Chapter 4 Skyla's POV

I stared at the photo, barely able to believe it. I thought I would have to search through dozens of books before finding anything, but here she was, right in front of me.

"She's beautiful," Timika said beside me, her voice softer now.

I swallowed hard, my fingers trembling slightly as I traced the outline of her face. "I can't believe it was this easy," I murmured.

Timika leaned in closer, her eyes flickering over the names below the photo. Then suddenly, she stiffened.

I glanced at her, confusion creeping into my chest."What?"

Her fingers hovered over a name listed right beside my mother's. A name I wouldn't have recognized, but Timika did.

"Emily Cox," she whispered.

A cold shiver ran down my spine. "Who's that?"

Timika swallowed hard, her expression unreadable. "That's... my mother's name."

The weight of her words settled between us, heavy and shocking. We both looked down at the book again, our eyes scanning beneath the photo, My mum and Timika's mother too close to each other, their faces all smiles and their hands wrapped around each other's shoulder.

And there it was. Timika and I stared at each other, realization dawning between us.

"Our mothers were friends." Timika said

And now, here we were, two strangers with the same unanswered questions, drawn to the same book, at the same academy.

Fate was playing a twisted game.

And somehow, I had a feeling this was only the beginning.

The library was supposed to be empty. No one should have been on campus at this hour, not after the welcome party had ended. But the heavy sound of boots echoed against the wooden floors, sending a sharp chill down my spine.

Timika and I locked eyes, our shared panic spreading through the silence. We ducked behind one of the massive bookshelves, pressing ourselves into the shadows as the figure moved closer. My heart pounded in my chest, thudding so loudly I was sure the guard would hear it.

Through the gaps between the books, I could make out his broad frame, the way he scanned the room suspiciously, probably sensing someone was still here. I held my breath as he stepped closer.

Timika grabbed my wrist, her grip tight. "We have to go," she whispered so softly I barely heard her.

I shook my head, signaling for her to wait. The guard was still looking around, his beady eyes scanning each aisle of books. If we moved too soon, we were caught.

Timika didn't listen. Instead, she started a silent countdown with her fingers.

Three.

Two.

One...

She yanked me, and we bolted.

The moment we stepped into the open, the guard turned, his deep voice booming, "Stop right there!"

Like hell we would.

Timika and I sprinted toward the exit, weaving through the shelves, our breathless laughter mixing with the rush of adrenaline. The guard was fast, but we were faster. My lungs burned, but I didn't stop, not even when I heard him call after us again.

By some miracle, we made it out of the library and through the halls, slipping through the shadows until we reached Timika's dorm. We collapsed inside, panting, our hands braced on our knees as we tried to catch our breath.

"That..." Timika gasped between laughs. "That was insane."

I groaned, pressing my back against the door. "We could have been caught."

"But we weren't." She grinned, her dark eyes glinting with mischief.

I sighed. "Still, I wish we had taken that book."

Timika smirked and, with a flourish, pulled the book out from under her shirt.

My eyes widened. "No way."

She burst into laughter, and this time, I joined in.

The next morning, Timika and I sat together for lunch, our trays piled with food as we talked. We weren't in the same classes, but that didn't stop us from finding each other when we could.

"So, you're serious about being a healer wolf?" Timika asked, chewing on a piece of bread.

I nodded, swirling my spoon through my soup. "Yeah. My mom was one. I want to be just like her."

She hummed in thought before grinning. "I want to learn how to connect with anyone through my inner wolf. You know, form mental bonds without needing to be mated."

I raised a brow. "Sounds complicated."

Timika shrugged. "Maybe. But if I can do it, I'll always be able to find the people I care about."

A warm feeling settled in my chest. For someone I had just met last night, Timika already felt like a friend.

Just as I was about to reply, the school secretary's voice echoed through the cafeteria speakers.

"Skyla Smithing, report to the office immediately."

I froze, my stomach twisting.

Timika leaned in. "Think they caught us?"

I shot her a glare. "Not helping."

She grinned. "Relax. You've got this."

I wasn't so sure.

Reluctantly, I stood up, ignoring the glares of the students in the cafeteria as I made my way to the office. My mind raced with all the possible things I could have done wrong, besides breaking into the library, of course.

When I entered, the secretary barely spared me a glance. "Mr Fenwick isn't showing up, so you'll be cleaning the staff room alone."

"Alone?" I almost groaned aloud but then again cleaning alone was better than dealing with him again.

"Fine," I muttered, turning on my heel.

The staff room smelled of old books and faint traces of coffee. I huffed as I grabbed a rag, already regretting my life choices. If I hadn't been caught in the past, maybe I wouldn't have detention stacked up like this.

I climbed onto a chair to reach a dusty shelf, stretching my arm for a book that had fallen sideways. My fingers barely brushed it when...

The chair wobbled.

I yelped, my heart leaping into my throat as I lost balance.

Strong arms caught me before I hit the ground.

For a moment, everything was still. Warmth wrapped around me, firm and steady. My breath hitched as I looked up... Right into Adler's smug face.

My stomach twisted. "Let me go," I snapped, squirming against his hold.

He didn't. Not immediately. His grip tightened just slightly, his lips curling into an infuriating smirk. "Struggling already?"

"Put me down," I hissed.

He let go.

I barely landed on my feet before I stumbled, my hands clutching my shirt-only to realize a button had popped open.

Adler's gaze flicked down, his eyes darkening with amusement. "Nice view."

Heat rushed to my cheeks. "Pervert!" I snapped, yanking my shirt closed.

He chuckled, his voice smooth and lazy. "Relax, mate. Not my fault you can't keep your clothes together."

The word mate sent an involuntary shiver down my spine, but I refused to let it get to me.

Adler strode toward me, the smirk on his lips deepening. Instinctively, I stepped back, my breath catching as I bumped into the table behind me. Before I could regain my balance, his hands found my waist, steadying me with ease.

My pulse hammered against my ribs. His touch was firm, warm, and completely overwhelming.

"How ignorant I've been," he murmured, his voice dropping an octave. His grip tightened slightly, pulling me flush against him. His scent, dark spice and something dangerously intoxicating, wrapped around me, clouding my thoughts.

"To know that my mate is this... sexy." he continued, his lips hovering just above mine. "But you can't deny it, can you?"

I opened my mouth to protest, but the words never came.

Because Adler kissed me.

It wasn't gentle. I wasn't hesitant. His lips crashed against mine with a hunger that stole my breath. Heat exploded through my veins, burning away every rational thought.

I should have pushed him away. I should have resisted.

But I didn't.

Instead, I melted into him, my fingers curling into his shirt as his arms caged me against the table. The kiss deepened, his tongue teasing, claiming, demanding. A soft whimper escaped me, and I hated how much I craved more.

"Skyla?"

A familiar voice sliced through the haze.