Chapter 91 – You Look So Much Like Him
Morning arrived slowly.
Sunlight began to slip through the mansion's windows when someone knocked on Titus's bedroom door.
"Titus," Sofía's voice called from the other side. "Breakfast is ready. Get dressed."
Inside the room, Titus opened his eyes with difficulty. His body felt heavy. His head throbbed as if he hadn't rested at all.
Images from the night before still circled in his mind: the window… the red woman… the throne… the black wolf.
He sat up and ran a hand over his face. "Yeah… I'm coming," he answered, sounding exhausted.
Minutes later, he went down to the dining room. Sofía was already seated. Breakfast was served. When she saw him enter, she studied him closely. She frowned slightly.
"What's wrong?" she asked. "You look like you didn't sleep at all."
Titus sat down. "I didn't sleep well." He rubbed his eyes. "I had a lot of nightmares."
Sofía watched him for a few more seconds but didn't say anything.
At that moment, the Duchess—also at the table—spoke calmly.
"Titus… before you go to school, I need to speak with you in private."
Titus looked up. "Sure."
They finished breakfast in silence.
Afterward, Titus walked down the mansion's hallway toward the Duchess's study. The house was quiet at that hour; sunlight streamed through the tall windows and reflected off the marble floor.
Even so, Titus walked with a slight frown. The night had been heavy. His body tired. His mind still foggy from the nightmares.
He stopped in front of the study door. Knocked twice.
"Come in."
The Duchess's voice sounded calm from inside.
Titus opened the door and stepped in. She was behind her desk, reviewing documents. She looked up when he entered.
"Close the door."
Titus obeyed. He closed it and approached the desk.
The Duchess watched him for a few seconds, as if evaluating his face.
"Tell me something, Titus… did you hear anything strange last night?"
Titus blinked, confused. "Something strange?"
"Yes," she continued. "Any noise… any howl… anything out of the ordinary?"
Titus slowly shook his head. "No." He ran a hand through his still‑messy hair. "I was too tired. I didn't hear anything." He sighed. "The only thing that happened is that I had a lot of nightmares. That's why I'm so tired today."
The Duchess studied him carefully. She didn't look fully convinced, but she didn't push further.
"A howl was heard last night," she said finally.
Titus lifted his gaze slightly. "A howl?"
"Yes. A werewolf howl… and then several more."
The Duchess stood from her chair and walked slowly around the study as she spoke.
"We don't know who that wolf is," she continued, "or where he came from."
She stopped near the window and looked out toward the garden. "But it wasn't a normal howl."
Then she looked back at him. "That's why you'll need to be more careful."
Titus crossed his arms. "More careful?"
The Duchess met his eyes directly. "You're going to make a pact with your bodyguards."
Titus let out a heavy sigh almost immediately. "Not this again…" He shook his head. "I already told you I don't want bodyguards."
The Duchess raised an eyebrow slightly. "That's interesting."
Titus looked at her with mild irritation. "Why?"
The Duchess rested one hand on the desk. "Because I already received a report." She paused. "And according to that report… they already defended you."
Titus frowned. "Defended me?"
"Yes," she said calmly. "When some bullies tried to hit you at school."
Titus stayed silent for a few seconds. Something clicked slowly in his mind. "The twins…"
The Duchess nodded. "Exactly."
Titus let out a humorless laugh. "So they were the bodyguards."
"Yes," the Duchess confirmed. "And they will continue to be." She paused before adding: "But now it will be official."
"You're going to make a blood pact with them."
"When you do, they will no longer belong to my clan… they will belong to yours."
Titus frowned. "I don't want anyone tied to me."
The Duchess looked at him seriously. "This isn't about what you want."
Her voice softened just a little. "We lost you once."
Her eyes hardened. "We can't lose you again."
Silence filled the study.
Finally, the Duchess glanced at the clock on her desk. "Now go to school. You're going to be late."
Titus sighed. "Alright."
He turned, left the study, and walked down the mansion hallway. But as he walked, the Duchess's words kept echoing in his mind.
A howl. An unknown wolf. A danger no one could identify.
And even though he said he hadn't heard anything… something inside him felt an unfamiliar unease.
---
The Countess's limousine sped Sofía and Titus to Clear Creek. They arrived and entered together. Titus looked sharp in the clothes Sofía had bought him—proper school attire—carrying all his notebooks and books.
They stepped into the classroom.
Walter, Damián, Laura, and Melanie were already there with Titus's group. Melanie kept slightly apart. Bruno and Cristal were still missing.
Professor Diana greeted them.
Titus stared at her for a moment, confirming his suspicion. She was identical to the figure from his dream. But he quickly dismissed it.
Must be because we've been talking about her, he thought. That's why I dreamed of her.
He shook his head lightly, trying to erase the idea, and headed to his desk.
But before he reached it, the professor spoke.
"Titus, remember I need to speak with you first."
The whole class turned to stare. Some let out surprised noises.
"Uh…"
Sofía didn't like the professor's tone at all. Neither did Laura. Melanie made a disgusted face. Damián burst into wild laughter.
Walter, meanwhile, was completely lost. His thoughts were elsewhere. He wasn't truly present.
That's when Cristal entered.
She had her usual seriousness. She greeted the professor politely and respectfully. She walked with that confidence and presence only she possessed.
She passed everyone. Reached Titus. And without a word, kissed him on the mouth.
Then said: "Good morning, my alpha."
Sofía shot to her feet, slamming the desk. "He's MY alpha!"
Cristal looked at her. "No. He's MY alpha. I met him first."
They started exchanging words.
Professor Diana slammed the desk. "Silence! I don't know why you're fighting, but sit down right now. This is a classroom."
She looked at Titus. "And you, Titus… the casanova… sit down."
Laura stood up then. She looked at Sofía and Cristal. "Shut up, both of you, and move."
The two stared, eyes wide, shocked by Laura's tone.
Laura walked to Titus. And kissed him too. It was a passionate kiss Titus felt immediately… and returned.
Cristal and Sofía rushed over, pulled Laura away, and started arguing again.
The professor slammed the desk once more. "One more time and you're all out of this classroom!"
Melanie stood up then. She walked over. Pushed the three aside without a word. And kissed Titus.
It was an even more intense kiss. Titus couldn't resist her lips and kissed her back.
The other three reacted instantly. They pulled Melanie away and screamed at her to let go.
In seconds, a fight broke out among the four.
Professor Diana flew into a rage. "What the hell is wrong with all of you!?"
She pointed to the door. "You're going to the principal's office right now."
She dragged all four out of the classroom.
The whole class sat with mouths agape. Damian fell to the floor laughing.
The professor glared at him, annoyed. "What's wrong with you?"
Damian couldn't stop laughing. "It's just too funny… I can't… I can't…"
Walter remained completely lost in thought. Nothing happening seemed to reach him.
Titus was red as a tomato. He stood up. Lowered his head. "I'm sorry, Professor…"
She looked at him severely. "Mr. Titus, this goes on your record. And we'll talk about this too."
The classroom stayed silent. Some were shocked. Others eyed him with envy. Many boys hated him right then, insulting him silently.
---
Hook: But something in the darkness was already moving, ready to change everything…