Chapter 49

Sage's heart ached with each passing day as River continued to ignore him. He felt a constant heaviness in his chest, unable to comprehend why the person he loved so deeply was treating him this way.

His heart hurt when he remembered the person who used to eat together, talk, and laugh with him, didn't even sleep in the same bed now. Sage was confused and wounded. He was heartbroken because he didn't even know what he had done so wrong to deserve River's ignorance.

Now, River only came into their dorm when Sage was sleeping at night and would be gone again before Sage woke up. Sage tried to stay awake to catch him, hoping to talk to him. But no matter how hard he tried, he always fell asleep as soon as the bell rang.

He wondered whether River had lost interest in him. Maybe River didn't find him attractive anymore, or maybe he had found someone else.

All these thoughts were like a knife to his heart, stabbing right where he had hidden his one-sided feelings for River. He couldn't even picture River with someone else without choking on his tears.

He remembered all those promises that River made to him. The promises that he'd always be with him echoed in his head, making his situation even more painful.

How could you just break them? Sage thought, sitting on his bed in a state of confusion and despair.

With each passing second, his heart raced faster, his insecurities growing stronger, filling him with self-loathing. He longed to confront River, to demand an explanation, but his fear held him back.

What if his silence is the confirmation of my worst fears? What if I'm truly isn't enough for him anymore?

N-no, stop overthinking. He quickly shook his head. He just wanted things to go back to the way they were, to feel River's warm smiles and touches, a reassurance that River was with him. But for now, all he could do was endure this unbearable pain and hope that somehow, things would change.

He heard the shower turning off. After a while, River came out of the bathroom, not even glancing at his side. He quietly dressed himself while Sage stared at his back with tired eyes, hungry and desperate for just a small glance, a small piece of attention would be fine with him.

But River didn't even grant him that.

So, even though he was desperate, he just sat there, afraid that if he tried to speak, River would run away faster. All he really wanted was to be near River, to stay as close as he could, even for a few seconds, even if it meant just watching him from afar.

Meanwhile, while River dressed himself, his actions seemed deliberately slow. His heart raced with thoughts of why Sage wasn't pestering him anymore. Did he really just give up on him so easily? It made him sad.

However, just when he was about to leave the dorm, Sage's small voice stopped him, and an ounce of happiness filled him.

"R-River…" Sage let out in a hushed voice. "Please wait a second–"

"What?" he fumed, turning around to face Sage with resentment and an angry expression.

Sage flinched at the sight, and it broke River internally to see Sage so scared of him. He was dying to just hold Sage close, beg for his forgiveness, kiss him all over, and tell him how much he missed having Sage in his arms.

But he couldn't do so. It was all for Sage's sake.

"Where are you…going?" Sage asked softly, lowering his gaze so that he couldn't see the hatred in River's eyes.

He heard River groaning. "Is it any of your business?"

Sage glared at him, and River could see his wet lashes. Unable to endure the sight, River decided to leave but was pulled back by Sage's grip on his wrist.

"Why are you doing this to me? I want answers, at least I deserve to know the reason why you're ignoring me," Sage demanded, his eyes filled with frustration and confusion.

River's eyes stared deeply into his as he said, "How's the investigation about Eve going?"

Sage was stunned, freezing for a moment. So… that's why he's ignoring me.

"Alpha told you–"

"No, he didn't. But I know he asked you to investigate Eve," he let out a disappointed sigh. Sage was scared, believing his lies. "Why are you doing this? He trusts you the most. You always nagged me for throwing him at Alpha's feet, yet now you're doing the same."

Sage didn't understand the sudden concern River was showing for Eve. Since when did he begin caring for Eve?

"Is this really the reason why you're treating me like this?" Sage whispered, his hopes hanging on a thin rope. He tried hard, yet his insecurities got the best of him. Please say no–

"Yes," and there his heart completely shattered.

Holding back tears was so difficult, he never knew. "For something so small."

River sneered, raising an accusatory brow. "Small? Are you really the real Sage? He's an innocent kid, and you're betraying him? If you really care for him, don't do anything further–"

The desperate concern in River's voice was for him, but due to being in a messed up mental state, Sage mistook it for Eve. And it made him painfully jealous.

"Why do you care for him?! You told me everyone is on their own, so why are you taking his side?" he yelled, looking at him while holding back his impending tears. "Do you like Eve?"

River was speechless; he didn't even understand how Sage came up with this theory. But seeing this as an opportunity to make Sage hate him, he looked away.

"I mean he's…cute. Anyone would fall for him."

The ground seemed to slip from under Sage's feet, the sudden pang in his chest, and the tears that rolled down his cheeks weren't as painful as River's words. They literally stabbed his vulnerable heart.

His once bright eyes now sparkled with immense pain. He choked out, "H-How could…could you do this to me?"

River was fighting with himself more than anything. He wanted to just hold Sage close, wipe his tears, and tell him it wasn't true, but he fought against that urge.

And instead, he twisted the knife further in Sage's heart without warning. "What did I do? Don't tell me you like me or anything?"

"I do!" Sage's confession stopped his breath. "I do like you. I…like you, River."

But his confession was answered with a bitter laugh. "What? You're kidding, right?" The rejection cut deep. "And what, you like me? What do you want me to do? You really think I could ever love someone like you who's been used by so many? There's a whole lot waiting for me outside, so why should I settle for a use and throw, cheap fuck like–"

A hard hand connected with a resounding slap against River's cheek, silencing his insulting words.

