Alaric’s POV The rain soaked through every inch of our clothes, but I didn’t care. Elowen was in my arms, her body pressed against mine, her lips moving in perfect rhythm with mine, and for the first time in my life, I felt whole. She was fire and ice, soft and fierce, a storm raging against my skin, and I wanted more. I traced my fingers along her jaw, feeling the warmth of her skin despite the cold rain. Her breath hitched when I tilted her head, deepening the kiss, our mouths moving with raw, unrestrained hunger. She gripped the front of my shirt, her fingers tightening as if she was afraid to let go. Good. Because I wasn’t letting her go. I pulled back slightly, just enough to look at her—her lips swollen, her golden eyes dazed, her breath uneven. Beautiful. Utterly beautiful. “Elowen…” I murmured, brushing my thumb over her bottom lip. Her lashes fluttered, her body still pressed against mine as if she didn’t trust herself to stand on her own. She swallowed, her voi
Elowen’s POVThe rain continued to pour, soaking through my clothes, making my hair cling to my skin. But I barely noticed. My mind was a storm, twisting and turning with emotions I didn’t want to name.I had already given them a chance.Yet, standing here now, with all three of them staring at me, I felt suffocated.Alaric had just kissed me—again. And I had let him.Theron stood there, his jaw tight, his hands curled into fists, his body tense as if he was holding himself back.And Ranon…Ranon watched me like he always did—like he was waiting for me to run just so he could chase me down.I exhaled sharply, my chest tightening. “Why are you all looking at me like that?”Theron ran a hand through his drenched hair, his expression unreadable. “Because we know you’re about to run.”I let out a humorless laugh. “And what if I am?”Alaric stepped closer, his fingers brushing against mine, tentative, careful. “Then we’ll follow.”A lump formed in my throat, and I hated how much those word
Elowen’s POV The next day at the academy, the corridors felt colder than ever. I moved through the halls with my head held high, yet every step was weighted with lingering doubts and memories that I’d rather forget. The storm from last night had passed, but the thunder of my conflicted heart still rumbled beneath my ribs. I arrived at the courtyard early—hoping to catch a few moments of solitude—only to find them already gathered in a tight, tense circle near the ancient fountain. Theron stood in the center, his dark eyes scanning the horizon as if searching for an answer. Alaric leaned casually against a stone pillar, his usual cocky demeanor replaced by a pensive, almost guarded look. Ranon, quiet and intense, stood close by, his gaze fixed on me with an unreadable expression. I paused at the edge of the group. Their eyes followed my every step, and I felt as though I were being dissected by memories of every cruel word, every act of humiliation they’d once inflicted upon me. Ye
Elowen’s POVAfter the stormy confrontation in the courtyard, I found myself restless. There was too much unspoken between us, too many raw wounds still fresh in my heart. Late that night, when the academy was quiet and the world outside whispered of change, Theron pulled up in his old, battered pickup. The vehicle’s paint was chipped and faded from countless journeys, yet it held an unspoken promise of escape and new beginnings. I hesitated at the edge of the rain-soaked lot, then stepped toward him.Inside, the cabin was dimly lit by the dashboard’s glow. The smell of leather, engine oil, and damp rain mingled in the small space—a comforting, familiar scent that seemed to offer a temporary reprieve from the chaos of my thoughts. Theron opened the passenger door with a gentle nod. “Elowen,” he said softly, “climb in. Let’s drive for a while.”I settled into the seat, the worn fabric cool against my skin, and for a moment, the world outside slowed to a gentle hum. The engine purred to
Elowen's POV The drive had been long. By the time Theron pulled off the road and parked beside a secluded lake, dawn was already painting the horizon in delicate shades of pink and gold. The rain had stopped, leaving the world dewy and fresh, and the silence between us was no longer heavy with the weight of the past—it was something else now, something fragile but full of unspoken promises. I stepped out of the truck, my boots sinking into the damp earth, the cool morning breeze wrapping around me like a whisper. I heard the door close behind me, felt his presence as he walked up beside me. Theron didn’t speak at first. Instead, he reached out, tucking a strand of damp hair behind my ear. His fingers lingered for just a second longer than necessary, brushing against my skin like a fleeting caress. My heart stuttered, and I hated how easily he still affected me. “I never thought I’d see you like this,” he murmured, his voice low, intimate. “Like what?” I asked, turning to mee
Elowen’s POV The morning after our moonlit walk, the academy’s courtyard was bathed in soft, golden light. Dew still clung to the grass, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of blooming jasmine. I found myself wandering the quiet grounds, the echoes of our whispered promises from the night before lingering in every step.I hadn’t planned to see Theron again so soon—but fate, it seems, had its own designs. There, under an ancient oak whose gnarled branches stretched protectively overhead, he stood waiting. His dark eyes, warm and sincere in the morning glow, met mine as soon as I approached.“Good morning, Elowen,” he said softly, a tender smile playing on his lips.I paused, my heart fluttering unexpectedly. “Morning,” I replied, trying to keep my tone neutral, though the memory of our garden kiss sent ripples of warmth through me.Theron stepped closer, closing the distance between us until we stood nearly shoulder-to-shoulder. “I was thinking,” he began, his voice tentative yet ea
