The Boy Next DOOR.

"Dave didn't come to school today. Hope he's okay?" Rihanna asked as she met up with Jordan and the others when school was closing.

"Yeah, even Kelvin has been absent for two days now," Ryan added.

"I've been trying to call him, but he's not picking up, and sometimes it's unreachable," Rihanna said.

"Maybe they're trying to sort out some differences they had," Jordan suggested as he spotted Ortho approaching.

"Should we go visit him?" Rihanna asked.

"Ortho is coming," Jordan told them.

"Hello, everyone!" Ortho greeted with a smile, and they all replied in kind.

"Dave didn't come to school today; do you know why?" Ortho asked.

"He has some things to settle, that's why," Jordan replied. Ortho looked at him for a few seconds before laughing nervously.

"Oh... I see. Are you guys going to visit him? Can I come with you?" Ortho asked, grinning like a kid.

"No! Ermm... We're not going to visit him; we'll just give him a call to check if he's alright," Jake said, forcing a smile.

"Okay then, extend my greetings to him. I'll leave now," Ortho said, and with that, he headed to his car.

"That guy is so annoying," Rihanna mumbled.

"You guys just have to calm down. You usually tense up when he's around, and he notices it," Jordan cautioned.

"Mtch, I know, but I just get annoyed when I see him."

"You guys should relax; maybe we should give him a little chance. He might just want to be our friend," Alex suggested.

"Hmm, maybe, but still, we need to be careful around him and watch what we say when he's around," Jordan warned, and they all nodded in agreement.

"So, are we going to see him?" Jake asked.

"No. Rihanna, if you manage to get through to him, call me so we can know if he's okay. But if we can't reach him and he doesn't come to school tomorrow, we're going to visit him," Jordan decided.

"Okay," they agreed.

"Let's head home before it gets late," Rihanna said as she walked to the car.

After bidding each other goodbye, they all went home.

---

Sebastian emerged from the bathroom, the dim light casting shadows across his muscular frame as he wrapped a towel loosely around his waist. He strode into his bedroom, the cool breeze from the balcony grazing his damp skin. Pausing for a moment, he stared out into the night sky, the stars reflecting in his piercing blue eyes. His hand hovered at the edge of the towel, prepared to discard it, but something stopped him. His gaze flicked toward the darkened corner of the room, a smirk curling at his lips.

"Step out," his deep, commanding voice echoed through the room.

Silence.

Sebastian chuckled, sitting on the edge of his bed, his fingers absentmindedly running through his hair as he leaned back, utterly unbothered.

"I won't repeat myself," he said, eyes fixed on the ceiling. "You've been lurking for quite some time. What do you want? Why have you been following me? Do you really think I haven't noticed?"

A shadow shifted, and slowly, a figure stepped out from the darkness. Clad in a black, form-fitting gown that moved like liquid night, the figure's presence was cold, almost otherworldly. A hood obscured their face, but the aura they carried was unmistakable. They stood inches away from Sebastian, still and silent.

Sebastian's eyes gleamed with amusement as he sat up. "Intriguing... blending into the shadows so well. But let's see what you're hiding." His voice dropped, dangerous and silky. "Take off your hood."

The figure hesitated for a second before obeying. The hood fell back, revealing a face that stopped even Sebastian for a moment. A young man with strikingly delicate features—long, white hair cascaded over his shoulders like silver silk. His eyes were a shocking, icy blue, contrasting against his soft, pale skin and his full, pink lips. The black gown clung to his slender body, hinting at curves beneath.

Sebastian was silent, his eyes sweeping over the figure with interest before he finally spoke. "What's your name?"

The figure's lips parted, and when he spoke, his voice was soft yet melodic. "I'm Valerian—Guardian of the Voiceless."

Sebastian's smirk returned. "You're a witch."

"Yes."

"And what do you want from me, Guardian? What task did they send you here to perform?"

Valerian's gaze didn't falter. "I've been sent to kill Sebastian."

