VioletI stood patiently, waiting for my turn at the same information desk where Nate had brought me on my first day at the academy.Today was my first day off—and I was planning to make good use of it.Adelaide was still a question I did not have all the answers to, and I had to know more about her.Who was she, what was she doing with those witches—and what was her connection to Mom?“Next!” The same woman from last time barked out, her face uninterested.“Yes, hi,” I stepped forward, placing my hands on the desk. I offered her a polite smile, one she didn’t return.“How can I help you?” she said, her voice flat.“This question might come off as really nosy—”“Keep it rolling,” the woman waved her hand impatiently. “I don’t have all day. There are people waiting.”I scoffed, caught off guard by her rudeness. “My mom used to go to this school. Her name was Claire Hastings. She had this friend, Adelaide—and I was wondering if you have some information on her, or perhaps still have a f
VioletHis face stiffened, something about the mention of Adelaide clearly bothering him.“Adelaide?” he pursed his lips, thinking.“Yes, Adelaide,” I confirmed. “Was she also on the Elite Team.”“Yes, but I wasn’t close to her,” Rochwall replied.I didn’t know whether to believe him. After the lie about not being close to my mom, I wasn’t sure whether he was telling the truth at all. Something felt off.“I was looking for information about her, but I can’t find anything,” I continued, hoping he might open up. “I thought maybe if you knew something, I could stop my search—”Rochwall’s eyes softened. “Adelaide was complicated...only a few knew how to keep her in check.”The look in his eyes told me he either felt sorry for her or wasn’t her biggest fan. Perhaps he just didn’t want to talk about her.“So, what was she like?”“She was...different. Smart, powerful, maybe too much for her own good.”Powerful?“So, she was one of the best shifters, then?”Rochwall chuckled, shaking his head
VioletShe leaned closer, her breath hot against my ear. “Stay away from Kylan, or your fate will be even worse than the last girl who tried taking him from me.”Then she straightened, and walked away without another word.I drew in a long breath, trying to shake off the encounter before heading back to the dorm. Giving things like that attention would only make it worse for me.~Trinity didn’t come back until late in the afternoon, carrying two large shopping bags. “I went a bit crazy again,” she called out as she threw them on the couch.I laughed. “What did you buy this time?”“Oh, you know, just the essentials,” she smirked. “A dress for me, a dress for you, heels, jewelry, and some other stuff. Nothing much.”I raised a brow, grateful but also surprised. Trinity’s Dad spoiled her rotten, and she was able to buy anything she wanted. Technically, I was well off too, Uncle gave me an allowance—but I’d never dare ask for more. Certainly not to buy designer clothes.“Thank you so mu
VioletWith a frustrated pout, I sat at the table across from Trinity and Dylan who couldn’t keep their hands to themselves.They were in their only little world and only had eyes for each other. It was like I wasn’t even there.The whole time I thought I was doing myself a favor by brining Trinity, but instead, I had basically brought Dylan a plus one.How did we miss this?How did I miss this?I should’ve known it was him when she mentioned her mate’s dinner thing. Trinity had never told me that her mate was on the Elite Team, and I had never told her I was a Hastings. We spoke about every little stupid detail—except for the real important stuff.If we had talked about it, we would’ve figured this out much sooner. Then I wouldn’t have shown up to this dinner at all, and I wouldn’t be stuck sitting beside him—Kylan.Unfortunately it was the only available seat near that annoyingly cute couple. Kylan had no reaction when I sat down next to him, and hadn’t said a single word to me. Tr
VioletHe paused, then turned slowly, raising a brow as if he was wondering why I was stopping him.My legs moved quickly as I moved in front of him.“I just wanted to say...” I awkwardly looked around, trying to come up with anything. What did I even want to say?“T-Thank you. For, you know, saying I’m worthy of being on the team.”Kylan laughed lightly. “We’re not friends, puppy,” he reminded me. “Don’t get it twisted.”He kept walking, but I wasn’t finished—so I hurried after him. “Well, it was still nice of you. Even if you’re just pretending not to care,” I spoke, frustrated.Kylan smirked beside me. “Enlighten me please, why would I care?”I sucked my teeth, bothered by his change of attitude. “So, what? You’re too cool to be nice to people again?”Kylan glanced at me sideways, his smirk never fading. “Nice isn’t really my thing. You should know that by now, Puppy.”“And here I thought we were bonding?”“Bonding? Let’s not get carried away,” Kylan snorted. “And you still haven’t
VioletI stood awkwardly by the door, glancing around Kylan’s room. Even if I wanted to run away, it was too late now.The big clock above his desk already showed it was fifteen minutes past curfew, so that’s how long I’d been standing there.Fifteen minutes.Kylan went on with his life as if me being in his room past curfew was the most casual thing in the world. It was not surprising, I mean—I’d heard of his reputation and knew for a certain that many girls had been here past curfew.He had taken off his shirt, cleaned his empty water bottles—took a shower.All in those fifteen minutes.“Are your legs broken?” he said as he tossed a towel over a chair. “Do I need to come and carry you—““No!” I spoke a little too fast, looking anywhere but his bare chest. Unfortunately, it was just as wet and shiny as that time I had come to his room to reject him.“I can walk!” I took big steps toward his bed and sat down on the edge. Unsure of what to do with my hands, I placed them in my lap befo
