Chapter Seven CHAPTER SEVEN Elara's POV : Of all the people , of all the places Damien was the last person I wanted to see . Yet there he was , his presence commanding attention as if he owned the entire world . I wasn't ready for what came next . His eyes scanned the crowd until it landed on me , and for a split second , ind , it felt like time time slowed . I stood rooted to the spot , unable to move , unable to think , as the memories of our last encounter played on a loop in my mind . Why is he here ? And more importantly , how am I going to avoid him now ? Honestly , I didn't think Damien would even notice me in the crowd , let alone look directly at me . Yet , there he was His piercing gray eyes landed on mine like a hawk spotting its prey , and for a moment , my breath hitched . I tried to step back , to hide among the crowd of girls still screaming and pushing to get a better look , but his gaze was locked on me . My chest tightened as if his stare alone could reach out and grab me . Before I could react , he started moving towards me The noise around me faded , replaced by the loud pounding of my heart . I wanted to disappear , but my feet refused to move . nd just like that , the crowd seemed to notice what was happening Gasps erupted around me . " How does she know him ? " " Are they dating ? " " What's going on ? " The whispers grew louder with every step Damien took , and I wished the ground would swallow me whole . The last thing I wanted was to draw attention to myself , especially here . Stay calm . Elara , I told myself . Don't run . If you run , they'll think there's something to hide . But staying calm was impossible when Damien Scott was less than three feet away . " Elara . " He called out I opened my my mouth to respond , but no words came out . Instead , I just stood there like a deer caught in headlights . Before the situation could spiral any further , I heard a familiar voice . The director must be waiting for us , " Caspian said , stepping between Damien and me . I looked at Caspian , my silent savior . His expression was calm , I could tell he was quietly telling Damien to back off . Damien glanced at Caspian , his eyes narrowing slightly before he nodded . " Right " but I With that , they turned and began walking toward the main building . [ let out a shaky breath , but something made me glance back . That's when I saw him - the pockets , leaning casually against one of the cars , but his eyes were fixed on me . third guy . He had his hands in his gaze , his Unlike Damien's intense g was more calm , almost playful . When our eyes met , he smiled - an infuriatingly confident smile - and then , to my surprise , he started walking toward me But instead of approaching me directly , he followed Damien and Caspian , disappearing into the building . +25 BONUS pounced . The moment they were gone , the girls around me p " How do you know him ? " " Are you guys dating ? " " Do you have some kind of secret relationship with either of them ? " I couldn't even form a coherent response before more questions bombarded me . Thankfully , Sabrina appeared out of nowhere , grabbing my arm and pulling me out of the circle of gossiping girls . " The second guy is my brother , Caspian Duke . She announced , loud enough for everyone to hear . " He's the son of the acting Alpha of Vellex Pack . And the second guy ? He's Damien Scott , the soon - to - be Alpha of Vellex Pack . " Her words had the desired effect . The girls shifted their focus from me to her brother and Damien , bombarding Sabrina with questions instead . She ignored them , tightening her grip on my arm as she dragged me in the opposite direction " Come on , " she muttered . " Before they start a asking for my family tree . " We managed to escape the crowd , but some girls weren't ready to give up so easily . They chased after us , their voices growing louder as they called out questions about Caspian and Damien . " Run ! " Sabrina yelled , and we darted toward a random building , slipping into an empty classroom . She slammed the door shut behind us , pressing her back against it as we both tried to catch our breath " Well , that was fun - fun , Sabrina said , her voice dripping with sarcasm I placed my hands on my knees , trying to steady my breathing . " Yeah , loads of fun " After a moment , Sabrina straightened and looked at me . " So , what did he say to you ? " "Who ? " I asked stalling for time . " Damien . What did he say to you ? " I shrugged " Nothing . He didn't get a chance to say anything because Caspian stepped in . " Sabrina stared at me for a moment , as if trying to decide whether to believe me , but eventually , she let it go . " Well , I'm just glad my brother was there to stop him . You looked like you were about to faint , " "I wasn't going to faint , " I muttered , though my voice lacked conviction . Sabrina laughed , plopping down on one of the desks . " You know , I'm happy my brother and Damien are here . It's going to make college so much more interesting " I gave her a weak smile , trying to ignore the knot forming in my stomach . " Yeah . Interesting . " She tilted her head , studying me " What about the third gut ? Do you know anything about him ? " Sabrina asked . He couldn't take his eyes off you " she added . " Nope ," I said quickly , avoiding her gaze . " Hmm " the mused " I bet he's got some drama going on with Caspian and Damien . Did you see the way they were around each other ? It's like there's some big secret we don't know about . " acting I didn't respond , and after a few minutes , Sabrina seemed to lose interest in the topic . She hopped off the desk and stretched Come on , let's get out of here before those girls find us . " We decided to take the long way around , using the backyard to avoid the crowd . But as we rounded the corner , we stumbled +25 BONUS upon a heated argument . " Why are you here , Julian ? " Caspian asked " Last time I checked , your father doesn't own this college , " Julian replied coolly . Caspian took a step closer , his fists clenched . " Are you going to keep chasing us around ? We left England , and you followed us here . Why can't you just leave us alone ? " Julian smirked . " We graduated , Caspian . There was no reason for me to stay there . And don't act like his Pack is the only one in California Mine is here too , and I have every right to be here " Damien , who had been silent until now , clapped his s hands slowly . " Your explanation doesn't add up , Julian " Julian's smirk faltered , but he quickly recovered . " I don't owe either of you an explanation . Remember that . " He turned to leave , but Damien's next words stopped him in his tracks " Did Daddy and Mommy send their little Wolfie here to try and surpass me ? " Julian spun around , his face dark with anger . Suddenly , he grabbed Damien by the collar , lifting his fist to strike. Caspian stepped between them , pulling Julian back before he could throw a punch . " Enough " Caspian shouted . Damien adjusted his collar . But then his eyes shifted , landing on me and Sabrina . Julian noticed , turning his head to follow Damien's gaze , When his eyes met mine , something shifted in his expression . He released Damien , pushing him back before walking away . I thought he was leaving , but instead , he walked straight toward me . He stopped in front of me , his blue eyes studying my face . " Would you like to go on a date with me ? " He asked My jaw dropped . What ?