21. Selene
Chapter 21
Selene
I sit in my room, staring at the glass of blood in front of me. It’s supposed to be my nourishment, my lifeline, but every time I try to sip it, I gag. It tastes like copper and death, and I can’t stand it.
But I have to force myself to drink it. Fucking Liam!
He just had to go and mess with my taste buds.
With a deep breath, I steel myself and take a small sip, trying to ignore the metallic tang.
It’s no use. I spit it out, the taste lingering on my tongue like a bad memory. But I can’t give up. I have to make this work.
I try again, taking another sip and forcing it down. It’s not any easier, but I manage to keep it down this time. I grimace as I swallow, feeling the warmth spread through my veins.
After finishing the glass, I head to school. It’s my second day teaching, and I can’t afford to mess it up. I need this job. I need to blend in and pretend to be normal.
As I walk through the halls, I can feel the eyes on me, the whispers and stares. But I ignore them, focusing on my goal.
I meet the principal on my way to the staffroom.
“Good morning, Miss Black. How did your first lesson go...?” she asks, trailing off expectantly.
“Good morning, Principal Johnson. It was fine,” I reply, forcing a smile. “The students seemed engaged, and I think they’ll respond well to the material.”
She nods, jotting something down on her clipboard. “Good to hear. Mrs. Berkley is doing well and on bed rest, but she says you can reach out to her if you need any help with class work.”
“Thank you, ma’am. I will keep that in mind.”
“Keep up the good work.”
With that, she walks away, leaving me alone in the hallway. I take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. I can do this. I have to do this.
I head to the staffroom, finding a quiet corner to sit and prepare for the day’s lesson. I pull out my notes, scanning over the material.
But my mind keeps wandering back to the taste of blood on my lips, the feeling of it sliding down my throat. I shudder, pushing the thoughts away.
I mix some blood with my cranberry juice, trying to mask the taste. It’s not much better, but at least I can keep it down.
I sip on it all day, trying to focus on my work and ignore the hunger gnawing at my insides. But it’s a losing battle. No matter how much I drink, it’s just not enough.
By the time the final bell rings, I’m exhausted and drained.
I’m just about ready to leave when there’s a knock on the door. I’m not expecting anyone, but when I open it, there stands Grayson, Liam’s brother. His gray eyes are almost identical to Liam’s, and it’s like looking at a younger version of him. It hits me then—he must be a wolf, too. Did Liam tell him about me?
“Miss Black?” Grayson says, oblivious to my internal turmoil as he steps into the room.
“Yeah, that’s me,” I reply.
“I wanted to apologize for my brother’s behavior yesterday,” he says sincerely. “He can be... overprotective sometimes.”
I raise an eyebrow, surprised by his words. “Overprotective? That’s one way to put it.”
Grayson shifts uncomfortably, running a hand through his hair. “Look, Liam may seem tough on the outside, but he’s actually really loving and gentle. He just... cares a lot, you know?”
I find it hard to believe, especially after our encounter last night. “I’m sure he has his moments,” I say dryly.
Grayson sighs, looking crestfallen. “Yeah, he does. But I understand if you don’t want to work with me anymore. I’ll find someone else to tutor me.”
I feel a pang of guilt at the thought of turning him away, but I know it’s for the best. “Yeah, maybe that’s for the best,” I say, trying to sound convincing.
He nods, his shoulders slumping. “Okay then. I’ll let you get back to your work.”
With that, he excuses himself and walks out, leaving me feeling conflicted. Maybe I’m being too harsh on Liam. Maybe Grayson’s right and he really is just trying to protect his family.
But I can’t shake the feeling of unease, the memory of his cold and distant demeanor. I can’t risk getting involved with someone like that, not when I have so much to lose.
I gather my things and head out to my car, feeling a sense of relief as I drive away. I’ll stick to my blood bags and stay away from the Night family. I don’t want any trouble, and I intend to keep it that way.
I get home feeling drained and exhausted. I only managed to get through two blood bags today. Pathetic, I know, but sometimes that’s just how it goes.
I’m craving some comfort food, something warm and soothing. So, I decide to call Mariya’s my favorite restaurant. Hopefully, they won’t send Grayson to make the delivery. I can’t deal with any more Night family drama today.
The phone rings a couple of times before someone picks up. “Mariya’s, how can I help you?” a woman’s voice says.
