Red POV

"What?" I exclaimed, my voice laced with shock and disbelief.

The revelation that the Principal could be connected to my parents left me utterly flabbergasted. Though I had sensed something peculiar about her, it had only been a vague intuition, a mere inkling that something was off. I never expected it to be linked to my own family.

"It's a long story, Red," he replied, his tone laden with a mixture of weariness and hesitation.

"Then tell me," I demanded, my curiosity reaching its peak. I couldn't fathom why he would withhold such important information from me. It felt like he had set off a bomb and was now refusing to diffuse it.

"I can't, not now," he sighed, his expression betraying a deep internal struggle.

"Why..." I began, frustration seeping into my voice. I couldn't comprehend his reluctance to share the truth with me. It felt unfair and unjust.

"What time did you sleep last night?" he suddenly changed the subject, attempting to divert my attention. But I wasn't easily swayed.

"You can't-" I started, but he interrupted me, his voice taking on a deeper, more commanding tone. His eyes bore into mine, silently pleading for me to let it go.

Reluctantly, I acquiesced. I knew there was something he wasn't ready to disclose, something that weighed heavily on his mind.

"I guess around 2-ish..." I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant, even though I knew that if he were to touch my forehead, he would feel the heat radiating from it.

Concern flickered in his eyes, but it was fleeting. Suddenly, he rose from his chair and made his way toward me. Every fiber of my being froze as I watched his deliberate approach.

To my surprise, he knelt down before me, his movements gentle and deliberate. With a tender touch, he brushed aside the strands of hair that obscured my forehead. I couldn't comprehend what was happening, but I dared not move, not when he was the one initiating this strange interaction.

His hand came to rest on my forehead, and I felt my cheeks burn with embarrassment. I understood now what he was doing.

"Red, you're burning up, and honestly, you look pale," he remarked, his hand still lingering on my forehead.

"I-I am..." I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper. He nodded in acknowledgment before rising and making his way to a nearby bookshelf. As he left, I finally allowed myself to breathe and regain composure, yet my body remained slow to calm down.

He rummaged through the books on the shelf, searching for something. Relief washed over his face when he finally found it-a small statue of a wolf with a girl atop it, clutching a sword. Its intricate craftsmanship caught my eye, and I found it oddly captivating.

Initially, I assumed he intended to remove the statue from the shelf, but I was taken aback when he pulled on it, causing the bookshelf to split open. In that moment, it dawned on me.

It was a secret room.

I had only ever seen such hidden chambers in Hollywood movies, dismissing them as fantastical elements of mystery and the supernatural. I never imagined they could exist in reality.

"I usually don't sleep in the guardian's ward, so I decided to have a bed next to me... just in case," he explained, his words leaving me puzzled.

Why was he showing me this?

Without hesitation, he entered the secret room, only to reemerge a moment later. He looked at me, raising an eyebrow, a bewildered expression on his face.

"Aren't you joining me?" he smirked, his tone teasing.

"W-What?" I stammered, my face flushing crimson. I resembled a ripened tomato, and he couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Damn his dimples.

"Red, I want you to rest here. I noticed you and the others were having a hard time in class, but I can't invite them, obviously, since I'm yours- I mean, your guardian," he explained, a warm smile gracing his lips as if he hadn't just said something that would make a girl swoon, die, and then resurrect only to die again.

I'm yours.

That declaration threatened to be the death of me, albeit in a different context than the clichéd romance scenes I had seen in movies. He wasn't saying it out of love; rather, he was merely fulfilling his duty as my guardian. That realization stung.

"Oh... It's all good, Mr. Caddel. Once class is over, I'll head straight to my bed. I don't want to trouble you," I declared, forcing a false smile. Deep down, I felt a pang of hurt. If circumstances were different, if I were more outgoing and he were just an ordinary guy, we might have dated.

Or so I thought.

He smiled, but then his expression faltered, his features contorting into a frown. I couldn't fathom why he appeared upset. I didn't want to burden him in any way. I understood that he was obligated to be my guardian, and I didn't want him to feel obligated when he didn't genuinely want to.

"You're just stubborn, aren't you?" he remarked, his words cutting through the air. I was taken aback by his accusation.

"I-" I began, attempting to explain myself, but before I could utter another word, he closed the distance between us in a swift motion, gripping my wrist firmly as if afraid I might slip away.

The intensity in his touch sent a jolt through my body, rendering me momentarily speechless.

We stepped into the secret room, and my breath caught in my throat as I took in the sight before me. The room exuded an air of mystery and intimacy, enveloped in a soft ambiance. The scent of his cologne lingered in the air, a familiar and intoxicating aroma that sent a shiver down my spine. It was evident that he frequented this place, and the thought stirred a mixture of curiosity and desire within me.

The room, though simple in its design, held an allure that was difficult to resist. Its spaciousness beckoned me, and my eyes were drawn to the large, inviting bed at the center. It whispered my name, tempting me to surrender to its comfort and forget the world outside.

"You seem eager to sink into the bed," his voice reverberated in the room, sending an electric thrill through my body. I nodded, my gaze avoiding his, afraid of the intensity that lay within his eyes. The knowledge that it was just the two of us in this room, with a bed large enough for two, ignited a fire of forbidden thoughts in my mind.

"Thank you, Si-" I began, but the words died on my lips as I tore my gaze away from the bed and met his piercing gaze. The intensity of his stare left me breathless, and I instantly regretted looking into those mesmerizing eyes.

