Theron 's POV I entered my mansion, the familiar scent of polished wood and leather greeting me. The quiet was comforting, but something was off. As I walked toward my room, I found the door slightly ajar. The soft light from within illuminated the space. I stepped inside and froze. Sarah was sitting on my bed, looking effortlessly beautiful in her short dress. Her eyes met mine with a soft, almost teasing smile. “You’re late,” she said with a wink, her tone playful. I couldn't help but appreciate her presence—there was something comforting about her, something that filled the room with warmth. I found myself stepping closer, my footsteps slow, deliberate. “Had some things on my mind,” I said quietly, my voice betraying the weight of the day. She tilted her head, watching me as I took a seat beside her. The tension I had been carrying seemed to lift the moment I was next to her, but I still felt something nagging at me, something that didn’t sit right. I took her hand in mine,
Elowen's POVThe drive to the academy was different this time. Alaric sat beside me, his presence calming, yet there was a strange excitement in the air. The morning fog clung to the trees, the silence between us almost too perfect. I could feel his gaze on me, but I couldn’t bring myself to meet it. It felt like everything had changed in the past month, like the world had tilted just enough to make everything seem new and unfamiliar."You okay?" Alaric’s voice broke the silence, low and soothing. He reached over, his hand brushing against mine. I felt the spark of connection instantly, the bond pulling me closer despite the confusion in my heart.I nodded, though my mind was far from calm. A part of me still couldn’t believe that I was going to live with him now. It was a step I never thought I’d take, but after everything that had happened, after the way he’d cared for me when I was broken... I didn’t know how to say no. “I’m just... processing,” I said quietly, my eyes still focus
Elowen’s POVI started walking toward my room, my mind buzzing with everything that had just transpired. The mansion felt colder than before, the tension from the dining room clinging to the air. My heart was still racing from the confrontation, but as I took a step toward the staircase, I felt a hand gently wrap around my wrist, stopping me.“Wait,” Alaric’s voice was soft yet firm. I turned to face him, and his deep eyes, filled with warmth and reassurance, instantly soothed some of the chaos in my heart. He stepped closer, the faint scent of coffee and cedarwood surrounding me.He reached up and cupped my cheek, his thumb brushing lightly against my skin. “I’ll take care of everything, my love,” he said, his voice steady, like a calm amidst the storm. “You don’t need to worry about them. I’ll handle Ranon and Theron.”I felt my breath hitch as he leaned down, pressing a tender kiss on my forehead. His touch was gentle, and yet it carried so much promise and protection that my chest
Elowen’s POV The tension in the air was suffocating. Even in the safety of my room, I could feel the heated confrontation downstairs echoing in my chest. I sat on the edge of the bed, my knees pulled up, trying to focus on the faint sound of rain tapping against the window. But my thoughts kept spiraling. They’re fighting because of me again. I hated it. The mate bond that tethered me to the triplets felt like a curse. I didn’t ask for this, for the overwhelming pull or the chaos it brought into my life. My fingers gripped the comforter tightly as my mind wandered to Alaric. He was the only one who made me feel safe in all of this madness. The sound of footsteps on the stairs pulled me from my thoughts. My heart jumped. Was it Alaric? Before I could get up, the door opened, and there he was. His expression was calmer than I expected, but there was a storm in his eyes that he tried to mask. “Are you okay?” he asked softly, closing the door behind him. I nodded, though my th
Elowen’s POV The next morning, I woke up to the soft hum of birds outside the window and the comforting scent of Alaric lingering in the room. For a brief moment, I let myself enjoy the peace. The storm of emotions from yesterday seemed like a distant memory, but the reality of the situation was quick to return. I sat up, running a hand through my tangled hair, and stared at the sunlight spilling through the curtains. Alaric had stayed true to his word, protecting me from his brothers. Yet, the lingering tension in the house was impossible to ignore. A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. I tensed, but Alaric’s familiar voice called out, “It’s me.” Relief washed over me as I got up and opened the door. He stood there, dressed casually in a dark shirt and jeans, holding a tray with breakfast. “I thought you could use some fuel,” he said with a warm smile, stepping inside. “You didn’t have to,” I murmured, but my stomach betrayed me with a loud growl. He chuckled, settin
