CHAPTER TWO

[barking brat meets the big bad wolf]

Riven was arguing with the vending machine. Again. “just—drop the damn chips. I paid. You greedy bastard, come on—” Kael, leaning against the wall nearby, arms crossed, watched with zero sympathy. “you ever win a fight, or do you just lose to snack machines and mirrors?”

Riven turned, face already screwed into a glare. “oh great. The loan shark's attack dog speaks.” Kael smirked. “you’re getting brave lately. Want me to bite?” Riven responded after he rolled his eyes “i’d rather get tetanus.”

“you might already have it. You live like a raccoon.”Riven gasped. “how dare you insult raccoons like that—” Before riven could finish his snarky comeback, kael's phone buzzed. He glanced down at the screen, and whatever was on it made his smirk vanish.

He straightened. Cold. Sharp.

A group of rough-looking guys had entered the building. Loud. Sloppy. One of them bumped into a student and didn’t even bother apologizing. They were looking for someone — kael’s someone. Kael pocketed his phone and walked toward them. Calm. Dangerous.

Riven stayed near the vending machine, watching with a scoff. “what, going to growl them into submission—” But then kael spoke.

“you’re two hours late. You think i have time to play babysitter?” His voice wasn’t loud — but it cut through the hallway like glass. The tallest thug puffed his chest. “tch. Who do you think you’re talking to?” Kael didn’t blink. “someone who clearly has a death wish.” Then kael stepped forward — just once. The movement was subtle, but the effect was immediate.

The hallway, which had been filled with noise, suddenly went dead quiet. Kael’s gaze locked with the guy’s. Unmoving. Unshaken. And behind his stillness, a very real threat shimmered — the kind that said you won’t get a second warning.

The thug backed off first. Mumbled something about “next time,” Then left — fast. His group followed. Kael turned, exhaling like nothing happened. Riven stared. “okay. That was… Mildly terrifying.” Kael glanced at him. “still think i’m just an attack dog?”

Riven rolled his eyes, trying to recover from the flicker of awe. “nah. You’re clearly the big bad wolf. Too bad i’m not scared of fairy tales.” Kael stepped closer, slow and deliberate.

“you should be.” Riven’s throat bobbed slightly, but he didn’t back down. “still not impressed.” “liar,” Kael said, smirking just enough to sting. Then he turned and walked away, coat swaying behind him like the drama queen riven refused to admit he found cool as hell.

Riven shouted after him. “still didn’t get my chips, asshole!” Kael raised a hand without looking back. “ask the raccoons for help.”

[stomach growls louder than pride]

Later that afternoon. 

Riven sat on the cracked steps outside campus, head buried in a tattered book. The sun was merciless. His stomach had been complaining for two hours straight, but he’d learned how to ignore it.

Kael walked past — hoodie up, sunglasses on, phone in one hand. He didn’t plan to stop. He never planned to stop.

But then— grrrrrrrr.

Kael paused mid-step, cocking his head. Riven froze. “was that your soul screaming or your stomach begging for mercy?” Riven didn’t look up. “if you’re not handing out food, keep walking, mob barbie.”

Kael pulled something from his coat pocket and dropped it on the ground near Riven’s foot. A wrapped sandwich. No words.

Riven blinked. “what—?” “i found it. Probably expired,” Kael said, already walking away. Riven shouted after him. “you bought this, didn’t you?!” Kael raised one hand lazily without turning back. “eat it or don’t. I’m not your mother.” Riven stared at the sandwich. Then quietly unwrapped it. He didn’t throw it away.