Classes for the day finally ended, and I bid Talia and Michael goodbye.

The walk from the school building to the apartment took about fifteen minutes, but I didn’t mind. The campus was breathtaking—tall trees lined the stone paths, their golden leaves fluttering like whispers in the wind. Birds chirped faintly in the background, and the sun filtered softly through the branches above, casting a warm hue over everything.

For a moment, I imagined my mom walking beside me. I could almost hear her laugh, the way she used to tell me to stop rushing and just breathe it all in.

She worked hard to give me this life. Everything Talia and I had was because of her—because of the sacrifices she made. Even affording Sterling College was only possible because of what she left behind. And every day I spent here, I silently promised her I’d make it count.

Lost in thought, I barely realized I was standing at the door to my room.

But then I heard voices—muffled, low.

Curious, I turned the handle and stepped inside… only to freeze.

There he was.

Lucien.

Standing by the window, his back half-turned toward me, shirtless. His hands rested on his waist, fingers slightly clenched as though he were holding something back.

My breath caught in my throat.

His body was carved like something out of a Renaissance sculpture—defined muscles, broad shoulders, a back that looked like it could carry the weight of the world. A thin sheen of sweat traced along the line of his spine, catching the golden rays of the setting sun.

He turned slightly, his sharp jawline cutting through the fading light.

Our eyes met.

And just for a second… I forgot how to breathe.

---

Our eyes met.

His gaze was sharp—piercing, like he wasn’t surprised to see me but wasn’t exactly pleased either. A slow smirk curled on his lips, like he had caught me doing something I shouldn't.

"You always barge into rooms like this?" he asked, his voice low, smooth… dangerous.

I blinked, forcing my mouth to speak. "I live here."

"Do you?" He turned fully now, unapologetically shirtless, walking a few slow steps toward me. My heart thudded in my chest as if it wanted to escape.

"I thought this was a VIP lodge. Reserved for... special people," he added, eyes scanning me from head to toe, deliberately slow.

“I was told it was temporary,” I managed, straightening my back. “I didn’t know I’d be sharing.”

"You won’t be. This is my space,” he said coldly, crossing his arms over his chest. “You're just passing through."

His words stung more than I wanted to admit.

"Well, I’ll try not to disturb your kingdom, Your Highness," I snapped, brushing past him toward my bed.

He chuckled. “Cute.”

I threw my bag down and started to untie my shoes, refusing to meet his gaze again.

Then I heard his footsteps.

Closer.

I turned just in time to find him standing a few inches away from me.

“Stay out of my way,” he said, voice barely above a whisper, “and don’t make me regret letting you stay here.”

I wanted to speak—to push back—but my words failed me. His scent hit me then—woodsy, wild… almost intoxicating. My breath hitched, and his eyes narrowed slightly like he noticed.

“Goodnight, roommate,” he said mockingly, turning his back on me and disappearing into that mysterious second room.

As the door clicked shut behind him, I stood frozen, hands clenched.

What the hell just happened?

And why did my heart still feel like it was racing toward something I didn’t understand?

----

Lucien's pov 

The moment I saw her standing in the doorway, wide-eyed and stunned, something shifted.

Her scent hit me first—wild, soft, and maddeningly unfamiliar. Not quite human. Not vampire. Not anything I could place. But it pulled something deep within me, something I’d buried centuries ago.

I kept my expression cold. Distant.

She didn’t know what she was. That much was clear. And if she was what I suspected... then keeping her close might be the worst idea.

Or the smartest.

I watched her move, trying to look unaffected, but I could hear her heartbeat. It was erratic—nervous, intrigued. She was drawn to me even if she didn’t understand why.

I should’ve kicked her out.

But I didn’t.

Because something about her felt... familiar. Dangerous, but familiar.

As I shut the door behind me, retreating to my private room, I leaned against it and closed my eyes.

“She didn’t smell human,” I muttered under my breath.

And the full moon was only three days away.

Damn it.

If she stays here... I might not be able to control what happens next.

And worse—I wasn’t sure I *wanted* to.

---

Classes started early the next morning. I tried my best to act like I wasn’t sharing a room with the most arrogant guy on campus—*Lucien*—who, despite barely acknowledging my existence, somehow had the entire school under his spell. Including my thoughts, unfortunately.

Talia and I met in the cafeteria for breakfast.

“You look… tense,” she said, eyeing me over a piece of toast.

“Because I *am*. Guess who I’m sharing my room with?”

“Wait… don’t tell me—”

“Lucien,” I whispered.

Talia choked on her juice.

“You’re joking,” she gasped. “*Lucien D’Argon*? As in, brooding billionaire nepo baby?”

I nodded.

“Oh my god, Aria. That’s… insane. And kinda hot?”

“More like terrifying,” I muttered. “He’s cold. Mysterious. Keeps looking at me like he’s trying to figure out if I’m prey or a threat.”

Talia raised a brow. “Maybe you’re both.”

I rolled my eyes.

Later that day, after lectures, I stopped by the library. I needed quiet… space. Somewhere to breathe. I wandered deeper into the restricted section—Talia said no one ever went there.

The silence was perfect. Until it wasn’t.

A sudden chill filled the air.

I turned a corner—and there he was.

Lucien. Standing with his back to me, whispering something to himself in a language I didn’t understand. His hands were clenched at his sides, and veins were pulsing unnaturally under his skin.

Something about him shifted—his presence darker, heavier.

“Lucien?” I said softly.

He froze.

Slowly, he turned around. His eyes glowed—not a normal glow, something deeper. Ancient.

“What are you doing here?” he growled, voice low, strained.

I stepped back instinctively. “I— I didn’t know you were here—”

“*Leave.*”

His tone was final. Commanding.

I ran.

Back in the safety of my room, I tried to shake the fear. That wasn’t human. Nothing about that moment was normal.

And yet… I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Or him.

Who *was* Lucien D’Argon really?

And why did part of me feel like… I was meant to find out?

---