Chapter 15: His Silent Claim

Sophia could still feel Lucian's presence, even after he had disappeared down the hall. It was like a shadow wrapped around her, unseen but impossible to ignore.

Ryan shifted beside her, his earlier confidence dimming. "Who was that?"

Sophia hesitated. "Just... someone I met."

Ryan scoffed. "That guy? He looked at me like he wanted to tear my head off."

She didn't respond. She didn't need to.

Because she knew Ryan was right.

Lucian had wanted to rip him apart.

She exhaled sharply. "I need to get to class."

Ryan grabbed her wrist before she could walk away. His grip wasn't forceful, but it wasn't gentle either. "Hey, come to my house after school. We can talk. Just the two of us."

Sophia stiffened. Something in his tone unsettled her.

Before she could answer, the air around her grew thick—like a storm brewing in the distance.

A shiver raced down her spine.

Ryan's fingers abruptly released her.

Sophia turned, heart pounding.

Lucian was back.

Leaning lazily against a row of lockers, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. But his eyes— they were locked on Ryan with a quiet, unsettling intensity.

Ryan took a step back. "You need something, man?"

Lucian's lips curled into something that wasn't quite a smile. "I suggest you keep your hands off what isn't yours."

Sophia's breath caught.

Ryan's brows furrowed. "Excuse me?"

Lucian tilted his head slightly, looking bored. But his voice was like velvet wrapped around a blade. "I don't like repeating myself."

Ryan bristled, but he didn't say another word.

Lucian turned to Sophia, his gaze burning through her. "We need to talk."

She swallowed. "Now?"

His eyes flickered. "Now."

Ryan was still standing there, watching.

Lucian ignored him entirely, placing his hand on the small of Sophia's back as he led her away.

Possessive. Claiming.

Sophia didn't fight it.

Because deep down, she liked it.

---

The Rooftop

Minutes later, they stood alone on the deserted school rooftop.

Lucian leaned against the railing, watching her. "You need to be careful."

Sophia folded her arms. "Careful of what? Ryan?"

"Humans. Supernaturals. Yourself." His voice was low. "You shine too brightly. They're drawn to you."

Sophia hesitated. "What's happening to me?"

Lucian studied her, then sighed. "Your body is changing. The power inside you is waking up. Every creature in the supernatural world can sense it. Including me."

Sophia shivered at the way he said that. Including me.

Lucian stepped closer. Too close.

She should have moved away. She didn't.

"You feel it, don't you?" he murmured.

Sophia swallowed. "Feel what?"

He lifted a hand, brushing his fingers over a strand of her hair. His touch was featherlight, but it sent a rush of heat through her.

"This pull between us," Lucian said, his voice softer now. "You feel it. Even if you don't want to admit it."

Sophia's heartbeat pounded in her ears.

Because he was right.

She felt something.

Something she wasn't ready to name.

Lucian exhaled, stepping back. "Stay away from Ryan. He wants more than you think."

Sophia frowned. "And you don't?"

Lucian's lips twitched, his eyes darkening.

But he didn't answer.

He didn't need to.