Chapter 30

Both River and Sage stared at the uninvited guest in disbelief. 

River's face twisted in an awkward snarl. He glared at Nick. "Hold on a moment, let me check my list of things we didn't ask for...Ah, yes, there it is, your introduction. We aren't interested in who you are and what's your name."

Nick was taken aback. A severe and dark emotion stirred inside him as he tried his best not to snap at the one of the dangerous guy of Sunford. Also, he knew Alpha had been friends with River ever since he came here, so he can't just fight River directly. 

River's protective instincts poured out. He tried to suppress his emotions, but they were evident by the way his eyes narrowed and the way his jaw tightened. His guard remained up as he silently assessed the newcomer. River couldn't help but feel suspicion, it's new for someone directly approaching him because of how everyone is scared of him. So, what made him so confident? 

Though, River was wrong this time because Nick wasn't there for him but the forbidden beauty sitting beside him, or more like in his lap by how protectively and possessively River was wrapping his arms around Sage. 

Sage hesitated, unable to understand the situation, he couldn't help but pity Nick because of how oblivious he was according to Sage. Sage thought, since Nick is new here probably he doesn't know who River is or else he wouldn't have asked to sit with them. But the newcomer's next words made him choke on his breath. 

"I wasn't talking to you," Nick notified River calmly but that only increased the tension as the students on the nearby benches gasped at the newcomer who was stupid enough of being so daring. He looked into River's eyes, his gaze unwavering. "I was telling it to Sage." 

The way Nick called out his name sent a shiver down Sage's spine, a chill that whispered of hidden agendas.

"Saagee…?" The longer River's tongue dragged his name, the more Sage gulped in trepidation. River never calls him by his real name, so it's a horror for him. "You're new but you already know my roommate's name," River suddenly smiled, a charming dimple smile, but that made Sage's heart race even more because his eyes were completely opposite. "Ah! I'm so sorry! Sure you can sit with us." 

River agreed with a menacing calmness, motioning for the vacant seat beside him.

Sage's eyes widened, catching a glimpse of the malevolence hidden within River's gaze. Sage's nerves tingled, because the seemingly innocent smile carried a sinister tone that only he understood right away. 

"N-No!" Sage blurted, nervousness washing over him. He knows River is not someone to just agree this easily. Something's not right. "Don't sit here, there's so many other benches so go somewhere else. R-River let it just go-" 

"Thank you," Sage was cut off as he heard Nick, his voice piercing through the stillness, causing River's smile to turn into a smirk. 

Why is this guy digging his own grave? Sage's nervousness grew, his eyes widening with confusion. He couldn't understand why the newcomer was behaving this way, but sure as hell he saw the malicious lurking in River's eyes. The room falls into a suffocating silence, the hushed whispers and clinking of cutlery stifled. It was as if the air itself held its breath, as they all watched the drama. 

River motioned for Nick to join them, patting the chair next to him in a friendly gesture. But just as Nick was about to sit down, River swiftly kicked the chair causing Nick to stumble and fall onto his bum. The cafeteria erupted in laughter, the raucous sound made them all look like a group of kindergarten students.

Sage gasped in surprise, amidst the laughter, River's voice rose above the chaos, "Why bother with a chair?" he bellowed in a venomous hiss. "You can talk to Saa…gee just fine from there, no?" 

Nick stood, feeling exposed and embarrassed before the mocking crowd, he glared at River through burning eyes and clenched jaw as if warning River of something he wasn't ready for. "You'll regret this." Some heavy gasps and murmurs could be heard in the background, even Sage was stunned, this is the first time someone has directly challenged River like that. 

But River only smirked. "You're welcome to come and sit with us..I mean come and sit with–Saagee…again, okay?" Nick gritted his teeth and left. "He's suspicious, stay as far as possible from him, Ziggy" the smile dropped and a stern expression took over his face. 

Sage doesn't know why but he felt pity for Nick. "Or maybe he simply just wanted to sit there," Sage muttered under his breath. "There might not be anything suspicious about it."

"What did you just say?!" River abruptly turned his face toward Sage, and the intense gaze in his eyes made Sage flinch involuntarily. His eyes burned with a mixture of emotions, and without uttering a word, River firmly took hold of Sage's hands and began dragging him back to their room. Sage's heart raced, and fear rushed through his veins as he struggled to keep up with River's long strides.

Once they reached the room, River slammed the door shut with an angry thud, causing Sage to jump in surprise. Before Sage could react, River grasped his jaw firmly, bringing their faces so close that their lips almost brushed against each other. His voice came out as a low growl, filled with desperation.