Violet“Mom said it was a favor from an old friend,” I replied, sighing as I thought of her. The one who had always supported me, no matter what.Both her, and Dad.I had always been extra careful with my glasses because I did not have a choice. I had replaced the frames many times, but never the glasses. Lyperian stone was rare and not replaceable now that it no longer existed.The glasses were as important as my life. Without them, I had no control over anything.“How does the stone help you with your problem?” Kylan asked, scooting his body a bit closer.A warm smile crept onto my lips at his genuine interest. He had become even more curious now that he knew the materials came from Lyperia.“It helps block out certain energies. Without it, I get overwhelmed by voices or—” I trailed off again, not wanting to get too deep into it. I had already said too much. The last thing I wanted was to go from Puppy to Freak.Luckily, Kylan didn’t push further. When he noticed I was done speaking
VioletWhere am I?I sat up, rubbing my eyes as I took in the unfamiliar surroundings. Swallowing my throat, I remembered I was in Kylan’s room. The memories from yesterday flooded back, and I snapped my head to the empty space beside me.The same empty space where he had touched me. My cheeks burned, remembering everything from last night. How I laid between his legs, trembling, crying out in pleasure as he touched me like bo one had even done before.Not even I could touch myself like that.Just the memory made my head spin again, and I couldn’t believe it had actually happened. I wasn’t used to this kind of thing—wasn’t used to feeling this way. And the fact that it was Kylan, of all people, made it even more complicated.I was relieved that he wasn’t there. Kylan definitely seemed like the type to wake up early, so it wasn’t a surprise he had left early.Grabbing my phone from the nightstand, I read the time. It was only 6 AM.If I left now, there was a good chance I could slip ou
Year 3Adelaide‘The Veil, also known as a special portal that can only be created by the eyes of a Seer. Once such a portal is opened…’Before I could read further, I felt a firm hand on my shoulder. A gasp left my mouth before I slammed the book shut.Knowing who the hand belonged to, I quickly turned around, facing Alaric, who stood behind me with a grin on his face.“What’s with the look?” he chuckled, leaning down to kiss the side of my neck. I flinched, feeling his lips on the same spot where he had marked me last year. After making up every reason as to why it wouldn’t be a good idea, I came to the conclusion that there really wasn’t one.Maybe one—and that reason was Mom. An argument with Mom during the semester break had eventually pushed me to do it, and I did not regret my decision.As far as Mom and Esther were concerned, I was still preparing her chosen vessel—feeding him darkness—but that wasn’t true. I mostly spent my days in the library, desperately searching for a way
Adelaide“Don’t roll your eyes at me, Adelaide,” Mom snapped. For some reason, she always seemed to have an extra set of eyes in the back of her head.I sighed, dropping my gaze. “I’m sorry, Mom.”“What did I tell you about looking down?” she said, making me snap my head back up again.Now forced to meet her eyes, I couldn’t do anything else but look at the woman in front of me. The monster who birthed me…People often said we looked alike. We had the same long dark hair, the same brown eyes—but that’s also where the similarity ended. While I wasn’t usually looking for friends, I had the ability to be warm and approachable. But that woman was like a fucking block of ice.There was no heart, no feelings—nothing. It was too odd, even for a witch.“Come here,” she commanded, and I could tell it wasn’t up for debate.I gulped as I stepped out of the bed, wearing nothing but my oversized sweatshirt that barely covered my panties. Even though she told me not to, my eyes dropped to the floor
Adelaide Weeks had passed since Alaric and I had decided to give this mate thing a try, and somehow—he kept surprising me day by day. Even now, as he made me tremble beneath him in his dorm room. The stuttering prince who had rocked my world in more ways than one. “Alaric…” a moan escaped my lips as I threw my head back. My arms wrapped tightly around him as he moved against me, occasionally letting out a grunt. He moved his lips to my jawline, brushing against the spot he had been paying the most attention to. “Let me mark you, Addy,” he murmured, almost pleading. “No,” I breathed. This wasn’t the first time he had asked, and I knew it wouldn’t be the last. He had a clear mission, and each time he whispered those words, it became harder to say no. He felt so good filling me up, and his touch had become an addiction to the point I feared one day I would lose control and say yes. But I couldn’t… I couldn’t allow myself to be too connected to him—not without knowing what the fut
