JAXON That look on Clarissa's face struck me like thunder. It was a mix of disbelief and distrust. My gaze drifted and rested on Callum, the one who'd clearly planted the seeds of doubt. He'd hinted at all the things I couldn't bear to talk about, and now, I was torn. Clarissa lowered her gaze, unable to look me in the eye. "Let's go, Professor Hale," she said, and I stiffened. It felt as though she'd just created a barrier between the two of us. I followed after her as she walked away from Callum, who reeked of desperation. He'd always been at loggerheads with me for no clear reason. And now, he'd taken things too far, making me realize just how far he would go to take me down.Once my mate and I had settled down in the car, I drove off. The tension between us was suffocating."Did you...hear everything Callum said?" Clarissa asked, awkwardly clearing her throat.Was she trying to set up a confrontation? Knowing her, she would much rather ask questions than keep to herself.I
CLARISSA I was silently fuming. The voices around me had faded into the background, and I was lost in my own world. I still couldn't believe that despite how hard I'd tried to make Jaxon open up to me, he'd refused to tell me anything. Annoyed, I'd walked out of his property, determined to make it back to school on my own. But to my surprise, Dante had been sent to me. He'd driven me back to the academy."What's got you brooding like that?" Gwen asked, nudging me. I turned to look at her, forcing out a smile."It's nothing."Her frown deepened as she searched my eyes. "My lady, you shouldn't forget that I've known you for a very long time. There's no use lying to me," she said, and I heaved a sigh.I wasn't sure if it was okay to tell her my grievances, but I badly needed someone to rant to."Get up, let's go somewhere more private." She took my hand, steering me to my feet. Together, we both left the classroom. She led me to the school's orchard, where we settled down under
CLARISSA I was speechless, my emotions were clogging my throat so much that I could hardly breathe. Jaxon was mocking me. Why? Was it because I'd finally seen him for what he was? Clearly, he was no hero. I'd always known of his morally grey tendencies, but this...he was pushing it too far."Since you've got it all figured out, what are you waiting for?" He said, his eyes sparkling with mischief and barely restrained psychosis. "Kill me."I shook my head in disbelief, tears welling up in my eyes. This wasn't supposed to happen. He was supposed to assure me that his intentions were pure.He moved closer to me, a mocking smile tugging at his lips. "Do it."I brought a hand to his chest to push him away. "Stop it, Jaxon. Stop!" I screamed at him, my voice trembling. "Please..."He didn't flinch. He watched me, his head tilted, as if I were a puzzle he no longer cared to solve."This is not you," I croaked, and he arched a brow."And how do you know that? We're both strangers, don'
JAXON My body didn't feel like mine. Even my thoughts were broken and disoriented, like they belonged on a shattered puzzle piece."...Jaxon?"I looked up, startled by the sound of a familiar raspy voice which had turned that way because of how much he used to smoke. Dorian.I blinked at him, wondering when he'd stepped into my office. Wait, what if he'd been here for a while already? What if my blackouts were getting worse?"Were you listening to me?" He asked, and I shook my head slowly.His gaze softened, and he drew closer to me. "You look...cold," he said, moving over to me. I zoned out as he picked up my coat from the hanger and placed it around my shoulders.I didn't realize how much I'd been freezing until I felt the warmth of the fabric."How long have you been here?" He asked, and he gave me a smile. "Barely two minutes. I just got here."Relief sank into me."What were you saying?" I asked him, and he sank into the seat in front of my desk."I was talking about the si
CLARISSA Something changed after Callum's visit. Though he didn't say anything concerning, the look on my mate's face had indicated that something was wrong. Still, no matter how much we asked him what was going on, he refused to speak. Instead, he decided to go home, saying he needed some rest.Jaxon's condition took a downward spiral from that moment.The days that followed bled into weeks and months. And worse, my mate began to spiral.He barely ate or slept. Instead, he seemed to be digging into some mysterious information.According to the book I'd taken from the archive, conjuring the twin moons was risky, and there was a high chance of me losing my life. Still, for Jaxon's sake, I wanted to try it. There was a good chance that I could be successful. But my mate wasn't having it.He stopped me from coming over to his house, and he also took the book from me. Little did he know that I'd taken screenshots just in case. And I was secretly practising and preparing for the r
CLARISSA Kieran visibly sized him up as he strode towards us, but Stefan didn't flinch or bat an eyelash. It was true that I'd somehow turned him into an errand boy, but I hadn't expected him to 'come to my rescue' like this. Stefan grabbed Kieran's wrist and pried his fingers off my arm. Then he pushed him away from me, moving to stand in front of me. Kieran's expression twisted into one of disdain. "You whore. Is this another one of your boy toys?" Kieran spat, and Stefan folded his arms across his chest. "Why? Do you want to sign up?" His voice was tinged with so much sass, I couldn't help but let out a laugh. Kieran's green eyes darkened with rage, and he lurched forward in a bid to strike Stefan. Unfortunately, Stefan kicked his legs from under him, sending him crashing to the ground. "Stay away from her. I won't give the same warning twice," Stefan said and took hold of my hand. Then he walked me far away from Kieran. "Thank you," I mumbled, and he snorted. "You alr
