Chapter: 8Chapter EightIvy's povI didn't stop running until the air in my lungs felt like pieces of broken glass poking it. The administrative wing disappeared behind me as I ran far away from it. I couldn't go back to the suite yet, the thought of walking into that room where Aiden might be waiting, made my knees very weak.I veered off the stone path, my boots thudding softly against the floor as I entered into the darkness of the academy garden. It wasn't a beautiful place at night.The trees looked like reaching skeletal hands that wanted to strangle me and a lot of thorns clawed at my uniform as I pushed through them. I found a small, hollow space under an outstretched branch of a big tree and then crawled inside, the dirt staining my palms.I sat there in the dark, pulling my knees tight against my chest. I was shivering so hard my teeth clattered together in the silence. The night air was biting, but the cold that I felt inside me was worse. Every time I closed my eyes, I felt the weig
Zuletzt aktualisiert: 2026-02-25
Chapter: 7Chapter 7Ivy's pov The oxygen seemed to vanish from the room, leaving only the thick, suffocating scent of him. My hand remained frozen over the stack of folders, the rough edges of the paper biting into my fingertips. I didn't need to turn around. I knew that voice like it was my very own."I... I..." I started, but the words were a mess as my mind spiraled. I began to stutter, my mind spinning like a compass in a storm. My heartbeat was a frantic, irregular drum against my ribs, so loud I was very certain he could hear it. "Aiden, I was just... the Professor... I thought I left my registration papers...""Don't," Aiden interrupted. The word wasn't a shout, it was a low, dangerous vibration that made the floorboards beneath my boots tremble. He stepped into the room, his movements silent, closing the distance with his eyes never leaving mine in a way that made my heart beat way faster. "Who are you, really? Why on earth are you at this academy, and what business do you have in the
Zuletzt aktualisiert: 2026-02-16
Chapter: 6Chapter SixIvy's povThe lecture hall became extremely silent, hundreds of gazes were pressing into my skin, but only one pair of eyes mattered. Aiden Blackwood was leaned back, his large frame occupying his seat. Those molten gold eyes were fixed on me, unblinking, it felt like it was stripping away every layer of my defense.His question hung in the air, vibrating with a threat I could feel in my marrow.Why do you care so much about a pack of dead traitors?My heart was beating rapidly, what on earth was I trying to prove by saying anything initially?I opened my mouth, but my lungs felt seized, I could hardly breathe let alone say anything. I had to be the cocky Alpha who didn't care, but the girl inside me was screaming at me to run."I... I just think..." I started. My voice was thin, a pathetic, watery sound that echoed in the really big room. I hated it. I swallowed hard, forcing my vocal cords to tighten, trying to find that low, boyish rasp. "I’ve read things. Different acc
Zuletzt aktualisiert: 2026-02-16
Chapter: Chapter 5Chapter 5Ivy's povThe darkness in the suite wasn't just an absence of light, it was heavy, like a living thing pressing against my skin in some kind of way. I stood frozen on the carpet, the small glass vial of scent-blocker digging into my palm.Aiden was still leaning against the wall, he hadn't moved a muscle, but his presence right there made me feel like the walls were closing in on me."I asked you a question, Princess," he said. His voice was a dangerous whisper that made the hair on my arms stand up.Princess.The word sent a jolt of electricity through me. My mind began to spiral, a chaotic whirlwind of "what ifs."Why on earth does he keep calling me that, does he know? But then how could he possibly know? I had been so careful so far. Was it the way I moved? Or did he recognize the girl from all those years ago? If he knew I was Ivy, then I was already dead. My stomach twisted into a knot of dread.I swallowed, I had to say something, this was not the time to be scared, I
Zuletzt aktualisiert: 2026-02-04
Chapter: Chapter 4Chapter FourIvy's pov The word Princess kept ringing in my head after he had said it.My heart literally stopped entirely. My lungs seized and for a terrifying moment, I was sure the loud, frantic drumming of my pulse would give me away. He knew.The thought screamed in my head, a repeating siren of panic. He saw through the ink, the clothes, the scent, he knew who I was, he knew that I was a girl.I looked at Aiden, searching for a sign of a joke or a taunt, but his golden eyes were impossible to read. Did he call me that because he recognized me from our childhood? Or was it because I looked so weak, so un-Alpha, was that "Princess" the ultimate insult in a school full of predators?The silence in the hallway was so thick that it made me extremely nervous."I... I..." I started, but my voice betrayed me. It came out as a pathetic, high-pitched squeak. I swallowed hard, forcing my vocal cords to tighten. "I can't possibly be here."I didn't wait for him to grab me again. I ducked
Zuletzt aktualisiert: 2026-02-03
Chapter: 3Chapter threeIvy's pov The pressure against my windpipe was firm and utterly terrifying. I looked up into those gold eyes, and for a heartbeat, the world around us from the whispering students to the clatter of the cafeteria simply ceased to exist to me.Recognition hit me like a physical blow to the stomach.Aiden.It had been years since I had seen him. Back when we were children, he had been the boy who haunted my nightmares. The boy that I had crushed on, even at a point thought I loved as a kid. Even though he hated me, would pull my hair, would whisper that I was a "weak little pup," who would look at me with a disdain so deep that it forever left doubts of who I was in my head. But the boy was gone and in his place was a man that was crazily different. He was broader, taller, and radiating a level of Alpha power that made my knees want to buckle.My breath hitched in a ragged gasp. My name was on the tip of my tongue, a reflex of fear, but I swallowed it back. I was literall
