Elowen's POVThe tension followed us like a storm cloud as Alaric led me past the crowd and into the academy’s grand halls. The buzz of whispers and hushed conversations trailed behind, the echoes of their disbelief lingering in the air. My face burned, and my pulse raced, but Alaric’s grip on my hand kept me grounded. "Keep your head up," he said, his voice low but firm. "Don’t give them the satisfaction of seeing you doubt yourself." I nodded, swallowing hard, but my gaze instinctively darted toward the reflective marble floors and the intricate carvings along the walls, avoiding the stares I could still feel. The kiss had stirred something in the air, something volatile. I couldn’t shake the sensation that we’d crossed a line, one I wasn’t ready for. "Alaric!" Theron’s voice rang out behind us, sharp and furious. His footsteps echoed as he stormed toward us, his long strides closing the distance quickly. Ranon followed close behind, his expression cold and calculating, the tensi
Theron 's POV My breath came out in sharp gasps as I stormed through the empty corridor, my boots echoing against the marble floors. The rage burned inside me like wildfire, relentless and consuming, tearing through every shred of control I had left. Her hand in his. Her smile directed at him. His kiss on her lips.The images replayed in my mind, each one more unbearable than the last. I clenched my fists so tightly that my nails bit into my palms, the pain doing nothing to calm the storm within me. She’s mine. My wolf snarled, his voice a guttural roar in my mind. He was fighting me, pushing against the walls I’d built to keep him contained. She’s ours, Theron! And you’re just standing there, letting him have her! "I don’t care!" I growled aloud, my voice echoing in the empty hall. Liar, my wolf snapped. I reached the far end of the corridor, stopping only when I could feel the cold stone wall against my hand. Without thinking, I slammed my fist into it. The sharp jolt
Theron 's POV The moment she turned away from me, something inside me snapped. I couldn’t let her walk away—not this time. Before I even realized what I was doing, I ran after her, closing the distance between us in a heartbeat. Grabbing her arm, I spun her around, pulling her close, our bodies pressed together. “Elowen,” I growled, my voice raw with desperation. “Let me go, Theron!” she cried, struggling against my hold. Her small hands shoved at my chest, but I wouldn’t budge. Her tear-filled eyes locked with mine, pleading silently for freedom. “Please,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “Let me go.” The sight of her tears tore at something deep inside me, but my wolf was unrelenting, howling for me to claim her, to make her ours. Before I could stop myself, I leaned in, my lips brushing against hers with the intent to claim what was mine. But she shoved me back, her strength surprising me. “No!” she screamed, her voice cracking with fury. I barely had time to proce
Elowen's POV I didn’t know where I was going. My feet moved on their own, dragging me further away from the confrontation with Theron. My vision blurred with tears, and my chest felt tight, like a vice squeezing the air out of me. His words, his actions—they replayed in my mind on a loop, tearing me apart piece by piece. I wiped at my cheeks, but the tears wouldn’t stop. They kept falling, hot and relentless, until my whole body trembled from the weight of it all. I wandered through the academy grounds aimlessly, not caring where I ended up. The ache in my chest was unbearable, and my knees threatened to buckle with every step. Somehow, I found myself on unfamiliar ground. The trees here were taller, denser, casting heavy shadows over the path. I stopped for a moment, glancing around, and my stomach twisted. I was in his territory. Alaric’s. Panic gripped me, my hands shaking as I realized where I was. I shouldn’t be here. I wasn’t supposed to cross into his domain without reaso
Elowen's POVAlaric’s arms remained around me, holding me in a comforting embrace, but even with him here, a part of me couldn’t shake the feeling that everything was slowly slipping away. The calm that had settled between us was fragile, and I knew it wouldn’t last forever.His chest rose and fell beneath me, steady and strong, as if he was trying to ground me, to hold me together. And for a fleeting moment, I let myself believe that maybe he could.But the memories of Theron’s angry words, of his hands on me, came rushing back in flashes. The slap. His rage. My heart felt as though it might break all over again.I pulled back slightly, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand, trying to regain some semblance of composure. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to fall apart like this,” I said, my voice shaky.Alaric cupped my face again, his touch gentle yet insistent. “Elowen,” he murmured, his voice low, the warmth of his tone wrapping around me like a blanket. “You don’t need to apologize for
Elowen's POVAlaric’s lips lingered against my temple, and I could feel the warmth of his breath, the pulse of his heartbeat steady against my skin. For a moment, everything around us seemed to fade away. The chaos, the confusion, the fear—they all felt distant in the comfort of his arms. I leaned into him, the weight of everything pressing down on me momentarily lifting as his hand gently cupped the back of my head. He tilted my chin up, his gaze meeting mine with an intensity that made my heart skip. His eyes were dark, full of unspoken promises, a silent invitation to something deeper.I felt a tremble in my chest as his thumb brushed against my lower lip, his touch featherlight but enough to send warmth spreading through my entire body. My breath hitched, and I found myself drawn to him, unsure of what I wanted but craving the closeness.“Is this okay?” Alaric’s voice was low, almost a whisper, the question more out of respect than doubt. I nodded, my hands instinctively reachin
