Chapter 34

"But don't worry, we will help you," Sage let out, seeing how Eve's face dropped and how nervous he looked.

Eve looked up at him with hopes and mumbled in a sad tone. "You will?"

Sage laughed at those big wide puppy eyes and ruffled his hair. "Of course! Or else what you think we'll just leave our friend to die?"

Eve's lips twitched into a small smile, his eyes widening even more. "I'm your friend?!"

Sage gasped dramatically, placing a hand over his heart. "Don't tell me you don't think of me as your friend?!" he exclaimed, widening his eyes in mock surprise.

Eve couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle. "I do."

"Good, because you're the first friend I made here, so even if you don't like it, I've adopted you as my friend," Sage replied with a sassy tone.

And though Eve was delighted to hear him, he frowned slightly. "But isn't River your first friend?"

Sage waved a dismissive hand. "No, River is more than just a friend. He's...umm... well, he's a friend with benefits," he confessed casually.

Eve almost choked on his breath. You learn something new every day.

"So, it's my responsibility to help you. And tell you what, we just need to hide until the next bell rings, signalling the end of the night hunt. After that, Alpha will handle everything."

Eve nodded helplessly. He understands that Alpha has helped him but a small part of him is still furious that if it wasn't for Alpha, he wouldn't be in this mess right now. He doesn't want the title of Luna anyways. And now not only will he lose the title now he will get beaten for it or probably more than he could imagine since Alpha had provoked the whole Sunford by taking his side.

"I told you that this time Month's sacrifice is right after the Night's hunt, right? No one wants to risk their lives, so they will all run and hide in their rooms as soon as Night Hunt is over, because after their fun ends, Alpha's sinful fun begins—-!" Sage added.

However, their conversation halted as the doors suddenly swung open, startling both of them. There stood Alpha in all his glory, his presence oozing with a dangerous and menacing aura as always. His eyes were bloodshot as if he was having a hangover though he was completely sober, his face with a strong jawline and intense eyes that seemed to pierce through one's soul.

The culprits gulped as they looked at him as if Alpha had just caught them red-handed bitching about him. Sage followed Alpha's gaze which was fixed on the person beside him.

Alpha's gaze was locked with Eve's, and to Sage's surprise, instead of anger, there was a glint of amusement in Alpha's eyes. A small smirk formed on his lips, and Eve didn't look away either. Is he really looking in his eyes right now? And Alpha did not kill him either! Strange…

Sage nudged Eve, grabbing his attention and causing his intense staring contest to stop. "I should...leave now," He let out because since the owner of the territory is here, Alpha won't appreciate things that don't belong here.

"Okay," Eve nodded softly, and Sage smiled in response.

As Sage made his way toward the door, Alpha blocked his way causing the poor boy's heart to stop momentarily.

"How's the task I gave you going on?" He asked emotionlessly but loud enough for the main target of that task to hear him. Eve frowned at the strange and foreign words. But he definitely finds Alpha's smile creepy and shady.

Sage's heart skipped a beat. He had almost forgotten about the investigation he was supposed to conduct on Eve. Guilt washed over him as he had just guaranteed Eve of his friendship and trust. He glanced back at Eve, who was observing them both. Eve looked completely unaware as always, his soft gaze was calm but filled with naive tenderness.

"He was nervous about his…fight with Marco. So, I-I didn't get the time to ask him anything about his past or why he's here," Sage whispered for only Alpha to hear, and not the one he's deceiving.

Without breaking eye contact with Eve, Alpha warned Sage in a heavy and frightening tone, "I'm running low on patience. So, better watch out."

Sage flinched, feeling a shiver run down his spine, and nervously gulped. He knew he couldn't defy Alpha's orders, but he also didn't want to betray Eve. In a hushed voice, he responded, "I-I understand."

Without uttering another word, Alpha abruptly slammed the door shut in his face, leaving Sage standing there, overwhelmed and torn between completing Alpha's task and betraying the bond he had formed with Eve. Sage ran from there before he could have a panic attack.

◾◾◾

River's footsteps echoed through the hallway as he walked carefreely. He was thinking about what Alpha told him. He still couldn't wrap his head around that Alpha was not on good terms with his family.

Just as he was lost in his thoughts, Marco suddenly stepped in front of him. River's scowl deepened and he groaned, his gaze narrowing as he met Marco's eyes.

"When will you stop acting like a bad boy, pussycat? This is not a K-drama," River growled, taking a step back.

Marco rolled his eyes and ignored his hostility. "I'm here to offer a deal."

"Not interested, now move dogshit," River tried to walk past him purposely bumping his shoulder into Marco.

Marco took a deep breath and ignored this insult as well. Grabbing River's arm he stopped him again. "Join hands with me. I can help you secure your position if you just tell me why Alpha helped that pathetic piece of crap weakling."

He flinched as soon he finished that sentence and saw the horrifying expression in River's eyes. River's scowl turned into a wicked smile. "Oh, how touching," he replied sarcastically. "So, now you don't care about stealing Alpha's position but also want to help me secure my position. Isn't that so LOVELY of you? But that's all-"

"I'm not kidding, I can really help you. You think you're safe if he becomes Luna. He'll take over your second position-"

"Stop!" River's face writhed with anger, his fists clenched tightly. He struggled to keep his serenity, but the burning rage was apparent in his eyes. "You think I need a position to beat a dumbass like you. You should thank Alpha for announcing the fight which saved your ass from me. Or you wouldn't be able to stand in one piece and blabber bullshit for daring to pick on the kid who was under my protection."

Beads of sweat formed on Marco's forehead, and his heart pounded against his chest. He stood in silence, his minions exchanging glances between themselves, scared too.

River walked away leaving them trembling like a leaf, but stopped when he heard a cry behind him. Turning around he saw Marco beating his personal punching bag, and prey. Since Marco couldn't confront River he lashed out at this vulnerable victim who was a defenseless and petite boy.

He was already skinny, and the brutal blows worsened his condition further. River listened to his pained cries with an emotionless face. But he couldn't interfere even if he wanted to, because that's not his prey.

Marco aggressively grabbed the boy by the collar, and slammed his head against the nearby wall. The impact rumbled, and a sickening thud filled the air. Marco's curses mingled with the boy's cries. "You're just a worthless piece of trash!" he spat, breathing heavily, speaking with every blow. "But don't worry you'll be gone by the Night's hunts. I'm not keeping a worthless pet like you anymore. I need a new slave!"

The boy, now bloodied and battered, struggled to stay on his feet. Marco, towering over him, and let out sadistically. "Get on your knees!" he bellowed as he opened the zip of his pants.

Ignoring the obnoxious scene, River walked away when he couldn't watch any further. He was on his way to pick up Sage, when Marco stopped him.

He just turned a few hallways when he noticed Sage walking towards him with a downtrodden expression with slow steps and lowered head. River frowned in concern and he quickened his pace to reach Sage.

"Ziggy?!" He called out loudly.

Sage perked up at the sound of River's voice, his eyes were welling up with tears. He hurriedly ran toward River as soon their eyes met. River didn't expect his roommate to jump on him and bury his face in his neck. Still, River responded immediately, wrapping his arms tightly around Sage and holding him close.

"What happened? Why are you crying? Did someone bully you?! Come on, tell me?" River gently stroked Sage's back. He swears he will make them pay who made his Ziggy cry, but Sage only shook his head and cried harder. "Alright, take a deep breath. But you are telling me everything after you calm down." He hugged him tighter, kissing the top of his head.