AdelaideAlaric stared at me with a calm smile on his face. “If this is the length I have to go to talk to you,” he said, “then no, I don’t get tired of myself, Addy.”I gasped in disbelief as his lips curled even more, and he kept staring at me like I was the only thing that mattered to him in that moment.“No guards—not even one?” I asked, raising an eyebrow as I quickly scanned my surroundings. He went from a dozen to two, to none. Quite the achievement.He shook his head. “I got my voice back because of you,” he said, tapping my thigh for a second. “Told the king enough is enough.”I fluttered my eyes, surprised by the confidence in his tone. Even though I had encouraged him to do it, he had done something I had struggled with my entire life—rebel against his overbearing parent.Every time I thought I could see right through the guy, there was something new to unpack.“Why did you follow me?” I asked, crossing my arms. The question came with attitude, but it was only because I did
AdelaideThe next day, I stood outside James’ door. I had decided not to wait any longer and was going to end things with him today. Even though I knew it was the right thing to do, it definitely didn’t make it any easier.I knocked, and within seconds, the door opened. James greeted me with the same big smile as always.“What’s up, Addy?” he said, closing the door behind him. For a moment, I felt bad again. James was always so positive and amazing. How could I do this to someone like him?He leaned in to kiss me, but I turned my head just in time, letting his lips land on my cheek instead.“Hey,” I greeted.“Hey?” He pulled back, furrowing his brow for a split second, but just as quickly, he brushed it off like it was nothing.He simply slung his arm over my shoulder as usual, and we began walking.“Take me to the woods,” I instructed.“Whatever you want,” James shrugged, not questioning my words whatsoever.If I was going to end things with him, I at least wanted to do it the proper
Adelaide“I’m here to keep an eye on my mate,” Alaric whispered back, leaning back in his chair like he owned the place. “I need to protect you.”Protect me from what? He was the one who needed the protection.“If you hate me that much, just pretend like I’m not here,” he shot me a bold wink, and that’s when I knew this guy was going to be a big problem.~That night at the dorm, I paced back and forth in the kitchen—thinking about the boy who was messing with my head.What was he on about, talking about how he had to keep his eyes on his mate? He had completely lost it.I bit my nails, trying to come up with the best solution to get rid of my not-so-little problem—but I didn’t know what to do anymore. I was trying to protect him, to keep him safe from me—but he was like a plague. He was unavoidable, always came back.Yet, a part of me was happy to see him, happy to see that he was ready to fight for me.No one ever had.Not even Grandpa Aelius when Mom made me leave our home.A huff
AdelaideJames had his arm wrapped around my waist as we entered the classroom for Elite training. He always held me close, like he was proud to show me off—but at times like this, I hated it.Times when Jane couldn’t stop glaring at me…She always had that same look on her face, like she wanted to burn a hole through me—and I couldn’t blame her for feeling the way she did. She believed in mates, and she believed he was hers. In her eyes, I took what belonged to hers.I glanced at James, who was too calm and didn’t seem to care or notice. At times, I couldn’t help but wonder if it was nothing more than an act.How was he not longing for her? Falling apart? Wasn’t that the way of their Moon Goddess?Before I could try to understand, Elyx appeared out of nowhere and stole me away from James, pulling me into a tight hug.“Addy!” he called out.“Lixie!” I said back, throwing my arms around him.When I pulled away, I kissed his cheek, and he smiled ear to ear. The longer I spent around him
Adelaide“Smile!” the photographer called out.I wrapped my arms around Claire, pulling her closer, and gave my best smile for the camera. It was the best I could do. After all, this group picture would be hanging on the walls of Lunar Hall. The bright flash went off, and for a split second, his face appeared in my mind—Alaric.I blinked, trying to shake the thought away. His personality, his presence…there was something unique about him that I had never seen before in anyone. His glow, his kindness, his innocence—and Mom wanted me to destroy that.It had already been a few weeks since I’d last seen him, and I had been doing everything I could to avoid him. Honestly, it wasn’t that difficult. Alaric was mostly surrounded by guards, and even if he wasn’t—I was sure he’d respectfully just stay out of my way.Maybe I was insane, but I wanted to be around him—and at the same time, I knew I couldn’t because I had to protect him.Every time he was near, I could sense it somehow. It didn’t m
AdelaideIt was early—too early for anyone to be up, but I didn’t care. I found myself knocking on Esther’s office door, waiting for her to open up.I hadn’t closed a single eye. How could I?All I could think about was that vision, and it played in my head over and over again.The way Alaric turned into that thing…I knew we were dark witches, but had Mom completely lost it? Was she actually attempting to bring back Lord Baelor, the same god of the underworld I had called a myth?The chaos that would cause would be impossible to fix, especially if he would have access to Alaric’s wolf on top of all.Even though she took her time, the door eventually creaked open, revealing Esther. She stood there with a calm smile. “Good morning, Adelaide,” she said. “You’re up bright and early.”I didn’t have time for her crap, not today. Just like last night, I forced myself into the office before taking an uninvited seat at her desk.Esther sighed softly, mumbling something under her breath as she