Chapter 4 Episode 4

Zyair's eyes widened in shock the moment Iridessa's lips landed on his. For a second, time itself seemed to pause. The world around them melted away, leaving Zyair completely lost in the sensation...

Then, just as quickly, he pulled her away from his body, their eyes locking in a charged silence.

He swallowed hard, staring at her swollen red lips and those piercing blue eyes that seemed to hold him captive.

"Pretty," he muttered under his breath, still mesmerized, and totally not bothered of the darkness that surrounded them.

She's so hot, Yair, his wolf, growled mischievously.

Zyair rolled his eyes. "Waste of hotness, though," he muttered, leaning in just a little closer...

Then Iridessa's lips parted, and Zyair's eyes widened again.

"Pretty eyes?" she whispered.

Woah, she thinks my eyes are pretty! Yair practically blushed in his head.

"Naughty wolf," Zyair scoffed under his breath.

What do we do with her? Yair asked eagerly.

Zyair paused, a slow smile spreading across his face. He wrapped his arms around her waist, and just like that, they vanished into thin air.

***

The Next Morning...

Iridessa awoke to the soft warmth of the morning sun streaming into her room. She stretched her arms, yawned, and sat up slowly.

"I feel... weird," she murmured, reaching up to touch her lips. A soft smile curled on her face. "Did something happen last night?"

****

Morning...

"Baby!" her mom called from downstairs. "You awake?"

"Just a minute, Mom!" Iridessa called back, hopping out of bed. "Oh, fuck..." she muttered under her breath.

She walked over to the mirror and stared at her reflection. "Listen here, Dessa," she whispered to herself. "Forget whatever happened last night. Today's your day. You're the life of the party."

She stripped out of her clothes and cat-walked into the bathroom.

A few minutes later, she stepped out of the shower, wrapped in a towel, her damp hair piled on her head.

"What a lovely morning," she sighed, walking over to her window. She opened it wide, greeted by birdsong and a gentle breeze.

"Hey, little birdie," she sang softly. A woodpecker nearby responded with a chirp, and she giggled.

Her phone buzzed.

Can't pick you up. Had to run errands for my old man. See ya in school, love Jeff.

She scoffed and tossed the phone onto the bed. "Typical."

"Gifts time!" Iridessa grinned and turned toward the boxes beside her bed. But as she reached for them, her smile faltered.

There were three boxes.

"Wait... I only had two," she whispered.

"Mummy?" she called out. "Did any of the girls come over?"

"No, honey!" Sarah called from downstairs. "Is everything alright?"

"Yeah... it's nothing," Iridessa replied, furrowing her brows as she picked up the third box. She sat on the bed and began to open it just as her mom walked in, carrying a tray of pancakes and fresh orange juice.

"Whoa!" Iridessa gasped, eyes wide. Inside the box lay a silver moon-shaped pendant, delicate hairpins, an elegant wristwatch, and a beautiful bracelet.

"They're gorgeous," Sarah said, settling beside her.

"They really are, Mom!" Iridessa's eyes sparkled.

"Did Jeff get them for you?" Sarah asked, brows raised.

"Jeff?" Iridessa blinked. "I thought you did."

They exchanged a puzzled glance before Sarah reached into the box and pulled out a small folded note.

"What does it say?" Iridessa asked, her voice hushed.

"It's yours, baby. You should open it," Sarah said gently, standing up. "Come downstairs when you're done." She kissed her forehead and walked away.

Iridessa took a deep breath, her hands trembling slightly as she unfolded the note.

"Nightshade awaits your arrival. The pendant shall be your guard..."

"Nightshade?" she repeated, confused. She picked up the second box but froze when she heard her friends' voices downstairs. Hurriedly, she shoved the note and contents into her wardrobe and picked up the tray of food.

****

"Happy birthday, bitch!!!" Glow called out, blowing her a kiss.

"Thanks, bestie," Iridessa grinned.

"Jeff asked me to pick you up!" Glow smirked, heading for the door.

"Jeff?" Iridessa rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, he said you weren't answering his texts," Glow said, grabbing the car keys.

"He was supposed to pick me up himself..." Iridessa muttered, following her.

"I'll have to pin you down and fuck you if you keep rolling your eyes like that!" Glow laughed.

"Fuck, Glow!" Iridessa burst out laughing. "Never imagined you being such..."

"What? You never imagined me banging a friend?"

"Muching your fellow girl?" Iridessa teased, tossing her bag into the backseat.

"I'm bisexual, girl!" Glow winked and slid into the driver's seat.

"You're a lost soul," Iridessa chuckled.

"At least I'm not the one with identity issues," Glow mumbled under her breath.

"Did you say something?" Iridessa narrowed her eyes.

"Nope." Glow flashed a wide smile.

"I swear she said something about identity issues," Iridessa thought to herself as she buckled in.

*****

ROYAL PRIME COLLEGE

Royal Prime College...RPC, as it was famously known-stood proud in the heart of New York City. A symbol of prestige and power, the institution's slogan, "Where Wealth and Royalty Meet", was boldly displayed beneath its sleek, modern design.

With state-of-the-art lecture halls, high-end multimedia tools, luxurious sports facilities, and advanced fitness equipment, it was every bit the elite school it claimed to be.

Glow pulled into the parking lot, and Iridessa stepped out, looking like a vision: a slit black denim skirt, a pink cropped tee under a blue leather jacket, and knee-high boots. Her blue eyes were hidden behind sleek black sunglasses, and the crowd went wild.

"Oh my fucking God... Senior Dessa is killing me!"

Glow followed, rocking a tight black mini dress that barely covered her ass and a stylish pair of D'Orsay heels.

"That ass!"

"She could ruin me and I'd thank her!"

"You boys are pathetic daydreamers," a girl muttered from behind them before strutting off.

As Iridessa and Glow walked through the crowd, younger students swarmed them with flowers and small gifts. Glow scoffed and walked away.

"Hey!!!" Iridessa called out. "Why'd you leave me?"

"You were enjoying your moment," Glow smiled.

Iridessa was about to respond when a junior student approached.

"Good morning, seniors," the girl said politely. "Happy birthday, Senior Iridessa!"

"Thanks, cutie," Iridessa replied warmly.

"Senior Jeff asked me to tell you he's waiting in the computer lab."

"What does he want?" Glow frowned. "We're already late."

"Save me a seat," Iridessa said with a wink before walking off.

*****

CORRIDOR

A hand suddenly grabbed Iridessa's wrist, yanking her into an empty, dark classroom. Without warning, a pair of lips crashed against hers.

"Let me go!" she snapped, shoving the person away and rushing for the door. But something stopped her-curiosity, anger, confusion. She turned on her phone flashlight.

"Hey, Wonder Woman," Jeff grinned, her boyfriend, the football team captain.

"You son of a bitch!" Iridessa hissed.

"Sorry, did I scare you?" he teased, pulling her back into his arms. He sniffed her neck and inhaled deeply.

"Vanilla..." he murmured, kissing her neck, trailing down to her skirt, his hands gliding down to squeeze her butt.

"Oh my..." Iridessa moaned softly.

"Shhh... Keep it down," Jeff whispered, locking eyes with her.

"I can try..." she panted. "But why?"

Jeff slid his hand under her skirt, gently pushing aside her G-string , rubbing his pussy lips.

Iridessa's eyes fluttered shut, a breathy moan escaping her lips.