Anjelo was to be beheaded just beyond our pack’s borders. When it was done, his body would be left there for the animals to feast on.This bothered me—but not enough that I felt it, not enough that it showed. It was like I was outside myself, watching everything unfold from a distance. Detached. Removed. And honestly, I didn’t mind. Hiding back here, in this numb, unreachable place, was easier than facing what was happening.By the time I arrived with Izaak, a crowd had already gathered. News had spread, worming its way into every corner of the pack, dragging people out of their homes, their jobs, their routines, just to see a boy die.I recognized more faces than I wanted to. Warriors, enforcers, elders—but also students. People from the university. A few professors, even. The sight of them made my stomach tighten.They shouldn’t be here.My gaze swept the crowd instinctively, searching without meaning to. Looking for her.No sign of Lenora.At that, a breath I hadn’t realized I was
He took a step forward, shoes crunching against the dry grass and then… his fist met my face. I stumbled back, the full force of an Alpha’s blow wasn’t someone anyone could stand least of all me in my intoxicated state. I rubbed a hand over my jaw, I was half sure it was broken and I could taste a metallic tang of blood in my mouth—the only reason I wasn’t sure if my jaw was broken was because I was numb somewhat, pain didn’t make sense and I could barely pinpoint the sensations in my own body. “I apologise, Father,” I spoke, not because I was genuinely sorry, but because it was a reflex at this point. I looked up at him when he gave no reply and found him standing a few feet away, staring at me with absolutely no emotion on his face. I struggled to focus on his features, it was like when he’d hit me he shook about the fog that was clouding my thoughts. The world was still thick with Vellum’s haze, dulling the edges of my reality, but not enough, not enough that I couldn’t feel t
The entire school was in chaos.Whispers filled the halls, rippling through every corridor like an unstoppable current. Students huddled in small groups, heads bent close, murmuring in hushed, urgent tones. The energy in the air was restless, charged with something I couldn’t quite name—excitement, fear, maybe both.I noticed it first thing in the morning when I walked in and caught the way people turned toward each other, leaning in as if sharing a secret too heavy to speak aloud. Then again during my classes, where I practically had to raise my voice just to cut through the distraction. Even in the faculty lounge, tucked away in a corner with Morgan, I watched the professors speak in quick, animated bursts, their hands moving wildly as if the words alone weren’t enough.They couldn’t stop talking. And yet, I had no idea what they were talking about.I wouldn’t call myself nosy—I never cared much for gossip, not that I’d ever had anyone to gossip with before Morgan—but there was some
By the time lunch rolled around, I still hadn’t shaken the feeling.I sat in the cafeteria with Morgan, pushing my food around my plate, only half-listening as she talked about something that had happened in her morning class.Around us, the cafeteria was nearly deafening—louder than usual, especially on the students’ side. It was as if Elijah’s presence at school had amplified the gossip, and I still had no idea why.See, I wasn’t usually one to dwell on things, but for some reason, Elijah’s complete and utter dismissal of my presence refused to leave my mind.It shouldn’t have mattered. It was clear that something had happened to him this past week, something that had knocked him completely off his axis. I was the one who had insisted I was nothing but his professor. He didn’t owe me anything.And yet… I was hurt that he hadn’t even looked at me.I was a fool.“Good afternoon, Professor.”I looked up at the sound of Sophie’s voice.She stood with her tray in hand, an awkward smile p
And then, without another word, he turned sharply on his heel and stormed out of the cafeteria. No one moved. No one spoke. I didn’t realize I had already made my decision until I was already on my feet. Morgan shot me a look, but she didn’t say anything as I grabbed my bag and followed. — “Elijah!” My voice rang through the empty hallway, but he didn’t stop. If anything, he picked up his pace. I hurried after him, weaving past stray students lingering near their lockers, my heartbeat quickening as the distance between us grew. He was fast—too fast. It was like he didn’t even hear me, or maybe he just didn’t care. “Elijah, wait!” I nearly tripped as I rounded a corner, my breath coming in short bursts. My pulse pounded in my ears as I caught sight of him again, but then— He was gone. I skidded to a stop, scanning the empty corridor. Silence pressed down around me, thick and suffocating. For a moment, I thought I’d lost him completely. And then I felt it—something subtle, a
“Alright, that’s it for today,” I announced, closing my textbook with a decisive snap. The room filled with the familiar sounds of rustling papers and scraping chairs as students gathered their things. I let out a small breath of relief, it was a miracle in and of itself that I’d managed to complete today’s class without passing out in fatigue. I didn’t get a wink of sleep last night, my thoughts had been occupied by a certain golden-eyed Alpha Prince and the bruises that marred his body. I let my gaze sweep across the room and found him in the same place he sat in yesterday. A front seat, tucked away in the corner of the class, like the others he was shoving his materials back into his book bag. Unlike the others, his movements were just a little bit jerky, a small indicator of the horrifying wounds hidden beneath his sweater. I gave myself a moment this time, trying to figure out what my actions would look like to him. But no matter how I tried to push it aside, my actions s
