CHAPTER 3

Adrian's POV

I woke up to nice weather. Too bad it didn't match my mood.

The second I opened my eyes, irritation settled in like an unwelcome guest. The faint chirping of birds only worsened my headache.

Great—another useless day of pretending to care about high school.

I dragged myself out of bed, running a hand through my already-messy blond hair. A morning run might clear my head, but I wasn't in the mood. I just needed to get through this damn day.

By the time I reached the dining room, the scent of fresh breakfast filled the air. Normally, that would be a good thing. Not today.

Because sitting at the table, acting like a perfect couple, were my parents.

My father—Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack, the man who made rival packs tremble at his feet—sat beside my mother, whispering something that made her laugh. The softness in his gaze, the warmth in hers—it was disgusting.

I grabbed an apple from the table. "Not hungry."

"You barely eat, Adrian," my mother said with a sigh. "Take care of yourself."

I ignored her, already heading for the door.

"Your driver is waiting," my father said, his voice leaving no room for argument.

I clenched my jaw but didn't argue. Stepping outside, I slid into the sleek black car, welcoming the silence.

"Philli Elite High, sir?" the driver asked.

"Obviously."

The engine purred to life, but as we drove, a strange feeling crept over me.

Something was about to change.

And I wasn't sure if I'd like it.

At School

The first class passed in a blur—nothing but the usual boring lectures and desperate girls trying to catch my attention.

But then—

"Everyone, we have a new student," the teacher announced.

I barely looked up. I didn't care.

Until I felt it.

Something off.

A new presence—human, definitely, but there was something else, something that didn't quite fit.

I shifted in my seat and looked up.

There he was.

Dark-haired, lanky, his uniform perfectly in place. His expression was unreadable, his posture stiff—too stiff. Like someone who didn't belong here but was pretending he did.

His eyes swept across the class, cold, detached. And then—

He looked at me.

And he didn't look away.

My instincts flared instantly. I was used to people staring at me—girls filled with admiration, guys with envy, teachers with fake politeness.

But his stare?

Calculating. Measuring. Not in awe, not in fear. Just... studying me.

Like he was assessing something.

Tch. Who the hell does he think he is?

I narrowed my eyes slightly, tilting my head in challenge. His stare didn't falter. It was only for a second, but it was enough.

He's hiding something.

Then—just as quickly—he looked away, masking whatever had slipped through.

But it was too late.

I noticed.

And I wasn't about to forget.

A faint scent drifted toward me as he walked past—a normal human scent… but something was off. Too neutral. Too controlled. Like he'd scrubbed himself clean of any identifying smell.

My wolf stirred uneasily. Who the hell are you, Jake Griffo?

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