Elowen’s POV Later that afternoon, as the academy’s bustle faded into a gentle hum, I found solace in the secret gardens tucked away behind ancient stone walls. The late sunlight filtered through the canopy of lush trees, scattering golden flecks across the dew-laden grass and blooming wildflowers. I wasn’t alone for long. Theron was waiting by a trickling fountain, its soft murmur a quiet counterpoint to my racing thoughts.I approached hesitantly, still wary of the ghosts of our past but undeniably drawn to his steady presence. As I neared, he turned and offered a warm, tentative smile that made my heart skip. His eyes, dark and sincere, held the promise of something gentle—a world that might be kinder than all that had come before.“Elowen,” he said softly as I reached him, “it feels like this place was made for moments like these.” I managed a small smile in return, brushing a damp lock of hair behind my ear. “It does have a way of making the world seem… simpler.” My voice trem
Elowen’s POV That evening, the academy’s corridors were quiet, the echoes of the day’s promise still lingering in the air like a soft melody. I wandered down a dimly lit hallway, the events of the afternoon—our tender confessions, gentle laughter, and tentative touches—still playing in my mind like a delicate film. I wasn’t sure where this path would lead, but something inside me, a small ember of hope, urged me onward. I found Theron waiting in a secluded alcove near the library, where a single window framed the twilight sky. He looked up as I approached, his eyes lighting with a softness that made my heart tremble. The night was cool, but as soon as he smiled, the chill seemed to fade away. “Elowen,” he said quietly, his voice imbued with both warmth and an unspoken promise. “I’ve been thinking about our walk earlier... about how every word felt like a step toward something new.” I hesitated, glancing down at my hands. “It was a beautiful walk, but my mind is still a mess,” I a
Alaric’s POV The cold light of morning filtered through the academy’s tall, narrow windows as I stepped out into the courtyard. The echoes of last night’s tumult still clung to the stone walls, but now there was an air of calm—a fragile, tentative peace that I was determined to nurture. I could almost taste the promise of a new day, even as the bitter whispers of scandal and gossip from the previous day still lingered in the corridors. I walked slowly toward the main entrance, the faint murmur of students’ hushed voices floating around me, but I paid them no mind. My focus was singular: to find Elowen. I needed to see her smile again, to hear her gentle laugh that had, for a moment, made me believe that perhaps the past could be mended. There, beneath an ancient oak in a secluded corner of the courtyard, I found her. She stood alone, her gaze fixed on the horizon as if she were waiting for something—or someone—to come rescue her from her own haunted thoughts. Her dark hair cascade
Alaric’s POV The echoes of the courtyard confrontation still rang in my ears as I strode through the academy halls. Every step I took was measured, each one driven by a single, unyielding purpose: to protect Elowen, no matter the cost. The whispers of gossip trailed behind me—snatches of voices, venomous and envious, spreading rumors of seduction and betrayal. But I cared little for the idle tongues of students. My only focus was her safety. I found her in a quiet alcove near the rear of the academy, where the faded murals of our ancestors looked on in silent judgment. Elowen sat on a stone bench, her eyes red and distant, the traces of the earlier turmoil still evident on her delicate features. I paused at her side, letting the charged silence speak between us. “Elowen,” I said softly, my voice a low rumble of both tenderness and controlled fury, “I won’t let anyone hurt you again.” She looked up at me, her gaze filled with a storm of conflicting emotions—hurt, anger, and a ling
Alaric’s POV The midday sun beat down mercilessly on the academy’s courtyard, where the usual hum of chatter and gossip had turned into a simmering cauldron of whispers. I had been standing by the ancient stone fountain with Elowen when the commotion began—a harsh, discordant note in our fragile peace. Lisa stormed into the center of the crowd like a vengeful tempest, her eyes wild and venomous. “You think you can seduce him, don’t you?” she spat, her voice loud enough for every student to hear. The vulgarity in her tone was matched only by the cruelty in her accusations. “Elowen, you shameless wench—trying to steal Alaric away from me! You’re nothing but a filthy tramp, and you’ve ruined everything!” The courtyard fell silent for a moment as her words sliced through the air. I saw the shock in Elowen’s eyes, the pain in her posture. Before I could intervene, Lisa shoved Elowen roughly aside, sending her stumbling. Gasps erupted among the onlookers; gossipers and cynics alike fille