I spent the entirety of the day before high as a fucking kite, which meant I’d woken up this morning with a splitting headache and a mouth as dry as sandpaper. But still, by six a.m., I was up and ready for today’s bout of succession training—which included a sparring session with Luka and an “opportunity” to sit in on a council meeting. Or, as I liked to call it, a front-row seat to corruption in HD.The council was meant to be a system of checks and balances, a governing body that ensured the Alpha and Luna didn’t wield absolute power. In theory, they were supposed to be the voice of the people, holding leaders accountable, ensuring justice. But that only worked when the council wasn’t rotten to its core.Most of them were deep in my father’s pocket, their loyalty bought with power, fear, or the simple promise of indulgence. They turned a blind eye to his worst atrocities, some even partaking in them. I’d seen their faces at his events, standing in the shadows, sipping expensive whi
I decided to call in sick for the next three days while I figured everything out.Technically, it wasn’t a lie—I was sick. Sick to my stomach, staring at the picture of Jessie, bruised, battered, and covered in blood. I stared at it for a long time, as if, if I just kept looking, the image would shift, distort—until suddenly, I’d realize it wasn’t really her.But no matter how long I sat in the middle of my living room, gripping my phone so tightly my fingers ached, the picture never changed. If anything, the longer I stared, the more I became convinced that the woman in the image was Jessie. And the sicker I felt.I tried texting the number back several times, but none of my messages went through. The number was private, untraceable—I couldn’t call it, nor could I get someone else to track it.I was lost.And after exhausting every option I could think of, I realized I had only two left.One: I could give up, return to Marcus, and face whatever punishment he had waiting for me.Or tw
This might be the longest week of my life.The days dragged by, each one slower than the last, as I counted down to Saturday. Every morning, I woke with the same thought: One day closer. And every night, as I lay awake staring at the ceiling, the same questions turned over in my mind. How was Victor planning to get Jessie out? Would he even follow through? And what would he want from me once he did?I was relieved he’d agreed to help—I had no other options, and I knew that without him, Jessie’s fate was sealed. But that relief was laced with unease, a steady undercurrent of anxiety that never fully left me. I owed him too much already. The only reason I was still here, still breathing, was because of him. How much more would he demand?I could imagine the possibilities. Maybe he’d ask me to keep an even closer watch on Elijah, to report on more than just his grades. Maybe he’d expect me to use my position, to influence people on his behalf. Or maybe it would be something worse—somethi
I decided to call in sick for the next three days while I figured everything out.Technically, it wasn’t a lie—I was sick. Sick to my stomach, staring at the picture of Jessie, bruised, battered, and covered in blood. I stared at it for a long time, as if, if I just kept looking, the image would shift, distort—until suddenly, I’d realize it wasn’t really her.But no matter how long I sat in the middle of my living room, gripping my phone so tightly my fingers ached, the picture never changed. If anything, the longer I stared, the more I became convinced that the woman in the image was Jessie. And the sicker I felt.I tried texting the number back several times, but none of my messages went through. The number was private, untraceable—I couldn’t call it, nor could I get someone else to track it.I was lost.And after exhausting every option I could think of, I realized I had only two left.One: I could give up, return to Marcus, and face whatever punishment he had waiting for me.Or tw
I spent the entirety of the day before high as a fucking kite, which meant I’d woken up this morning with a splitting headache and a mouth as dry as sandpaper. But still, by six a.m., I was up and ready for today’s bout of succession training—which included a sparring session with Luka and an “opportunity” to sit in on a council meeting. Or, as I liked to call it, a front-row seat to corruption in HD.The council was meant to be a system of checks and balances, a governing body that ensured the Alpha and Luna didn’t wield absolute power. In theory, they were supposed to be the voice of the people, holding leaders accountable, ensuring justice. But that only worked when the council wasn’t rotten to its core.Most of them were deep in my father’s pocket, their loyalty bought with power, fear, or the simple promise of indulgence. They turned a blind eye to his worst atrocities, some even partaking in them. I’d seen their faces at his events, standing in the shadows, sipping expensive whi
