CHAPTER 170: _ THEY’RE HERE

Andre gives Heidi a look of horror. "How do you even survive without memes?"

"Barely," Heidi says dryly.

He hands her a small card from his pocket with his number scribbled on it. "Fine. Old school it is. Call me when you figure something out. I’ll make sure you’re in the loop."

Heidi takes it carefully. The handwriting is neat and so ’Andre’. "Thanks, Vega."

"Don’t mention it."

They push open the main doors together, stepping out into the open courtyard where the honey golden evening light is cracking for the darkness of the night.

But peace is fragile here because the moment Heidi steps into the space and the whispers start again.

"OMG! She’s the one..."

"Boy, I need to see that video. Something to jerk off to, you?"

"God, she’s shameless."

"Pornstar Castell."

The laughter that follows is sharp. Heidi feels her jaw tighten. She keeps walking, head held high, pretending the words are harmless, fleeting, meaningless like raindrops. But every one of them sinks in like a thorn.

Val stiffens beside her. "I swear to the Moon, I don’t care what you think, Heidi. I’m going to—"

Heidi grabs her wrist before she can march toward the group of gossiping second years by the fountain. "Don’t."

"But they..."

"I said don’t, Val." Heidi’s voice comes out quieter but firmer than she expects. "I told you we don’t need another fight. Plus we are outnumbered. Bet they’ll beat our asses."

"No, they don’t." Heidi’s wolf counters.

Val glares at her but doesn’t move. Her chest rises and falls rapidly, her wolf scent sharp with anger.

"But you single-handedly beat four seniors of a higher rank!" Val interjects, stomping her feet on the ground.

Heidi shakes her head. "Four pompous, lazy bitches who probably don’t practice are different from the pack of rogue wolves before us."

It’s sarcasm, yes, but these students are no different from rogues right now, Heidi affirms internally even though she has never seen one before.

Helena mutters, "They’re supposed to be singing praises of you, not dragging your name. You basically carried us through that labyrinth."

"Yeah," Jia adds, crossing her arms. "Without you, half of us would still be screaming in that snake pit."

Andre grins. "True. You did more than most of us."

"Aw... modesty looks good on him, Heidi can’t help but inwardly coo.

She forces a small smile on her own face. "Doesn’t matter. Around here, truth doesn’t count unless someone powerful says it."

Her wolf sighs in agreement. "They mock what they fear, little flame."

"I’d prefer they fear quietly," she mutters under her breath.

Val glances sideways. "You talking to your wolf again?"

"Yeah. He... I mean, she’s got opinions."

"Tell her I said hi and that her host is too nice."

Heidi chuckles. "She heard you."

"Good," Val says, lifting her chin like she just won an argument.

They walk past the gates, their laughter softening the tension just enough to make it bearable again. The air outside is cooler, tinged with the metallic scent of night. Students are scattered everywhere, hugging, waiting for rides, shouting at car drivers, and dragging luggage across the pavement.

Heidi’s bag feels heavier by the second. Maybe it’s not the weight of clothes inside but the weight of everything she can’t shake off. She has to hold the thought as a scent hits her before she even realizes she’s stopped walking.

It’s so familiar, her nose itches. It’s the kind of scent that pulls at something in her chest. That smoky mix of cedarwood, cold iron, and the faintest trace of fire.

Her wolf stirs immediately, ears pricking in her headspace. "Our mates."

Her pulse stutters. "What?"

"They are here," he repeats hungrily.

Her mates. Which ones are here? Judging by the way her neck itches, Heidi can already guess who the twin devils are. But why... Why have they come here to the Economy dorm?

Her eyes dart around the courtyard, scanning the cluster of cars parked along the curb. Her heart beats so fast until she sees the black luxury car parked near the entrance, engine idling like a predator waiting for the right moment to pounce.

She’ll be damned!

That’s the same one she saw Morgan and Grayson leave in back at the Alpha’s estate. Every nerve in her body goes on high alert.

No. Not now. Not here.

Her stomach twists as the car door opens, and the world seems to slow around her. The laughter fades. The chatter turns distant. The wind itself pauses, as if holding its breath.

Her wolf growls again, pleased. "Told you."

She can’t move. She can barely breathe. She’s supposed to feel elation, right? Joy, excitement, something primal and warm. But all she feels is dread curling around her spine.

Val follows her gaze. "What’s wrong?"

Her pulse quickens. "Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me."

"What is it?!"

Heidi forces a laugh that comes out strangled. "Nothing. Just... déjà vu."

But her wolf is pacing now, tail flicking. "They’re here for you."

"I don’t want them to be," she mutters internally.

"Too bad. The bond doesn’t care what you want."

Heidi groans softly, pressing her fingers to her temple. The air feels charged with that same magnetic pull that only happens when one of them is near. It’s like being caught between desire and dread, heat and cold all at once.

Val nudges her. "You look like you’ve seen a ghost."

"Worse," Heidi says. "I’ve seen a car."

Andre arches a brow. "Since when are you scared of cars?"

"Since they started containing problems with six-packs and egos."

Val snorts loudly enough to draw stares. "That’s the most specific fear I’ve ever heard."

Heidi doesn’t answer. Her heart’s beating too fast, her skin prickling with nerves. The scent in the air intensifies. She watches as the car door opens slowly and a tall figure steps out, his shadow spilling across the marble. The night seems to be still around him.

And just like that, Heidi knows that the weekend... is going to be a very long one.