Chapter 39 Everyone’s Target
ARDEN
“Hey, are you really-”
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I weaved through the crowd of people who kept quizzing me about my virginity once again. The moment it was revealed, people didn’t take it lightly. I darted out of the swimming pool with Tessa hot on my heels, and as soon as we reached our dorm, the information was already plastered on Echo for the entire student body to see. I genuinely dreaded coming to class this morning, and for good reason.
Nearly everyone had their eyes on me–curious, disdainful, and worst of all… hungry.
“Can’t they get the memo that you’re not interested?” Tessa muttered under her breath after I shooed away yet another man -someone I had never even talked to before–blatantly asking me for sex.
“They understand that,” Owen chimed in, looking up from his lunch. “That won’t stop them from trying, though.”
“Wow, that’s the first time I’ve heard you speak,” Tessa remarked casually before pivoting back to the topic at hand.
“If you think about it, the point system has always favored the privileged–whether that privilege comes from money, skill, or mere public perception. The more you possess these, the higher your chances of graduating at the top of the class,” Owen continued.
“However, there is one outlier in all this,” he continued, pausing mid–chew to lock eyes with me.
“You.”
My breath hitched in my throat.
“A virgin is worth 20,000 points. The highest points ever achieved in this institution since the system was implemented was 43,000, I believe–and that was by a graduating senior. Securing 20,000 points through just one easy transaction‘ is finally their chance to ascend to the top.”
Tessa sighed, unable to argue against what Owen had just laid out. Deep down, I knew he was right, too.
So, Arden Stone,” Owen concluded as he took a final bite of his food. “You just became the most desirable woman in the entire school.”
There was a heavy silence for a moment before I slumped onto the table, my arm draped over my forehead.
Just then, someone entered the Common Cafeteria, drawing the attention of everyone present. I was too lost in my thoughts to look at the newcomer; however, a few seconds later, I sensed that this person was walking in our direction.
I finally lifted my head, and a soft gasp escaped my lips. It had been a few days since I last saw him.
Rowan stood before our table, his eyes locked onto mine, appearing strangely breathless. It was at that moment I could hear whispers among the others, wondering what he was doing here.
“Has he ever come to the Common Cafeteria?” some asked.
“I think it’s his first time here, and he came just for Arden.”
Straightening my back, I asked him, “Can we help you?”
Owen stifled a laugh at my awkward attempt to initiate conversation. It seemed we all knew why he was really here in the first place.
“So… it’s you,” he muttered, still gazing into my eyes. I pursed my lips and turned to my food, feeling increasingly uneasy.
“I really don’t want to discuss this right now,” I said through gritted teeth. I already had enough people asking about my virginity since the morning.
1/2
10:45 AM
Chapter 39 Everyone’s Target
+5 Free Coins
However, he ignored my statement and sat next to Owen, so he was directly facing me. Gasps rippled across the room, and I felt my cheeks flush from all the unwanted attention.
“Seriously, what do you want?” I asked while biting my lip. However, that seemed to be a misstep, as his attention immediately zeroed in on the soft tissue, his eyes darkening in the process. I grabbed my water and downed it in one go.
“I knew there was something special about you,” Rowan smirked, leaning on the table with one elbow and slightly inclining toward me. His usual flirty bravado had returned, and my breath hitched again, mirrored by Tessa beside me.
“I hear you’re not on good terms with Jaxon,” he continued. “And I also heard that the person who pushed you into that pool was someone from the West. It seems like you’re not exactly on friendly terms with your faction.”
“Therefore, I welcome you to the South,” he said, his smirk transforming into a full–blown smile. “You know, the moment I met you, I could tell we had great chemistry.”
I pursed my lips, giving him a steady gaze. “Rowan,” I said slowly, locking my eyes with his. For just a moment, the flirty facade slipped away, leaving me feeling even more confused: however, I pressed on with my conviction. “You’re just like everyone else. Just tell me if you’re approaching me to increase your points.”
Rowan’s smirk returned, but he shook his head in response. Then, to my surprise, he stood from his seat and moved closer to where I was sitting, my eyes widening as he trapped my body against the table. He leaned in so closely that I found myself intoxicated by his scent, leaving me with no choice but to hold my breath.
“You know I was interested in you before your purity came into light,” he muttered, his hot breath against my lips. Then, his smirk widened. “Besides, I think the two of us will have great sexual chemistry, don’t you think?”
“I have a lot of experience,” he continued, his hands suddenly inching toward my waist, staying there for a couple of seconds -teasing–before he finally let go.
“I’ll make you scream in pleasure.”
With that, he pressed a light kiss on my neck, right where my mark resided. An electric shock jolted through my spine, and I bit my lip once more, struggling to compose myself. Tessa gasped behind me, while murmurs of speculation rippled through the crowd.
He leaned back, flashing a wink before sauntering away from the Common Cafeteria, leaving a whirlwind of chaos in his wake. Once he was out of sight, I finally exhaled, feeling as though I’d been holding my breath the entire time.
Owen was now sipping his cola, looking utterly unfazed by the scene. “I almost forgot about the big guns,” he remarked casually. “Not only will the general population of guys try to get with you, but the Alphas will stop at nothing to claim you as well.”
Then, he broke into the brightest smile I’d seen all day. “I have some insider information on who’s the best in bed. Want me to spill the details?”
I pushed myself away from the table, closing my eyes as I shook my head. “I… need to think,” i murmured, grabbing my belongings and casting one last apologetic glance at my friends before navigating my way out of the suffocating cafeteria.
With still some time remaining before our next class, I walked swiftly toward the maze garden. Fortunately, it was empty, granting me the solitude I craved to sort through my thoughts.
Or maybe I had spoken too soon.
I halted in my tracks when I sensed a familiar presence and caught a whiff of that scent I desperately wanted to forget. He, too, paused, but I had no intention of turning around.
Jaxon.. what are you doing here?” I called out.