“Alright, that’s it for today,” I announced, closing my textbook with a decisive snap. The room filled with the familiar sounds of rustling papers and scraping chairs as students gathered their things. I let out a small breath of relief, it was a miracle in and of itself that I’d managed to complete today’s class without passing out in fatigue. I didn’t get a wink of sleep last night, my thoughts had been occupied by a certain golden-eyed Alpha Prince and the bruises that marred his body. I let my gaze sweep across the room and found him in the same place he sat in yesterday. A front seat, tucked away in the corner of the class, like the others he was shoving his materials back into his book bag. Unlike the others, his movements were just a little bit jerky, a small indicator of the horrifying wounds hidden beneath his sweater. I gave myself a moment this time, trying to figure out what my actions would look like to him. But no matter how I tried to push it aside, my actions s
And then, without another word, he turned sharply on his heel and stormed out of the cafeteria. No one moved. No one spoke. I didn’t realize I had already made my decision until I was already on my feet. Morgan shot me a look, but she didn’t say anything as I grabbed my bag and followed. — “Elijah!” My voice rang through the empty hallway, but he didn’t stop. If anything, he picked up his pace. I hurried after him, weaving past stray students lingering near their lockers, my heartbeat quickening as the distance between us grew. He was fast—too fast. It was like he didn’t even hear me, or maybe he just didn’t care. “Elijah, wait!” I nearly tripped as I rounded a corner, my breath coming in short bursts. My pulse pounded in my ears as I caught sight of him again, but then— He was gone. I skidded to a stop, scanning the empty corridor. Silence pressed down around me, thick and suffocating. For a moment, I thought I’d lost him completely. And then I felt it—something subtle, a
By the time lunch rolled around, I still hadn’t shaken the feeling.I sat in the cafeteria with Morgan, pushing my food around my plate, only half-listening as she talked about something that had happened in her morning class.Around us, the cafeteria was nearly deafening—louder than usual, especially on the students’ side. It was as if Elijah’s presence at school had amplified the gossip, and I still had no idea why.See, I wasn’t usually one to dwell on things, but for some reason, Elijah’s complete and utter dismissal of my presence refused to leave my mind.It shouldn’t have mattered. It was clear that something had happened to him this past week, something that had knocked him completely off his axis. I was the one who had insisted I was nothing but his professor. He didn’t owe me anything.And yet… I was hurt that he hadn’t even looked at me.I was a fool.“Good afternoon, Professor.”I looked up at the sound of Sophie’s voice.She stood with her tray in hand, an awkward smile p
The entire school was in chaos.Whispers filled the halls, rippling through every corridor like an unstoppable current. Students huddled in small groups, heads bent close, murmuring in hushed, urgent tones. The energy in the air was restless, charged with something I couldn’t quite name—excitement, fear, maybe both.I noticed it first thing in the morning when I walked in and caught the way people turned toward each other, leaning in as if sharing a secret too heavy to speak aloud. Then again during my classes, where I practically had to raise my voice just to cut through the distraction. Even in the faculty lounge, tucked away in a corner with Morgan, I watched the professors speak in quick, animated bursts, their hands moving wildly as if the words alone weren’t enough.They couldn’t stop talking. And yet, I had no idea what they were talking about.I wouldn’t call myself nosy—I never cared much for gossip, not that I’d ever had anyone to gossip with before Morgan—but there was some
He took a step forward, shoes crunching against the dry grass and then… his fist met my face. I stumbled back, the full force of an Alpha’s blow wasn’t someone anyone could stand least of all me in my intoxicated state. I rubbed a hand over my jaw, I was half sure it was broken and I could taste a metallic tang of blood in my mouth—the only reason I wasn’t sure if my jaw was broken was because I was numb somewhat, pain didn’t make sense and I could barely pinpoint the sensations in my own body. “I apologise, Father,” I spoke, not because I was genuinely sorry, but because it was a reflex at this point. I looked up at him when he gave no reply and found him standing a few feet away, staring at me with absolutely no emotion on his face. I struggled to focus on his features, it was like when he’d hit me he shook about the fog that was clouding my thoughts. The world was still thick with Vellum’s haze, dulling the edges of my reality, but not enough, not enough that I couldn’t feel t
Anjelo was to be beheaded just beyond our pack’s borders. When it was done, his body would be left there for the animals to feast on.This bothered me—but not enough that I felt it, not enough that it showed. It was like I was outside myself, watching everything unfold from a distance. Detached. Removed. And honestly, I didn’t mind. Hiding back here, in this numb, unreachable place, was easier than facing what was happening.By the time I arrived with Izaak, a crowd had already gathered. News had spread, worming its way into every corner of the pack, dragging people out of their homes, their jobs, their routines, just to see a boy die.I recognized more faces than I wanted to. Warriors, enforcers, elders—but also students. People from the university. A few professors, even. The sight of them made my stomach tighten.They shouldn’t be here.My gaze swept the crowd instinctively, searching without meaning to. Looking for her.No sign of Lenora.At that, a breath I hadn’t realized I was