15. Selene
Chapter 15
Selene
I lean against the wall, feeling a little dizzy from the sudden confrontation. Is it the shock of seeing a wolf in my classroom or the way Liam’s hand is wrapped around my throat, pinning me against the wall? I swallow hard, trying to regain my composure, then push against him, feeling the strength in his veiny arms.
“Let go of me,” I manage to choke out in a strained voice.
He holds me tighter, his grip unyielding. “Or what?” he challenges, his tone dripping with contempt.
I raise an eyebrow, trying to appear unfazed, but inside, I’m trembling. Running my tongue over my sharp teeth, I meet his gaze defiantly. His look of disgust only fuels my frustration as he finally releases me.
“What the hell, Selene?” he demands, his voice rising in anger. “Why have you been tracking Grayson?”
I look at him, surprised. “I’m not even going to ask how you know my name. But I am not tracking Grayson. I have not hunted anyone.”
“He is warded off. His scent cannot be tracked, so how did you find him? Who are you working with? A witch? Is that how you found him?”
That explains how I never pegged his scent for a wolf.
“I have no idea what you are talking about. I work here. You can easily find the truth of that in the school’s records.”
“The only records I am interested in are the police records. Where were you on Thursday night?”
I’m confused. Is he interrogating me?
“Are you fucking interrogating me?”
“Answer the question, Selene.”
“No, I will not. What exactly are you accusing me of?”
He runs his hand through his hair, making it stand in all directions. I feel something tighten in my core that has nothing to do with fear.
Why the fuck does he have this effect on me?
“Just tell me, why kill them?”
I shake my head, confusion clouding my thoughts. “I haven’t killed anyone,” I protest, my voice trembling slightly.
He scoffs, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Just robbing hospitals, then?” he retorts.
Heat rises to my cheeks, embarrassment mingling with frustration. Steeling myself, I meet his gaze head-on and shoot back. “Would you prefer it if I fed directly from the source?”
His eyes darken, and his veins pulse in his neck. I feel a pang of hunger deep in my gut. He smells divine, and the need I felt the first time I saw him triples in intensity. It’s overwhelming, and I struggle to keep my composure as I fight against the urge to lunge at him.
“I’m not a murderer, Liam,” I insist, my voice barely above a whisper now. “I don’t know what you think you know, but I’m not responsible for any deaths.”
“Holt and that woman who was just in town visiting. Why would you kill them? Was it an issue with self-control? You could have just fed and left them. Why did you kill them?”
“I have no fucking idea what you are talking about, Liam. I have not killed anyone.”
I just stood by and watched Katya do it.
But that was clearly a nurse from the hospital. Who are these people he is talking about? I have not even seen Katya or Thomas since that night, but it seems they have been keeping busy.
But I can’t sell my kind out, not to a wolf!
He narrows his eyes at me, suspicion evident in his gaze. “Then what were you doing just now? With Grayson?” he demands, his tone softer now but no less accusing.
I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. “Like he said, I was tutoring him.”
He studies me for a moment, his expression unreadable. “Tutoring?” he repeats, obviously skeptical.
I nod, feeling a sense of vulnerability wash over me. “He asked for my help with his studies. I didn’t think it was a big deal.”
He looks me up and down in a way that makes me feel naked and exposed. “I don’t believe you.”
“I’m shocked,” I say sarcastically.
“Is this your new feeding ground? Huh? Easier targets? Is that why you took a job here? You know I could easily have the sheriff talk to the principal and check for student’s attendance, over the time you’ve worked here. You better wish there are no gaps in class attendance. If any student had to miss school because they were hurt, trust me, I will find out.”
I stare at Liam, trying to process his accusations. “What are you trying to say?” The tension between us is thick, like a heavy fog enveloping the room. “I would never hurt one of my students,” I insist.
He shakes his head, his expression hardened. “Okay. What about the werewolf you killed that night?” he retorts, his voice laced with accusation. “How do you explain that?”
I swallow hard, feeling a knot form in the pit of my stomach. “I didn’t kill her,” I protest, my voice barely above a whisper now. “She attacked me, and I defended myself.”
Liam’s eyes narrow. “That’s convenient,” he mutters skeptically.
I clench my fists, feeling the anger bubbling up inside me. “You have no right to accuse me of something I didn’t do,” I snap, my voice rising in frustration.
He takes a step towards me, his eyes blazing. “Your kind is brutal, Selene,” he says, low and menacing. “I’ve seen it firsthand.”
I meet his gaze defiantly, refusing to back down. “And what about your kind?” I retort, my voice filled with bitterness. “How many vampires have you killed?”
Liam’s eyes flicker with something akin to pain, and for a moment, I see a flash of vulnerability in his gaze. But then it’s gone, replaced by a steely determination.
“I won’t let you hurt anyone else,” he says, his voice firm and unwavering.
I swallow hard, feeling a sense of frustration wash over me. “I’m not the one you need to worry about,” I whisper, my voice barely above a whisper now.
He raises his arm, and instinctively, I flinch, expecting the worst. But instead of striking me, his hand hovers in the air, and I notice the pendant dangling from his silver bracelet.
It’s the same insignia as the ring he wears, the Night family crest. A grey wolf under a crescent moon. My breath catches in my throat as I realize the truth.
“You’re a Night,” I whisper, my voice barely audible.
He nods, his expression grave. “And you’re a vampire,” he says sadly.
I feel a surge of anger coursing through me. “You have no right to judge me,” I snap, my voice filled with bitterness. “Not after what your family did to mine. Your family killed my father.”
Liam’s expression darkens, his jaw clenching with anger. “That’s not fair,” he snaps, his voice rising in frustration. “You don’t know the whole story.”
I shake my head, feeling a surge of defiance coursing through me. “I don’t need to know the whole story to know that your family is responsible for my father’s death,” I insist, my voice trembling with anger.
He takes another step towards me, his eyes burning with intensity. “You don’t know anything about my family,” he growls, his voice low and menacing.
I stand my ground, refusing to back down. “I know enough,” I retort, my voice filled with defiance. “I know that they’re murderers.”