JAXON I was a coward. I should've told her everything. I'd told myself I'd kept it from her to protect her, but that was a lie. I knew that the void played a big part in my growing negative emotions. However, I was also aware that some of it was all my fault. When Callum had forced me to raise questions about his involvement with the void, I should have confronted him head-on. But I had a feeling that many other people were involved. And I feared the truth. The knock on the door of my bedroom had me sitting up in bed. I could feel Dorian's presence behind it. "Come in," I said, and the door jerked open. Dorian stepped in, his gaze softening when it landed on me. "How are you feeling?" He asked, shutting the door behind him. I shrugged. "I've experienced worse." A sad smile ghosted over his lips as he moved over to sit on the edge of my bed. "I found what you asked me for," His voice was tight and brimming with tension. My chest tightened with unease. "The CCTV camera
JAXON We hadn't seen each other for more than ten years. Looking at her now, she looked much frailer and smaller than the fierce woman I used to know. Our resemblance was striking. We were mother and son after all. Beside her stood Dante, who had his head lowered. "I tried to stop her, but she insisted that I give her your address," he mumbled. This was how bad my relationship with my mother had become. She didn't even know her son's home. My feelings towards her were complicated. A part of me hated her for never speaking up for me or believing in me even before my sister's death happened. The other part of me felt sorry for her. She'd lost a child after all. Maybe my father had influenced her, convinced her to isolate herself from me. But seeing her now, I wasn't sure if my thoughts were wrong or right. "Jaxon," she said, her voice cracking. I blinked at her, a storm welling inside of me. Why was she here? Why show herself now? "Mother," I droned, and her grey eyes welle
CLARISSA Three days passed after the silver gauntlet and the celebratory feast arrived. The academy was decorated beautifully to celebrate Jaxon's win. Still, there was an unease constantly twisting in my guts. I knew that the silver gauntlet hadn't gone very smoothly. But I had a feeling that the struggle was not over yet."You shouldn't be wandering around like that," I heard a deep voice say behind me. Callum.I'd been roaming the schoolyard in search of Nina. I hadn't seen her since the event kicked off.Letting out a sigh of exasperation, I turned to face him. He looked wrecked. Dark circles hung under his eyes, and his face was deathly pale. Despite the elegance of his tuxedo, he looked out of place."Jaxon might've won the silver gauntlet, but the war is far from over," he said."Is that a threat or a warning?" I droned, and his gaze hardened."Join me." His voice was low, laced with a quiet menace. "When I become Alpha, I want you at my side. As my Luna."I stared at h
JAXON They attacked from all sides, wielding silver blades. But I was more worried about Clarissa, whom I could no longer see, as a result of the thick fog. I hoped Zoey had played her part in securing my mate. I hissed in pain as the edge of a blade sliced through my forearm, the silver causing the wound to sizzle. Still, I was distracted, constantly searching for a way to find Clarissa while I defended myself against the attackers.'I've got Clarissa,' Zoey mind-linked me, and relief sank into me.The masked attackers surged toward me, but this time I was ready. I moved like a storm, my claws tearing through flesh and knocking blades from trembling hands. There was no hesitance.I cut them down as quickly as they lurched themselves at me.From the corner of my eye, I noticed a flash of movement heading for me.I barely managed to move out of the way just in time to dodge Callum's attack. I scoffed, not surprised that he was the one they'd sent to get rid of me."The rest of
CLARISSA I had finally found a comfortable position after what felt like an eternity of tossing and turning, trying to accommodate the stubborn curve of my baby bump. Curled on my side, one leg drawn up and an arm tucked beneath my head, I let out a slow breath, the cool sheets offering a small moment of relief.I was dressed in a pair of joggers and a bralette. The simplest things felt like a chore tonight.Across the room, I could hear the sound of the shower running. My thoughts were a mess. If Callum hadn't reminded me of the consequence of getting involved in the silver gauntlet, I might've truly stayed ignorant until that day. My gaze wandered to the glass door of the bathroom. Steam had heavily fogged up the glass, but I could still see Jaxon's silhouette.My gaze trailed up his strong legs and thighs, my cheeks heating up when I noticed his firm ass.The ridiculous urge to smack him hit hard. But knowing Jaxon, I'd probably end up over his knee.The tattoo on his back