Elowen’s POV That evening, the academy’s corridors were quiet, the echoes of the day’s promise still lingering in the air like a soft melody. I wandered down a dimly lit hallway, the events of the afternoon—our tender confessions, gentle laughter, and tentative touches—still playing in my mind like a delicate film. I wasn’t sure where this path would lead, but something inside me, a small ember of hope, urged me onward. I found Theron waiting in a secluded alcove near the library, where a single window framed the twilight sky. He looked up as I approached, his eyes lighting with a softness that made my heart tremble. The night was cool, but as soon as he smiled, the chill seemed to fade away. “Elowen,” he said quietly, his voice imbued with both warmth and an unspoken promise. “I’ve been thinking about our walk earlier... about how every word felt like a step toward something new.” I hesitated, glancing down at my hands. “It was a beautiful walk, but my mind is still a mess,” I a
Elowen’s POV Later that afternoon, as the academy’s bustle faded into a gentle hum, I found solace in the secret gardens tucked away behind ancient stone walls. The late sunlight filtered through the canopy of lush trees, scattering golden flecks across the dew-laden grass and blooming wildflowers. I wasn’t alone for long. Theron was waiting by a trickling fountain, its soft murmur a quiet counterpoint to my racing thoughts.I approached hesitantly, still wary of the ghosts of our past but undeniably drawn to his steady presence. As I neared, he turned and offered a warm, tentative smile that made my heart skip. His eyes, dark and sincere, held the promise of something gentle—a world that might be kinder than all that had come before.“Elowen,” he said softly as I reached him, “it feels like this place was made for moments like these.” I managed a small smile in return, brushing a damp lock of hair behind my ear. “It does have a way of making the world seem… simpler.” My voice trem
Elowen’s POV The morning after our moonlit walk, the academy’s courtyard was bathed in soft, golden light. Dew still clung to the grass, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of blooming jasmine. I found myself wandering the quiet grounds, the echoes of our whispered promises from the night before lingering in every step.I hadn’t planned to see Theron again so soon—but fate, it seems, had its own designs. There, under an ancient oak whose gnarled branches stretched protectively overhead, he stood waiting. His dark eyes, warm and sincere in the morning glow, met mine as soon as I approached.“Good morning, Elowen,” he said softly, a tender smile playing on his lips.I paused, my heart fluttering unexpectedly. “Morning,” I replied, trying to keep my tone neutral, though the memory of our garden kiss sent ripples of warmth through me.Theron stepped closer, closing the distance between us until we stood nearly shoulder-to-shoulder. “I was thinking,” he began, his voice tentative yet ea
Elowen's POV The drive had been long. By the time Theron pulled off the road and parked beside a secluded lake, dawn was already painting the horizon in delicate shades of pink and gold. The rain had stopped, leaving the world dewy and fresh, and the silence between us was no longer heavy with the weight of the past—it was something else now, something fragile but full of unspoken promises. I stepped out of the truck, my boots sinking into the damp earth, the cool morning breeze wrapping around me like a whisper. I heard the door close behind me, felt his presence as he walked up beside me. Theron didn’t speak at first. Instead, he reached out, tucking a strand of damp hair behind my ear. His fingers lingered for just a second longer than necessary, brushing against my skin like a fleeting caress. My heart stuttered, and I hated how easily he still affected me. “I never thought I’d see you like this,” he murmured, his voice low, intimate. “Like what?” I asked, turning to mee
Elowen’s POVAfter the stormy confrontation in the courtyard, I found myself restless. There was too much unspoken between us, too many raw wounds still fresh in my heart. Late that night, when the academy was quiet and the world outside whispered of change, Theron pulled up in his old, battered pickup. The vehicle’s paint was chipped and faded from countless journeys, yet it held an unspoken promise of escape and new beginnings. I hesitated at the edge of the rain-soaked lot, then stepped toward him.Inside, the cabin was dimly lit by the dashboard’s glow. The smell of leather, engine oil, and damp rain mingled in the small space—a comforting, familiar scent that seemed to offer a temporary reprieve from the chaos of my thoughts. Theron opened the passenger door with a gentle nod. “Elowen,” he said softly, “climb in. Let’s drive for a while.”I settled into the seat, the worn fabric cool against my skin, and for a moment, the world outside slowed to a gentle hum. The engine purred to
Elowen’s POV The next day at the academy, the corridors felt colder than ever. I moved through the halls with my head held high, yet every step was weighted with lingering doubts and memories that I’d rather forget. The storm from last night had passed, but the thunder of my conflicted heart still rumbled beneath my ribs. I arrived at the courtyard early—hoping to catch a few moments of solitude—only to find them already gathered in a tight, tense circle near the ancient fountain. Theron stood in the center, his dark eyes scanning the horizon as if searching for an answer. Alaric leaned casually against a stone pillar, his usual cocky demeanor replaced by a pensive, almost guarded look. Ranon, quiet and intense, stood close by, his gaze fixed on me with an unreadable expression. I paused at the edge of the group. Their eyes followed my every step, and I felt as though I were being dissected by memories of every cruel word, every act of humiliation they’d once inflicted upon me. Ye