CHAPTER 69: DOES THAT FEEL LIKE HATE?

A pulse of warm energy rolled through her bones, starting low in her spine and then began spreading upward.

Thep gasped, her back arching gently as something in her shifted. It was not a full shift, not even close, but a pull. A slight tug, and she could feel her wolf reaching into her skin

Thin wisps of silver-white fur shimmered up her arms first, looking very delicate and soft. Then, Theo’s breath hitched as the strands thickened, then began curling and weaving, then beaded themselves into a smooth, pelt that clung to her skin like fabric.

More fur pooled over her chest, folding across her body and took the form of a furry shirt.

Her legs tingled as the silver fur swept downward, spiralling around her thighs and calves until pants formed too.

By the time it settled, she was covered from shoulder to ankle in a silvery-white outfit that shimmered faintly in the sunlight.

Theo stared down at herself, her mouth falling open.

*Seraphina,* she breathed, turning her hands over to inspect the strange, living fabric, *What the hell is this?*

Seraphina sounded smug.

It had worked.

Theo’s voice dropped to a whisper, *This is... gods. This is unreal. Seraphina, You’re unreal,*

The smug was still there, *It’s our fur, reshaped. It won’t tear. It won’t slip. As long as I’m with you, it stays.*

Theo exhaled shakily, her eyes wide with awe. Most importantly, it was so soft and comfortable.

"A cloak of your own fur," she whispered. "I could sleep in this,"

"Don’t. These things drain my energy. Now get back to the dorm and wear some regular clothes!"

Theodora nodded, "Right, I’m on my way,"

Quickly, she stepped out of the forest and headed back to her dorm. She needed to take a bath first and wash off all the dried blood that clung to her skin. Then, she would head to the clinic to see Liam and check if his injuries were almost healed.

She slipped past a few students and finally arrived at her dorm room.

Then, she inserted her key and walked in.

As she was stepping in, Zeke was also stepping out of the shower at the same time, with a towel around his waist.

She paused as their eyes met, then softly closed the door behind her.

She tore her eyes off him before her eyes would drift further down, then she walked to her side of the room and took out a set of shirts and pants. When she walked back, Zeke hadn’t moved from where he stood.

Right in front of the bathroom.

"Move, Zeke," She said.

"I didn’t think you’d have the heart to raise a finger against your crush,"

Her knuckles tightened. She did not want to talk about Eric right now, "Mind your own business and move,"

He crossed his hands together, his muscles flexing carelessly as he did so, "Someone’s mad. Did something else happen, or did every blow you gave Eric hurt you too?"

Theo’s fists tightened even harder. If he had a single idea how she was feeling right now, he wouldn’t be rage-baiting her like this, "Zeke Pendragon, son of Cain Pendragon...,"

His hand suddenly shot out and grabbed her arm tightly, but she instantly smacked it away.

"Don’t say that name in front of me!" He growled.

"If you wanna press my buttons, Zeke, make sure you can take it when I press yours back," She took a fearless step closer to them, his eyes never leaving his, "Because trust me, right now, I’m not some goody two-shoes. I won’t take shit from you. If you hit me, I’ll hit you harder. Now get the fuck out of my way!"

He didn’t move.

Instead, his lips curled into a dangerous smirk. He actually looked...amused, and his eyes shimmered with something like fascination.

He closed the distance between them.

She held her ground, trying to control her breath that was gradually coming out as soft pants due to his closeness.

Then, he took another step forward, and their bodies would have brushed if she hadn’t quickly stepped backwards. He kept on with the advances, his eyes fully locked on hers, till her back touched the wall.

Then, he leaned over so his face and hers were level. His eyes were as heated, deadly and consuming as always.

"W...what?" She couldn’t believe she had just stuttered.

"Is this how you really are when you’re mad?" The smirk got deeper, "Cute," he added.

Cute?!

She frowned at him, "What do you mean by that? I don’t look cute when I’m mad,"

"Yes, you do. I’m staring at you right now, and your cheeks are red-hot. Your lips are trembling. Your eyes are brighter, and you have several creases between your eyebrows, and then there’s your hair - like a pissed off wildfire,"

She stared at him like he had just committed a crime, and her cheeks got even redder.

"Are you on drugs?" She blurted.

"There’s a drug right here in this room that constantly has this annoying effect on me,"

"I’m glad to know how you feel about me. I feel just the same," She flashed him a quick, fake smile.

Then, she tried to walk past him but he shot an arm to the wall, blocking her path.

She stopped and eyed him, "What is it this time?"

"What is that you’re wearing?!" He glanced down, then back at her face.

"Before you ask me these questions, I need you to first tell me how on this vast earth anything about me concerns you first, then maybe I’ll answer your questions,"

"I already told you before - everything you do is my damn business,"

"And I’ll ask you again, why exactly do you care so much? I mean, you hate me, don’t you? You’re so quick to use everything against me. You don’t even want me staying in this room with you, so why the sudden ’I care about you’ attitude now? I know for a fact that the only thing you want from me is this pendant. That’s all. You only care about sleeping next to me, so stop talking shit. Stop-"

Suddenly, he grabbed her wrist and slammed it hard against his chest, directly over his heart.

Theo gasped softly, the heat from his touch dizzying, and the feel of his hammering heart left her speechless.

He glared at her, furious and breathing hard, "Does that feel like hate to you?!"