Chapter 2: What The Fuck Gives You The Right?
Aria's POV
I've just walked out of Advanced Werewolf History class, my backpack heavy with textbooks, when voices from around the corner make me stop cold.
"Rogue boy! Think you can hide from us?"
"Heard you got beat up again yesterday? Once a dog, always a dog. Can't change what you are, can you?"
My grip tightens on my book strap. Not this shit again.
I turn the corner and see exactly what I expected. Three upperclassmen have cornered that dark-haired guy from yesterday. Kael's backed against the wall, fists clenched, those green eyes burning with rage he's trying to keep locked down.
"When's daddy's debt getting paid off?" the tallest one sneers. "Or you planning to be a slave forever?"
"I heard you can't even afford next month's tuition. Want us to sponsor you?" another one laughs.
That's enough. I've had it with this bullshit.
I stride over and push right into their little circle. "Hey! Back the hell off."
All three guys turn to stare at me. One recognizes me immediately.
"Oh, look who it is. The Silver Moon princess who got shot down by Ethan yesterday. What, found yourself a new charity case?"
"I said back off." My voice comes out colder than I intended. "Unless you want to explain to your families why you're messing with Alpha bloodlines."
Sure, I don't have Alpha power, but the Silver Moon Pack name still means something. Plus, our family's success makes most people think twice.
"Tch, just name-dropping daddy," the second guy mutters, but they're already backing away. "Come on, let's bounce. Not worth dealing with these losers."
As they walk off, the leader throws one last comment over his shoulder. "This isn't over, Rogue boy. And you, princess, don't think family money makes you untouchable."
Once they're gone, the hallway goes quiet again. I turn to Kael, expecting... I don't know. Maybe some explanation? A thank you? Something?
Instead, he just straightens his wrinkled clothes, picks up the books that got knocked down, and looks at me with this blank expression.
"Thanks."
That's it. One word, delivered like he's reading from a script.
I wait a few seconds, thinking he'll say more, but he's already gathering his stuff.
"Wait, that's it?" I call out. "Are you okay? Those guys were being total dicks."
"I'm fine." He doesn't even look back.
"Why were they bothering you? Just because of your dad? Look, if you need help with anything..."
"I don't."
And just like that, he disappears down the hallway, leaving me standing there with my heavy books and growing confusion.
What the hell? I just helped him out, and he acts like I insulted his mother. Maybe he's not good at saying thanks? Or maybe getting rescued by a girl hurts his pride?
Men and their egos. Jesus.
But I'm not giving up that easily. If he won't ask for help, I'll just have to get creative.
The cafeteria at lunch buzzes with its usual chaos. Students stick to their social circles. Noble families cluster in the premium section with their fancy meals while regular students make do with basic food.
I scan the room with my tray until I spot Kael in the far corner, sitting alone. The sight of his lunch makes my stomach drop. A piece of stale bread, watery soup, and some sad vegetables that look half dead.
No wonder he's so skinny. How's he supposed to keep up that kind of strength training on this pathetic excuse for food?
I remember the small pouch Mom packed before I left home.
"This is our pack's most precious supplement," she'd said, pressing the moonstone powder into my hands. "If you ever feel tired at school, use just a tiny bit. Remember, only a little. This stuff is worth a fortune."
I glance around the cafeteria, making sure nobody's watching, then get up and head toward the condiment station. As I pass Kael's table, I pretend to stumble, dropping my salt shaker near his chair.
"Oops, sorry."
I crouch down to grab it, and in those few seconds, I quickly pull out a pinch of moonstone powder and sprinkle it into his soup. The whole thing takes maybe three seconds, and Kael's focused on his bread.
"Sorry, I'm such a klutz," I say, standing up and dusting off before heading back to my seat.
The powder will dissolve slowly, giving him strength and helping his recovery. It's expensive as hell. This much probably costs a few hundred bucks, but seeing him like this, I know it's better used helping him than sitting in my room.
I'm halfway through my meal when I notice Kael freeze. He's brought the soup to his lips, but now he's stopped, staring at the bowl with intense focus.
Shit. I forgot about enhanced senses.
He takes another small sip, then sets the bowl down and starts scanning the cafeteria. My heart rate spikes.
His gaze sweeps the room before locking onto me. He stands up and walks straight over, and the look in his eyes makes me want to hide under the table.
"Did you mess with my food?"
His voice is low and dangerous, those green eyes colder than ice.
"What? I have no idea what you're talking about." I try to sound casual.
"My soup tastes like moonstone powder. Nobody here would give me expensive supplements except maybe the new girl who doesn't know better."
His stare cuts right through my bullshit.
"Okay, fine, yes. But you don't need to get all..."
"What the fuck gives you the right?"
I've never seen him lose it before, but right now his face is flushed with anger, and his voice, though controlled, carries fury that makes nearby students turn to stare.
"You think this is some kind of joke? Slipping stuff into the poor Rogue boy's food and watching him grovel?"
"What? No! I was just trying to..."
"Trying to what? Show everyone how generous you are?"
The way he spits out "generous" makes it sound disgusting.
"Or maybe you want something back? Some kind of favor to thank you?"
Now I'm getting pissed. "Are you out of your mind? Why would I want anything from you?"
"Then why drug my food? What else would you call it?"
By now, half the cafeteria is watching us, phones coming out to record. I can hear the whispers starting.
"Look, Aria got rejected by Ethan AND the Rogue boy."
"Did she really put something in his food? That's desperate."
"Maybe she's got a thing for bad boys?"
"You know what, Kael Nightshade? Forget it." I stand up, meeting his glare. "I thought you were worth feeling sorry for, but you're just a paranoid asshole."
He laughs, but there's no humor in it. "Feel sorry for me? I don't need pity from some spoiled princess."
"Fine! You don't want help? Then enjoy being alone with your stale bread!"
"I will. At least my food isn't contaminated by someone's agenda."
"That powder is worth hundreds of dollars, you ungrateful bastard!"
"Which proves how desperate you are. Spending hundreds to buy my attention?"
His words hit like a slap. My cheeks burn with embarrassment and rage.
"You're an asshole, Kael Nightshade. A complete asshole who doesn't deserve anyone giving a damn."
"Finally being honest. Now you can go back to your rich friends and tell them you tried helping a poor Rogue boy, but it didn't work out."
I grab my tray and storm out without looking back. The laughter and whispers follow me like wolves.
By the time I reach my small apartment off campus, I'm shaking with anger and hurt. The place is tiny but cozy. Simple furniture, some decorations from home, and the moon-shaped pillow Mom made by hand. I chose off-campus living after seeing how pretentious the dorms were. Too much flash for my taste.
I throw my backpack on the couch and collapse face-first onto my bed, burying my face in the pillow.
What the hell is wrong with Kael Nightshade? Why is he so hostile to any kindness? Does he really think I had some hidden agenda?
I roll over and stare at the ceiling. Maybe I was being naive. In this world of class wars and bloodline politics, maybe real kindness does get twisted into manipulation.
But I keep seeing him getting bullied this morning, and that sad excuse for lunch. The way he kept his dignity even when cornered, the strength I could sense under all that anger.
I sit up and look at myself in the mirror. My eyes show hurt, but underneath, there's something else. Determination.
"Aria Silvermoon," I tell my reflection, "you're not the type to give up easy."
Maybe Kael Nightshade doesn't believe in kindness, but that doesn't mean I have to stop offering it. If he won't take direct help, I'll just have to find another way.
After all, the toughest walls usually protect the softest hearts. And I've never backed down from a challenge.
Kael Nightshade, you're about to learn just how stubborn a Silver Moon Pack princess can be.
