Chapter 30

Reputation Games

The next morning, Raphael woke to the sound of birds chirping just outside the window. The soft sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting warm, golden streaks across the bed. He stretched and yawned, his limbs heavy with the pleasant weight of rest, his body sinking momentarily back into the sheets before he forced himself upright. He felt surprisingly well-rested, the fatigue of the previous day dissolved into a quiet calm. As he sat up, his eyes landed on the neatly folded clothes from the previous night, placed with care on a chair nearby. A flicker of warmth stirred in his chest.

Liam was nowhere in sight.

– He’s so sweet – Raphael murmured, his voice barely louder than a breath. His fingers lingered for a moment on the fabric of the blanket, the memory of Liam’s presence from the night before wrapping around him like an invisible cloak.

A few hours later, he was walking through the halls of the Academy, lost in thought. His steps echoed faintly across the polished floors, his gaze unfocused, drifting over stone walls and stained-glass windows without really seeing them. Thoughts of the night before still clung to his mind like mist.

Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out behind him.

– Hey, sleepyhead! I’ve been looking for you.

Raphael glanced around, blinking as the haze of his thoughts lifted.

Down the hallway, Liam was leaning casually against a locker, his arms crossed over his chest, posture effortlessly confident. A teasing smirk played at his lips, and he waved Raphael over with a flick of his fingers, the corners of his eyes crinkling with boyish mischief.

As Raphael approached, his gaze caught the cluster of students around Liam—his usual crowd, laughing, talking, radiating that magnetic aura of popularity.

– Hi. Thanks for your help yesterday – Raphael said, his voice calm but sincere, his expression composed though a faint blush tingled at the edge of his cheeks.

Liam’s smirk faltered for just a moment, the mask slipping. His friends exchanged curious glances, sensing a ripple in the usual dynamic. Liam pushed off the locker, straightening up with a casual shrug, his voice quickly regaining its cocky edge.

– Yeah, whatever. Just don’t go spreading it around that I helped you, okay? My reputation would be ruined.

– Sure, sure… have a nice day – Raphael replied with a soft, amused chuckle, his lips curving in a half-smile as he turned away.

He continued down the hall, the small exchange echoing in his thoughts like a gentle chime. A smile lingered on his face, touched with quiet affection. He could still feel the warmth of Liam’s care from the night before, tucked in beneath all the bravado.

Behind him, the teasing began.

– Dude, was that your boyfriend or something?

Later, Raphael made his way to the cafeteria for breakfast. The warm scent of food drifted through the air—toast, eggs, freshly brewed tea. The usual sounds of the morning surrounded him: the clatter of cutlery, bursts of laughter, and a hum of conversation. He moved through the space quietly, grabbing a tray and beginning to fill it with food, his motions slow and mechanical as his mind wandered.

Then someone bumped into him from behind, jolting him slightly. He turned, tray wobbling in his hands, to see who it was.

– Kael? Haven’t seen you lately. Everything’s okay?

– Hey… – Kael’s voice was low, his tone subdued. His eyes looked tired, shadows beneath them darker than usual. He ran a hand through his dark hair, the strands tousled and slightly damp. – Yeah, been having some… family shit to deal with.

– I see… vampire family drama… it can be harsh – Raphael said, meeting Kael’s gaze with understanding.

Kael nodded, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. The usual spark in his presence was dulled, like a candle flickering low.

– You have no idea. Fights with the elders, blood rites, expected relationships… it’s all pretty fucked up. – He gestured vaguely before eyeing Raphael’s tray. – You eating alone?

– Yes. But I’ll gladly accompany you, if there will be no head on the plate – Raphael replied, a sly grin curling at his lips.

Kael chuckled softly, the sound brittle at first but gaining warmth. His shoulders eased a little, the tension bleeding away.

– Deal. No heads today. Just regular human food.

He led Raphael toward an empty table by the window, the sunlight slanting across the tabletop like a delicate veil.

– So… how have you been? What was that with Liam yesterday?

– Nothing much. No fun either. He helped me get to my room and was very caring.

Kael’s eyebrows shot up, surprise flashing across his face. His curiosity was unfiltered, rare.

– Caring? Liam? Are you sure we’re talking about the same guy? The always joking and fooling around, playful playboy Liam? – He leaned in, eyes glinting with intrigue.

– Don’t be so harsh. We both know it’s a facade. When he was in bed with us, it was totally different.

Kael’s gaze sharpened, his smirk fading as he studied Raphael more intently. He leaned back slowly, lips parting slightly as he processed the words.

