Chapter Twenty Five Sabrina's POV- I was on my way to class when I saw them . Elara , Damien , and Julian , standing in the corridor . My gut twisted at the mere sight of them and I ducked behind some trees before they could see me , my heart racing with both curiosity and dread . I shouldn't have cared . I should have just kept walking , head high as if they didn't mean a thing to me . But I couldn't Not when Damien was here , with his eyes locked on Elara as though she was the only thing in existence . It made me sick - sick with jealousy , sick with longing , sick with the inescapable truth that the man I loved loved her . I bent down , trying to hear what they were saying over the sound of the leaves rustling Elara had shivered away , leaving only Damien and Julian at odds , their words cold and scorching . I couldn't hear every word they said , but I heard enough Julian teasing Damien about Elara , Damien's voice low and furious as he told Julian to stay away . My chest tightened Damien's lecture wasn't just about pack rivalry or pride it was specific . He wanted her . He wanted her , and that realization burned in my veins . Why her ? Why Elara ? What did she have that i didnt have ? The moment Damien's fist flew through the air and landed on Julian's jaw I was so far from gone in my doubt that I almost missed it The sound of impact crackled across the corridor , and I gasped , my hand covering my mouth to suppress it . I was frozen in place with shock , my eyes wide while Julian staggered backward and touched his face . I wanted to scream , to run out and stop them , but fear left my feet cementing me to the floor . If they noticed me , if they knew I'd been watching , it would only complicate things . And I hugged myself close to the tree , my breath short , and watched the scene unfold . Julian didn't hit back . - No , instead he laughed a crude , mocking sound that made my skin crawl . He dabbed blood from his lip and leaned in , his voice heavy with venom . " What's wrong , Damien ? Can't bear that Elara's running through your fingers ? " " She's not yours anymore - perhaps she never was . " He grinned , invading his space with little help p from the storm erupting off Damien . " Do you think you scare me away ? I'm not going anywhere , Elara's going to be mine , and you can't stop it. " My fingers throbbed as I felt like gripping his shirt . Julian's words hurt ! And it was not because I gave a shit about him hell , Julian was just a means to an end- but because he was tight in on a second thought . Clara was the problem She was the excuse Damien used when he couldn't see me , she was the reason he pushed me away , she was the reason I was dways second best My envy burned brighter , and I wanted to rip her apart . Damien's face tightened , his hands twitching as if he'd throw another punch , but then he turned and stormed off , his +25 BONUS shoulders taut I stayed hidden , my heart pounding , until he was gone . Julian remained at the scene , still laughing to himself , trying to wipe at his split lip as if the fight had been some sort of game . That's when I saw my chance - a way to use this mess to my benefit . I'd make sure Elara didn't either if I couldn't have Damien yet . And , of course , Julian , in his smug certainty , was the perfect tool I emerged from behind the trees , composing my expression into one of concern . " Julian " I called gently , rushing toward him . He turned , eyebrows shooting up in surprise , and I put on an anxious frown . " Oh my gosh , are you okay ? I just saw what happened your lip's bleeding " He shrugged , his smile reappearing , lopsided this time . "I'm fine , Sabrina Just a minor quarrel with our dear professor . " I had leaned over , placed my hand on his arm , and said , sympathy laced in my voice . That seemed as much as a disagreement Come on , let's get you cleaned up . Without waiting for him to protest , I pulled him toward a nearby bench where I always kept and brought out a small first - aid kit stashed in my bag I sat him down , dabbing at his lip with a tissue , my hands steady , while my eyes were glancing up to meet his . " You didn't deserve that , " I told him , shaking my head , " Damien's out of control . " Julian snorted , leaning back . " He's just angry because he realizes he's losing her . Not my problem if Elara's got better choices . " His words hurt , but I masked it with a gentle smile , taking advantage of the opening " So do you like her , huh ?" " I said , my tone light , curious like I was just making conversation . " Elara , I mean . I know how you look at her . " He thought about it , narrowing his eyes slightly , before nodding " Yeah , I do . She's different . Special And I'm not going to let Damien scare me away . " I tilted my head , dapping his lip again , allowing the pause to extend just enough to seem abnormal . " What if I could help you ?" I said , at last , my tone dropping to a conspiratorial whisper " Help you get her , I mean . " Julian's smile disappeared , replaced by a wary curiosity . " Help me ? How ? " I reclined back , arms across my chest , and smiled at him knowingly . " Let's just say I have my ways . You don't need to know any details yet - just trust me . Wait for my good news . " I kept a vague expression , allowing him to fill in the blanks . The less I talked , he reasoned , the more he would guess , and the more he would need me . He looked through me for a moment , and by reading into his eyes , I could tell he was intrigued but skeptical . " Why would you do that ?" he asked , his voice low . " What do you get out of this , Sabrina ? " I held his stare , allowing the moment to hang between us . My heart raced in my chest , but I held my face steady , my lips forming a knowing smile . " You want Elara , " I said , stretching the words , each careful and deliberate . " And I want Damien