Page 64 of Hunted By Valentine

“Professor Grant?” A student’s voice pulls me from my thoughts.

I blink, realizing that the students are staring at me, waiting for something. My lecture is over, though I don’t recall saying a word. How much time has passed? An hour? Two?

“Read the next chapter before class,” I say curtly, dismissing them with a wave of my hand. They file out of the room, their chatter a distant hum, and I’m left alone with my thoughts.

As the last one exits, my phone buzzes with a reminder—dinner with Carolina. I don’t remember setting it, but somehow, here we are. It’s hard to imagine why I’d agreed to this in the first place, maybe it was the easier option at the time.

A shallow sigh escapes me. I have to keep up appearances, even when my mind is elsewhere. Even when Ruby’s absence gnaws at me, carving deep into my thoughts.

I leave the classroom, slipping the mask of Professor Valentine Grant back into place. By the time I arrive at the restaurant Carolina chose, the mask is solid, unshakable. It’s one of those upscale New York spots, dimly lit, overpriced, a pretentious menu and faux-intellectual clientele. I despise it.

Carolina is already seated when I arrive, her face glowing with excitement as she prattles on about Willow’s Foundation. Her voice is lively, eyes bright, as she details her plans for the future. She talks, but I only half listen. My thoughts keep drifting back to Ruby.

Where is she? What has happened to her?

“Did I ever tell you that Halloween was one of Willow’s favorite seasons? I want it to be a night to remember,” Carolina says, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass. “Something that will honor Willow’s legacy and raise significant funds.”

While Carolina talks, my eyes drift around the room. Dark wood, low lights, muted conversations in the background—nothing interesting enough to hold my attention. But then again, nothing is right now. My mind keeps pulling me back to one thing; my pet.

Nodding, I offer her a practiced smile that doesn’t reach my eyes, but she doesn’t seem to notice. “I’m sure everything will be perfect by then,” I say, though the words feel hollow. Since Carolina seems content with Ruby’s absence, I decide to steer the conversation in the direction I need. “I expected Ruby to be more involved. She seemed quite passionate about the Foundation as well.”

Carolina’s fingers still on the glass, and for a moment, I catch a flicker of something—hesitation. Her smile falters. “Ruby is…” She takes a deep breath, and when she speaks again, her voice is softer, careful. “Ruby’s been dealing with some things.”

The cold hand of fear clenches around my heart. “Things?” My voice remains calm, but my pulse quickens.

She hesitates again, her eyes searching mine as though weighing how much to say. “It’s not really my place, but…” Her gaze falters. “It’s about her husband. Michael. He attacked her.”

The words slam into me like a physical blow. I feel the blood drain from my face, my grip tightening on the glass in front of me. For a moment, everything else fades—the noise of the restaurant, the flickering candles. All I hear is the thunderous beating of my heart in my ears.

Michael. That pathetic, worthless worm dared to lay his hands on her.

My prey.

My pet.

Mine.

“How badly is she hurt?” I ask, my voice steady, though it takes everything in me to keep it that way.

Carolina lowers her voice, glancing around as if afraid someone might overhear. “She’s with Jack now. He’s taking care of her. No broken bones, but she needed stitches. She’s pretty bruised up.”

Jack. Her brother. The one person standing between me and her now. But it’s Michael who must suffer. That fool overstepped his bounds, and now I’ll have to deal with him. I take a slow sip of my drink, the whiskey burning as it slides down my throat.

“And Michael?” I ask, carefully neutral.

“No one knows where he is,” Carolina says with a sigh. “Jack is making sure Ruby’s safe from him, though.”

I nod, the pieces of my plan already forming in my mind. Michael. Jack. Ruby. They all have their roles to play, and I’ll ensure that everything falls into place exactly as it should. My mind begins to race, formulating a plan, the cold, logical part of me—the Hunter—kicking into gear.

Carolina continues talking, but her words fade into the background. My thoughts are already elsewhere, already focusing on the hunt. I’ll start with Michael. He needs to be reminded of his place.

But Ruby? She will need a reminder, too, of who she belongs to. She should have called me for help. I said she’s mine, and she agreed. Even without knowing how far I’ll go to protect what’s mine, she should have trusted me.

“I’m glad she’s with Jack,” I say, my voice measured and controlled. Carolina doesn’t hear the lie beneath it, or if she does, she chooses to ignore it.

She smiles, relief washing over her features. “I’ll make sure Ruby knows you’re looking out for her. Maybe you can bring her anything she’s missed? She wants to come back to class as soon as she can.”

I allow myself a small smile, nodding as if I’m just concerned about her education. “Of course. I’ll make sure she doesn’t fall behind.”

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