Feral Bonds: Claimed By Rogue Alpha Brothers
Chapter 146: Before Everything Changed

Chapter 146: Before Everything Changed

Evaline:

By the time the sun was starting to dip behind the Academy’s stone walls that Wednesday evening, I found myself staring at my phone like it was a ticking bomb.

My thumb hovered over Oscar’s contact. I had never called him before. It was always him initiating, always him teasing or coaxing me into replying, always him taking the lead.

But this time, it had to be me.

I sucked in a breath and hit the call button before I could second-guess myself.

It rang once.

Twice.

And then his voice came through - bright, warm, a little out of breath.

"Eva?"

The sound of my name in his voice made something flutter violently in my chest.

"I-hi," I managed, finding slightly breathless myself.

He chuckled in a low and surprised tone. "Wow, okay. I did not expect that. You called me."

I smiled, even if he couldn’t see it. "Yeah. I hope it’s not a bad time."

"Bad time?" he scoffed. "You could have called me during an earthquake, and I would have picked up. I’m glad you did." Then, after a pause, his tone softened. "I’m sorry, by the way. For not being around more. Training trials for second and third years started previous week and are still ongoing, so I have been a little busy."

"It’s okay," I murmured. And I meant it. The way he sounded sincere, happy just to hear me, it melted something heavy inside me.

We talked for a little while. About his week. About mine. And he succeeded in making me smile more times within those few minutes than I had in days.

But then, I had to say it - the reason I called him.

"Would you... like to go out with me on Friday?"

The silence on the line lasted a heartbeat too long. And then-

"Hell yes."

I almost laughed, at his reaction, not from the fact that he was ready to join me on Friday. A part of me was actually wanting him to deny with work as excuse. But that obviously didn’t happen.

"I’ll message you place and time tomorrow. See you then." I ended the call before he could respond.

- - -

Next morning, I found myself hunting down Kyros and Rowan after lunch and found them in the Runes classroom.

Now that we were entering our fourth month of the term and the weeks were mostly filled with assignments or tests, Rowan was turning up in classes more frequently.

"Hey," I called out as I took the seat next to Rowan. I kept my voice down to not alert Mallory and Selene who were sitting right in front of us.

Rowan turned his attention toward me and immediately asked, "You okay?"

"I called the second one yesterday and asked him to meet me tomorrow. But I still need help figuring out where to take them. It can’t be the Academy or anywhere crowded."

Kyros nodded his head in agreement. "Yeah, you don’t want anyone overhearing what you are about to unload."

Rowan crossed his arms, looking thoughtful. "What about that base camp where our entrance exam took place. Now that Academy session has started, that place is left completely abandoned. I have been there once or twice, the place is completely... deserted."

"Not bad," Kyros added. "It’s private. Safe. You won’t get interrupted."

That sounded like a nice enough place, so I nodded my head. "Thanks, guys."

"You have got this, girl," Rowan said as he offered me an encouraging smile.

And I wanted to believe that. I really did.

That evening, the library was nearly empty as I packed up my notes. My brain was foggy after hours of working on study notes, but I had made progress and that was something.

I stepped into the hallway, adjusting the strap of my bag, when I stopped short.

Oscar.

He was leaning casually against the wall a few feet ahead, with his arms crossed and eyes gleaming like they had no business being that pretty under the flickering hall light. There were only a couple of students nearby, and every single one of them seemed very aware of his presence.

I froze. If I stepped closer, it would draw attention. So I did nothing. Just stood there.

He didn’t say a word.

Instead, he tilted his phone slightly, subtly, and walked away.

Frowning, I pulled mine from my pocket.

Oscar:Room 21. Sixth floor.

I blinked. Sixth floor?

The first four levels of this building were the library. Fifth held quiet study halls. But the sixth and seventh floors? They were rarely used. There were mostly forgotten classrooms and old administrative offices.

I waited a beat to make sure no one was watching. Then, as quietly as I could, I climbed the stairwell, keeping to the shadows until I reached the sixth floor.

Room 21 was at the end of the corridor.

I stepped in, barely a foot past the door, before I was pulled into a warm, tight embrace.

He wrapped his arms around me like he was afraid I would vanish. He tucked his face into the crook of my neck, and I heard the shaky sigh he released against my skin.

"I couldn’t wait," he murmured. "I thought I could. I really did. I told myself I would see you Friday and wrap up my work before then. But after last night, after you called, I just..."

He pulled back and cupped my face gently. "I had to see you."

My heart clenched painfully.

Because I didn’t know if I would still have this after tomorrow.

"I’m glad you came," I whispered.

His thumb brushed over my cheek. "You sure? You look like you are about to cry."

I smiled at him and shook my head. "Just tired after studying for the entire day."

He smiled and placed a feathery kiss on my forehead. "It’s good that you are focusing on your studies, but don’t overwork yourself."

I nodded and let myself lean into his chest again, wrapping my arms around his waist. I listened to his heartbeat, steady and real. I memorized the warmth of his skin through his shirt, the scent of his cologne, the low hum in his throat when I shifted closer.

I wanted to stay in this moment - just a little longer. Before everything changed.

Before I took the risk of losing him.

And so I did.

Even if it made it harder to let go.