PRIME APEX

I should have felt relieved.

Both vampire factions had agreed to let me be. No more threats. No more running. I was free to return to my dorm and resume my life as if none of it had ever happened.

And yet, as Xander drove me back, an unsettling silence filled the car. It was always like this with him—his presence steady and unshakable, yet unreadable. He never felt the need to fill the quiet with words.

My stomach growled loudly, breaking the silence.

Heat rushed to my face. I shifted uncomfortably, searching for a distraction.

"Are you sure there won't be any more vampires coming after me?" I asked, forcing a light tone to cover my embarrassment.

Xander didn't answer right away. Instead, he slowed the car and pulled over at the side of the road.

A prickle of unease ran down my spine. "What's going on?"

He unbuckled his seatbelt and glanced at me.

"Let's get you something to eat before I take you back."

I blinked, caught off guard.

"I'm not hungry," I lied—badly. Because at that exact moment, my stomach let out another low rumble.

Xander gave me a look. One of those looks. The kind that said he wasn't going to argue, but he also wasn't taking no for an answer.

Without a word, he stepped out and walked around to my side of the car, opening the door.

With a resigned sigh, I followed.

A few minutes later, we ended up at the nearest McDonald's. It wasn't much, but the golden arches looked oddly welcoming at this hour.

Inside, we settled into a corner booth. The fluorescent lights cast a soft glow over Xander's sharp features.

He barely touched his food, while I hesitated before finally giving in to my hunger. The first bite made me realize just how empty I'd felt.

He didn't rush me. He just watched, waiting until I'd eaten enough before we returned to the car.

The silence stretched between us again—but this time, it was Xander who broke it.

"I'm not one hundred percent sure," he admitted.

I looked up. "About what?"

He kept his eyes on the road.

"You asked me earlier if there would be another attack."

A weight settled in my chest. "Oh."

His grip tightened slightly on the steering wheel.

"Just be careful. If the feral vamps break our agreement, I'll make sure Vlad knows. And trust me, I won't stay quiet about it."

The certainty in his voice should have been comforting. But instead, it only made my nerves worse.

I hesitated, then turned toward him.

"Give me your number."

Xander shot me a side glance, his brow furrowing. "What?"

"Just in case," I said quickly. "If—"

"You don't need to call me," he cut in, matter-of-factly.

"I'll know right away if something happens to you. I'm not an ordinary human."

I crossed my arms.

"I insist. Give me your number. If I ever feel like something is wrong, I want to be able to reach you. I don't want you to just know after it's too late."

For a moment, he just studied me. Then, with a quiet sigh, he reached for my phone and powered it on.

"What's your password?" he asked.

I snatched it back, quickly typing it in before handing it over again. He tapped a few buttons and saved his number.

"It's done," he said, handing it back. But then his gaze flickered over the screen.

"You've got a ton of missed calls and messages from… Jane?"

I groaned. "Yeah."

"And… also a lot from Keanu?"

Before he could read any further, I grabbed the phone back.

"They're my college classmates," I muttered, quickly turning it off.

Xander didn't press for more information, but I could feel his curiosity.

"I'm not ready to answer them yet," I admitted.

He nodded, respecting my decision, and continued driving.

Half an hour later, we pulled up in front of Trinity College's dormitory.

I stepped out, but as I reached the door, key in hand, a familiar dread crept up my spine.

Xander stood beside me, silent but steady. He had followed me all the way back—ever watchful, just in case the feral vampires broke their promise.

My fingers fumbled slightly as I turned the key in the lock. Warm light spilled from inside, but it did little to chase away the uneasiness curling in my stomach.

I hesitated, glancing at Xander.

"You don't have to wait here."

His expression remained unreadable.

"Just making sure you get in."

I nodded slowly. "Well… thanks."

His voice dropped, quieter but firm.

"Lock your door. Just in case."

I didn't argue. With one last glance at him, I stepped inside and turned the lock with a soft click.

I barely had time to exhale before a sharp voice cut through the room.

"Where the hell have you been?"

I jumped, spinning around.

Jane stood in the middle of our dorm room, arms crossed, her expression a storm of worry and frustration.

"Jane, I—"

"Do you have any idea how worried I was?" she snapped, stepping forward.

"You weren't answering your phone! You just disappeared! And then you show up in the middle of the night—with him."

She jabbed a finger toward the door where Xander had stood moments ago.

I hesitated, scrambling for an excuse—at least, one she might actually believe.

"My phone… broke," I said quickly, forcing a sheepish smile. "I couldn't call you."

Jane narrowed her eyes. "Convenient."

I sighed.

"I swear, it's the truth. And Xander—he was just helping me. It's fine now."

Jane raised an eyebrow.

"Helping you? You mean your boyfriend?"

I blinked.

"What?! No! He's not my boyfriend."

She folded her arms, unconvinced.

"Really? Because you two looked very cozy out there."

I groaned.

"He's just a friend, Jane. He helped me when I was… in the hospital."

That softened her expression a little, but she still wasn't entirely convinced.

I quickly added, "It wasn't anything serious. Just exhaustion."

Jane studied me for a long moment before exhaling a heavy sigh.

"You always do this."

I frowned. "Do what?"

"Keep things to yourself." She shook her head.

"I don't know what's going on with you, but whatever it is… just be careful, okay?"

A lump formed in my throat. I swallowed hard.

"I will."

It was the only promise I could make right now.