– Different, huh? Like… gentle? Considerate? – His voice dropped, thoughtful. – Maybe…

– Or maybe me looking so pathetic made him behave protecting – Raphael said with a faint shrug.

Kael let out a low whistle, shaking his head with a dry smile.

– Damn, that’s harsh. But you might be onto something. Maybe seeing you all vulnerable triggered some latent protective instinct in him.

– Maybe.

– Or maybe… – Kael’s eyes flickered, the beginnings of a thought catching fire. – Maybe he actually cares more than he lets on. You said he was just carrying you to bed, right? Not just… you know… – He gestured with his hands, suggesting something more carnal.

– Yes.

– Okay. From what you’ve said… the way he held you, the way he checked if you were okay…

– Yeah. Okay, just let go of Liam. By the way, I forgot to ask you. When we first met, you were in the Whispering Woods. May I ask what you were doing there?

Kael’s expression hardened instantly. The easy energy vanished, replaced by something wary, almost guarded. He looked around the cafeteria, then leaned in, voice low and heavy.

– You really want to know? Because it’s… complicated. – He hesitated, fingers curling slightly on the edge of the table. – And dangerous.

– Sure.

Kael inhaled deeply, his chest rising as if bracing himself.

– I was… meeting someone. Someone who knows things about my family that I needed to find out. – His eyes darkened, gaze growing distant. – The Whispering Woods are… special. They’re enchanted to keep secrets safe.

– I’ve heard that they sometimes whisper some secrets.

Kael nodded slowly, solemn.

– Yeah, sometimes the woods whisper secrets to those who listen closely enough. But it’s not just any secrets—they whisper the darkest ones. – He leaned back, gaze unfocused. – The kind that can destroy families or even entire lineages.

– Did that happen to you?

Kael’s jaw tightened. His knuckles whitened where they rested on the table.

– Almost. What I learned… it could ruin everything my family has worked for. Ancient prophecies, hidden curses, betrayals reaching back generations. – He raked his fingers through his hair, visibly worn down.

– I’m sorry to hear that.

– You don’t understand – Kael said, bitterness creeping into his voice. He looked at Raphael with raw intensity. – You can’t imagine the weight of knowing that your entire bloodline is built on lies and betrayals. That the legacy you’re supposed to uphold is actually a curse.

Raphael reached out, laying a hand gently on Kael’s shoulder, his touch steady and warm.

– If you wanna talk, I’m here.

Kael stiffened, his body tensing as if ready to recoil. But then—something in him yielded. He leaned into the touch, just slightly, as though needing its steadiness more than he wanted to admit.

– Fuck… you’re actually being nice – he whispered, voice shaky. – No wonder Cain is so…

– Cain?

Kael paused. His eyes flicked up, uncertain. He looked like he might withdraw again, then seemed to decide otherwise.

– Cain. You really don’t see it, do you? He’s… obsessed. With you.

– I don’t know any Cain! – Raphael said, stunned, his voice lifting with honest disbelief.

Kael burst out laughing, the sound sudden and loud, bouncing off the cafeteria walls. A few students turned to stare, but he didn’t care.

– God, you’re adorable – he said, wiping at his eyes as the laughter slowly ebbed. – You really don’t know who Cain is, do you?

– Not the slightest idea.

– Oh wow… this is actually funny. – Kael leaned back, clearly entertained. – Cain is… well, he’s the campus heartthrob. Every supernatural girl here dreams of getting his attention. And then there’s you—clueless about the whole thing.

– Maybe because I’m not interested in boys who like girls.

Kael’s amusement froze. His eyes widened, silence stretching between them like a taut string. Then, slowly, a grin crept across his face, eyes gleaming with surprise and something more playful.

– Wait a minute… Does that mean you’re only into guys?

– Have you hurt your head? You had sex with me, and then you had a threesome with me and Liam. Have you seen me close with any girl?

Kael’s face flushed bright red as the memories came flooding back. A deep, vivid crimson crept up his cheeks, betraying just how vividly those memories returned. His eyes darted around nervously, scanning the nearby tables as though worried someone might overhear or catch a glimpse of the heat rising between them. Then, as if unable to help himself, he leaned in closer to Raphael, his voice dropping to a whisper, thick with something unspoken.

– You’re right.

– Don’t tell me you’ve already forgot our… meetings – Raphael said, his voice low and teasing, but there was a flicker of vulnerability in his gaze, as if part of him needed to hear Kael confirm it.

