Chapter 48: The Picture That Broke Him

Chapter 48: The Picture That Broke Him

Naomi was passing by when she caught sight of Ash. Her eyes widened with surprise and joy as she called out, "Ash!"

Both Adrian and Ash turned at the sound. Still dazed and full of unspoken questions, Ash stepped toward her. Naomi ran the rest of the way and hugged him tightly, tears welling in her eyes. "I thought you’d left me," she said, her voice trembling.

Ash smiled faintly and hugged her back. Together they started walking toward the classroom, though Ash kept glancing over his shoulder. Adrian was still standing where he’d been, his gaze fixed on Ash.

Naomi sighed softly. "I thought today again I’d be alone," she murmured, then stopped midway, studying Ash’s face. "I have so many unanswered questions."

Ash didn’t respond, but his slight nod told her he understood exactly what she meant-how he and Lucien had made it out of that fire without anyone seeing them emerge.

When they entered the class, the room fell quiet. Several students turned to stare at Ash, their eyes filled with the same unspoken curiosity.

As they reached their seats, Naomi froze. Martin was already there, hunched over his books. He looked up, met Ash’s eyes, and smiled. "Happy dude, you’re back."

Ash smiled back, sliding into his chair.

Naomi sat down slowly beside him, still watching Martin. "Why didn’t you show up yesterday?" she asked. "No calls, no texts."

Martin didn’t look up. "I’m good," he said simply.

She frowned. "Were you sick? Or too drunk from the night before..."

"I said I’m good," Martin cut her off gently but firmly.

Naomi studied him for a moment, then let it go. "Alright," she muttered, settling into her seat.

Meanwhile at the gate, Adrian faced Lucien, his voice low and tense. "What was the purpose of blurting that out in front of him?"

Lucien smirked. "Why keep it from him? He’s your brother. Doesn’t he deserve to know?"

Adrian’s jaw tightened, his fists coiling as a faint shimmer of his pheromones filled the air.

Lucien’s expression darkened slightly. "This is not the right place to try and make a scene."

Adrian paused, realizing a few students had stopped to watch. He drew in a slow breath, forcing himself to calm down. The air around him steadied as his pheromones faded.."

Pointing a finger at Lucien, he said evenly, "I’m not done with you yet."

He turned sharply and walked toward the car.

Lucien stood where he was, a cold smile tugging at his lips. "And who told you I’m done?" he murmured. His smirk deepened as he added under his breath, "This is just getting started."

Then he turned and headed toward his office.

...

During class, Ash and Martin appeared deeply focused on their books, but their minds were clearly elsewhere. Naomi glanced at them, sensing something was off. They weren’t usually this quiet or, this serious. Still, she decided not to pry and minded her own business.

When break time came, Naomi stood and stretched, expecting them to join her like usual. But both remained seated, eyes on their books though neither had turned a page in minutes.

She sighed dramatically. "I thought seeing both of you would kill my boredom, but it looks like it’s gotten worse instead."

No reaction.

Rolling her eyes, she asked, "Fine. What drinks do you want me to bring?"

Ash, without looking up, mumbled, "Whatever."

A second later, Martin echoed, "Mmm...whatever."

Naomi blinked, staring at them. "Is there a new drink called ’Whatever’ that I missed?" she muttered under her breath as she walked off, shaking her head.

When she reached the cafeteria, she went straight to the counter. "Hey," she asked the attendant seriously, "Is there a drink called Whatever?"

The man looked up, clearly amused, and shook his head. "Not yet, miss."

Naomi sighed. "Then just give me a mango smoothie."

A few minutes later, she stepped out, carefully carrying the drink with both hands. Her focus was all on not spilling it as she walked back toward class; until she bumped into someone.

The smoothie splashed instantly across a crisp white blouse.

"Are you blind?" Naomi snapped before realizing who she’d hit.

Her breath caught. Celeste stood before her, eyes furious, glaring down at the stain spreading over her clothes.

"Brat," Celeste said sharply, "don’t you watch where you’re going?"

Naomi froze, panic flashing across her face. She quickly pulled out a tissue. "I’m sorry; please let me wipe it off..."

