Chapter 18 I Don’t Do Charity
SERAPHINA
Everything froze for a moment as my eyes locked with Ronan’s. Take responsibility? By offering me his uniform?
“What a joke,” I muttered under my breath, jaw tight as I stormed off the field. My hands still tingled from the cold, but the heat rising inside me was pure irritation. Ronan’s arrogance burned hotter than the evening sun ever could. Tossing his uniform at me after knocking the uniform over the edge earlier. Acting like he owned the damn academy
By the time I reached my room, the damp fabric of my shirt clung to my skin, chilling me to the bone. I yanked open the wardrobe, grabbing the oversized shirt and jacket I always wore–my shield to mask the curves I wasn’t allowed to have here.
The room was empty. Everyone else was in the showers. Since I couldn’t use them, not with the Alphas in there, I settled for wiping myself clean with a damp cloth. It wasn’t ideal, but it was safer.
Just as I thought about changing, the door creaked open.
I froze.
Ronan stepped in, a bag slung casually over his shoulder.
Panic flared in my chest. Thank the Moon Goddess, I hadn’t taken off my clothes yet.
“What do you want now?” I snapped, narrowing my eyes.
He raised a brow, completely unfazed. “Taking responsibility,” he said, tossing the bag onto my bed. The corner of a black and gold uniform slipped out.
1 crossed my arms, glaring. “I don’t need your help. Do your charity work somewhere else.”
“I don’t do charity,” he replied coolly, stepping closer. His presence was different this time–heavier, more commanding. “If word got out that the newbie cried over a dirty uniform because of me, my reputation would suffer.”
He stopped just inches from me and added, “So, Seth Darven.. accept it while I’m asking nicely.”
The corner of my lips twitched at his attitude. “Or what?” I asked, keeping my voice neutral.
His expression flickered like he wasn’t used to being questioned, But he composed himself quickly, leaning even closer.
“Or Finn might end up losing all his uniforms… or worse, his place in the academy”
My heart dropped. He’s threatening me? Over a uniform?
“What the hell..
He stepped in, until only a breath separated us. “Accept it, Seth Darven,” he said again, softer this time. He picked up the bag. he’d tossed and placed it gently in my hands. “Mine is better than Finn’s.”
I stared down at the bag between us, then looked back up. “Your uniforms are the same. Why are you so obsessed with giving me yours?!”
“Nothing about me is the same,” he murmured, his gaze sharpening. “Don’t compare me to him or anyone else for that
I opened my mouth to argue, but his next comment stopped me cold.
“Your acendless body is already getting on my nerves. And I already fucking know that my instict are not something good for you. I don’t know how I’ll tolerate it if you start smelling like another wolf thanks to their uniform. So use mine.”
His voice wasn’t demanding—it was low, rough, and steady. Not dominance, but possession.
My heartbeat jumped. What did he mean by instinct? What instinct was he talking about? I felt danger for some reason.
The uniform in my hands suddenly felt heavier. Also giving me his uniform instead of Finn’s.. it was as if he wanted me to
small like him.
Chapter 181 Don’t Do Charity
No, I shook the thought from my head.
+8 Pearls
“I still don’t want it. It won’t fit me anyway.” I muttered, shoving it back into his hands and turning away.
and
But before I could step aside, something dropped over my head–the uniform. His scent curled around me, thick an disorienting. It wasn’t neatly folded anymore, it now covered my head, brushing my back and shoulders.
His breath warmed my ear as he whispered, “Try it on. If it doesn’t fit throw it away?
My heart pounded as his chest brushed lightly against mine. Then he turned and walked out, the door clicking shut behind
Slowly, I pulled the shirt off my head and looked at it. The fabric was rich and smooth beneath my fingers.
And the size….
“It’s our size.” Phina whispered in my head.
I stepped in front of the mirror, holding it against myself. It fits. Not too tight, not baggy–just the way I always wore my clothes.
Then I peeked into the bag.
Two more uniforms, each tailored to fit me.
My fingers traced the seams, a strange mix of confusion and unease settling in my chest.
“It’s definitely Ronan’s uniform.” I murmured. “But how did he know my measurements? When did he get these? Why would he go out of his way… for me?”
Cawins and Reed returned to the room after their shower, pulling me out of my spiraling thoughts. I still hadn’t showered. I’d waited for hours, hoping for a moment when the place was empty, but it never was. Every time I checked, there were still Alphas in there–laughing, talking, moving around without a care. I couldn’t risk it.
Exhausted and out of patience, I finally gave in.
Locking the stall door behind me, I stripped quickly and wiped myself down with a wet towel. It wasn’t even close to a real shower, but it washed away the sweat and grime. Beggars couldn’t be choosers. At least I didn’t smell like a battlefield
anymore.
Afterward, I slipped into a loose T–shirt and jeans, throwing on my jacket like armor. All I wanted now was to collapse on bed and disappear into sleep.
But as I stepped out of the stall, tugging the hem of my shirt down over my hips, I froze.
Someone had noticed.
My heart plummeted.
“Well, well,” Dante drawled, grinning like he’d won something
the
וווו
He leaned casually against the tiled wall, arms crossed, eyes scanning me slowly–meticulously. Too meticulously
How long had he been standing there!
“What were you doing in there?” His voice was deceptively calm, too smooth.
I forced my features into neutrality and gave a shrug “What do you think people do in the toilet? That’s what I was doing “1 walked past hum, or tried to keeping my movements controlled, casual.
“Is so?”
“Is that so he echoed, raising a brow “Funny, I don’t recall ever changing inside a stall”
Damn i
0:15 PM
Chapter 18 I Don’t Do Charity.
My heart kicked into overdrive.
+8 Pearls
He didn’t mention the towel wipe. That meant he hadn’t seen everything. But still–he knew something.
“Didn’t feel like flashing a room full of Alphas just to prove I’ve got balls,” I snapped, lifting my chin. “That a problem?”
His jaw ticked. Then he stepped forward, and before I could back away, he grabbed my arm–not violently, but firmly enough to send a jolt through me.
“You’re hiding something,” he said, voice low now, laced with something sharp and dark.
A chill crawled up my spine.
I was so screwed.
Still, I kept my face calm. “What could I possibly be hiding?” I met his gaze without blinking. “Whatever I did in there’s been flushed, Dante. If I knew you were that curious, I would’ve saved it for you to examine. Now let go
He didn’t move,
Let go?” he repeated, and a slow smirk spread across his lips. “I don’t think I will.”
I ripped my arm away, not caring if I had to use force. “Do whatever the hell you want,” I growled and brushed past him.
I didn’t stop walking until I was halfway down the hallway. Then I staggered against the wall, hand clutching my chest. My heart was pounding so hard it physically hurt.
Everything was unraveling.
