Chapter 5 Skyla's POV

Timika's voice rang through the hallway, shattering the heated moment between Adler and me. I tore myself from his grip, my breath still uneven, my lips tingling from the force of his kiss.

Timika stood there, wide-eyed, her mouth slightly agape. "Skyla?" she repeated, as if unsure she had actually seen what just happened.

Panic surged through me. I barely spared Adler another glance before rushing toward Timika, grabbing her arm, and dragging her away. I needed to get out of there before she started asking questions, questions I didn't have the answers to yet.

When we finally reached her dorm, I closed the door behind us, pressing my back against it. Timika turned to me with a look of pure disbelief.

"What the hell was that?" she whisper-screamed, her arms flailing in the air. "Adler Fenwick was kissing you? Are we in some kind of alternate reality?"

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Timika, keep your voice down."

"How am I supposed to keep my voice down when you, the girl everyone in this school hates for almost killing our celebrity, were just making out with the celebrity himself?"

I groaned, rubbing my temples. "I almost didn't kill him."

"That's how everyone sees it," she countered, pacing. "Skyla, what is going on? Please tell me you're not messing with Adler just to get back at everyone."

I exhaled slowly. "I found out... Adler and I are mates."

Timika froze mid-step. "You're what?"

"Mates," I repeated, bracing myself.

Timika let out a high-pitched scream, but I lunged forward, clamping my hand over her mouth. "Shut up!" I hissed, my heart racing. "Do you want the whole school to hear you?"

She nodded frantically, and I slowly removed my hand.

"Are you serious?" she whispered.

I nodded.

"This is insane," she muttered, shaking her head. "Do not tell anyone, Skyla. If people find out, you're dead."

"I know."

Timika crossed her arms. "So, what are you going to do?"

"Nothing," I said quickly. "This doesn't change anything. And you're not going to tell anyone."

She gave me a long look. "And what do I get in return for my silence?"

I narrowed my eyes. "Are you seriously going to collect a bribe?"

She shrugged. "It's only fair."

I sighed. "Fine. If you keep this quiet, I'll help you find your parents."

Timika's expression softened for a moment, but then she straightened. "Deal."

That night, I was lying on my bed, staring at the ceiling, still thinking about Adler's kiss when my phone rang. It was Timika.

"Hey," I answered, rolling onto my side.

"Hey, so I can't make it to the library tonight," she said. "I have a night class."

Disappointment settled in my chest. "Oh... okay."

"I know, I know, we were supposed to search for more details about our mums. I owe you," she said. "And we'll do it tomorrow."

"It's fine," I assured her. "I was just looking forward to it, that's all."

Timika was my only friend. Every moment I spent with her was something I cherished. But I understood.

After hanging up, I sat up in bed. My roommates were laughing loudly, recording themselves as they danced and tried on new outfits. I rolled my eyes. There was no way I'd be able to get any sleep in here.

I grabbed my hoodie and slipped out of the dorm. The library was the perfect escape.

As I made my way through the quiet halls, I suddenly caught sight of a figure rushing out of a room. Adler.

His expression was tense, his eyes flicking around as if he was searching for something, or running from something.

Before I could say anything, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me with him.

"Adler..."

"Shut up," he hissed, dragging me into the boy's bathroom.

I struggled against his grip. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

His hand clamped over my mouth. "Quiet," he whispered.

Then I heard it.

A low, unnatural growl echoed through the hallway. My entire body tensed.

I turned my head slightly, peering through the slightly ajar door. My blood ran cold.

A wolf, but not just any wolf. It was deformed, grotesque, with jagged fur and glowing, soulless eyes. Its snout twitched as if sniffing the air, searching.

I barely breathed. My heart pounded so hard I was sure it would hear me.

After what felt like an eternity, the creature moved along, disappearing down the hallway.

I released the breath I had been holding and shoved Adler's hand away. "What the hell was that?" I whispered fiercely.

Adler stared at me. "You saw it?"

I frowned. "Of course, I saw it! What kind of question is that?"

His expression darkened. "No one else can see it," he murmured. "Only me."

A chill ran through me. "What?"

"This isn't the first time I've seen it," he admitted, his voice low. "But no one else ever reacts to it. No one else sees it."

My stomach twisted. "What does that mean?"

"I don't know," Adler said, his gaze searching for mine. "But the fact that you saw it too means something."

I shook my head, trying to process everything. "This is insane."

Before I could say anything else, the bathroom door swung open.

A boy stepped inside, his eyes widening as he spotted us.

Adler immediately straightened, his expression shifting to one of irritation. "Get lost," he said coldly.

The boy's mouth opened, then closed, his confusion evident.

"Skyla," Adler said, his tone softer this time. "Go."

I hesitated.

"I'll handle it," he promised.

I nodded once before slipping past the stunned boy and out the door.

My mind was spinning. Adler and I are mates, Timika's mother was my mother's best friend, and then the thing we had just seen.

What the hell was going on in this school?