"So do you hate me for how I acted just now?" River's gaze was an undeniable undercurrent of darkness. Sage couldn't help but wince from the pain in his jaw but his eyes didn't waver and confidently looked back into River's. "Didn't you see how that four eyes were drooling over you…or did you enjoy that and that's why you're pitying him?!" 

Sage's eyes lit up with excitement instead of anger at River's reaction. He reached out and firmly grabbed River's wrist, which was holding his jaw. He intentionally dug his long nails into River's hand, causing River to tighten his grip even more.

"Are you jealous?!" Sage purred, his voice drenched in seductive devilishness. River chuckled in malicious humour, he leaned in closer, taking Sage's lower lip between his teeth before biting it and then soothing it with his tongue.

Sage breath hitched, he felt the electric charge in his body. He tried to maintain his composure, but River's madness proved to be a formidable challenge that made him fail as always. 

"Who's jealous? You really think I'll be jealous of him? Do you really think he can compete with me?" A low, husky chuckle escaped River's lips as he pulled back and smirked at the rising lewdness in Sage's eyes. He knows he's the only one who has this powerful influence on him. 

But Sage raised a playful brow, his knee extending to trace a teasing pattern along River's thigh. He delighted in the effect River had on him, taking satisfaction in the power of River's allure. "Come on, River. Admit it. You're burning up with jealousy, and it excites you, doesn't it?" Sage whispered, his voice graced with a tempting blend of desire and amusement.

River's breath grew ragged, his self-control slipping away like sand through his fingers. He met Sage's gaze, his eyes turning hungry. "You enjoy playing with fire, don't you, Ziggy?" River managed to utter, his voice tainted with a raw intensity.

Sage's lips curled into a wicked smile, his knee inching higher, teasing the boundaries of River's self-restraint. River inhaled sharply in unspoken desires, Sage is a fierce and irresistible magnet to which River gets attracted every time. "The heat of that fire is what makes it all so thrilling. I love watching you squirm, feeling your desperation, and whenever you get jealous," Sage murmured, his voice dripping with superheated breaths.

As the intoxicated tension between them reached its peak, River pushed him against the door, and looked deeply in his eyes. "Look out not to get burned in that fire," Says the one who surrendered himself when Sage surprised him by slamming his lips against his own. 

 🐱🫂🐺

When Eve woke up, he found himself tightly held in Alpha's arms while Alpha slept peacefully. It was the first time Eve had seen Alpha so close and in clear light. His body was still cold. He couldn't help but admire Alpha's sleeping face. Eve could still feel the coldness of Alpha's body against him, though it wasn't as freezing as it had been this early morning. 

He suddenly remembered what happened the night before—how Alpha disappeared and then appeared again unexpectedly. And how Alpha told him that his own body is not his anymore. It belonged to the King of Sunford now. And When Alpha finally decided to go back to sleep, he warned Eve not to leave the bed again without his permission or it won't be good for him.

Eve wondered where Alpha had gone and what had happened to him to make him react that way and feel so cold. These thoughts swirled in his mind, filling him with curiosity. He wanted to find out the truth but knowing Alpha's menacing nature he knew Alpha wouldn't tell him even if he asked. 

Lost in thought and without realising it, Eve's eyes darted to the sharpest jaw he had ever seen, suddenly he had a thought to check the sharpness of that jawline. And without any thought, he extended his hand. Startled by the touch, Alpha stirred and caught Eve's hand, his eyes flickering open, and he found himself staring into Eve's wide, terrified eyes.

His expression immediately turned into amusement. "What are you doing?" Alpha asked, his voice husky from sleep.

Eve felt his face flush with embarrassment, he quickly tried to withdraw his hand but Alpha wasn't ready to just let him go. He somehow found Eve's bold move amusing. Eve stuttered, "Uh... I... I was just…I..Your face was beauti—No! W-What I meant was–!" His face turned into a tomato. 

"Was what?" Alpha's lips curled into a playful smirk. "Well, since you're so interested, how about I give you a closer look?" With that, he pulled Eve closer as his hand was already around Eve's waist, because he was using him as a comfortable body pillow the whole night. 

Eve's heart thundered against his chest and before he could pass out from his nervousness, he sat up. "I don't want to! I didn't mean to…intrude, I'm sorry. I was just…curious. 

Alpha let out a huff and rolled away from Eve, sitting up on the edge of the bed. "Curiosity kills the cat," he muttered, his usual snarl taking over his face, and mood turning irritated. He rubbed his eyes and ran a hand through his dishevelled morning hair. The rawness and smoothness of his morning voice that carried a subtle rasp stirred Eve's soul, goosebumps erupted on his skin making him shudder. 

