**Noah’s POV**

I sat at my desk in the classroom, the chatter and laughter of other students buzzing around me like static. A week ago, I would’ve been right there with them, joking with James or dodging spitballs from the back row. Now, all I could think about was the clock on the wall, ticking down the five hours until I had to go back to that hellhole of a house. Enzo’s rules ran through my head like a broken record: don’t talk, don’t get comfortable, don’t be late. My life wasn’t mine anymore, and it hurt more than I could say.

I stared at my desk, my pencil untouched, my mind somewhere else. How could my dad sell me out like that? Hand me over to some scary guy like I was nothing? The thought made my chest tight, like I couldn’t breathe. I didn’t hear the classroom door open, didn’t notice the sudden quiet as everyone stopped talking. I was too lost, drowning in memories of my dad’s fists and Enzo’s cold eyes.

A loud thump on my desk snapped me out of it. I jumped, my heart racing, and looked up to see *him*. Dean. The guy who’d been in Enzo’s house, the one who laughed about me being human, like it was some kind of joke. He stood over me, his smile sharp and creepy, his eyes glinting like he knew something I didn’t. “Don’t zone out in class again, kid,” he said, his voice smooth but mocking.

I swallowed, my throat dry. “Sorry,” I mumbled, dropping my gaze to my desk. My hands shook, and I gripped my pencil to hide it. Why was he here? Was he following me? I could feel his eyes on me, like needles on my skin, and it made my stomach twist.

“You okay?” he asked, leaning closer, his voice softer now, like he was pretending to care. “You look like you’re a million miles away.”

“I’m fine,” I said quickly, keeping my eyes down. “Just… tired.”

He chuckled, a low sound that made my skin crawl. “Tired, huh? That’s not what I see. You look scared, Noah.”

I froze. He knew my name? Enzo must’ve told him. “I’m not scared,” I lied, my voice shaking. “I just wanna get through class.”

“Sure you do,” he said, his smile widening. “But you’re not fooling anyone. Not with that look on your face.”

I didn’t say anything, just stared at my desk, willing him to go away. The clock ticked louder, or maybe that was just my heartbeat. I could feel him standing there, watching me, and it felt like forever—minutes, maybe hours, I didn’t know. All I knew was Dean’s smile, his eyes never leaving me, like I was some puzzle he wanted to take apart.

The bell rang, sharp and loud, and I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. Kids grabbed their bags, laughing and shoving as they headed for the door. I stayed where I was, my hands still shaking, my bag untouched. Going back to Enzo’s house sounded awful, but staying here with Dean staring at me wasn’t much better. I just wanted to disappear.

“You gonna sit there all day?” Dean asked, his voice cutting through the noise of the emptying classroom. I looked up, and he was still there, leaning against a desk, his arms crossed. “Class is over, kid.”

“I’m going,” I said, grabbing my bag. My voice was small, and I hated it. I stood, slinging my bag over my shoulder, and headed for the door. I didn’t notice the classroom was empty now, everyone gone, until I heard a click. I turned and saw Dean by the door, locking it. My heart stopped.

“What are you doing?” I asked, my voice shaking as I backed up. “I said I’m leaving.”

He smiled, slow and creepy, and took a step toward me. “Relax,” he said. “I just wanna talk.”

I took another step back, my bag slipping in my sweaty hands. “I don’t wanna talk,” I said, trying to sound firm. “Let me out.”

He laughed, stepping closer. “You’re so jumpy,” he said. “What’s got you so scared, huh? Is it Enzo? Or something else?”

“I’m not scared,” I snapped, but my voice cracked, giving me away. I backed up again, my hip hitting a chair. I couldn’t go any further. “Just let me leave, okay?”

Dean’s smile didn’t fade. He stepped closer, so close I could smell his cologne, sharp and overpowering. “How does a ruthless Alpha like Enzo keep someone like you around?” he said, his voice low, almost a whisper. “So soft. So… innocent.”

I froze, my heart pounding. “What do you mean?” I asked, my voice barely audible. “What are you talking about?”

He chuckled, leaning in, his face inches from mine. “You don’t even know what’s right in front of you,” he said, his breath hot against my cheek. “So innocent. It’s almost too easy.”

I tried to step back, but the chair was in my way, trapping me. My hands shook, and I gripped my bag like it could protect me. “Stay away from me,” I said, my voice shaking. “I mean it.”

Dean raised his hand, reaching for my face, and I flinched, my heart racing so fast I thought I’d pass out. “Don’t be like that,” he said, his fingers brushing my cheek. “I’m just—”

A hand grabbed Dean’s wrist, yanking it away. I stumbled back, my breath hitching, and saw Ren standing there, his face cold as stone. His eyes locked on Dean, hard and dangerous. “He belongs to Master Enzo,” Ren said, his voice low, one word cutting through the air like a blade. “Only.”

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