CHAPTER 24: CHAPTER 24: ZANE CROSS

The three of them had just started making their way back to the hostel when their path was suddenly blocked. Aiden’s steps faltered as his eyes landed on the figure standing squarely in their way. The boy who blocked them was, without question, one of the most strikingly handsome people Aiden had ever seen. The sharp, refined features of his face, his glowing skin, and most of all the delicate points of his ears immediately gave him away as a Fae.

Aiden’s heart gave a quick stutter. If he had never met Ryker before, this boy would have easily been the most beautiful person he had ever laid eyes on. Even so, though he still fell a little short compared to Ryker, the Fae’s appearance was enough to make Aiden’s face warm with an involuntary blush. But the blush didn’t last long. The moment the boy opened his mouth, Aiden’s admiration evaporated in irritation.

"I was just curious about the idiot who had the guts to introduce himself to Ryker right in front of Ophelia," the boy said with a smooth, mocking tone. His smile was sharp, almost taunting. Then his eyes swept Aiden from head to toe before he added, "But who would have expected that you’d turn out to be such a looker?"

Aiden’s lips pressed into a thin line. He didn’t even bother responding. Instead, he simply grabbed Ashton’s wrist with one hand and Julian’s with the other, dragging them forward since he was standing between them. His intention was clear: ignore the Fae and continue walking. But before they could pass, the boy shifted smoothly and blocked them again, this time standing even closer.

"Where do you think you’re going?" the Fae asked, voice dripping with amusement.

Aiden’s patience snapped. He glared at the boy, lifting his chin defiantly. "What do you think you’re doing? Is it right to block people’s way like this?"

The boy chuckled at Aiden’s angry question as if it was the funniest thing he had heard all day. "Right?" he repeated in mock wonder. "Hey pretty, let me tell you something. I’ve never cared whether something was right or wrong before I did it. I only care about what I want to do. To put it simply, I don’t know the difference between right and wrong. All I know is that what I do is right for me."

Aiden’s glare deepened. "Are you insane? If you’re insane, why don’t you go get your brain checked instead of standing here blocking our way?"

At that, both Ashton and Julian subtly reached out to pinch Aiden’s arms from either side, a desperate attempt to shut him up before he provoked the Fae further. But Aiden was already annoyed and wasn’t about to be silenced. He glared at them too. "Why are you pinching me? I don’t even know him, and here he is blocking my way like some nuisance."

Both Ashton and Julian froze. Their eyes widened in disbelief that Aiden would call them out so openly. Then, silently, they exchanged glances and came to the same decision. Almost in unison, they stepped back two paces, distancing themselves from Aiden as if saying: fine, if you want to dig your own grave, we won’t stop you.

The Fae’s smile widened when he noticed. He stepped forward until he was directly in front of Aiden. The closer he came, the clearer it was that he was taller, his shadow falling over Aiden as he looked down at him. He leaned just enough to make his presence intimidating. "Did you just call me a nuisance?"

"Yes, I did," Aiden replied sharply, rolling his eyes. "You are being a nuisance. I’m not lying. You can’t just stop people from walking in a public space. Who even are you to think you can do that?"

For a moment, the Fae only stared at him, still smiling, still looking him up and down. Aiden refused to be cowed. He kept his glare fixed firmly on the boy. Then, out of nowhere, the Fae burst into laughter. It was so sudden that Aiden blinked, startled.

"What the hell is wrong with him?" Aiden muttered under his breath. "Is this guy crazy?"

The boy eventually calmed his laughter, though the playful glint in his eyes only sharpened. "You’ve got a temper. I like that. I really thought this semester was going to be boring, just me and Ryker at each other’s throats like always. But who would’ve thought I’d stumble across something this amusing." He paused dramatically, as if weighing his next words.

Aiden’s brow furrowed. Did he just call me a thing? An amusing thing?

He was just about to tell the boy to step aside again when the Fae spoke, this time with a casual boldness that made Aiden’s stomach twist. "I heard you like Ryker. Stop liking him. Like me instead. I like your character. You’ll amuse me for a while. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you. I’ve always been generous and kind to my sex partners."

