Elena’s POV
Walking across campus with Gage felt like stepping into a spotlight I never wanted. Eyes tracked our every move, and I lost count of how many won called out greetings to him with voices dripping honey and suggestion.
"Well, I expected Damien to be the one drowning in admirers since he’s the Alpha," I said, unable to hide my amusent. "Clearly I misjudged the situation."
Gage’s grin was pure trouble. "I manage to do okay with the ladies."
"Okay is putting it mildly," I shot back, watching another group of girls practically lt as we passed.
"Co on, let’s get you to the administration office," he said, steering toward a brick building that scread authority.
Inside, the Dean greeted us with practiced politeness until Gage dropped the bombshell about my enrollnt requirents. My na could not appear in any digital records or databases. Period.
The Dean’s eyebrows shot up like rockets. "I’m afraid I don’t understand the reasoning behind such an unusual request."
Gage pulled out his phone without hesitation. "Let get Alpha Damien on the line."
The conversation between the Dean and Damien lasted only a brief ti, but I watched the older man’s expression shift from confusion to reluctant acceptance. Whatever Damien told him carried enough weight to override policy.
"Very well," the Dean said after hanging up, his tone carefully neutral. "We’ll accommodate this arrangent."
He called his secretary over and explained the special handling my enrollnt would require. No computer entries. No digital trail. Nothing that could lead Marcus straight to my doorstep and put Damien in the crosshairs for hiding .
When they showed the available courses, despite starting halfway through the sester, I studied each option carefully. The workload I selected made the Dean’s eyes widen.
"Miss, this is quite ambitious. Are you certain you can handle this volu of coursework while playing catch-up?"
"I can handle it," I said firmly. "I’m not afraid of hard work."
The pile of textbooks and materials they loaded with proved my point. By the ti we returned to the packhouse, my arms ached from carrying everything.
I spread the catch-up assignnts across my bed and felt my stomach drop. The mountain of work staring back at was intimidating, but I’d committed to starting classes soon. These assignnts weren’t optional busy work either. They’d factor into my final grades.
Anxiety twisted in my chest, but I rolled up my sleeves. Gage respected my need to focus and left alone to tackle the workload. The only interruptions ca from packhouse mbers bringing coffee or food, understanding without words how crucial this opportunity was for .
Ti blurred together as I worked through reading assignnts, problem sets, and essays. Gage and Damien both seed to grasp what college ant to . This wasn’t just about getting an education. This was about building a future I could control.
The biggest interruption ca when Damien knocked and entered carrying a sleek new smartphone.
"I can’t afford this," I said imdiately, eyeing the expensive device.
"It’s already on my family plan. Don’t stress about the cost."
Heat rose in my cheeks. "Damien, I refuse to be your charity project."
His expression grew serious. "You’re not charity. Go to school. Earn that degree. That’s how you repay everything I’m doing for you."
"You’re absolutely sure about this?"
"Completely sure."
"Then thank you," I said, accepting the phone with genuine gratitude.
"It’s programd and ready. I transferred your old number from the phone you left with your mother."
"Thank you so much for everything."
"Don’t ntion it. Get back to studying."
After he left, I imdiately dialed my mother’s number, praying she’d answer. The phone rang endlessly before going to voicemail. Maybe she was at work. Maybe she was safe. Maybe I was worrying for nothing.
The phone buzzed in my hands soon after, showing my mother’s number.
"Hello," I answered quickly.
"Who is this?" an unfamiliar male voice responded.
My blood turned ice cold. "Who the hell is this?"
"Found this phone in a dumpster behind so apartnts."
"Where’s the woman who owns it?" My voice ca out sharper than intended.
"Don’t know nothing about any woman. Phone was just sitting there."
I ended the call imdiately, my hands shaking. If this was a trap, I’d already said too much. But if it wasn’t, if soone had thrown away my mother’s phone, what did that an for her safety?
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