Chapter 3
Ryan's POV
I woke up, the morning light piercing through the curtains and pulling me from the depths of sleep. My head pounded, a dull reminder of the excessive drinking from last night. Blinking, I tried to piece together the fragmented memories, but they were hazy, like a dream just out of reach.
I turned to the side, expecting to see her there, the girl from last night. Instead, I found a space, the sheets cold where she should have been. Confusion swept over me. Who was she? I racked my brain, trying to recall her face, her name—anything that could anchor her in my memory.
All I could remember were flashes: the feel of her skin, the taste of her lips, the intoxicating scent that seemed to wrap around me like a warm blanket. I sat up, the room spinning as I did. The lingering scent was still there, faint but unmistakable. It was a mix of vanilla and something floral, a combination that sent a shiver down my spine.
I ran a hand through my hair, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep.
“Who are you?” I whispered to the empty room, the silence mocking me. I glanced around, hoping to find some clue, something that would lead me to her. But there was nothing. No note, no forgotten piece of jewelry—nothing but the scent that seemed to cling to the air.
My senses were sharper than most, a gift from my werewolf heritage. I closed my eyes and focused, inhaling. Her scent was there, subtle but distinct, and I let it guide me through the fog of my thoughts. I could almost see her—dark hair cascading over her shoulders, eyes that sparkled with a mix of mischief and desire. But the details were elusive.
I stood up, feeling a rush of determination. I needed to find her. Not just because of the night we shared, but because there was something about her that felt...important. I dressed, my movements automatic as my mind churned over the possibilities. Who was she? And why did I feel such a powerful pull toward her?
I stepped out of the room; the scent guiding me like a beacon. It led me through the club, now quiet in the aftermath of last night’s chaos. The once pulsing dance floor was now deserted, the only sound the distant hum of morning traffic outside.
As I reached the main entrance, I paused. What was I hoping to find? A part of me knew it was futile, that she was long gone, but another part of me clung to the hope that I might see her again, that I might unravel the mystery of her identity.
I arrived at a campus with a sense of disquiet. The events of the previous night still lingering in my mind. The surrounding faces blurred into a sea of familiarity as I navigated through the bustling courtyard. My friends, as always, were waiting by the fountain, laughing and chatting about the latest gossip.
“Hey, Ryan,” Jake called out, throwing me a grin. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“Rough night,” I replied, running a hand through my hair. “Didn’t sleep well.”
“Yeah, we heard,” Mark added with a chuckle, nudging me playfully. “Heard you were quite the party animal last night.”
I forced a laugh, but my mind was elsewhere. As we talked, my eyes scanned the crowd, searching for any sign of the girl from last night. It felt futile, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that she was closer than I realized.
And then I saw her. Alina. She was walking across the courtyard, her head down, moving with a purpose. Something about her seemed off. She looked tense, like she was trying to avoid someone. Trying to avoid...me?
“Hey, isn’t that Alina?” Jake asked, following my gaze.
“Yeah,” I muttered, my curiosity piqued. Why was she acting so strange? I decided to find out.
“Be right back,” I told the guys, leaving them behind as I made my way toward her. As I got closer, I noticed the way her steps quickened, her shoulders tensing when she realized I was heading her way.
“Alina!” I called out, closing the distance between us. She didn’t stop, didn’t even look back. It was like she was trying to pretend she hadn’t heard me. But I wasn’t going to let her slip away that easily.
“Alina, wait up!” I reached out and gently grabbed her arm, stopping her in her tracks. She turned to face me, her eyes wide with something that looked like fear. Or maybe it was just shock. Either way, it sent a chill down my spine.
“Ryan,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “What do you want?”
“Why are you avoiding me?” I asked, my voice more demanding than I intended. “Did something happen?”
She glanced around, clearly uncomfortable. “I...I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Come on, Alina,” I said, trying to keep my tone steady. “I know something’s up. You can tell me.”
“I really have to go,” she said, pulling her arm free and taking a step back. “I’m late for class.”
“Alina,” I called after her, but she was already walking away, faster this time. Frustration bubbled up inside me. Why was she acting like this?
As I stood there, Mark and Jake caught up to me, their expressions curious. “What’s going on?” Mark asked, looking between Alina and me.
“She’s hiding something,” I said, my jaw clenched. “And I intend to find out what.”
For the next few days, I kept a close eye on Alina. She was always trying to avoid me, ducking into classrooms or disappearing into the library whenever I was near. It was infuriating, and my frustration only grew. I wasn’t used to being ignored or avoided, especially by someone like Alina.
One afternoon, I saw her sitting alone under a tree, reading a book. She looked so peaceful, so different from the girl who had been dodging me all week. I took a deep breath and walked over, determined to get some answers.
“Alina,” I said, standing in front of her. She looked up, startled, her eyes wide.
“Ryan, what do you want?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
“I want to know what’s going on,” I replied, keeping my voice low. “Why are you avoiding me?”
She looked around, as if hoping someone would save her. But we were alone. “I... I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t lie to me,” I said, my patience wearing thin. “Something happened, and I want to know what it is.”
Tears welled up in her eyes, and she looked away. “Please, just leave me alone,” she whispered.
“Not until you tell me the truth,” I insisted, stepping closer. “What are you so afraid of?”
“Ryan, back off,” Mark said, suddenly appearing beside me. “You’re scaring her.”
I looked at Alina, really looked at her, and saw the fear in her eyes. I took a step back, my anger deflating.
But she was already gathering her things, running off before I could finish. I watched her go, my heart heavy with regret and confusion. What had I done to make her so afraid of me? And how was it connected to the girl from last night?
As I stood there, watching her disappear into the crowd, I realized that finding the truth was going to be harder than I thought. But I wasn’t going to give up. Not yet.