Aiden froze, his mouth dropping open. Had he heard that right? For a moment, he was convinced he hadn’t. "Can you... can you repeat what you just said?"

The boy tilted his head, smirking. "How can someone this beautiful have such poor hearing? But don’t worry, like I said, I’m kind. I’ll repeat myself. Stop going after Ryker and come to me. In short, I want you to be my sex partner."

The words hit Aiden like a slap. He wasn’t mistaken. He had heard right the first time. This random Fae boy—this stranger—was brazenly asking him to be his sex partner. Even Ashton and Julian, standing behind him, were too stunned to speak.

"Are you crazy?" Aiden blurted, then immediately smacked his own lips. "What am I even saying? Of course you’re crazy. That much is obvious."

The boy snapped his fingers in front of Aiden’s face as though calling his attention back. "Why are you talking to yourself when I’m right here?"

Aiden’s jaw clenched. "Move. While I’m still asking you politely."

The Fae only shrugged, his tone turning stubborn. "I won’t move unless you give me a satisfactory answer to my proposition."

Aiden’s eyes narrowed dangerously. Then he gave a short, mocking laugh. "You want a satisfactory answer? Fine. I’ll give you one."

Before the Fae could guess his intent, Aiden lifted his knee and delivered a swift, brutal kick directly between the boy’s legs. The Fae’s eyes widened as pain shot through him, and he crumpled to the ground, clutching his manhood in agony.

Looking down at him, Aiden smirked. "I hope that answer was satisfactory enough for you."

Without waiting for a reply, he turned and started walking away. For several moments, he stormed ahead in silence before realizing he was alone. He looked back and saw Ashton and Julian still rooted to the same spot. "Well? Aren’t you two coming?"

Snapping out of their shock, both quickly hurried after him, leaving the handsome boy groaning and doubled over on the ground.

Aiden was still fuming when they finally gained some distance. "Can you believe the nerve of that boy? How dare he propose such rubbish to me? Who does he even think he is?"

Neither Ashton nor Julian said anything right away. Their silence only irritated Aiden more. "What? Why are you both so quiet?"

Ashton finally spoke, his voice carrying a weight of caution. "Do you even know who that guy was?"

Aiden shrugged. "No. Am I supposed to?"

"That," Ashton said with a sigh, "was Zane Cross. He’s the leader of the Faes in the student council. He’s just as popular and influential as Ryker. And just so you know, he and Ryker hate each other’s guts."

Aiden raised an eyebrow. "And? What’s your point? Even if he’s influential, does that make it okay for him to block my way or propose that kind of rubbish?"

Julian added quietly, "Of course it doesn’t. But you should understand, his interest in you wasn’t genuine. It was fleeting. He probably only approached you because of his dislike for Ryker. Normally, he would’ve lost interest after a while. But now..."

"But now what?" Aiden cut in sharply. "Why did you stop?"

This time Ashton answered grimly. "Now you’ve officially offended Zane."

Julian followed immediately after. "Not just Zane. You’ve managed to offend all three student leaders: Ryker, Seraphina, and now Zane. Congratulations. You’re the first student to ever tick off all three."

Aiden’s stomach sank. His face twisted into a frown as the reality of it hit him. Technically, he hadn’t really offended Ryker, but the wolves hated him anyway for daring to introduce himself to their leader. And Ryker himself didn’t even remember him, let alone care about him. Which meant Ashton and Julian were right—he had truly managed to step on the toes of the three most influential people in the academy.

He let out a dry, humorless laugh. "Good, good. Well done, Aiden. You’ve just signed away any chance of peace in this school."

Julian placed a hand lightly on his shoulder, trying to ease his mood. "Don’t think of the worst. Seraphina is the most dangerous, but she might leave you alone if you stop trying to talk to Ryker. The wolves might also leave you alone if you lay low. The real problem is Zane. You did, after all, kick him right in the equipment."

"It wasn’t my fault," Aiden said stubbornly. "That was all Zane’s fault."

"Yes, yes, we know," Julian said, trying to placate him. "Luckily, Zane is known for being reckless and lazy. You might just survive this."

Aiden sighed. "I really hope I never see him again."