Elowen’s POV The rain continued to pour, soaking through my clothes and plastering my hair to my face, but I didn’t care. Standing here in Alaric’s arms, the world around us seemed to fade. It was just him and me, the steady rhythm of the rain, and the warmth of his presence against the cold. His forehead rested against mine, his breath mingling with mine, his hands firmly gripping my waist as if he were afraid to let go. I could feel his heart beating against my chest, strong and sure, a stark contrast to the wild fluttering of my own. “You’ll catch a cold,” he said again, his voice a soft rumble that sent a shiver down my spine. I laughed quietly, my hands clutching the damp fabric of his shirt. “You’re the one keeping me out here.” “I can’t let go,” he admitted, his voice almost a whisper. “Not when you’re finally here, looking at me like this.” His words made my chest tighten. “Like what?” “Like you trust me,” he said, pulling back just enough to search my eyes. “Like
Elowen’s POV The academy halls buzzed with the usual morning chaos, students rushing to their classes or catching up on gossip. I clutched my books tightly to my chest, trying to stay invisible as I navigated the familiar paths. Despite the warmth of Alaric's presence in my life, the academy still felt like a battlefield where judgmental stares and whispered rumors followed me everywhere. I had just rounded the corner when I collided with a firm chest. My books tumbled to the floor, and my heart sank as I looked up to find Ranon towering over me, his sharp gaze pinning me in place. "Elowen," he drawled, his voice low and laced with something unreadable. "Ranon," I said stiffly, bending down to gather my fallen books. Before I could reach for them, he crouched, his hand brushing against mine as he picked up one of the books. His touch was brief, but it sent an uncomfortable chill down my spine. "Still avoiding me, I see," he said, standing and handing me the book. His smi
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
Elowen's POV The night came too quickly. I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection with a mixture of dread and defiance. My black dress clung to me like a second skin, accentuating every curve. It wasn’t flashy, but it was enough to make a statement—strong, untouchable, and in control. At least, that’s what I told myself. My wolf stirred impatiently, eager for what the night promised. I hated her for it. The bond between mates was relentless, and no matter how much I wanted to keep Ranon at arm’s length, a part of me craved him in ways I couldn’t ignore. A sharp knock at the door snapped me out of my thoughts. I straightened my spine, forcing the emotions down, and crossed the room to open it. Ranon stood on the other side, his presence filling the doorway. He wasn’t wearing his usual leather jacket. Instead, he’d dressed up, a dark button-down shirt rolled up at the sleeves, revealing his strong forearms. His hair was slicked back, but a few rebellious strands
Elowen's POV The game room felt oppressive the moment I agreed. Ranon’s smirk lingered on his face like he had already won—not just the game, but me. My heart thundered in my chest, though I forced myself to appear calm, composed. If he saw even a flicker of weakness, he’d exploit it mercilessly. “Don’t look so nervous, Elowen,” Ranon said, his voice low and mocking, laced with just enough amusement to irritate me. He moved closer, leaning his cue stick casually against the wall. His gaze never left me, sharp and predatory, like he was savoring the moment. “You agreed. I’m not forcing you into anything.” I held his gaze, refusing to flinch under the weight of his stare. “I’m not nervous,” I snapped, my tone sharper than I intended. “I’m just trying to figure out if you’re all talk or if you actually mean it.” His laugh was soft, yet it rumbled through me like a warning growl. “Oh, I mean every word,” he murmured. His hand reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair away from m
Elowen POV The loud crack of the cue ball hitting the cluster of solids and stripes reverberated through the dimly lit room. I paused at the doorway of the academy’s game lounge, my eyes drawn to the figure leaning over the pool table with practiced ease. Ranon. His sharp features were illuminated by the golden overhead light, his black hair falling slightly into his eyes as he lined up his next shot. He radiated confidence, his every movement deliberate and precise. I shouldn’t have stopped. Shouldn’t have even looked at him. But something about him—about us—always pulled me in like a magnet. “Enjoying the view?” he drawled without looking up, his voice smooth like velvet, yet tinged with a teasing edge. I rolled my eyes and stepped closer. “Hardly. I was just wondering how long you’d take to finish this game. From here, it looks like you’ve been struggling.” That got his attention. He straightened up and turned to me, his lips curving into a slow, wicked grin. “Struggling?
