5. Chaos at the Hallway - 2

He tightened his grip on my hand and pulled me along. I let him lead, letting the storm that was Klaus Saint sweep me away.

After we put a little distance between ourselves and the crowd, Klaus finally slowed, dragging each step out like he owned the hallway.

“How did I do?” he whispered near my ear, his breath brushing my neck. Warm. Slightly dangerous. Slightly… naughty.

My wolf stiffened. Every instinct prickled.

I turned slowly. Bella looked like she was about to cry, lips trembling. Kevin’s jaw was tight, fists clenched. I’d never seen him like that—he was always calm, always perfect, always smiling.

Now he looked like he might punch a wall… or someone’s face.

“They look pissed,” I whispered.

Klaus leaned closer, shoulder brushing mine, just enough to make my stomach twist.

“I think Kevin looks worse,” he murmured. “Like, he’s one angry little teddy bear about to explode.”

My wolf growled low. Tail flicked, ears perked.

I swallowed hard.

“I love this,” he added, grin spreading wide, mischievous. “I’m going to savor this forever.”

He stretched lazily, arms overhead, like he couldn’t be bothered with anything… except watching everyone squirm.

“So,” he said, tilting his head, scanning the corridor with fake boredom, “where are we going?”

I blinked. “What?”

“I don’t even know,” he said casually, like discovering a new hallway was the most exciting thing ever.

I stopped walking. Turned. “You forgot we have class this morning?”

He blinked slowly, confusion spreading across that infuriatingly perfect face. “…Wait. We’re in the same class?”

I pressed my lips together. “You don’t even know we’re in the same major?”

He shrugged, grinning. “Of course I don’t. I told you, I don’t keep track of girls crushing on me.”

My wolf growled low in my chest.

“What?!” I hissed. “I told you I’m not crushing on you! Do I look like someone who throws herself at you—”

“Shhh.”

His finger pressed lightly against my lips. My heart skipped a beat.

“Are you trying to ruin our plan?” he whispered, cocky and teasing, eyes sparkling.

I yanked his hand away. “You started it.”

He tilted his head, smirk crawling across his face.

“I see you,” he said softly.

My pulse stumbled.

“You jealous,” he teased, voice low and playful.

“What? Jealous of what?”

“Earlier,” he murmured, grin wicked, “when you saw me with those girls.”

His gaze dipped briefly to my lips, then back to my eyes.

“I saw the way you looked at them,” he added, voice smooth as silk.

“I didn’t,” I snapped.

“Yes, you did,” he countered softly, tone teasing, almost childish.

“And when I walked past you,” he said, leaning just enough that I felt his breath on my cheek, “you looked… hurt.”

My wolf whimpered.

I crossed my arms. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I didn’t do it to annoy you,” he said, tone dropping, playful but with a dark edge. “I did it… because I wanted a reaction.”

My pulse stumbled.

He leaned back, grin widening, mood flipping in a blink. “Perfect.”

“What is?” I asked, cautious.

“Kevin and Bella are in our department too,” he said, eyes sparkling with mischief. “Which means…”

My wolf leaned forward, curious and tense.

“All of us in the same lecture hall,” he whispered. “You and me… all lovey-dovey in front of them.”

My stomach tightened.

“Oh,” he said softly, pretending innocence. “This is going to hurt them. A lot.”

He bent slightly, conspiratorial. “I hope you know how to act,” he whispered. “Shameless. Bold. Extra.”

My wolf flicked its ears. Traitor.

I swallowed. What have I gotten myself into?

Then Tina’s voice cut through the hallway:

“Mira! Mira!”

I spun. She ran toward us and stopped when she saw Klaus. Her posture changed instantly—bowed slightly.

“Alpha Niklaus,” she said.

He waved her off, rolling his eyes like a brat. “How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that at school? Just… Klaus. Duh.”

His gaze slid to me, amusement softening it.

“But wait,” he said, eyes glinting, “you know my girlfriend?”

My wolf perked up. Pride flaring.

Tina nodded. “She’s my best friend.”

Klaus’s grin went full mischievous. “Well, well, well… my pack sister and my girlfriend are best friends. How cute is that?”

His phone buzzed. He glanced down. The aura shifted, predator-sharp.

“Well,” he said lightly, slipping the phone away, “you girls go on. I’ve got… business.”

“But we have class!” I blurted.

“I know,” he said, eyes flicking to mine, dark and teasing. “This is more important.”

He looked at Tina. “Protect her. If anyone touches her… call me. Immediately.”

Not a suggestion.

He turned, walking away slow, unbothered. He lifted one hand in a lazy wave. “See you soon, Mimilicious.”

I blinked. “Mimi?! What?”

Tina grabbed my wrist, grip tight. “Forget that. We need to talk—now.”

She dragged me down the hall, around a corner, into a secluded space near the lockers. Only then did she release me.

“Are you insane?” she hissed. “Do you have a death wish? What are you doing with Klaus?”

I opened my mouth to explain, but she cut me off.

“No wonder,” she said, eyes narrowing. “I recognized his scent yesterday. How did you get tangled with him?”

I sighed. “It’s a long story…”

“Mira,” she said quietly, voice urgent, eyes intense, “I’m telling you this as your best friend.”

My wolf went rigid.

“I know Klaus,” she whispered. Silence pressed down around us.

“And trust me,” she continued, voice tight, “you think Kevin is dangerous? Klaus is worse. He’s… chaotic. Petty. He will ruin anyone in his way if it amuses him.”

My stomach tightened.

“Whatever this is,” she said, voice low, sharp, “stop it. Go tell him you’re not interested.”

My wolf growled. Fierce. Protective.

But inside… I didn’t think I wanted to stop.

And just like that, my heart and instincts were tangled in him… even knowing the danger.