Before she could touch her, a firm hand stopped her. Celeste’s bodyguard, standing close by, lowered Naomi’s wrist and said coolly, "That’s enough. Madam, let’s go to the bathroom. I’ll take care of it."

Celeste didn’t reply, only shot Naomi one last cutting look before turning away. The bodyguard guided her toward the bathroom.

Left standing there, Naomi glanced down at the mess on the floor, then sighed. "Great," she muttered. "Guess I’ll have to reorder."

Shaking her head, she turned back toward the counter.

Naomi returned to class a few minutes later, carrying two smoothies carefully in her hands. As she reached the desks, she said, a little of breath, "Sorry I took so long. I had to go back and reorder."

Setting one smoothie in front of Martin and the other in front of Ash, she added, "It’s not my fault; it’s Celeste’s."

At the mention of that name, Ash snapped out of his thoughts and looked up. "Celeste?"

"Yeah," Naomi replied. "I just bumped into her earlier outside the cafeteria. I think she’s here to see her brother, Alpha Lucien."

Ash’s brows drew together slightly, but before he could say anything, Naomi clapped her hands lightly. "Anyway, hurry up and drink before class starts."

...

Evening came after classes ended. Naomi, Ash, and Martin walked side by side toward the school gate, chatting quietly.

When they reached the gate, Ash noticed a familiar figure standing beside a parked car; Aster.

The moment Aster saw Ash, he stepped forward quickly, concern in his eyes. He reached out, gently touching Ash’s forehead and then his cheek, as though checking for fever.

A quiet sigh of relief escaped him. "I’m glad you’re fine," he said softly. "I was worried. Your mother told me you were okay and that you insisted on coming to school."

Ash smiled faintly. "Yeah. I’m okay."

Aster’s gaze then moved to Naomi and Martin. Naomi smiled politely, but Martin froze where he stood, his eyes locking with Aster’s. For a brief moment, the air between them tighten, something unspoken passing silently.

Ash, noticing the tension and looking confused, quickly said, "Oh! I forgot to introduce you."

He smiled lightly. "This is Naomi and Martin, my friends. And this is my uncle, Aster."

Aster offered a polite hand to Naomi first, who smiled and shook it warmly. Then he turned to Martin.

Martin hesitated, his eyes flickering briefly to Aster’s face before he muttered, "I...have to go," and turned away quickly, leaving Aster’s hand hanging midair.

Ash and Naomi exchanged puzzled looks as Martin walked off without another word. Naomi adjusted her bag and said lightly, "See you, Ash, tomorrow," before heading off.

Ash turned to his uncle, frowning slightly. "Did you do anything to him? he asked.

Aster shook his head calmly. "No. Why would I?"

Before Ash could reply, Aster’s expression shifted, curiosity glinting in his eyes. "By the way...how did you heal?" he asked. "You don’t have an Alpha. How is that possible?"

Ash froze, unsure how to respond. His mind went blank as Aster’s sharp gaze lingered on him, waiting.

Just then, a car rolled to a stop nearby. Bravin stepped out and opened the back door for him.

Ash exhaled softly in relief. "My driver’s here," he said quickly, forcing a small smile. "We’ll talk next time."

He slid into the back seat, leaning his head against the window as the car pulled away.

Thanks, Bravin, you reached right on time,

That night, Ash sat in his room trying to work on his assignment, but he couldn’t focus. His thoughts were restless. "Are they really having a date?" Then the thought of Adrian fucking him crossed his mind. He imagined instead of him, it was Celeste. His heart ached. "Is he doing to her right now...what he always does to me?"

He picked up his phone and typed a message:

Where are younow?

A few minutes passed with no reply.

He sent another text: Are you cominghome?

Still, no reply.

Feeling restless, he typed again: Are you fucking her?

After a few minutes, a picture was sent.

When he opened it, he froze.

A picture of Adrian lying on the bed, shirtless, his eyes closed, arms wrapped around Celeste. She was lying on his chest, seemingly naked, both of them covered by a blanket.

Ash’s hands trembled. The phone slipped from his grasp and hit the floor. Tears rolled down his cheeks.