CHAPTER 55: HE KNOWS?

Her lips parted, but no words came out. Angela looked around and saw that some of the students were watching. Their eyes were fixed on her and Renn, curious about what was going on. She turned back to him and saw it clearly—he was angry. Really angry.

She wished she had never come to apologize. This was exactly why she hated saying sorry. She had told Stales before that apologies often made things worse. And now, look at what Renn had done after hers.

Angela swallowed her pain, held back the anger rising in her chest, nodded quietly, and walked away. As she made her way back to her friends, her mind was spinning. What was wrong with Renn? Just moments ago, he had protected her like she meant something, like he cared. He had cleaned her wound, stood up for her, and now he was asking what gave her the right to speak to him?

It was hard to believe. In their dream, he wanted her so badly. He held her like he would never let go, and now he was acting like she didn’t matter. Angela didn’t know which was worse—him knowing the truth about her, or him still thinking she was a boy and hating himself for falling for her.

"What did he say?" Stales asked the moment she returned. "That ended too fast."

"He said I shouldn’t talk to him," Angela replied, her voice shaking slightly. She held the coffee cup tightly, trying to keep it from slipping out of her hand. She still couldn’t believe it. "He acted like the same old Renn... like nothing happened."

"Strange," Alex said, standing up with a confused look on his face. "He almost killed Xavier over you, and now he’s treating you like a stranger?"

Angela didn’t respond.

"I don’t know," Alex continued, "but I think he’s found out your secret. You should think hard. Did you drop any clue? Anything that could’ve made him suspect?"

Before she could reply, Renn’s voice cut through the room, calling the class to order. The combat session had started. They all stood and began walking toward him.

"You guys be watchful," Alex said as they walked. "That person who posted the video is still out there. If you see anything strange, report it fast."

Angela and Stales nodded. They hadn’t forgotten about the video. Someone was trying to ruin her, and that threat was still very real.

Their attention turned to Renn, who now stood in front of the class, his face serious and focused.

"Today, we’re focusing on the weak students," he said, his voice firm as he paced back and forth. "The ones who can’t even throw a decent punch. We’re going to teach you how to build strength, how to strike, and how to defend yourselves. You need to understand the basics before the test next week."

"We won’t be having many more combat classes after this, so you better pay attention if you want to stay in this Academy," Renn said, his voice sharp and cold. "We don’t accommodate losers or weaklings here. You already know who you are. If you want to improve, move to the right."

Angela froze when his eyes met hers. He didn’t say her name, didn’t point, but the message was clear. He was talking about her. She didn’t know why he didn’t just call her out and get it over with. Still, she moved to the right, feeling every pair of eyes on her. She wasn’t the only one. A few others, especially human students, joined her.

"I’ll train this group," Alpha Renn continued, his voice firm. "Samuel will handle the others."

He started walking toward the left side of the gym. The students followed and stopped only when he did. Since they weren’t that many, he placed some in front of the sandbags while others were told to pair up and face each other.

"First rule—clear your mind," Renn said as he moved through them, checking their stance. He walked past Angela like she didn’t exist, like she was invisible. "If you had a dream last night and you’re still thinking about it, get it the fuck out of your head. Focus. Nothing else matters but getting this right."

Angela’s eyes widened. Her chest tightened. He had brought up the dream. He knew. He fucking knew, and yet here he was, acting like she was trash beneath his boots. Her heart was racing so fast she thought she might pass out. She wanted to scream. If only she hadn’t had that stupid dream. If only she could forget it.

But how could she focus when he was using her secret to tear her down?

She wondered what the hell was going on in that cold mind of his. Had he already told Hiro? If he had, Hiro would’ve come for her by now. He wouldn’t keep quiet. He’d torture her just to make her break, and then he’d hand her over to the Academy. They’d throw her out without a second thought. Kaito would be disappointed. Taros too.

And then what? Her uncle would finally get what he always wanted. He’d drag her back home and her off.

Angela shook her head. She didn’t want to think further. The more she did, the more her heart pounded. And she feared that if it ever stopped, she’d die on the spot.

"Why are you behind?" Renn’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

She blinked and looked around. Everyone else was already working hard, sweat pouring down their faces. She had just been standing there, stuck in her head.

"I’m sorry... I-I..." she tried to explain, but stopped herself. What was the point? He had already made it clear she meant nothing to him. So why was he even asking?

Without another word, Angela walked over to an empty sandbag and began to punch it. Her blows were messy and weak, but she didn’t care. It wasn’t about impressing anyone. It was about surviving this moment. She would work on herself. She would grow stronger. And she would do it without needing Renn to stand behind her like a hawk, watching every damn move she made.

He didn’t say a single word while she made a fool of herself in front of everyone. He just stood there watching her punch the bag like she was losing her mind. After a few minutes of letting her waste her energy, he finally walked up to her and said, "You’re not doing it right."

"It’s not like you want to teach me," Angela snapped between heavy breaths, her fists slamming into the sandbag. "You enjoy watching me suffer."

"That’s what you think?"

"You made it clear earlier."

She heard him chuckle. That soft, low sound made her stop. For a second, she wondered if this was really Renn or if Hiro had taken over his mind. Because this guy? This guy was acting like a complete lunatic. One minute cold and cruel, the next minute warm and strangely soft. The switch in him was too much. It was messing with her head.

"Stand with your left leg in front and your right just a little behind," Renn said, stepping closer. "Do the same with your hands. Don’t rush to throw punches. Think about the strength behind each one. Think about the damage you want to cause."

Angela did what he said, adjusting her stance. But then she heard him mumble something under his breath. She didn’t hear it clearly, but it sounded like he wasn’t impressed. Before she could turn to look at him, she felt it—his hand around her waist.

Her whole body froze.

What the fuck was he doing?

She could feel him standing right behind her. His body pressed close to hers, one of his hands guiding her arm. Her heart skipped a beat, or maybe several. The room suddenly felt too hot, and she started to wonder if anyone else was noticing this or if it was just her who was burning alive inside her own skin.

Then he leaned in. His face brushed close to hers. She could feel his breath on her neck, warm and slow. He was taking advantage, and he knew it. She hated that she didn’t want to stop him. He knew she couldn’t stop him... that she liked what he was doing to her body.

"Does this remind you of anything?" he whispered beside her ear, his voice low, almost like a secret. "Last night... me and you?"

Angela stopped breathing for a second. Her body went numb and weak all at once.

"I was restless all through," he added. "And I fucking hated it."

"I-I don’t know what you’re talking about," she stammered, trying to pull away from him, but his arm only tightened around her waist. She didn’t want her body to betray her again, not here, not like this. But Renn? He wasn’t letting go.

"Don’t even try to lie, Angel," he said, his voice now lower, sharper. "If that’s even your real name."

Angela froze. His words hit her harder than a punch. Her chest rose and fell quickly. So he really knew? He had found out... or was he just guessing?

Her whole body began to shake. She didn’t even know if it was fear or something else that made her tremble.

"Don’t be scared," Renn whispered again, and even though his voice was soft, it held something dangerous underneath. "I don’t hurt girls."