Chapter 2 Evil Plan

The stern voice made everyone around her freeze.

Astrid froze, her face turning pale instantly. She turned her head with a look of surprise that quickly turned to fear.

Arwen could only see the shadow of a man standing behind Astrid, but it was enough to make the girl lose her courage.

Arwen tilted her head, trying to find out who had grabbed Jessica's hand and prevented her from slapping him.

It turned out to be Professor Zion.

The man, about thirty years old, stood between them with a cold, piercing gaze.

His black hair glistened in the sunlight, and his body was tall and sturdy, making anyone near him feel small.

His silvery-gray eyes stared at Astrid expressionlessly, but something in them made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.

"Take your hands off her!" Zion said in a deep, calm baritone, but it sounded like thunder in the middle of a clear sky.

Astrid swallowed hard. Zion still held her hands, and pain began to spread through her wrists. "Pr-Professor..." her voice trembled.

Zion slowly released his grip, but his gaze remained unchanging. "You should know better, Astrid," he said, this time sounding colder. "Whatever your problem with Arwen is, it's no excuse for being violent. This is a college, not a fighting ring."

Astrid felt her face flush, embarrassment spreading throughout her body. All of her friends fell silent, afraid of incurring the same wrath. "B-But, Professor..."

Zion raised an eyebrow, causing Astrid to decide not to continue her protest immediately.

His gaze was so intense, it seemed to pierce straight through her heart. Astrid bit her lower lip, then looked away.

Arwen just stood stiffly in place, not quite believing what had happened. Professor Zion... helped her? The man who had always been known as the cold figure in class intervened in a small matter like this?

Even though Professor Zio had directly taught her in his class.

However, news of his attitude and his female students' admiration spread throughout the campus.

Of course, this made Arwen feel flattered. She couldn't take her eyes off him as she looked at him up close. She began to feel strange feelings and a different scent on his body.

Zio turned his body slightly, looking at Arwen. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice softening.

Arwen nodded quickly. "Y-Yes, Professor. Thank you..."

Astrid glared at Arwen with hatred, then clasped her hands together.

"Let's go!" she shouted to her friends.

They hurriedly left the park, even though Astrid glanced back with a look of anger.

At that moment, Zion looked back at Arwen. "You don't need to worry anymore. If anyone bothers you, report it," he said flatly.

But there was something in how he looked at the girl, as if he was assessing something deeper.

Arwen felt her heart beating faster than usual. The gaze made her feel confused and... warm at the same time.

"Thank you, Professor," she said again, trying to calm the fluttering in her chest.

Zion didn't respond. He merely nodded slightly before turning away and leaving the garden.

However, as he walked away, Zion felt something unusual inside him. A strange feeling was welling up inside him, something he had never felt before. The bond was undeniable.

'She is my Mate,' he thought

to himself. His eyes narrowed sharply, his jaw hardened.

*

In the garden behind the main building, Astrid hurriedly walked with a red face, her anger still boiling from what had happened earlier.

"Why did Professor Zion have to interfere? Does he think Arwen is special?" she muttered, stepping on the grass with her high heels.

She couldn't accept that Professor Zion, the man she had admired and often tried to approach, was defending the girl she hated the most.

As she approached the sports field, she saw Lionel sitting on the bleachers, twirling a rugby ball in his hands.

His face looked calm, but his lips were curled into a meaningful smile, as if he was planning something.

Astrid approached him without hesitation. "You won't believe what just happened," she said, folding her arms.

Lionel glanced at her casually, his mischievous smile still plastered on his face.

"What's the problem this time? You're wasting too much energy on unimportant matters."

Astrid glared. "Unimportant? It's about Arwen! You know, Professor Zion is protecting her. He even humiliated me in front of everyone!"

Lionel put the ball beside him, now paying full attention to Astrid. "Zion? You mean Professor Zion? That man hardly ever pays attention to anyone on this campus. "

Astrid sighed in frustration, slumping down next to Lionel." I know! But today, he appeared out of nowhere and stopped me when I was about to beat Arwen up. You should have seen how he looked at her, as if she were a fragile porcelain doll that needed protection."

Lionel chuckled, a hint of sarcasm evident in his voice. "You're jealous of Arwen? That's funny."

Astrid hit Lionel's shoulder in exasperation. "This isn't a joke, Lion. Arwen is annoying enough with her intelligence and how she draws attention to herself. And now Zion is on her side?"

Lionel just shrugged. "Well, if that's true, maybe she has a certain appeal. Some people like Arwen's type-quiet, smart, a little mysterious."

Astrid glared, her face growing redder. "Don't tell me you're interested in her too."

Lionel smiled, teasingly. "Interested? Maybe. But not to have. A girl like Arwen is fun to play with. She's too serious, too stiff. Seeing how she reacts when someone approaches her just for fun would be fun. "

Astrid was silent for a moment, deep in thought. Then an idea popped into her head, making her smile slowly widen." Then why don't we work together?"

Lionel furrowed his brow. "Work together? For what?"

Astrid leaned forward, her eyes full of mischief. "There's going to be a big campus party soon. Everyone will be there, including her. We can use that opportunity to trap her. You can approach her and make her believe you're interested in her.

Then we can humiliate him in front of everyone. "

Lionel was silent for a moment, thinking about Astrid's suggestion. Then he laughed softly, a low laugh that told Astrid he liked the idea." You're dangerous. But I like the way you think."

Astrid smiled smugly. "So, you're in?"

Lionel nodded, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Of course. But you know, I have my way of making sure Arwen comes to the party. Let me handle that."

Astrid leaned back in her seat, feeling satisfied with their plan.

"What's your plan?"