20.

The Obsession of a Wolfe

Noah could barely process what was happening.

One moment, he was trembling in Kieran’s arms, drowning in the weight of everything—the shame, the fear, the overwhelming attention from the entire school.

The next, Kieran’s father—Richard Wolfe—was standing in front of him, offering him the most unexpected thing.

Acceptance.

“You’re quite impressive,” Richard said smoothly, his sharp blue eyes assessing Noah with something unreadable. “A young teacher. Intelligent. And with enough resilience to capture his heart.” He glanced at Kieran, who was still gripping Noah possessively, his entire body taut with unspent rage.

Noah felt his face heat up. He opened his mouth—he didn’t even know what he was going to say—but Richard lifted a hand to stop him.

“I approve,” Richard said simply.

Noah froze.

Kieran let out a low, satisfied growl from behind him, his arms tightening around Noah’s waist like a steel cage. “Of course you do,” he muttered darkly, nuzzling into Noah’s hair possessively. “He’s mine.”

Richard hummed, looking entirely unbothered. “He’s his own person,” he corrected, though his lips twitched in amusement. Then, his gaze flicked over the silent, terrified administration. “I believe this discussion is settled.”

No one dared to argue.

But Kieran—Kieran wasn’t done.

He turned, his body a wall of violent, furious dominance as his glare swept over every single person who had tried to take Noah from him.

“If any of you even think about looking at him the wrong way,” he said, his voice dangerously low, “I swear I’ll—”

“Kieran,” Richard cut in, a subtle warning in his tone.

Kieran’s jaw clenched. His entire body vibrated with the need to lash out. To hurt someone for what they put Noah through.

But Noah—sweet, trembling Noah—placed a hesitant hand on his chest.

And Kieran immediately focused on him.

Noah swallowed, trying to ignore the way his entire body reacted to Kieran’s intense attention. “It’s okay,” he whispered. “You don’t have to—”

“Yes, I do,” Kieran growled, his fingers digging into Noah’s waist. His voice softened just for him. “They hurt you.”

Richard sighed but didn’t interfere. This was his son’s war to fight.

Kieran inhaled deeply, glaring one last time at the silent crowd. “If I hear one word about him,” he said, his voice thick with threat, “I’ll make sure none of you ever open mouths again.”

Noah shivered.

Not from fear.

But from something far worse.

Because despite everything—despite the chaos, the destruction, the absolute insanity of the situation—

A part of him liked it.

Liked how much Kieran wanted him.

How much he was willing to do for him.

And that realization was far more terrifying than anything else.

*******

The chaos had finally settled.

With Richard Wolfe handling the administration like it was just another business deal, the tension around them started to ease—at least for everyone else. Noah, on the other hand, still felt like his head was spinning.

He was exhausted.

Emotionally. Physically. Mentally.

And then, of course—Emma had to open her mouth.

“So,” she drawled, arms crossed, a wicked smirk on her face. “Are we just gonna ignore the fact that your boyfriend practically burned down the school for you?”

Noah choked. “He is not my—”

“Shut up.” Kieran’s hand tightened around Noah’s waist, pulling him closer until there was zero space left between them. His voice was a low, dangerous purr. “Say it again, kitten. Tell her who you belong to.”

Noah wanted to die. Right there. On the spot.

Emma howled with laughter. “Oh my God! This is so much worse than I thought! Noah, you’re screwed!”

Noah groaned, covering his face with both hands. “Please stop talking.”

“Oh, no way. No way.” Emma grinned. “This is juicy.” She turned to Kieran, wagging her eyebrows. “So, are we talking full-on obsession or just mildly psychotic possessiveness?”

Kieran smirked. “Both.”

Emma gasped dramatically. “Noah.” She placed a hand on his shoulder, looking at him with mock sympathy. “You poor, sweet thing. You’re doomed.”

Noah glared at her through his fingers. “You’re the worst.”

Kieran chuckled, pressing a slow, teasing kiss to Noah’s temple. “She’s right, though.” His breath was hot against Noah’s ear. “thank you , miss Evans for taking care of my beloved.”

Emma shrieked with laughter, and Noah?

Noah was going to die.

****

Noah stormed down the hall, face burning, ears still ringing with Emma’s teasing laughter. His heart refused to settle, beating erratically in his chest.

Why—why—did Kieran have to be so shameless?

Calling him kitten in front of everyone? Holding him so close, like he was already his? And that kiss—

Noah squeezed his eyes shut, willing the memory away.

He needed air.

But, of course, Kieran wasn’t going to let him escape.

Strong arms snatched him from behind, dragging him into the nearest empty classroom. The door slammed shut.

Noah barely had time to gasp before Kieran pinned him against the wall.

“You keep running from me,” Kieran murmured, voice dangerously low. “That’s not very nice, kitten.”

Noah swallowed hard. “I—”

Kieran’s fingers traced his jaw, tilting his face up. His dark, stormy eyes burned with something almost feral.

“Miss Evans ( Emma) thinks this is funny,” Kieran continued, his voice a slow, teasing purr. “But I don’t.”

Noah’s breath hitched.

“You let them tease you,” Kieran murmured, his grip tightening. “But not once did you tell them I was wrong.”

Noah’s throat went dry.

Because—he hadn’t.

He hadn’t denied Kieran’s words. Hadn’t told anyone that Kieran wasn’t his boyfriend.

And Kieran knew it.

A smirk curled at Kieran’s lips. His hands slid lower, brushing Noah’s waist, tracing the curve of his hips.

“You’re mine,” he whispered, leaning in, his breath hot against Noah’s lips. “Aren’t you?”

Noah trembled. “Kieran—”

“Say it.”

Noah shook his head, his heart hammering. “We’re at school—”

Kieran laughed. “And? Everyone knows now”

And that’s when Noah realized—

Kieran wasn’t asking.

He was telling.

And there was no escape.

*******

Noah barely had time to process before Kieran crushed their lips together.

The kiss was aggressive, demanding—teeth scraping against his bottom lip, hands gripping his waist with possessive force. Noah whimpered, his hands pressing against Kieran’s chest, but Kieran wasn’t letting go.

He owned this moment. Owned Noah.

When he finally pulled back, Noah was breathless, dazed—his lips swollen, his knees weak.

Kieran smirked, brushing his thumb over Noah’s parted lips. “Cute,” he murmured. “You look so ruined already.”

Noah burned with embarrassment. “Kieran—”

But Kieran wasn’t done. He leaned in, his lips brushing against Noah’s ear, his voice low and dark.

“Be ready at nine, kitten,” he whispered. “We’re going on a date. Officially.”

Noah’s heart stopped.

A date?

Before he could argue, before he could breathe, Kieran pulled away, smirking.

“Wear something nice,” he added, winking. “Or don’t. I’ll like either.”

And then—just like that—he was gone.

Noah stood there, stunned, his entire world tilted off its axis.

A date.

A real date.

With Kieran Wolfe.

…How was he supposed to survive that?