Moonveil Academy: Trapped With The Five Kings

Chapter 48: Too Close

Elara:

We both moved at exactly the same time.

I barely understood what was happening before Reign caught my arm and pulled me behind the nearest pillar. My back hit the cold stone wall, and a second later his body was between me and the corridor.

His massive frame completely blocked me from view as he braced his one hand against the wall above my head while the other had somehow settled around my waist.

My breath caught. Not because I was afraid of being discovered, nor even because of how close he suddenly was. It was the sensation that erupted beneath his hand. Warmth surged through me the instant his palm pressed against my waist, racing through my body with startling intensity. My skin tingled beneath his touch, my heartbeat stumbled, and for one disorienting moment, I forgot how to breathe.

It was the same strange warmth I had experienced every other time he had touched me, only this time it was stronger, almost as though something inside me had recognized him before my mind could understand why.

Reign seemed to notice my reaction because his gaze dropped briefly to where his hand rested against my waist before returning to my face. His expression changed for the smallest fraction of a second and something flashing through those blue eyes, but then his attention snapped toward the approaching footsteps.

A group of students came around the corner, laughing loudly among themselves.

I froze.

They were close enough that I could hear their conversation, and then one of them looked toward us. His laughter died immediately. Another followed his gaze, and then another. Recognition spread across their faces the moment they realized exactly who was standing behind that pillar. Reign Valemont. The strongest Alpha in centuries. One of the future Regents. The man who could apparently make an entire group of students forget how to breathe simply by looking at them.

I didn’t know what possessed me, but instinct took over. I buried my face against his chest. His body stiffened beneath me. I could hear the steady beat of his heart beneath the fabric of his shirt, and the scent surrounding me made it even harder to think clearly.

It was ridiculous. Completely ridiculous. I didn’t even know what I was hiding from. Yet the thought of being seen standing this close to him suddenly seemed far worse than being caught arguing with him.

Reign lifted his eyes toward the group. And that was enough.

The students immediately lowered their gazes and hurried past us as though they had suddenly remembered somewhere else they desperately needed to be.

I waited until their footsteps disappeared before slowly lifting my face from his chest. My cheeks felt warm, and I hated that I couldn’t tell whether it was embarrassment or the strange magic-like sensation still moving beneath my skin.

However, one thing was certain. Rumors would spread. By tomorrow morning, half of Moonveil would probably know that Reign Valemont had been seen alone in a corridor with an unknown girl.

Now I actually feared being seen with him right now. Because if anyone happened to see us together, it wouldn’t take long for the unknown girl from the rumors to get a face. I didn’t even want to imagine the stories people would invent.

I pushed against his chest and stepped away the moment the corridor became silent again. I put several feet between us, needing the distance more than I cared to admit.

Reign’s carefree expression returned as if the past few minutes hadn’t happened. "Why are you hiding?" he asked, almost amused. "Scared someone will see you with me?"

I stared at him. "Actually, yes."

His eyebrow rose. "Yes?"

"I don’t want anyone getting the wrong idea." I brushed imaginary dust from my sleeve. "They might think I have lowered my standards."

The amusement disappeared from his face once again and that familiar icy glint returned to his eyes.

I immediately knew I had said exactly the wrong thing, or perhaps exactly the right one, depending on how much trouble I was willing to invite tonight.

Before I could move, he crossed the distance between us again. This time, he didn’t stop in front of me. But moved behind me.

I barely had time to turn my head before his arm circled my waist and pulled me firmly against his chest. My breath caught again as his body settled behind mine, his warmth pressing against my back.

"Reign," I warned, trying to twist free.

His hold tightened just enough to stop me without actually hurting me. His mouth came close to my ear, and his voice dropped into a low murmur. "You don’t need to worry, Argentis." His breath brushed against my skin, sending another unwanted shiver through me. "Even if you somehow lowered your standards, I’d still be far beyond your reach."

I forced myself to stay calm, even as my hands curled into fists at my sides. "You are unbelievable."

"So I have been told."

"Then why do you keep bothering me?" I demanded. "If I’m so beneath you, if you think I’m ignorant and impossible and incapable of surviving here, why waste your time following me around?"

He finally released me and stepped back, leaving cold air where his warmth had been. I turned to face him, ready for an actual answer.

Instead, his lips curved into that infuriating smile as he spoke, "Because you are entertaining."

I blinked.

He shrugged casually. "This term was getting boring before you arrived. Now every day is interesting." His eyes gleamed with amusement. "You argue with me. You insult me. You walk away when everyone else would bow. Watching you try to survive here is the most fun I have had in years."

I stared at him. "You enjoy irritating me?"

He shook his head. "No. I just love showing you your exact place in my world."

"You are sick."

"Possibly." He gave me one last lazy smile before turning around and then he simply walked away.

I remained where I was, staring at his retreating back with my blood boiling. Of all the people I’d met since arriving at Moonveil Academy, Reign Valemont was undoubtedly the most infuriating.

And somehow, I had a terrible feeling he had only just begun.