The smile on Sebastian's face widened as he leaned back slightly, casually crossing his arms. "I'm Sebastian."

"I know."

"Then go ahead," Sebastian taunted. "And do what you came to do."

Valerian's eyes shimmered with something dark, and his voice dripped with power as he commanded, "Stay still." His hypnotic voice echoed through the room, as if the very air itself obeyed his will. He stepped closer, his devilish smile daring Sebastian to resist.

But Sebastian didn't move. He stayed right where he was, a lazy grin on his lips as he watched Valerian close the distance between them.

Valerian's confidence faltered for a moment. Something wasn't right. "My hypnotism didn't work...?" He gasped, staring at Sebastian's calm demeanor. His eyes locked on Sebastian's bright, icy blue ones, realization dawning. "You have blue eyes... no..."

Sebastian chuckled darkly, rising from the bed. "Did you really think your pathetic little spell would work on me?" His tone was mocking. "I'm the god of hypnotism, Valerian. You, of all people, should have known that. But I suppose you weren't prepared for the *great* Sebastian, were you?"

Valerian's confidence crumbled as Sebastian took a step closer, his towering presence exuding danger. Their faces were now inches apart, and Valerian's breath hitched.

"Y-you're a witch?" Valerian stammered, disbelief lacing his voice.

Sebastian's grin widened, predatory and sharp. "Of course I am. A hybrid, actually... A witch and a wolf. Surprised?"

Valerian's heart raced. "Th-then... you're unclaimed..."

Sebastian barked out a laugh, shaking his head. "Unclaimed? Hardly. I'm an Alpha. The commander of Silverfur. If I were unclaimed, I wouldn't be standing here in control of everything. I chose to embrace my wolf, but the witch side? It's useful on special occasions like this."

Sebastian moved even closer, his breath warm against Valerian's skin as he whispered, "You've learned more about me in a few minutes than most creatures do in their entire lifetime. Consider yourself... fortunate. You're the first living being to know my secret. Even your precious leader doesn't know the full extent of what I am."

Valerian swallowed hard, his mind racing, but Sebastian wasn't done. His voice dropped to a menacing whisper as he continued, "Let me paint you a picture, Valerian. I'm the product of two worlds coming together—my mother, a witch, and my father, a wolf. They loved each other deeply... until your leader, the so-called *God of Witches*, murdered them. And now? I hate every purebred witch that walks this earth. And here you are... one of them, standing in *my* room, in *my* territory, staring at *me*."

Sebastian's fingers grazed Valerian's cheek, trailing down to his jaw, holding him firmly. "What do you think I should do with you, hmm? Should I kill you? Or maybe... I'll break your legs and keep you locked away in a place even your leader won't find. Or..." His voice dropped further, filled with sadistic glee. "I could eat you. Imagine that. The Guardian of the Voiceless valerian, was devoured by a wolf. Quite poetic, don't you think?"

Valerian's mouth opened and closed, unable to form coherent words as the weight of his situation sank in.

Sebastian's lips twisted into a devilish grin as he leaned closer, his teeth grazing Valerian's ear. "I've been blessed with a lamb, haven't I? Your leader has unknowingly sent me my sacrifice."

His laughter was dark, rumbling deep in his chest as he tucked a stray strand of white hair behind Valerian's ear. "You're too stunned to speak, Valerian. Is that it? You weren't expecting this, were you?"

Sebastian's voice dropped to a low, dangerous whisper as he gripped Valerian's neck, pulling him close. "I think I'll start with you... as a way to exact my revenge. Your leader may have killed my mother, but you... you'll be my first step toward making him pay."

He pressed his lips to Valerian's neck, inhaling deeply before letting his teeth graze the skin. Valerian's body shook, a soft whimper escaping his lips.

"Do you know I could sink my teeth into you right now and drain you dry? Or better yet... I could pull the very soul from your body," Sebastian murmured against Valerian's skin, his voice like velvet, laced with venom.