CLARISSA My heart thudded madly in my chest, my attention focused on my mate. The silver gauntlet had just begun. Callum stood by Jaxon's side as his partner. They stood on a raised silver platform on the field. There were twenty-eight teams on the arena. According to Jaxon, the gauntlet was based on elimination. Only five teams would advance to the finals. And from there, the winning team members combat with each other for the silver gauntlet crown.I knew the rules. Once the Gauntlet began, there were no substitutions. No interruptions.But rules were made for people with nothing to lose.And I had everything to lose.The sound of an ear-splitting whistle cut through the air, and each team leaped from their platforms and took off into a sprint towards the obstacle course.I balled my trembling hands as I watched the obstacle course shift and transform.Jaxon leaped across platforms that vanished behind him, dodging enchanted blades that sliced through the air and manouevre
JAXON We hadn't seen each other for more than ten years. Looking at her now, she looked much frailer and smaller than the fierce woman I used to know. Our resemblance was striking. We were mother and son after all. Beside her stood Dante, who had his head lowered. "I tried to stop her, but she insisted that I give her your address," he mumbled. This was how bad my relationship with my mother had become. She didn't even know her son's home. My feelings towards her were complicated. A part of me hated her for never speaking up for me or believing in me even before my sister's death happened. The other part of me felt sorry for her. She'd lost a child after all. Maybe my father had influenced her, convinced her to isolate herself from me. But seeing her now, I wasn't sure if my thoughts were wrong or right. "Jaxon," she said, her voice cracking. I blinked at her, a storm welling inside of me. Why was she here? Why show herself now? "Mother," I droned, and her grey eyes welle
JAXON I was a coward. I should've told her everything. I'd told myself I'd kept it from her to protect her, but that was a lie. I knew that the void played a big part in my growing negative emotions. However, I was also aware that some of it was all my fault. When Callum had forced me to raise questions about his involvement with the void, I should have confronted him head-on. But I had a feeling that many other people were involved. And I feared the truth. The knock on the door of my bedroom had me sitting up in bed. I could feel Dorian's presence behind it. "Come in," I said, and the door jerked open. Dorian stepped in, his gaze softening when it landed on me. "How are you feeling?" He asked, shutting the door behind him. I shrugged. "I've experienced worse." A sad smile ghosted over his lips as he moved over to sit on the edge of my bed. "I found what you asked me for," His voice was tight and brimming with tension. My chest tightened with unease. "The CCTV camera
CLARISSA Kieran visibly sized him up as he strode towards us, but Stefan didn't flinch or bat an eyelash. It was true that I'd somehow turned him into an errand boy, but I hadn't expected him to 'come to my rescue' like this. Stefan grabbed Kieran's wrist and pried his fingers off my arm. Then he pushed him away from me, moving to stand in front of me. Kieran's expression twisted into one of disdain. "You whore. Is this another one of your boy toys?" Kieran spat, and Stefan folded his arms across his chest. "Why? Do you want to sign up?" His voice was tinged with so much sass, I couldn't help but let out a laugh. Kieran's green eyes darkened with rage, and he lurched forward in a bid to strike Stefan. Unfortunately, Stefan kicked his legs from under him, sending him crashing to the ground. "Stay away from her. I won't give the same warning twice," Stefan said and took hold of my hand. Then he walked me far away from Kieran. "Thank you," I mumbled, and he snorted. "You alr
CLARISSA Something changed after Callum's visit. Though he didn't say anything concerning, the look on my mate's face had indicated that something was wrong. Still, no matter how much we asked him what was going on, he refused to speak. Instead, he decided to go home, saying he needed some rest.Jaxon's condition took a downward spiral from that moment.The days that followed bled into weeks and months. And worse, my mate began to spiral.He barely ate or slept. Instead, he seemed to be digging into some mysterious information.According to the book I'd taken from the archive, conjuring the twin moons was risky, and there was a high chance of me losing my life. Still, for Jaxon's sake, I wanted to try it. There was a good chance that I could be successful. But my mate wasn't having it.He stopped me from coming over to his house, and he also took the book from me. Little did he know that I'd taken screenshots just in case. And I was secretly practising and preparing for the r
JAXON My body didn't feel like mine. Even my thoughts were broken and disoriented, like they belonged on a shattered puzzle piece."...Jaxon?"I looked up, startled by the sound of a familiar raspy voice which had turned that way because of how much he used to smoke. Dorian.I blinked at him, wondering when he'd stepped into my office. Wait, what if he'd been here for a while already? What if my blackouts were getting worse?"Were you listening to me?" He asked, and I shook my head slowly.His gaze softened, and he drew closer to me. "You look...cold," he said, moving over to me. I zoned out as he picked up my coat from the hanger and placed it around my shoulders.I didn't realize how much I'd been freezing until I felt the warmth of the fabric."How long have you been here?" He asked, and he gave me a smile. "Barely two minutes. I just got here."Relief sank into me."What were you saying?" I asked him, and he sank into the seat in front of my desk."I was talking about the si