CHAPTER 18

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RAIN POV

The next morning felt heavier than the day before.

Saifah was already in his seat when I walked in.

He didn’t look up right away — just smiled at his phone like he owned the room.

When I sat down, his head turned slowly.

Saifah (low, almost sweet): “Morning, bunny. You look tired.”

I flinched hard enough that my bag slipped off my shoulder.

“Don’t call me that.”

He tilted his head, smile never wavering. “Why not? You used to blush every time I said it. Remember?”

My stomach lurched. A flash — clearer this time. Me giggling at the nickname in a crowded room, music thumping, Saifah handing me a drink. “Drink up, bunny.” Then the world tilted. Hands on my arms. “Smile for the camera.”

I squeezed my eyes shut. No. That wasn’t how it happened.

It couldn’t be.

Phayu’s scent crashed over me then — stormy rain, sharp and grounding — as he dropped into his seat.

He didn’t speak. Just stared straight ahead. But his alpha aura shifted — possessive, protective — pushing Saifah’s sharp citrus-metallic stench back like a wall.

Saifah noticed. His smile tightened.
“New bodyguard?” he murmured, just loud enough for me to hear.

I didn’t answer.

Class passed in a haze. Every time Saifah leaned closer — to “borrow a pen” or “ask what page we’re on” — Phayu’s scent flared harder — warning, territorial.

My nerves were raw, omega instincts screaming for safety, for distance from Saifah’s scent that made my skin crawl.
When the bell rang, I stood fast.

Needed air.

Needed out.

Saifah stood too. “Walk you to your next class?”

“No,” I said too quickly.

He shrugged. “Suit yourself. See you soon, bunny.”

I bolted.

PAI POV

Lunch was tense.

Rain sat between Phayu and Sky again.
Sky was worse today — arm slung over the back of Rain’s chair, leaning in every few seconds, fingers brushing Rain’s shoulder like it was casual.

Rain’s scent was all wrong — vanilla sour with fear, distress leaking out in waves.

Phayu looked ready to snap.

His stormy aura was thick — heavy, dangerous. Every time Sky touched Rain, Phayu’s jaw ticked harder.

First whispered to me: “Sky’s not even pretending anymore.”

Ja nodded. “I’m done watching. We need to talk to Rain — today.”

Pai: “Without scaring him? He’s already shaking.”

But we all saw it — Rain shrinking smaller with every word Sky said.

His smile was fake. His eyes were glassy.

Across the table, Phayu pushed his tray toward Rain again — silent offer.

Rain took a fry, gave a tiny nod.

Phayu’s scent eased — just a fraction.

Protective. Possessive.

Sky noticed. His smile tightened.

Sky (to Phayu, casual but edged): “You’re really attached to him lately, huh?”

Phayu didn’t look at him. Just answered low: “Someone has to be.”

Sky laughed — short, sharp. “He’s got me. He doesn’t need another alpha hovering.”

Phayu finally turned his head. Eyes cold.
“Does he?”

The table went quiet.

RAIN POV

After lunch, I slipped into an empty hallway to breathe.

Footsteps.

Saifah.

He leaned against the opposite wall, arms crossed, smiling like we were old friends catching up.

Saifah: “You’re avoiding me again.”

I backed up a step. “Leave me alone.”

He tilted his head. “Still mad about back then? Come on, bunny. You had fun. You wanted it. The pictures don’t lie.”

My chest seized. Another flash — clearer, sharper. Me shaking my head, voice slurring: “No… stop.” Drink burning my throat. Room spinning. Saifah laughing. “Smile for the camera, bunny.” Another alpha’s hands. My phone flashing. I tried to push them away. They laughed harder.

Tears burned my eyes.

Rain (voice breaking): “I didn’t… I was—”

Saifah stepped closer. “You were what? Drunk? Willing? It’s the same thing.”

I shook my head hard. “No. You drugged me. You—”

Footsteps — heavy, fast.

Phayu.

He appeared at the end of the hallway, eyes locked on Saifah.

His alpha aura exploded — cold, lethal, pure rage. The air turned thick with it.

Phayu (voice low, deadly): “Back. Off.”

Saifah laughed softly. “Jealous already? Don’t worry. Bunny and I go way back.”

Phayu took one step forward. “I said back off.”

Saifah raised his hands mockingly but didn’t move. “Touchy. See you around, Rain.”

He walked past Phayu — slow, deliberate — and disappeared around the corner.

Phayu didn’t watch him go.

His eyes were on me.

Phayu (softer now): “You okay?”

I shook my head. Tears spilled over.

Rain (whisper): “I remember… he drugged me. Took pictures. Made everyone think I wanted it. I didn’t. I said no. I—”

Phayu crossed the distance in two strides.

He didn’t touch me — just stood close enough that his scent wrapped around me like armor, drowning out Saifah’s lingering stench.

Phayu: “You don’t have to say it all now. But you’re not facing him alone. Not anymore.”

I looked up at him — stormy eyes, clenched jaw, alpha protectiveness radiating so strong my knees almost buckled.

Rain (barely audible): “Why do you keep doing this?”

Phayu’s gaze softened — just a fraction.
Phayu: “Because I can’t not.”

He stayed there, letting his scent calm me until the shaking stopped.

But deep down, I knew:

The past wasn’t done with me.

And neither was Saifah.

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