Campus transforms after last night.
Anabeth notices it the moment she steps outside her dorm the next morning. People glance at her differently — not with curiosity this time, but with calculation. Like they're measuring her value, her weakness, her connection to danger.
The air feels thick with rumors.
She grips her bag tighter and heads toward her first class, but it's impossible to ignore the stares.
"Is that her?"
"She's the one Rafael protected."
"That must mean something…"
"Or she messed up BIG."
Whispers trail behind her like shadows.
---
• The Classroom Incident
Her psychology class is normally calm, quiet, full of tired students scribbling notes. But today, the atmosphere shifts the moment she walks in.
Two boys stop talking mid-sentence.
A girl elbowing her friend smirks openly.
Another whispers just loud enough for Anabeth to hear:
"She won't survive him."
Anabeth exhales slowly, refusing to show it bothers her. She sits in the far back, trying to seem invisible.
The professor starts lecturing — but the class isn't paying attention.
They're watching her.
Because Rafael De Luca claimed her.
Because his enemies might be watching.
Because anyone close to him becomes part of his world.
And campus knows it.
Halfway through class, her phone vibrates with a text from an unknown number.
Don't walk alone today.
—R
Her stomach tightens.
She doesn't know whether to feel protected… or scared.
---
• Campus Patrol Stops Her
After class, Anabeth heads toward the quad — only to be stopped by two campus security officers.
"Miss… Anabeth Lane?"
"Yes?" she says cautiously.
"You're requested at the main office."
Her heart drops. "Why?"
"It's regarding safety concerns," one of them answers.
"Someone submitted a report about you."
A report?
Bella, who was walking with her, grabs her arm tightly.
"What kind of report?"
The officer clears his throat.
"A potential threat to your wellbeing. Something about… mafia involvement."
Bella gasps.
Anabeth's pulse spikes with anger.
"So now the school is involved?" she snaps.
"It's for your protection," the officer says gently.
"But from now on, we advise avoiding certain areas of campus. And if you see anyone following you, report it immediately."
Bella mutters under her breath as they walk away.
"You know what this means? Someone knows Rafael's connected. And they're trying to drag you into it."
But Anabeth isn't afraid.
She's furious.
Someone filed that report intentionally.
Someone wants trouble.
---
• The Tension in the Quad
At noon, the quad is packed — students sprawled on the grass, music playing, vendors selling snacks, couples cuddling under trees.
When Anabeth and Bella step into the center, conversations dip.
The tension is undeniable.
Then it hits its peak when Jayce appears.
He walks straight up to Anabeth, his expression tight and serious.
"You need to cut ties with Rafael," he says without greeting.
Bella groans.
"Not you too."
"I'm serious," Jayce insists. "Those girls from yesterday? They're nothing. His REAL enemies don't warn people. They act."
Anabeth folds her arms.
"I don't need you to protect me."
"I'm not protecting you," he fires back.
"I'm protecting the campus. If anything happens to you because of him, the rest of us are collateral damage."
People nearby turn to listen.
Anabeth's eyes narrow.
"You're acting like Rafael is a walking disaster."
Jayce doesn't hesitate.
"He is."
A sharp voice cuts in from behind them.
"Care to repeat that?"
Heads turn.
Rafael stands behind Jayce, hands in his jacket pockets, gaze cold as steel.
Jayce stiffens but doesn't back down.
"You're dangerous for this campus," Jayce says.
"And she's going to get hurt just for being near you."
Students form a circle around them, sensing the rising tension.
Rafael steps closer, his jaw clenched.
"If she gets hurt, it won't be because of me," he says quietly.
"It will be because idiots like you keep pushing her into trouble."
Jayce scoffs.
"Or because your enemies are already here."
Rafael's eyes flash — dark, deadly.
For a moment, everyone expects a fight.
But Rafael turns to Anabeth instead.
"Walk with me."
It's not a command.
It's a request.
A plea wrapped in danger.
She hesitates only for a second before nodding.
---
• Behind the Library
He leads her behind the enormous campus library, where tall trees form a quiet path. Students rarely come here.
Only when they're alone does he speak.
"Someone contacted campus security about you," Rafael says flatly.
"They tried to make it look like an anonymous safety report."
Anabeth's breath catches.
"You knew?"
"I knew before you did," he replies.
"And I'm finding out who did it."
She bites her lip.
"Rafael… your world is bleeding into mine."
He stops walking and turns to her fully.
"I told you it would," he admits softly.
"And I told you to stay away from me."
Her voice cracks with frustration.
"Then why won't you let me go?"
He steps closer, his presence overwhelming, his eyes burning into hers.
"Because I can't."
He lifts a hand and touches her wrist gently — a touch soft enough to break her heart.
"I'm trying to keep you safe," he murmurs.
"But the moment someone reported you… it means someone already sees you as connected to me."
"Who?" she whispers.
Rafael's jaw tightens.
"I don't know yet. But whoever it is… they're on campus."
The wind rustles through the trees.
Somewhere in the distance, a student laughs — unaware of the danger lurking in the quiet corners.
Anabeth feels the weight of it settling on her chest.
She's officially in his world now.
Whether she wanted to be or not.
Rafael leans his forehead against hers briefly, voice low.
"I'll protect you. No matter what."
And even though fear coils in her stomach…
a deeper feeling spreads through her chest.
Trust.
Dangerous, foolish trust.
But trust nonetheless.