He, too, seemed captivated by the moment, his features illuminated by a gentle touch of sunlight that caressed his face. I couldn't help but drink in the sight of him, savoring each detail. He was a masterpiece of masculine beauty, and I found myself unable to look away. I traced the contours of his face with my eyes, admiring the strong jawline, the chiseled cheekbones, and the way the sunlight played upon his skin. But it was his lips that drew me in-a perfect, plump pair that awakened a desire within me, longing to know their softness against my own.

It wasn't just his face that left me speechless; it was the way he carried himself with an effortless grace and power. Every movement, every gesture, exuded confidence and strength. My gaze slid down to his hands, hands that seemed so capable, so commanding. I imagined the many things those hands could do, the way they could touch and explore. If I were his, the possibilities were endless.

"Red," his voice, barely above a whisper, broke through the haze of desire that clouded my mind. I met his gaze once more, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Yes," I breathed, my voice barely audible. I reveled in the way he called my name, wishing he would repeat it over and over again, a sweet melody on his lips.

A flicker of tension crossed his face, his jaw clenching as he tightly clenched his hands, the pressure threatening to draw blood. His eyes, once bright and captivating, darkened as they bore into me, but in an instant, he closed them and turned away, shielding his emotions from view.

"Have a restful sleep," he muttered, his words brusque as he slammed the shelf shut, jolting me back to reality.

"What just happened?" I whispered to myself, my mind spinning with confusion. The sudden shift in his demeanor left my heart aching, yearning for his presence.

"What the hell just happened?" I whispered to myself, a whirlwind of confusion swirling through my mind. The intensity of my body's reaction only moments ago left me bewildered, unable to comprehend the depth of my own desire.

His abrupt departure left an ache in my heart, a longing urging me to stay by his side. My thoughts raced, searching for an explanation. Perhaps he didn't appreciate my intrusion into his private sanctuary, but I couldn't ignore the fact that he had brought me here, willingly leading me into this hidden world.

Should I leave?

"No, I don't believe he would want that," Rhyes voice echoed with uncertainty .

"Rhyes, you just had to appear at the wrong time," I muttered in frustration, my body sinking into the softness of the bed as I bounced upon it. Seeking solace, I grabbed a pillow and pressed it against my face, inhaling deeply, savoring the scent that lingered upon it.

It smelled like him.

"And here you call me crazy when you're inhaling his essence like a wolf in heat," Rhyes teased, his voice echoing in my mind, adding to my confusion.

"What? Who's in heat? Wait, what does that even mean?" I couldn't help but feel exasperated by Rhyes' cryptic remarks, his words often leaving me perplexed.

"Forget it, just rest. And don't entertain thoughts of leaving now," Rhyes advised, his voice filled with a wisdom that hinted at knowledge beyond my grasp.

"But he's uncomfortable with my presence. I don't want him to hate me even more," I protested, the fear of rejection gnawing at my heart.

"Trust me, dear. What he's feeling is far from hate," Rhyes assured me, his words carrying a weight of understanding that left me questioning how much he truly knew.

"Rhyes..." I began, seeking answers, craving clarity.

"Just sleep, Red," he commanded, his voice gentle yet firm.

And so, I obeyed his instruction, surrendering myself to the embrace of slumber. As I drifted into the realm of dreams, I couldn't deny that it was the most restful sleep I had experienced in a long time.

As consciousness gradually enveloped me, I noticed a remarkable transformation in my physical well-being. The heavy weariness that had burdened me mere hours ago had dissipated, leaving behind a pervasive sense of rejuvenation. It appeared that Mr. Caddel's assurance held true-I simply needed a solid, uninterrupted rest. However, a sudden realization struck me-I hadn't informed the others about my whereabouts.

Reaching for my phone, which I had left in my skirt, I discovered a barrage of messages waiting for me especially from the guys.

'Red where on earth are you,'- Ana

' It doesn't take long to just have lunch or is something else going on ...hmm?'-Jacob

'Oh shut up, you always think nasty fae boy-Avery

Though my phone was inundated with messages, I decided to focus on the most recent ones. It was foolish of me to forget about my friends, but whenever I was in Mr. Caddel's presence, it was as if the rest of the world faded away, leaving only him. It saddened me to admit that I felt this way, knowing it was one-sided.

I reminded myself to keep my emotions in check and rose from the bed. Stretching briefly, I pondered the best way to leave the room. To my relief, Mr. Caddel had already opened the door, perhaps checking up on me. I hoped that I hadn't drooled in my sleep.

Exiting the room, I entered Mr. Caddel's office, hoping to find him there. However, he was nowhere to be seen. A wave of sadness washed over me at the thought of not being able to see him, but I quickly brushed it aside. Adjusting my uniform, I prepared to leave the office when something caught my eye-a shimmering object on Mr. Caddel's desk.

A bottle?

I couldn't help but wonder why such a simple bottle would emit such an ethereal glow. I should have been concerned about trespassing on Mr. Caddel's personal space, but my curiosity got the better of me.

Slowly and cautiously, I approached the desk and picked up the bottle. Other than its luminosity, it appeared to be an ordinary container. Etched on its surface was a word-WOLVERINE. The name puzzled me, as it seemed more fitting for a work of fiction than a medical substance.

Was Mr. Caddel unwell?

Various possibilities raced through my mind as I tried to make sense of the bottle's contents. Lost in my thoughts, I froze as Mr. Caddel suddenly entered the office, causing beads of sweat to form on my forehead. His initial expression was one of indifference, but as his gaze fell upon my hands, his eyes widened in alarm, as though I held something that was not meant to be seen.

"Why on earth are you holding that?!" His voice lashed out in anger, and for the first time since I had known him, I felt an overwhelming sense of fear.

Hope you enjoyed this Chapter ❤️