Elowen's POV Alaric’s lips moved against mine with a fervent, unrelenting passion, as if he were pouring all of his emotions into this moment. His hands trailed down my sides, slow and deliberate, grounding me with every touch. My body was responding to him in ways I couldn’t control, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure he could hear it. When he finally pulled back, his breathing was ragged, his forehead pressing against mine as if he were trying to anchor himself. His dark eyes bore into mine, and I felt the depth of his emotions—his protectiveness, his longing, and something more unspoken that lingered in the air between us. “You drive me crazy,” he admitted, his voice hoarse and unsteady. “I’ve tried to keep my distance, to let you figure this out at your own pace, but it’s getting harder every day, Elowen. Harder to hold back. Harder to pretend I don’t feel this…this bond pulling me to you.” I swallowed hard, my hands still resting against his chest. “I feel it too,” I whis
Ranon 's POV Theron and I left the gym in tense silence, each of us consumed by our own thoughts. My wolf was restless, pacing in my mind, urging me to act now, to do something drastic. But I couldn’t afford to be reckless. If we were going to turn this around, it had to be calculated. “Where do we start?” Theron finally asked as we walked through the dimly lit corridors of the academy. His voice was low, almost resigned, but I could sense the flicker of determination behind it. I stopped, turning to face him. “We start by figuring out why she keeps running to Alaric. What’s he offering her that we’re not?” Theron scoffed, his jaw tightening. “He’s offering her comfort, Ranon. Safety. He’s playing the hero while we’re stuck being the villains in her story.” I clenched my fists, frustration boiling over. “Then we change the narrative. We stop giving her reasons to see us as the enemy.” “And how exactly do we do that?” Theron’s voice was sharp, his eyes narrowing. “You think we c
Elowen’s POV The morning light streamed through the curtains, warming the room with its golden glow. I stirred in bed, the faint sound of birds chirping outside pulling me from my dreams. A gentle hand brushed a strand of hair away from my face, and I opened my eyes to see Alaric leaning over me, his expression soft and tender.“Good morning, sleepyhead,” he murmured, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine.“Morning,” I mumbled, my voice thick with sleep.Before I could fully process, he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to my lips. It was warm and unhurried, the kind of kiss that made me momentarily forget everything else in the world.“Stay here,” he said, pulling back just enough to speak. “I’ll bring you coffee.”I blinked up at him, my heart swelling at the simple gesture. “No, I’ll make coffee for us,” I insisted, sitting up and brushing the sleep from my eyes.He smirked, his hands slipping under the covers to grip my waist. “You? Make coffee? I’m not sure I trust you
Alaric’s POVHer soft whisper reached my ears, and it sent a shiver down my spine. Alaric. The way she said my name, laced with vulnerability and trust, made my wolf stir with satisfaction.I turned to her, my eyes locking onto hers. Her lips trembled slightly, her breath uneven. She was so close, and the mate bond pulsed between us like a living thing, demanding attention.“Elowen,” I murmured, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. She didn’t pull away; instead, her eyes fluttered shut.I couldn’t resist any longer. Leaning in, I captured her lips in a kiss, pouring everything into it—passion, possession, and something softer I barely understood myself. She gasped against my mouth, and I took the opportunity to deepen the kiss, my hand cupping her cheek as I tilted her head slightly.She melted into me, her arms wrapping hesitantly around my neck as the kiss grew more fervent. My wolf growled in approval, satisfied that our mate was responding to us.When we finally pulled a
Theron’s POV The night stretched endlessly as I sat in the shadows of my room, the scent of rain still lingering in the air. My wolf was restless, snarling and pacing within me. He had been furious ever since I’d seen Elowen with Alaric. She had looked so... content. I clenched my fists, the image of her smiling at him, leaning into his touch, searing itself into my mind. My wolf howled in protest. She’s ours. Not his. Not Ranon’s.But she didn’t see it. She didn’t feel the bond the way I did. Ranon’s words echoed in my mind, taunting me. She’s his mate now... maybe she deserves whatever Alaric has planned.A low growl escaped me. No. She didn’t deserve that, no matter how much she hated me, no matter how broken our bond had become. I stormed out of my room, grabbing my jacket as I made my way to the garage. The mansion was quiet, everyone lost in their own schemes and lies. As I climbed into my car and sped into the night, my thoughts were consumed by one name: Elowen. -
