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~Valerie's POV~
I didn't realize I'd been holding my breath until Kai finally stepped back. His expression didn't give anything away—calm, unreadable, annoyingly collected.
Serena's fingers lingered on his arm before she stepped aside, smiling like she'd just won sothing. "Still the sa as ever," she said softly.
That smooth, familiar voice in a way that scraped against my nerves.
Kai cleared his throat. "Serena," he said simply in a relatively flat tone. "Didn't expect to see you here."
"I could say the sa," she replied, half giggling but you school here." Her eyes darted briefly toward before she turned back to him. "It's been a while."
Sensing the tension thickening like fog, the Professor quickly clapped her hands. "Alright, everyone, settle down. Ms. Dominic will be joining your group for the sester."
My fingers tightened around my notebook. Isla leaned closer, whispering, "She's trouble. I can sll it."
"Sll, I can see it," I muttered, not bothering to lower my voice much.
Serena's gaze flickered my way again. Her lips curved in a polite little smile that didn't reach her eyes. "You must be Valerie."
Every student turned to look at . Great.
"Yeah," I said shortly. "And you are?"
Her smile widened just a bit. "Serena. But you already know that."
I blinked. "Do I?"
"Not yet," she said, voice lilting. "But you will."
Astra growled low in my mind, pacing restlessly. "She's baiting you, Val. Don't bite."
I kept my tone even. "Cute. You rehearse that, or does it co naturally?"
The class laughed quietly. Serena didn't flinch, just tilted her head like she was studying under glass.
"Introduce yourself."
"Yes, Professor."
Serena moved closer to the centre of the class, pulling Kai with her. More gasps and whispers followed.
"I am Serena Dominic. I am happy to be here with you all at Prestige Supernatural Academy and to get close to my betrothed, Kai Draven."
Everyone went tense in class, especially Kai, but it wasn't like he was tense because of what she said or how she introduced herself.
His gaze was centred on .
Every eye darted towards in class, and it felt like several judgntal stares were passed along. Everyone waited to see my reaction.
So even laughed—particularly Titania, Astraea and Brielle.
"You may be, but I am his mate."
"A mate with five other mates?" she half-scoffed. "Please, when the other heirs finalise their betrothal, all that would be left for you would be the Lycans. You can have them for all anyone cares," she said with a shrug.
At the sa ti, the other heirs walked into the class together to see the spectacle. Kai imdiately moved away from the front of class and headed for his seat.
I caught Dristan and Xade's curious gazes locked on as I looked away and focused on Serena.
"I can't wait for reality to dawn on you. Welco, Serena."
Dristan's eyes went wide, and so did Xade's. Before any of them could speak, our Professor cleared her throat, and everyone went to their seat, composing themselves.
Kai sat at the seat behind or adjacent, while Serena turned, took a seat right behind Kai, and crossed her legs. The movent was effortless and deliberate, like she'd done it for an audience.
Isla exhaled. "Oh, this is gonna be fun."
"Yeah. Like a migraine."
The rest of class blurred past . My notes were a ss—half words, half scribbles. Every ti Kai spoke, Serena's eyes followed him. Every ti he leaned forward, she leaned, too.
When the bell rang, I was the first to pack up. I just needed air.
But of course, the universe hated .
"Val," Kai called as I reached the door.
I stopped, keeping my jaw tight. "What?"
He walked over, rubbing the back of his neck. "Listen, about earlier…"
"You don't owe an explanation," I said quickly. "You can talk to whoever you want. I'm not your…"
"Mate?" he finished quietly.
That word hit harder than I wanted it to. I know I asked them to break off our deal and had no right to say anything in regards, but still…
In order not to let them hurt, I left myself unprotected.
Kai's gaze softened. "You're my mate." Then, after a heartbeat, "Also, I didn't expect her to do that."
I folded my arms. "So she's your betrothed, huh?"
"That's what my dad wants, but not ," he said. "It's complicated now that she's here. It ans…"
"Complicated," I repeated dryly. "That's your way of saying you had history?"
His silence was answer enough.
"Right," I said, nodding once. "Good to know."
I turned to leave, but his hand caught mine. The warmth of his touch sent a traitorous shiver down my spine.
"Val, don't," he said quietly. "Don't start building walls over this. I didn't ask for her to show up. I rejected the betrothal. We all did."
"Then tell her that," I replied, pulling my hand free. "Not ."
Before he could speak again, I walked out, my heartbeat loud in my ears.
The hallway slled faintly of coffee and fresh paint, but all I could taste was irritation—and jealousy.
Astra humd in my mind. "You're jealous."
"Shut up, genius."
"Just saying. He looked worried. That counts for sothing."
"Not enough," I muttered.
As I turned the corner, I nearly collided with soone. Strong hands caught by the shoulders.
"Easy there, princess," a familiar voice drawled.
Dristan.
Of course.
He arched a brow, his lips curving. "What's got you storming down the hall like you're ready to bite soone?"
"Wrong ti to be charming," I snapped.
He chuckled lowly. "So you admit I'm charming?"
I glared at him. "Don't push it."
His grin faded slightly, replaced by sothing more curious. "What happened?"
"Nothing."
"Val…"
"I said nothing, Dristan."
Dristan didn't buy it. Before I could walk past him, he caught my wrist and pulled back.
"Dristan…"
He didn't let finish. His hand slid around my waist, anchoring in place.
The air between us shifted. I could feel the heat from his chest even through my uniform, his scent curling around like a dare.
My breath hitched. "Let go."
He didn't. Instead, his gaze locked on mine. For a second, I forgot how to breathe. The hallway went quiet; all I could hear was the slow rhythm of his heartbeat against mine.
"Is it because of Kai and Serena?"
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