Chapter 2. You Smell Like Fate

Lila’s POV

By Monday morning, everyone in the school already knew what had happened, and I wondered if I had come to a radio station or to a school. Like a villain in a teenage drama—I entered Blackridge High’s double doors—the one that everyone talks about but no one is brave enough to confront. Whispers followed me behind like a second shadow.

“That’s her.”

“The short girl with the messy black hair?”

“Did you see the video?”

“She was speaking to the hockey God!”

“OMG!” Another crazy person exclaimed, obviously blushing.

Yes, I saw that part. I was apparently captured on camera as I stormed out of the locker room, and Ryder and I were captured on camera at the rink. Nothing scandalous or romantic, just a glance and now everyone was talking as if a tornado or something of some sort would hit the school next week.

But Ryder Black ignored everyone. He was hardly tolerant of people, and maybe that was why everyone was freaking out. But that night, he gave me a just

look and spoke to me. Nothing special.

So I wonder why the excitement and shock were all about.

I smirked as Madison passed by as if she hadn’t ruined my life, while I slid into my homeroom seat, pulled my hoodie over my head, and put on my headphones.

Despite not even trying to look guilty, Caleb was standing behind her, stealing glances at me.

She turned to him, and they smiled. They looked foolish and even deserved each other, and for now, I was done with love.

“Hey girl, look who’s heartbroken.”

I winced.

Ryder’s voice was smooth like ice cracking under pressure; it was a low rumble near my ear. He had leaned in from behind with one hand casually resting on the desk next to me,

“What do you want?” I muttered without turning

“You didn’t even cry.”

“What?”

“Friday evening. No sobs, I expected you to roll on the floor,” he taunted. “Amazing for a newly heartbroken, you did exceptionally well.”

And I turned. Ryder was wearing his typical all-black outfit, hooded, and his face was unreadable. But those damn silver-gray eyes of his pierced me like moonlight.

“Why do you care?”

I questioned my heart pounding like a fool.

He twitched his lip.” I’m not.”

He then left as if that didn’t matter, leaving me with twenty-five students staring at me as if I had just had a heated argument with Death.

I shook my head. And mentally counted my fingers to graduation and wished it was the next day.

The whispers worsened by lunch.

“Is it your business that he had an affair with her?”

“No.”

“Ryder doesn’t like commitments.”

“She might be a witch. A vampire, perhaps, because just explain what had been happening.”

I quickly headed for the outdoor benches after grabbing my tray. Even though there were already dense patches of snow, I didn’t mind. Nobody stared too intently out here, at least. Or so I believed. This place was chilly for someone without a pack.

I was able to avoid looking up at all and have a tiny moment of peace.

“I don’t run with wolves,” I muttered to myself as I stabbed a dejected piece of cafeteria pizza with my fork.

Ryder sat down on the bench across from me as if he owned it, as if he owned me, which he most certainly did not.

I slapped my temples.

“I think that you do,”

He said plainly.

I rolled my eyes and lost my appetite.” I’m going to assume that you’ll start howling next?”

There was a tiny scar just above his left brow, and I caught the scent of his cologne as he leaned in, and I moved back a little.

“Only if you’re Venus.”

My face was burning. “You’re crazy.”

He actually laughed as if we were having a little flirtation, and, secretly, I wish we were.

However, there was nothing adorable about him. I knew better than to fall for this perfect devil.

Ryder Black wore a varsity jacket now, and he looked hot.

“Am I ?”

Before I could stop myself, I asked.

“Why me? Why are you everywhere I go now?”

Something went out of his smile. He gave me the impression that I had just opened a door that neither of us was meant to discover. He sized me up like I was a tadpole instead of a fish, and his eyes softened for a bit, and it was normal again.

“Because you smell like fate.”

I flicked my eyes.

“What?”

But he had already started to rise.

“I’ll see you tonight.”

“What’s happening tonight? Wait!” I asked stupidly.

Without responding, he turned to leave. which meant one thing in Blackridge High terminology: Something was on the horizon.

My stepdad was out of town, and Mom was working late when I arrived home. I had the house to myself. A weird energy buzzed in my chest like static, even though I should have been relieved. I repeated what Ryder had said.

“You smell like fate.”

I said it the second time, mimicking his voice and burst out laughing.

Even so, what did that mean? Then I heard a

howl which reached me at midnight. No, not from a dog. Not from your average animal. It was sorrowful, low and long, as if an ancient thing had been reawakened, and it made me kind of scared. Facing the window, I looked out over the woods behind the house.

I saw him then. Standing at the tree line, a huge black wolf’s glowing eyes were fixed on mine.

I swallowed hard and slowly went down to my bed and covered myself with the duvet.

It howled again, and from a distance, I heard another howl.

I knew I was in for trouble, but then I came to the realization at that point that not everything that happened to me was as bad as Caleb breaking my heart. And maybe just maybe, I had melted a heart.