Elowen’s POV The next day, the Academy halls buzzed with their usual energy, but for me, it felt different. I walked beside Alaric, his presence a steady comfort. He didn’t say much, but his hand lightly brushed against mine as we walked, a silent reassurance. We entered the courtyard, where students were scattered around—some chatting in groups, others rushing to their classes. As much as I tried to ignore it, I could feel their stares, their whispers following us like shadows. “Look at her,” one girl murmured to her friend, her voice just loud enough for me to hear. “First, she’s the rejected Omega, and now she’s latched onto him?” Her words stung, but Alaric’s hand found the small of my back, grounding me. He leaned closer, his voice low but firm. “Ignore them. They don’t matter.” I nodded, though my chest tightened. It wasn’t easy to brush off the judgmental glares and biting comments, but Alaric’s presence made it a little easier. As we entered the building, I spotted Ranon
Elowen's POVThe kiss lingered between us, soft and tender, but with an intensity that was undeniable. Alaric’s presence seemed to engulf me completely, and for a moment, I forgot about everything—about the tension with Ranon and Theron, about the doubts and fears swirling in my head. There was only him and me, and it felt like a sanctuary in his arms.I leaned into him, needing the comfort of his touch, the warmth of his body pressed against mine. His hands gently cupped my face, his thumb tracing the outline of my cheek as if memorizing every inch of me.“Elowen…” His voice was a low murmur, filled with raw emotion. “You don’t have to be afraid. I’ll never hurt you. I’ll protect you.”I closed my eyes, letting the sound of his voice wash over me, grounding me. But as much as I wanted to believe his words, the doubts still lingered in the back of my mind. The warning from Ranon, the way Theron’s anger had felt so real—could I really trust him? Could I trust anyone, after everything t
Alaric's POVThe tension in the room was thick, almost suffocating. Ranon’s words hung heavily in the air, and I could see the doubt flicker in Elowen’s eyes. That seed of uncertainty he had planted had taken root, and it tore at me. I hated that he was able to get to her, even just a little. She was mine, and I would do anything to make her believe in that.Her gaze shifted from the door where Ranon had left to me. The vulnerability in her eyes cut deeper than I wanted to admit. I hated the feeling of not being able to fix it instantly, to make her see that I was everything she needed. “Elowen…” I whispered, my voice soft but firm, urging her to look at me.She turned slowly, but there was still a wariness in her expression, something I hadn’t seen before. It hurt more than I was willing to admit, but I couldn’t let it show. I had to be strong for both of us now.I reached for her hand, gently pulling her closer. The moment she was within arm’s reach, I wrapped my arms around her wa
Elowen's POV The night passed in a blur, and I woke up the next morning feeling the weight of yesterday's conversation lingering heavily in the air. Alaric had promised me his love, and for the first time in a long while, I wanted to believe him. But the words of Ranon and Theron echoed in my mind like a constant, nagging reminder. What if they’re right? What if I’m just a pawn in this game between them? I shook my head as I stared at my reflection in the mirror. My face was pale, my eyes tired. I could still feel the warmth of Alaric’s embrace, his arms around me, as if he were holding me together. But I couldn’t help the creeping doubt that tugged at my heart. I had no time to linger on it. I had classes to attend, and life at the academy seemed to move on, despite the turmoil inside me. The moment I stepped into the hall, I was greeted by a familiar, but unwelcome face—Ranon. He stood across the hallway, his arms crossed, a smirk on his face as if he had been waiting for me.
Theron’s POV The Academy corridors were quiet, the faint hum of conversations in distant classrooms the only sound. I spotted Elowen walking ahead, her delicate figure framed against the sunlight pouring in through the windows. She seemed lost in thought, her head bowed as if the weight of the world rested on her shoulders. A part of me hesitated, my wolf clawed at me, demanding that I stay back, that I give her the space she clearly wanted. But I couldn’t. Not when I knew she was being manipulated by Alaric, my own brother. “Elowen,” I called out. She paused, turning slowly to face me. Her eyes met mine, and I felt the familiar sting of her disdain. “What do you want, Theron?” she asked, her tone tired and guarded. I walked up to her, stopping just a few feet away. “We need to talk.” She crossed her arms, clearly unimpressed. “We have nothing to talk about.” I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. “I know you don’t trust me, and honestly, I don’t blame you. But thi
Ranon’s POVI stormed down the corridor, my mind a whirlwind of anger and resentment. Her words echoed in my head, sharp and unforgiving. "Alaric loves me, and I love him. He’s everything you’re not, kind, patient, and respectful."Respectful? Patient? As if that’s what makes a true mate. She didn’t see it. She didn’t see me, the fire I could bring into her life, the passion that could consume her whole."Pathetic," I muttered under my breath, cursing her for the power she held over me. How could she choose him, out of all of us? Alaric, the golden boy who always played the hero. She didn’t understand that behind his perfect façade, he wasn’t as innocent as he pretended to be.My wolf snarled in agreement, growling, "She’s blind. But she’s ours."“She doesn’t want us,” I spat, shoving my wolf down.But I couldn’t stop myself. I turned on my heel, my feet carrying me back toward the library. I wasn’t going to let her walk away from me, not like that, not with those hateful words linger