As Alpha left the bed, he stretched his arms, his muscles rippling beneath his taut skin. Eve watched him inquisitively, his eyes following his every move. 

Alpha walked over to the mini-fridge and pulled out a carton of apple juice, proceeding to drink straight from it. Eve couldn't help but find it odd, the idea of starting the day with apple juice. He wondered aloud, muttering under his breath. "Who drinks apple juice first thing in the morning?"

But Alpha heard him anyway. "You should be lucky it's not your blood," he replied curtly. He shot a sidelong glance at Eve, who was still staring at him. "You want some? You look quite…thirsty," he smirked, holding out the carton. "Or are you thirty something else. I can also arrange that-"

"No!" Eve's senses filled with dread, and he quickly shook his head. "No, thank you. I'm not thirsty!" he replied, avoiding eye contact, a blush creeping up his neck. 

Suddenly he remembered something, and mustered up the courage to ask Alpha about his mysterious absence the previous day. "What…happened to you yesterday? Where did you go?" he inquired, eyes looking for a response. 

Alpha's expression hardened, as he halted the sip he was about to take, annoyance flashed across his face. "That's none of your damn business," he snapped, his words cutting through the air like a sharp blade. "Don't get too nosy just because I saved you. I could still kill you."

His sudden change in demeanour caught Eve off guard, and he flinched slightly, his throat running dry. "I-I'm sorry," he murmured but his voice was barely audible. 

Alpha's eyes narrowed, and he studied Eve for a moment, sensing the fear and confusion in his eyes. He tried to change the subject. He closed his fist, nails digging into the cut. "Or else let's talk about something fun. Tell me about yourself or about your family?" 

Eve's eyes widened in terror, his heart began to race, and panic filled his veins. "I... I don't understand. What do you mean?" he asked, eyes narrowing in suspicion. 

"Really?" Alpha asked in a low voice, closely observing his every change of expression. "What exactly did you not understand in my question?" Eve gulped, suddenly shivering at the dark look in Alpha's eyes. Alpha began trudging towards him, he felt like a hungry beast approaching. "What's so complicated about it? I'm simply trying to learn about my room…mate and the guy I saved yesterday," 

Eve couldn't look away, hypnotised by those stone-cold eyes, his nervousness overwhelmed him, when Alpha bent down to his face's position. He pressed the apple juice against Eve's cheeks making him feel the coldness and wet droplets of it. 

Eve's heart pounded in his chest as Alpha leaned in closer, his eyes still locked onto Eve's. He swallowed nervously, his voice barely above a whisper. "I...I didn't mean to offend you," His eyes darted around the room, when he couldn't handle that piercing gaze searching for an escape route that didn't exist. "I just...I don't like to talk about my..family."

Eve's stomach churned in disgust, he felt sick to the core while saying the word 'family' which is the reason his life turned into this hell. 

Alpha's grip tightened on the apple juice, and his lips curled into a faint smirk. "And why is that?" he said, enjoying his entertainment. 

Something switched in Eve's eyes as they hardened, and when they looked back into Alpha's, there was unbearable hatred and a dangerous mystery Alpha had never seen before. There was no ounce of the innocence that usually could be seen there. "Why is it so important to you?" he snapped angrily, heavily breathing and voice trembling. He shoved Alpha's hand away with a glare. "Why do you want to know about my family?! 

Alpha's smile slowly grew bigger as he raised an eyebrow. Eve panted while continuing to glare at him, but suddenly his expression shifted as he realized what he had done. Terror filled his eyes, and they slowly reverted back to their usual frightened expression.

Shit..he's trying to trick me! I forget how dangerous this jerk is. Eve waited for a punch to lend on his face for yelling and talking back but it never came. Alpha was still evilly smirking, as if he had discovered something that Eve had no idea about. 

"I'm…sorry," Eve nervously let out. Rubbing his cheek, he cleaned the wetness from the can. "I need to use the bathroom," he didn't understand why he was asking for permission, but he felt like he should. 

"Sure," Alpha nodded, taking another sip, Eve didn't waste any time and ran away.

Alpha leaned back and scanned as Eve strolled towards the bathroom but Eve suddenly stopped. Alpha glanced down at the cut on his hand, and when he looked up again, he found Eve staring back at him, standing at the bathroom entrance. Alpha tilted his head, returning the gaze with his emotionless face. Their eyes locked, holding each other's gaze for a while. However, before he could utter a word, Eve closed the door to the bathroom.

"Don't worry, I'll make you spit out whatever you're hiding, fat cheeks," he mumbled under his breath.