College Campus — Morning
The next morning, everything felt different.
Not for Wick. He was the same—calm, untouchable, carrying that effortless dominance wherever he went.
But for Shristi?
People looked at her differently.
Whispers followed her as she walked across the campus, passing groups of students who had only ever known Wick as an untouchable force—someone who never belonged to anyone.
Until now.
"Damn… so it's official?"
"She really tamed Wick?"
"Or did he tame her?"
Shristi rolled her eyes at the murmurs, pretending she didn't care. But deep down, she knew—her status had changed overnight.
And she was curious to see what Wick would do.
For the first time, the unshakable Wick had a queen at his side.
And everyone noticed.
College Courtyard – Mid-Morning
Shristi had just finished her first class when it happened.
Wick arrived, walking through the courtyard like he owned the place—Nick, Deep, and Dev beside him.
And then… he walked straight to her.
Not subtly.
Not secretly.
Deliberately.
The murmurs grew louder.
Shristi raised an eyebrow. "You're making a scene."
"Good," Wick said smoothly.
And then—in front of everyone—he reached for her hand.
Shristi froze for half a second before letting him intertwine his fingers with hers. His grip was firm, possessive but not forceful.
It wasn't a display of dominance.
It wasn't a public declaration.
It was a warning.
To everyone.
She wasn't just some girl dating him. She was his, and he was hers.
And the message was clear: No one should forget that.
Shristi sighed dramatically. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
Wick smirked. "Immensely."
Nick let out a low whistle. "Well, damn. Wick's finally setting a standard for relationships."
People are watching," Nick murmured, smirking.
"Let them," Wick said, completely unbothered.
Shristi rolled her eyes. "You love the attention."
"Not really," Wick muttered, tilting his head slightly. "I just like watching them realize what they can't have."
Shristi coughed, almost dropping her phone.
Shristi rolled her eyes, but she couldn't hide the small smile tugging at her lips.
Damn him.
Later...
College Cafeteria – late Afternoon
"He's not actually serious about her, right?"
The words reached Shristi's ears before she even saw the guy who said them.
She turned her head slightly, spotting a last-year internship senior, leaning back in his seat, smirking as he talked to his friends.
"I mean, look at her. He's just playing around. Wick doesn't commit."
Before she could even process her reaction, Wick moved.
One second, he was at her side.
The next, he was standing in front of the senior's table, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable.
"You said something?" Wick asked coolly.
The guy hesitated, his confidence cracking under Wick's ice-cold gaze.
"N-No, I was just saying—"
"I heard you," Wick cut him off. His voice wasn't loud, but it didn't need to be.
The entire cafeteria went silent.
"Then let me make this simple for you," Wick continued, tone dangerously calm. "I don't waste my time. If she's mine, she's mine. And if you have a problem with that—" he tilted his head, smirking slightly, "—we can solve it another way."
The guy swallowed hard. "I-I didn't mean—"
"Good," Wick said, already turning away. "Then don't talk next time."
Shristi watched, equal parts amused and impressed.
"You really didn't have to do that," she muttered as he sat back down beside her.
Wick leaned in slightly, voice dropping just for her. "Yes, I did."
And the way he said it? Undeniable.
Because he wasn't just defending her.
He was making a statement.
College Library – Late Afternoon
Shristi wasn't sure when it became a habit.
Somewhere between their heated arguments and quiet moments, they started spending time together without realizing it.
Like now.
She sat cross-legged on the library floor, surrounded by books, flipping through pages while Wick sat beside her, his back against the bookshelf.
"You're actually studying?" she teased, stealing a glance at him.
Wick didn't look up from his book. "I have to keep up with you somehow."
The words were too casual, but they made her pause.
There was something about the way he said it. Not like a challenge. Not like he was mocking her.
Just… truth.
Shristi bit her lip, pretending to focus on her book. But she felt it. The warmth spreading across her chest.
She wasn't used to someone choosing to be around her like this. Not because they had to. But because they wanted to.
And Wick? He never did anything unless he wanted to.
The Training Grounds – Evening
"So, does being Wick's girlfriend mean she gets a free pass?"
The voice came from one of The Shield's lower-ranked members during sparring practice he didn't thought that she would listen.
Shristi smirked.
"You think I need a free pass?" she asked, stretching her arms.
The guy shrugged. "You're dating the most feared guy on campus. That means no one's dumb enough to challenge you."
Nick and Deep laughed in the background, watching with amusement.
Shristi glanced at Wick, who simply gave her a look that said, "Do your thing."
She turned back to the guy, expression unreadable.
"Alright, then. Let's spar."
The guy hesitated. "Wait, what?"
"You wanted to see if I can hold my own, right?" She stepped forward, tilting her head. "So fight me."
The guy glanced at Wick, as if expecting him to step in.
But Wick?
He just smirked and crossed his arms, clearly enjoying this.
"You should probably listen to her," he said lazily. "She won't stop until she proves you wrong."
And that was the second warning of the day.
The first was from Wick.
The second?
Was from the girl who now stood beside him.
---
College Rooftop – Late Night
Later that night, after an exhausting day of setting standards and shutting people up, Wick and Shristi found themselves back where it all started.
The rooftop.
The city lights stretched below them, the air crisp and quiet.
"You know, you made quite an impact today," Shristi said, leaning against the railing.
Wick smirked. "So did you."
She exhaled. "It's weird. Everyone suddenly sees me differently. Like I'm some untouchable queen now."
Wick was quiet for a moment before he finally spoke.
"That's because you are."
Shristi turned to him. "Vikram—"
He stepped closer, not touching her, but close enough to make her heart race.
"I don't do things halfway, Shristi," he murmured. "If you're with me, you're not just anyone. You're mine. And people will respect you, not just because of me—but because you've earned it."
Her throat tightened. She had never needed validation from anyone.
But the way he said it? The way he looked at her? It wasn't just words. It was a promise.
Shristi smirked slightly, tilting her head. "You're really into this whole 'power couple' thing, aren't you?"
Wick chuckled. "I don't care about power."
She raised an eyebrow. "Then what do you care about?"
Wick's smirk softened.
"You."
Shristi's breath hitched.
Damn him.
She punched his shoulder lightly, trying to act unaffected. "You're ridiculous."
Wick caught her hand before she could pull away, his fingers intertwining with hers.
"And yet, you're still here."
Shristi let out a breathless laugh.
Yeah.
She was.
And she wasn't going anywhere.
---
Wick's Apartment – Late Night
Shristi had always known Wick was strong. Unshakable. Someone no one could break.
But what she didn't know—was that she was his only weakness.
Like tonight.
When she knocked on his door past midnight, fully expecting him to be asleep.
Instead, he opened it almost immediately, eyes scanning her as if he already knew something was wrong.
"What happened?" His voice wasn't demanding, just concerned.
Shristi hesitated before shaking her head. "I just… I needed to be somewhere that didn't feel suffocating."
She expected him to ask more. To push.
But Wick just stepped aside, letting her in.
No questions. No conditions.
Because he understood.
Because this—whatever this was between them—was real.
And for the first time in her life, Shristi realized something.
She had never felt safer than when she was with him.
To be continued...