Theron’s POVI stood there for a moment, watching her disappear into the dorms. My wolf was howling in my mind, clawing to break free, to chase after her."She’s ours. Why does she fight it?"Because she’s Elowen. Stubborn, infuriating, intoxicating Elowen.I ran a hand through my hair, trying to steady my breathing. The kiss had left me shaken, craving more. She was like a drug, and I was hopelessly addicted.But she was also a puzzle, one I couldn’t quite figure out.I could feel the walls she’d built around herself, the pain she carried like armor. And I wanted to tear them all down, to see the real Elowen underneath.But I couldn’t push too hard. Not yet.Because if I pushed too hard, I might lose her completely. And that was something I wasn’t sure I could survive.---Elowen's POV Next morning the hallway buzzed with the faint chatter of students, but it all faded into a dull hum when my eyes caught sight of him—Alaric. The man who had turned my world upside down. He leaned cas
Elowen’s POVI stormed out of the library after the kiss, my heart racing and my mind spinning. What just happened? That kiss—it wasn’t supposed to feel like this. It wasn’t supposed to make me question everything.I stepped outside into the cool night air, needing to escape the suffocating walls of the academy. The moon hung high, its silver light illuminating the quiet campus. I leaned against a tree, my breath coming in shaky bursts as I tried to gather my thoughts.This wasn’t part of the plan. I was supposed to make him fall for me, not the other way around. I was supposed to stay in control, but every time Theron touched me, every time he looked at me with those intense, stormy eyes, I felt myself unraveling."Pull yourself together, Elowen," I muttered to myself, running a hand through my hair. "This is about revenge. Nothing more."But deep down, I knew it was becoming more than that. And that terrified me.The next day at the academy, I avoided Theron at all costs. I couldn’t
Elowen’s POV The days that followed only intensified the chaos inside me. Theron’s kiss had ignited something I couldn’t ignore, but I couldn’t afford to get distracted. This wasn’t about love, or even desire—it was about revenge. It had to be. I had a plan, and I wouldn’t let anyone, especially Theron, derail it. But every time our paths crossed, it felt like the line between playing him and falling for him was blurring. The way he looked at me, his eyes filled with a mix of anger and something I refused to acknowledge... it stirred something deep within me. I couldn’t let that happen. I couldn't let him have that power over me. --- The academy was in full swing by the time the weekend approached, and I had the perfect opportunity to push my plan forward. I walked into the cafeteria, head held high, making my way toward the table where the triplets usually sat. The whispers followed me, and I reveled in the attention. They wanted to see how far I’d go, how much of a spectac
Elowen’s POV The days following that kiss were a whirlwind. I knew better than to let my emotions get tangled up in the mess Theron had created. But every time our paths crossed, I could feel the heat between us—fierce, unrelenting, and impossible to ignore. It was almost as if he had become a shadow in my mind, lurking in every corner, whispering in my thoughts. I tried to shake it off, to focus on my revenge, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't quite erase the feeling that I had ignited something in him. And, for the first time in a long time, I was beginning to wonder if I could control the flames I had started. --- The academy was abuzz with gossip. Whispers about the kiss between The Triplet's and me were like wildfire, spreading through every hallway, every class. Alisa was particularly insistent on confronting me about it, but I made it clear that she was beneath me. I didn’t need to entertain her petty jealousy. But today, as I entered the cafeteria, my eyes i
Elowen’s POV I had no intention of letting the day pass quietly, not with everything that had transpired. My thoughts were focused on one thing: making sure Theron also knew exactly where I stood. He wasn’t going to get away with treating me like a puzzle he could ignore or dismiss whenever it suited him. If anyone was going to control the game, it was going to be me. I found him standing near the entrance of the academy, his usual confident posture a bit more tense than usual. His eyes caught mine the moment I entered the hall, and the expression on his face told me everything I needed to know. There was frustration in those eyes—his carefully hidden confusion about me. "Elowen," he said, his voice steady but with an underlying edge. His jaw was clenched, like he was fighting to keep his emotions under control. I ignored the way my heart twisted at the sound of his voice and the slight pull toward him. I had a plan now, and nothing was going to derail me. "Theron," I respo
Elowen's POV As I walked through the crowded hallways, the whispers seemed louder, more eager, more charged. The glances thrown my way were laced with curiosity and a hint of fear, the kind that came when people realized they were witnessing something dangerous. Something they couldn’t predict. I could feel the weight of their gazes, but I didn’t care. Let them stare. Let them talk. The game was just getting started, and I was in control. I caught a glimpse of myself in a reflective surface—my hair perfectly styled, makeup sharp and deliberate. I looked every bit the girl they thought they knew... but there was so much more beneath the surface. More than they would ever see coming. The triplets had no idea what they were dealing with. Ranon thought he knew me, thought he had me pegged, but I had yet to show him the real Elowen. The one who could bring them to their knees without lifting a finger. And today, I would make my first move. When I reached the library, I noticed R