“Hi, I’d like to order some soup for delivery, please,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Of course. What kind of soup would you like?”
“I’ll have the chicken noodle, please.”
“Sure thing. Is there anything else I can get you?”
“No, thank you.”
“Okay, I’ll need your name and delivery information for the driver.”
I give her my address and payment information, and she says, “Ok, your order should be there within an hour.”
“Great, thank you.”
I hang up and head to my room, changing into my pajamas. I grab a novel from my bedside table and settle down on the couch, ready to lose myself in another world.
I’m engrossed in my book when the doorbell rings. Must be the soup delivery. I set my book aside and head to the door.
I open the door, and sure enough, it’s the delivery man, holding a bag with my soup inside.
“Hello,” I say, trying to sound friendly.
“Hey,” he replies, handing me the bag. “Chicken noodle, right?”
“Yeah, that’s it. Thanks.”
He smiles, taking the tip I offer him. “No problem. Enjoy your meal.”
I nod, saying thank you again, before closing the door. I carry the bag to the kitchen and set it down on the counter, feeling a wave of anticipation wash over me.
I grab a bowl and spoon out some soup, savoring the aroma as it fills the air. It’s exactly what I need right now—warm, comforting, familiar.
I settle back on the couch, balancing the bowl on my lap as I pick up my book again. The words blur together as I eat, the soup warming me from the inside out.
Before I know it, I’ve finished the entire bowl, feeling satisfied and content. I set the empty bowl aside and pick up my book once more, eager to lose myself in its pages once again.
The day drags on as I teach my second lesson on the circulatory system. I can feel Grayson’s eyes on me, but I work hard to avoid meeting his gaze. I can’t afford any distractions.
Thankfully, the lesson goes smoother this time around. The students actually engage, asking questions and participating in discussions. Maybe all that prep work paid off, or maybe it’s just the extra boost from forcing down that whole blood bag before class. Either way, I’m feeling peppy.
As the bell rings and the students start to pack up, I give them the homework assignment for the day and dismiss them. I head to the staffroom, feeling drained but accomplished.
I barely have time to sit down before there’s a knock at the door. I have a feeling I know who it is, and sure enough when I open the door, I recognize the mop of hair peeking in.
“Hey, Miss Black,” Grayson says tentatively.
I sit up straighter, trying to keep my guard up. “Hey, Grayson. Everything okay?”
He hesitates for a moment before stepping into the room and locking the door behind him. My heart starts to race, and I feel a little uneasy.
“What do you need?” I ask, trying to keep my tone casual.
He takes a deep breath, running a hand through his hair. “I, uh, I wanted to talk to you.”
I raise an eyebrow. “About what?”
He shifts nervously, his gaze darting around the room. “About... about everything, I guess. About Liam, about you, about... us.”
I feel a knot form in my stomach, and I suddenly wish I hadn’t forced down that blood bag earlier. “What about us?”
He takes a step closer, his eyes searching mine. “I just... I don’t know. I guess I just wanted to clear the air, you know? Make sure there’s no hard feelings between us.”
I nod slowly. “I promise there are no hard feelings, Grayson. You are a student, and I am a teacher. If you need help finding another tutor, then I will definitely help, but I do think your brother had a point.”
“He did?” Grayson shifts from foot to foot.
“Yes, he did. I don’t think it is a good idea for you and I to work together.”
Just as I finish speaking, I catch a faint smell in the air. Blood. Human blood. My heart starts to race, and I can feel the thirst clawing at my chest.
“Are you hurt?” I ask.
Was I wrong?
Is Liam’s little brother actually human?
But Grayson just looks at me with a twinkle in his eyes. “Someone had a nosebleed during gym, and I helped,” he says casually.
I let out a shaky breath, feeling the tension drain from my body. “You scared me for a moment there,” I admit, trying to steady my racing heart.
He leans in closer, swiping at the blood on his trousers before looking at me with a smirk. “So, my suspicions were right after all?”
I furrow my brow, confused. “What are you talking about?”
He straightens up, his expression serious. “This is the actual reason my brother wants me to stay away from you.”
My heart sinks, and the pieces start to fall into place. “Leave,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. We can talk later.”
But before he can go, he blurts out, “You’re a vampire, aren’t you?”