Adrian (The vampire)

Chapter 14: The One Thing I Won't Let Him Take (Adrian's POV )

Damien Vale.

I should have killed him when I had the chance.

I gripped the edge of my desk so hard the wood nearly cracked beneath my fingers.

Amber, oblivious to the storm raging inside me, was still watching me. Suspicious. Curious.

I hated that she had seen me react.

I never reacted.

But the second Damien walked in, smirking like he belonged here—like he was allowed to be near her—something inside me had snapped.

And now?

Amber was asking questions.

"Adrian," she whispered, her voice too soft, too close. "What was that?"

I didn't look at her.

Couldn't.

"Nothing."

She scoffed. "That was not nothing."

I exhaled slowly, tilting my head toward her. "Drop it, sweetheart."

She narrowed her eyes. "You only call me that when you're trying to distract me."

My lips twitched. "And is it working?"

Her lips parted slightly.

Her heartbeat stuttered.

It always did when I got too close.

But she recovered quickly, scowling. "Stop changing the subject."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "You're relentless."

"And you're deflecting."

I leaned back in my chair, letting my fingers drum against the desk. "So what if I am?"

Amber glared. "Then that means you're hiding something."

My smirk didn't falter, but something dark and restless coiled inside me.

Because she was right.

And she had no idea what she was stepping into.

—

The moment class ended, Amber stood up quickly, grabbing her bag.

She was leaving.

I wasn't letting her.

I pushed away from my desk, stepping in front of her before she could take another step.

She huffed. "Seriously?"

I smirked, tilting my head. "What's the rush?"

She crossed her arms. "What's with the interrogation? I thought you didn't care what I did."

I did.

I cared too much.

And the thought of her anywhere near Damien made my blood boil.

"Just wondering where you're off to, sweetheart," I murmured. "Making new friends already?"

Her eyes narrowed. "You mean Damien?"

His name on her lips sent something sharp and violent through me.

I didn't react.

Not outwardly.

But I knew she saw the way my jaw tightened.

She raised an eyebrow. "Are you jealous?"

I laughed. "Of him?"

She leaned closer. "Then why are you acting so weird?"

I hummed, watching her carefully. "Maybe I just don't like people touching what's mine."

Her breath hitched.

She tried to mask it.

Tried to glare at me, tried to fight the way her pulse jumped under my gaze.

"You don't own me, Adrian."

I smirked, lowering my voice. "Not yet."

She shoved me.

I chuckled, letting her push past me.

But as she walked away, her hair swinging over her shoulder, her heartbeat still loud in my ears—

I made a promise to myself.

Damien Vale wasn't taking her from me.

Not ever.

—