Evaline:
I shifted on my feet, watching the sun filter through the tall windows of the greenhouse classroom. A strange sensation was making my chest feel heavier - pride laced with hesitation.
"You are going to make a lot of people uncomfortable with this power, Evaline," Professor Kieran added.
I already was.
"I want to choose the Class Keeper myself," I said quietly after I finally accepted his decision.
His head lifted slightly and his dark green eyes focused on . I didn’t flinch. "You do?"
"Yes." I laced my fingers together, trying not to fidget. "If I’m to lead this class, I need soone I trust beside . Soone reliable. Soone I know will always do the right thing."
He leaned back against the desk and arched a brow. "And your choice?"
I didn’t hesitate as I dropped the na. "Kyros."
As soon as the na left my lips, I saw sothing shift in Kieran’s expression - a twitch of approval.
"Kyros," he repeated, as though tasting the na. "Top scorer after you in the entrance exams. Alpha-blooded, clean record, sharp instincts. Loyal. Good choice."
I allowed myself a small breath of relief. "He’s also one of my friends. I trust him."
He folded his arms over his chest. "I see no reason to object. Inform him yourself, he should hear it from you before the professors make it official."
I nodded quickly. "Thank you, sir."
He inclined his head, and I didn’t wait around long enough to invite further questions. The truth was, his approval made my chest tighten more than it should have. I couldn’t afford to think about how strange and careful his attention was becoming.
I hurried down the marble hallway toward my next class, letting my feet carry faster than my mind. My thoughts were a whirlwind - about Kyros, about my new role, about this entire idea of going to the mansion.
When I stepped into the classroom, Mallory waved over to the desk in third row, and Ria gave her usual grin from beside her. Kyros had his arms crossed on the desk, head tilted, as if he already knew sothing was coming.
"Took you long enough," Mallory whispered as I slid into my seat. "What did he want?"
I exhaled slowly. "It’s... complicated. He offered a position."
Their eyes widened.
"Class President," I said. "Effective imdiately. And Kyros," I glanced toward him, "will be the Class Keeper."
Kyros blinked. "Wait, what?"
I smiled and leaned forward to whisper, "I asked for you. I wanted soone I trust."
For a mont, his expression went perfectly still, then softened into sothing rare - genuine, quiet pride. "Thanks, Eva. I’ll do my best."
"You better," I teased.
Mallory gaped. "You are President? Of Year One? Eva, that’s... Goddess, that’s huge."
Ria elbowed her as she spoke, "Well deserved, if you ask ."
I smiled softly at her, feeling my heart easing just a little. "It’s... a lot. But I’ll manage."
The bell rang before we could talk more, and our focus shifted to lectures and note-taking. After lunch, we filed into History and Politics class as the midday sun cast lazy shadows across the desks. I felt the shift in the air even before the professor spoke.
Professor Elira walked to the front with slow, deliberate steps. She was younger than most, but her voice commanded the room with ease. She placed a folder on her desk before turning to survey the class.
"Before we begin," she said, "a quick announcent."
I sat straighter, my heart skipping a beat as I prepared for what was coming.
"With the full agreent of the Academy Council and all Year One professors, we are instating two student roles this term. Your Class President will be Miss Evaline."
There were audible gasps. A few people whispered, and not kindly.
"And your Class Keeper will be Mr. Kyros Graves."
More whispers.
Soone from the back scoffed. "Why her?"
I turned slowly. It was Marcus - always loud, always arrogant. Professor Elira’s gaze cut toward him with deadly precision.
"You want to know why?" Her voice was calm, but sharp. "Miss Evaline ranked first in the entrance examination - the sa one where you placed thirty-second, Mr. Bane."
There were so chuckles and Marcus looked thoroughly embarrassed.
Professor Elira continued, "Miss Evaline is consistently top of the class in every subject. She shows discipline, attentiveness, and initiative. She has answered more questions in this class alone than half of you combined."
That shut everyone up.
"She is also an intern at the Council... the youngest we have seen in a century," the professor finished, smoothing out her clothes. "So, unless any of you have comparable qualifications, I suggest you hold your tongues."
I lowered my gaze, feeling heat rise to my cheeks. Not from embarrassnt, but from pressure. Every single word of praise felt like a spotlight. I didn’t like it. But at least it kept the doubters quiet.
The rest of the day passed in a blur of congratulations from so and glares from others. When the final bell rang, I packed my bag quickly and slipped out of class.
I had to et Professor Kieran, but I had no plans of going alone.
I found Mallory by the lockers, and she tilted her head when she saw my expression. "What now?"
"You are coming with ," I said, grabbing her hand.
She blinked. "To...?"
"The mansion."
Her mouth fell open. "What mansion? You can’t be talking about that mansion!"
I nodded. "Professor Kieran is taking there to grab so reports. I figured... maybe it would be easier if you ca too."
Her eyes flicked between excitent and sheer panic. "I... should I be excited or terrified?"
"Both," I muttered.
We arrived at the Academy’s front gate just as Kieran pulled up in a sleek black car. The engine was purring like a beast, and the windows were tinted dark.
When he stepped out, his expression flickered slightly upon seeing Mallory at my side.
"She’s with ," I said before he could speak.
His unreadable gaze lingered on her a mont longer before he nodded once. "Fine. Get in."
Mallory clutched my arm as we slid into the back seat. "For the very first ti, he slls dangerous." She whispered.
"He is dangerous," I whispered back.
As the car sped through the forest road, I stared out the window. A while later, the trees started thinning, revealing the towering gates of the mansion. Even now, after everything, the sight of it still gave chills.
The gates opened slowly, revealing a wide stone path lined with manicured bushes and fountains. The mansion was looming ahead like a fortress, majestic and cold.
Mallory pressed her face to the glass. "This place looks like a fairytale."
"Not the good kind," I murmured before I could stop myself.
When we stepped out, a few servants milling near the entrance paused. Their eyes locked on my Academy uniform, then flicked to Kieran, then back to . They recognized imdiately.
They knew who I was. They rembered. And they were looking uncomfortable.
My gaze then landed on a very familiar face, Sera. She was standing by the doorway, watching us. Her lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say sothing. But Kieran’s presence silenced her. One look from him, and she lowered her gaze, stepping aside.
I glanced at Mallory who was too busy gaping at the sheer luxury around us to notice anything. Good. She didn’t need to know what I used to be.
I wasn’t ashad of the work I had done, I was ashad of the mories. Of how powerless I used to be in these halls. And most importantly, I couldn’t bring myself to explain my twisted relation with the Rogue Alphas.
Professor Kieran led us through the grand corridor, past rooms I had once cleaned.
We rounded a corner toward the west wing when the air shifted.
A man was standing at the far end of the hallway. Broad shoulders. Dark brown hair that they almost looked black in shadows, just like his eyes. And though I have seen him only once before this, I recognized him instantly.
Jasper.
He was River’s second-in-command. His Beta. And the sa man who caught during my run and brought here to present to his Alpha.
My pulse quickened.
But he wasn’t looking at .
His gaze had locked onto Mallory.
And in that instant, the entire world seed to still.
His chest rose sharply, like he had been punched in the gut. Mallory blinked up at him, confused, unsure why the stranger looked like the ground beneath him had cracked open.
"Who-?" she started, but he stepped forward, slowly, like a predator stalking prey.
His voice ca low and ragged.
"Mine."
Mallory froze.
So did I.
And sowhere deep in my chest, I knew... everything had just changed.
Reviews
All reviews (0)