Chapter 3 Not so much a knight

Kain hated her already. The color of her hair, the wide-eyed innocence in her face, her scent, everything about her screamed boring and problematic at once.

He hadn't taken on a student in fifteen years, not since the rumors started. The ones that whispered how he ruined students, altered the course of their lives with a single scathing word. He hadn't cared enough to deny them.

And now, her.

For two full minutes, he'd stood silently at the classroom door, watching. Her annoyingly long silver hair shimmered under the fluorescents. Her shoulders slouched as if the world had already defeated her. And then her scent, werewolf. But weak. Like her wolf was in a coma, or nonexistent.

He should've walked away. Should've left her to another instructor. But he needed to try, the school council had sent her his way to redeem himself. She was trouble, his worst nightmare. Especially now, when he'd worked so hard to stay out of everything. No pack drama. No politics. No students.

Yet here she was.

"No! Please! What do you mean, last class? I... I wasn't talking to you, I swear! I was-"

"I don't like you," he said flatly. "Find another professor."

Her face crumbled, then tightened, jaw clenching, shoulders straightening.

It made his frown deepen, not with annoyance this time, but with something more dangerous: curiosity.

"I can't," she snapped. "You are my professor. You were assigned to me."

His brow arched. The nerve.

But then her eyes locked with his-and he hated how long he stared.

There was something in them. Something ancient. Something broken.

He didn't want to care. Didn't want to look deeper.

Lucy, meanwhile, was ready to pass out.

She had never met a man like this. So unyielding. So there. His presence soaked the room like smoke. He radiated power-not the kind you flexed in a fight, but the kind that made people kneel before you instinctively. She could feel the heat of him across the room. It terrified her.

She didn't like being scared.

And she definitely didn't like this man, this demon in a black tailored suit,was this good-looking. Not in a Kyle way. Kyle was charming, easy. This man looked like he'd tear your heart out and make you say thank you for the experience. His polished black shoes gleamed like obsidian, his entire form wrapped in dark elegance. He didn't belong in a classroom. He belonged behind a throne.

And she hated how her stomach flipped.

"These kids don't listen anymore..." Kain muttered, shaking his head.

He reached into his coat and tossed her a heavy brown envelope. It slammed into her arms and dropped to the floor with a thud, too heavy to catch.

Inside, a thick stack of papers, bound loosely. Sheet music.

Lucy opened it-and horror etched itself onto her face.

"Learn every song in there before our next class," he said, glancing at his watch with disinterest. "Which is... the day after tomorrow."

She looked up, frozen. Her mouth opened, but no words came.

"There are a hundred songs," he continued coldly. "Each with its own annotated note. I assume you can already play a few on the piano. That narrows it down. Miss a single note, and we're done. Start searching for a new professor."

And just like that-he was gone. No further words. No glance back.

Lucy stared at the door he disappeared through, eyes wide and wet, before her knees gave out and she sank to the floor. Tears spilled freely as her fingers gripped the envelope like a lifeline and a curse.

This part of her life, the part that was supposed to make sense, was collapsing too. The Mad Alpha was still out there, hunting her like prey. And now this-this professor from hell-was going to shatter what was left of her hope.

Elsewhere, Kain walked calmly out of the building, heading for a meeting he never thought he'd take.

With someone he never wanted to see again.

Wesley. His brother's Beta. A man Kain wouldn't trust with a paperclip, let alone a conversation.

They met at a diner not far from the school, a modest place with worn red booths and the scent of burnt coffee lingering like bad memories. Kain already regretted showing up.

The moment Wesley slid into the seat opposite him, Kain scoffed, his expression dripping with disgust. The sight of the man who was once his own Beta made his blood itch.

"You said it was important," Kain said coldly. "Start talking."

Wesley leaned in slightly. "Your brother... he took another girl."

Kain raised a brow, unimpressed. "That's what you dragged me here for?"

Wesley exhaled sharply, trying not to react. "I know it's not my place, but... You're the-well, you know what they call you. But it's never been good to enrage you."

"And I dare you to say it out loud."

Wesley swallowed. Hard. He wouldn't risk it. Not here. Not anywhere.

No one wanted to lose their head in a diner. Especially not on a beautiful Tuesday afternoon.

"Forgive me," Wesley muttered. "All I meant is... we know what happens when the pack keeps your girls from you. So I'll personally bring her to you. Tomorrow evening."

Kain's palm shot up in front of his face like a wall of fury. Wesley froze mid-sentence.

"I don't need your help," Kain snapped. "And I don't need any of those girls. I have enough slaves in my court. Now get out before I change my mind."

Wesley didn't need to be told twice. He left in a blur of panic and sweaty palms.

"Miscreants," Kain muttered, rising from his seat.

Then he saw her. A woman. Sitting two tables away, watching him. Red hair, striking features, dressed in a tight pink dress with heels that clicked like a threat on the linoleum floor.

Not bad.

Too bad she was human.

If he so much as touched her, she'd be dead by sunrise.

He turned to leave, except she rose, her body language screaming target locked. She swayed toward him, hips exaggerated, lips painted like sin. Inches from his table, she pretended to stumble.

Kain caught her effortlessly, his instincts faster than her ploy.

She grabbed his arm like it was a lifeline-or a trophy-and sighed dramatically. Around them, other patrons whispered and giggled.

"A knight in shining armor," one woman murmured.

Kain forced a smile. A very forced smile. "Steady."

"You're so strong," the redhead purred, pressing against him. "Can I buy you lunch? Just to say thanks?"

"No."

He steadied her and stepped back, ready to disappear. But she blocked his path, arms crossed under her chest, nipples poking through the strained cotton of her dress.

Kain barely glanced. He'd seen it all. Felt it all. And none of it excited him anymore.

Especially not since her.

Silver hair. A sharp tongue. Eyes that looked like they held forgotten stories.

His step-sister. The only woman who had ever gotten under his skin. Not love-just obsession. Pure, undeniable obsession.

And now... the student. Lucy. She had silver hair too.

Damn it.

"You're sexy," the redhead whispered, smearing ketchup-stained fingers across his chest.

That did it.

Kain leaned in, close enough that only she could hear.

"And you're filthy," he growled, his voice velvet and venom. "Get away from me before I rip you in half."

She froze.

The blood drained from her face.

Then she ran.

Perfect.

He turned to leave, finally, finally, but as he reached the door, he stopped.

Because standing outside, visible through the glass, was a woman with silver hair.

And his heart.

Long dead, long buried-

Slit cleanly in two.