawled his gaze lowered. "I can hear your racing heart, Yuki. Are you nervous?"

Her toes curled up. "We shouldn’t be doing this Xavier. We barely.." his finger touched her lips, shushing her.

"Doing what?" He asked and her face burned with how she could say out loud. She bit her lips, her eyes lowered. She had no idea how that simple gesture made her look or the way her trembling long lashes cast shadows on her face as she bit her lip made her entrance.

Xavier gulped, stepping back. "Stop overthinking. I need to change and leaving out there seems like a bad idea." He said. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Her brows furrowed. "What do you mean by bad idea? I’m an adult Xavier," she argued back. He chuckled.

"Turn around Yuki." He insisted. She slowly turned facing the door with no idea about what was going on behind her.

Xavier spoke from behind her. "You are an adult but clearly have no experience with places like this or you would have thought twice about following a half-drunk guy to a room alone," he said and her stomach twisted.

She had nothing to say about that.." Who brought you here?" He pried.

Her gaze was still locked on the door; she could hear the faint rustling of clothes. "A friend," she replied. It felt like she was being interrogated and that seemed to have gotten on her nerves.

His breath trickled on her neck and he reached for the door handle. "And that friend left you alone. That’s one of a kind." He snickered, pulling the door open. Xavier walked past her. He was fully dressed now. His hair was still damp and disheveled making him more striking.

"She isn’t my babysitter to look over me. I came here on my own accord." Yuki replied. Xavier stopped and closed the door behind her. They stood alone in the corridor. The loud music was still vibrating through the walls and floor.

"On your accord." He grinned. "Meaning you came knowing what might possibly happen." He pushed and she didn’t back down.

Yuki crossed her hand across her chest. "I’m an adult, Xavier. In a few days, I will be a full werewolf after the festival. I am responsible for my decision and we aren’t that close for you to question me." She said stubbornly.

"It’s just a campus party, what’s the worst that can happen. Ravencourt is one of the most secure packs.."

Xavier smiled at her words. "Ravencourt is secured but I heard you got into another accident at Eloise’s party. " Her head snapped up. Xavier’s finger whirled her hair

"A lot can happen Yuki you never know. You can get completely wasted and end up in someone’s bed you don’t know and that’s not the worst.." he drawled.. his gaze was on her eyes, he was looking for fear but her gaze remained steady.

She held her eyes.."What if I say I don’t mind ending up in someone’s bed? It’s part of the experience after all you only live once"

Xavier’s eyes went wide. "Do you know what you are saying?" He leaned down to her head level, his right arm supported him against the wall as his frame swallowed her completely.

She tilted her head¹ holding her gaze. "I know what I am saying but why does it feel like you aren’t worried I might get wasted but the fact I might end up hooking up with someone who isn’t your?" She asked and it was like all the air around them was sucked dry.