Chapter 6: The Serum and the Secret

After a while, I finally got clearance for the internal research lab. My heart pounded as I walked through the sterile halls.

Inside, the doctor was introducing the drug. “This is my new anti-half-blood serum. You’ll all be equipped with it for the next field mission…” Clinical. Detached.

I nearly stopped breathing, staring at it. The vial glinted under the lights—a promise of death in a tiny bottle.

This was why the king sent me undercover. I had to get a sample back. My mission—my life—depended on it.

The moment you open this, it’ll trigger a frenzy and draw in all half-bloods within a hundred meters…” His words sent a chill down my spine.

As he spoke, he tore open the package. The scent hit me—sharp, irresistible.

My heart skipped. Damn, I’m a half-blood too. The urge to move, to hunt—overwhelming.

Sure enough, the half-blood monsters in the cage went berserk. Their howls echoed in the small room—a chorus of hunger and rage.

“Next…” The doctor kept talking, but I couldn’t hear. The world narrowed to the scent, the need.

So thirsty. So agitated. I needed blood. Hands shook. Vision blurred.

I turned and crashed into Caleb’s arms, face flushed. His body—solid. Grounding.

My ragged breathing hit his collarbone. I clung to him, desperate.

He steadied me, raised an eyebrow. “Little pervert, we’re still in class. Behave. I’ll let you lick me back in the dorm…” Playful. A lifeline.

I gulped, staring at the veins in his neck. My eyes turned red. Hunger clawed at my insides.

Caleb saw my eyes. His gaze went cold. Instant. Terrifying.

The next second, a silver gun pressed to my waist. The threat was clear—one wrong move, and it was over.

Under his scrutiny, my fangs emerged. I couldn’t hide it. My secret was out.

Just before I lost control, I closed my eyes. Despair. I’d been found out. Caleb would shoot. I’d die here.

But the next moment, something warm draped over my head. A jacket. Soft. Blocking out the world.

Caleb’s deep voice. “Reporting in, my roommate’s not feeling well. I’m requesting to take him back to the dorm.” Calm. Steady. A shield.

All the way back, I felt him tugging my ears and tail. Gentle. Grounding.

His touch left me limp. I purred. Embarrassing, but I couldn’t stop.

My head kept nuzzling against his neck, desperate for blood. The craving—overwhelming. But his presence soothed me.

Caleb held me, gave my butt a firm smack. “Behave.” Stern voice. Careful grip.

Finally, we made it to the dorm. He pinned me against the door. His body blocked out the world. Eyes searching mine.

The agitation in my body made me want to pounce. Every nerve on fire. Every instinct screaming.

He smelled so good. I wanted to bite him—badly. The urge—almost painful.

I pressed against him. My body moved on its own, desperate.

Caleb clicked his tongue, pinched my fangs between his thumb and finger, and pointed his gun at me. Real threat. But there was care in his eyes.

I shuddered. Every muscle tensed—waiting for pain or mercy.

With my craving unmet, my eyes turned red. Staring straight at him. Hunger all-consuming, but I fought to hold on.

Caleb’s hand slid down from my fangs, his big palm closing around my neck, squeezing tighter and tighter. “What’s a vampire like you doing at the Hunter Academy—trying to get yourself killed?” Low voice, rough with emotion. For the first time, I wondered if he was more scared for me than of me.