Kael’s eyes flickered with a mix of embarrassment and arousal, and something in them darkened—lust, perhaps, or the vivid ache of memory. His breath grew shallower as he leaned in even closer, so near that Raphael could feel the heat of it brushing his ear like a dangerous promise.

– I remember every fucking detail – he growled softly, his tone husky and unfiltered. – The way you felt under me, the way Liam and I took turns with you… I’m just a little distracted right now.

The words struck Raphael like a spark in dry air. A shiver traced his spine as the images returned—hands, mouths, breathless moans in the dark. His lips parted slightly, but before he could respond, he managed to ground himself again.

– But who’s that Cain anyway? – he asked, shaking off the tension with a forced casualness.

Kael pulled back a little, though the glow of heat hadn’t fully left his eyes. His expression turned thoughtful, the shift in subject seeming to cool him just enough to speak more evenly. He visibly exhaled through his nose before answering.

– Cain… He’s a vampire. Old bloodline, powerful family, related to mine. Every supernatural girl here wants to be his mate.

– Ok.

Kael watched him closely, his gaze sharpening. There was something calculating in his posture now, like he was trying to read Raphael’s every twitch, every breath. His eyes narrowed slightly, searching for a reaction, a crack in the surface. Then he leaned in again, his voice falling into a secretive murmur that barely carried past the space between them.

– But Cain only has eyes for one person. And that person is you. – He smirked, clearly savouring the jolt of surprise that swept across Raphael’s face.

– How could it be? Girl chaser interested in guy? And particularly me?

Kael chuckled softly, his tone laced with mischief. His eyes sparkled with amusement, but beneath the glint was something else—an edge of something territorial.

– Well, that’s what makes it so interesting – he said, reclining in his chair with the smug ease of someone who enjoyed watching others unravel. – Cain doesn’t care about gender when it comes to you. He wants you—badly.

– If he wants me so badly, why did he never introduce himself to me? Isn’t that a little strange?

Kael’s grin widened, lips parting with a flicker of delight at the question.

– Because Cain plays the long game – he explained, his voice smooth, as if relaying the plot of a well-known legend. – He likes to observe from the shadows, gather information. Plus, he knows you’re oblivious to your own charm, which only makes you more intriguing to him.

– Ok. His loss. I’m not planning to wait for some secret admirer.

Kael’s expression darkened, the smile faltering for a fraction of a second as something possessive and sharp crossed his features. But just as quickly, he smoothed it away with a casual shrug and a carefree grin.

– Oh, I like your spirit – he said, inching closer again. – But trust me, Cain won’t give up that easily. He’s not used to being ignored.

– How can I not ignore person who doesn’t even let me know he exist.

This time, Kael laughed out loud, the sound rough and full-throated, drawing a few curious glances from nearby tables. There was genuine amusement in his expression, but also something deeper—a flicker of admiration, perhaps.

– You really don’t make it easy, do you? – He shook his head, grinning. – Cain usually has every supernatural falling at his feet.

– Not me.

Raphael’s tone was calm, final. There was no need for pride or defiance—it was simply the truth.

Kael’s eyes gleamed, narrowing just a touch as his grin softened into something more thoughtful.

– Not you – he echoed, his voice dropping an octave. – And that’s exactly why Cain is so fascinated. He’s never met someone who doesn’t immediately swoon over him. Or worse – haven’t noticed him.

– Ok. Enough about him. If he’s so interested, he should make a move.

Kael threw his head back with a hearty laugh, clearly revelling in the sheer directness of the remark. There was something unguarded in his reaction, something that suggested he truly enjoyed talking to Raphael—not just to provoke or seduce, but to genuinely be around him.

– Gods, you’re direct – he chuckled. – You know what? You’re right. If Cain wants you that badly, he should man—or vampire—up and approach you already instead of asking me all these questions about you.

– So, how about you? Can I help you somehow with your troubles?

At that, Kael’s laughter faded. His expression shifted—eyes sharpening, smile fading into something more contemplative. He leaned in just slightly, his gaze locking onto Raphael’s with a sudden seriousness that didn’t quite match the playful tone of their earlier conversation.

– Actually – he began, slowly, almost reluctantly – there is something you could help me with.

He paused, his jaw tightening faintly. His eyes flicked to Raphael’s lips, then back to his eyes again.

– Just say it – Raphael said, unwavering.

Kael took a deep breath, his body tensing with restraint.

– I need to… relieve some stress – he admitted, his voice low and husky, thick with implication.

– Clever – Raphael replied with a wicked grin curling at the corner of his mouth. – That’s the spirit!