Relief swept through me . They hadn't noticed I'd been gone all night . " Yeah , woke up early ." I replied with a small smile . Reed shot me a cold glare , and Cassius wasn't much better . I ignored them both as usual - and thankfully , they didn't linger . But then my attention shifted . Ronan He sat on his bed like it was a throne , calmly buttoning his shirt . His gaze locked on mine the moment our eyes met . My pulse stumbled . The memory of his touch the way his nearness had sent my heat spiraling out of control … it all surged back , unwelcome and far too vivid . I forced myself to look away , tearing my gaze from his . This Alpha .. I need to stay far away from him . He's more dangerous than I imagined . And now , only the two of us were left in the room . If I turned and left suddenly , it would look suspicious - maybe even cowardly . So instead . I walked to my bed , grabbed the dirty mattress , and headed for the exit under the guise of disposing of it Anything to escape those eyes . The rolled - up mattress was heavier than it looked , awkwardly pressing into my hip as I made my way toward the back of the Academy building . The air was thick with early heat , but the inner courtyard offered a small slice of calm . This was where old bedding and broken furniture were left for the Academy's cleaners , some unseen force that whisked it all away by morning . 1 dropped the mattress with a tired sigh , brushed my hands , and turned back toward the dormitory halls . But halfway through the walk . I hesitated . " Was it the left hallway or the one next to it ? " I looked around confused . Wolves had a great sense of direction but this time I was not able to tell . The corridors looked identical same stone archways , same mossy corners , same rows of tall windows bleeding in slivers of golden light . Same pale walls , same torches flickering with enchanted flames , same sharp scent of cedar and fresh linen . I turned left instead of right , then veered down one corridor . And then another . Ten minutes passed . The air here felt , different . Quieter . Almost sacred . My boots echoed softly over the stone floor as I passed a row of polished wooden doors , all identical , all perfectly spaced and immaculately kept . No nameplates . No noise . No signs of life . A long line of doors ran along one side , each dark wood carved with ancient symbols . Dorms ? Alpha instructors , maybe ? I wondered , slowing my pace . " Why is no one bere ? " I wondered and looked around as if I could ask for someone's help to get back to where I belonged but there was no one My fingers skimmed along the wall as I passed door after door , until one caught my eye . The door was slightly ajar Was someone in there ? I could ask them for directions . " Hello , is someone inside ? " I called and got only silence . I knocked this time , " Hello ! " I waited for a half of the minute and again no response . Chapter 30 Lost +8 Pearl : Looking around for a sign of life , I pushed the door open , " Hello , sorry for my intrusion . Curiosity tugged harder than caution but I was cautious as well . I peeked in and then slowly stepped in , " I am lost . Can I …. My words caught in my throat and I gasped . It was beautiful . The room was absolutely stunning ! A large , sunlit bedroom unfolded before me , so unlike the bare - bones quarters we students shared . The stone walls were smooth and warmed with amber - toned lighting . A king - sized bed rested in the center , draped in rich navy linens . The scent here was clean but masculine - leather , forest . A private bath was visible through the archway on the side . This was someone powerful . Respected . High - ranking . It was luxurious . Silent . Sacred Whoever lived here wasn't just someone , they were important . But it was too clean and no one was here . " Could it be a guest room ? " I wondered . My gaze swept over the space as I stepped deeper in , drawn toward the large desk near the window where an open ancient book rested . " What is this ? " 1 grew curious . Gold - scripted . Handwritten . I leaned in , scanning the odd language that stirred something oddly familiar in my chest . A name wasn't etched on the cover . No photos , no scent . Nothing gave away the identity . My fingers hovered over the spine , then unsuccessfully I tried to read it but I could read one word . ' Rogue " My hand froze . Rogues ? The memory of those rogues in the ruins flashed in my mind . Was this book about rogues ? Who were they ? Why were they Then suddenly a voice came like smoke against my ear . " You like touching things that don't belong to you ? " I gasped , spine stiffening , heart leaping into my throat .. His scent hit me first - stormy , rich , dangerous . Ronan I spun around , eyes wide , and heat flaring all at once . I turned around my breasts bumping into his hard chest . Our eyes locked as he leaned down to whisper , " What are you doing in my room , little wolf ? " The book dropped froin my hand . " Your room ?" My heart skipped a beat . He leaned down towards my face even more , our breath mixing and our lips dangerously close as if they might touch any second , " Yes , my room , " he whispered . Send Gifts 回