But he was angry as well. His own palm instinctively balled into a fist, and in a heartbeat, it swung towards Sage but froze when Sage gasped and tried to shield himself with trembling hands.

His eyes widened when he realized that he had almost punched Sage, someone he cared about the most, someone he loved the most.

Sage's eyes widened in shock and hurt, his chest heaving with fear and betrayal. River had never tried to hurt him, no matter how angry he was. Seeing the fright in his eyes, River finally tried to approach him, only to be pushed away.

"Ziggy?!" He called out, but Sage had already left. "Urghh!!!!" He yelled in annoyance, punching the wall.

 ▪️▪️▪️

His gaze was fixed on the person before him, emotions mixed between anger and fear. And the very source of his turmoil was Eve.

Sitting on his bed with his long legs spread comfortably, his body language emitting a casual dominance. The way he leaned against the wall, one arm resting lazily on his bent knee, while the other hand held a book. His tousled hair fell in his face, and his eyes glistened with amusement briefly looking up at the person who was poking holes in his face.

"Ask?" One word, yet it sent shivers down Alpha's spine.

His eyes locked with those sapphire gems that once used to hold vulnerabilities and even fear to look at him. Now, they were replaced with a wicked smirk. The transformation was scary for him, as if Eve had shed a skin and now revealed his true self.

Alpha knew that Eve knew more truths that he wasn't showing fully.

Alpha's own transformation was shocking. Now that he wasn't taking the real drug, his true self could be seen. Which wasn't as aggressive as his casual state. He wasn't violent or scary.

"Do...you know everything about me?" He asked, as he couldn't deny that Eve wasn't normal, his ability to take the life of that guy without hesitation was proof of how dangerous he was.

Eve stared at him for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, he let out a heavy sigh and nodded. "Yes, I know everything."

Alpha was taken aback for a while. But he didn't understand the sorrow in Eve's eyes, something that made it difficult for him to look away. Swallowing hard, he gathered his courage and asked his next question. "Then...can you tell me?"

Eve's eyes locked onto him, his expression serious. "No," he said without hesitation.

Alpha frowned. He didn't bother further because at least now he knew there's someone who knew about his past. And there was something in Eve's tone that told him he wouldn't get an answer, no matter how much he pressed.

Alpha's frustration grew, but he wasn't ready to give up. "What about Lia? If you know everything about me, then you must know about Lia too, right?"

Eve's face changed at the mention of that person. It hardened, and a distant look crossed his eyes. "I know," he simply said.

Alpha's eyes lit up with excitement. He couldn't believe that Eve really had information about Lia. He moved to Eve's bed, grabbing Eve's arms and turning him towards him. "Tell me everything about Lia!"

Eve's reaction wasn't what Alpha expected. He pulled his arms away forcefully and glared at him. "Who said I will tell you?"

Alpha's excitement turned to frustration once again. "Why not."

"Because Lia is dead," he told him boredly.

The words hit Alpha like a freight train. His heart skipped a beat, and a rush of cold washed over him. He felt his chest tightening, and his breathing grew shallow. The world around him seemed to literally blur, and he clung to the edge of Eve's bed for support.

It was as if he was trapped in a nightmare. Panic surged through his veins, and he struggled to control his nerves.

"Who...how did—"

"I killed—"

Stunned and speechless, Alpha struggled to process the information. "You...you killed Lia?"

"Hmm…" So normal. A reaction Alpha could never imagine from Eve.

"Why? Why would you do that?" Alpha's disbelief was written all over his face as he managed to stammer. His heart pained unconsciously.

He doesn't even remember Lia, so why a tear fell from his eyes.

Eve's lips twitched into an evil smile. "There's a lot you don't know. And there are things I can't tell you. You need to discover those truths yourself. Because even if I told them to you right now, you wouldn't believe me."

He put a finger under Alpha's chin as he could clearly see how nervous Alpha was, because Alpha could see the obsession and madness in Eve's eyes.

"You don't have to be scared of me," Eve's gaze grew colder, a menace appearing in them. "It's the lab that should be scared of me, for what they've done to you."

Alpha didn't understand why he felt relief at those words. But he stopped thinking anything at once when Eve's lips met his in a gentle yet teasing kiss.

Alpha's brows furrowed in response, Eve's laughter, light and teasing, filled the silence that followed the kiss. "Don't tell me you didn't enjoy that."

Alpha's frown deepened, and he hesitated for a moment. "I...I don't know."

Eve's amusement was only tenfold, and he smirked. "Oh, come on. You used to love my kisses."

"What else do I like?" Alpha's voice was low, he looked at him with hope to get some answers.

Eve leaned and whispered in a seductive tone. "You like it when I kiss you for a long time." His hand slid to the back of Alpha's neck, fingers brushing against his skin.

Alpha's breath hitched, the tension between them escalating. His heart raced, and he felt a rush of heat pooling in his stomach.

"What else?" Alpha's voice was barely above a murmur, his defences crumbling.

Eve's touch was like a spark against Alpha's skin, igniting a fire within him. "You like it when I touch you here," his hands moving down to Alpha's arousal.

Alpha's control slipped, and he let out a soft sigh. He was losing himself in the moment, unconsciously losing his defences.

"And...?" he breathed out an inhale.

Eve's smirk widened, amused by those delicious reactions. "And you like it when I take you here." His hand slid lower, resting on Alpha's ass.

And that's when Alpha opened his eyes and pushed him away in shock.