Zuletzt aktualisiert: 2026-01-27
Chapter: 20CHAPTER 20RAIN ANDREA RIVERTON Prophecy or not, we were still students of Kingsbury High. It didn’t matter what we knew, or who we slapped. Attending classes was non-negotiable. Especially when they involved training. We were going to die one way or another, better to put up a good fight.“I am pleased to see some more familiar faces from the remaining aspirants the first trial didn’t wipe out.” Professor Bengal raised his chin. Hands behind the back of his robe, Dr Zia stood behind him like she always had been. “Do not rejoice yet, you still have three more to survive and win.”Three.Total of four. Not three like the Acolytes had done, Or as Aunt Eloise had in her time. Four. “Why does everything about our set have to be fucking different?” Nazeera frowned. Lix stood next to us with her Kitsune blade tugged in an X shape behind her fight gear.“Right?” Lix sneered. “It’s like they are trying to get us killed on purpose.” Professor Bengal continued. “You have today and tomorrow
Zuletzt aktualisiert: 2026-03-04
Chapter: 19CHAPTER 19RAIN ANDREA RIVERTONShivers trailed down my arms in waves as I looked up to his tall frame. There was no surviving the rage that was in his eyes.“I have to cover my fish,” Nazeera said and walked away without waiting for a response.What in the world of betrayers?“I have to go help her cover her fish.” Leon hurried along. My eyes widened at how fast they were to betray me. Leaving me with this raging monster in front of me. But I couldn’t blame them, I’d do the same.“It wasn’t intentional.” I frowned, turning fully to him.“Do you even have any idea of what you have done?” His eyes flashed.Kai was angry. Murderous even. The hallway was empty, most students were in class already and I was in danger. “I kept it safe!” I shot at him. “I tried to, at least.” He scoffed, silver eyes blaring into mine. Suddenly, his ears twitched and he grabbed my wrist forcefully. Electricity passed through my veins and straight into my brain as he pulled me towards him, my face going to
Zuletzt aktualisiert: 2026-03-04
Chapter: 18Chapter 18RAIN ANDREA RIVERTON“Ward nine, section five members have always been first in Kingsbury. So it would be absolutely wrong for me to say I am surprised.” Councilman Omen said with hands behind his back in high prestige. I could see the resemblance between Kamari and Ivella with their father. Were they as fucked up as he was too? Did he take the key? Did Nazeera take it?“Good job, once again.” His eyes scanned the hall.Our formation of three was behind our flags as always. Wards three and six stood beside us. “Your second trial comes in three days.” “Three days?” Voices were raised in protest, “We barely survived this one.” My brows squinted as I stared at Omen. Whatever his soul was made of, it was so dang obvious mine hated it. “Why the rush?” Naz mumbled beside me. “Aunt Eloise’s dairy stated we had at least two weeks to rest before the next trial.” I still didn't trust that she didn’t take the key. But I couldn’t accuse her if I didn’t witness it myself. Besides,
Zuletzt aktualisiert: 2026-03-04
Chapter: 17If you are reading this, it means your first trial went well and you are still breathing. I am proud of you. You’ve always been a smart girl, Rain. Pay attention to details, patterns, and things that repeat themselves. And at the same time keep an eye on the council. And always remember. Once is a coincidence, and twice is a pattern. ~A GUIDE TO SURVIVAL AT KINGSBURY HIGH, GIFTED TO RAIN ANDREA, RIVERTON. FROM ELOISE RIVERTON (section5) ~ Chapter 17 RAIN ANDREA RIVERTONHome. Sweet. Fucking. Home. Well, maybe not exactly my idea of home, but at least I was back in my room. No corset. No long gowns. No cupcakes. And certainly, no Kai Malek. The slight movement from the other end of the room reminded me that Nazeera was still my roommate.Taking a deep breath, I let the sleep wash over me.***“Do you think you are worth anything? Do you think your father would find excuses to travel every time if you were so worth it?” Mother’s voice pierced through my ears, my little legs s
Zuletzt aktualisiert: 2026-03-04
Chapter: 16CHAPTER 16RAIN ANDREA RIVERTON“It’s time,” Kamari stated. Each of us on either side of our beds was already dressed in our fight gear. My hair was packed in a high ponytail and two strands braided on either of my checks. Seconds later, we were pulling up to the tower to the meet-up spot Ward nine had picked. Lix moved from one foot to another with worry in her eyes. Naz? She wore a scowl more than half the time, I could barely read a thing out of her.I cleaned my sweaty palms over my gear. I was going to survive. My name was not going to be added to the death board.“Divide yourselves into groups of five,” Kai ordered. Unlike us, he wore a round-neck black top that highlighted his muscles. Only his pants were the school fight gear. “After tonight, we will either win or barely make it out with our lives. Because then, it will be obvious what we came for. I can guarantee that Aldamar will not let anyone leave alive.”“With our number and the guards we will have to kill, would he
Zuletzt aktualisiert: 2026-03-04
Chapter: 15CHAPTER 15RAIN ANDREA RIVERTONKai walked away and left the rest of us still in formation. How was he going to get past the guards? Or get to the throne?“What I don’t understand is why we have to start searching right now,” Penelope said from behind. “We still have till tomorrow.” Theon gave her an annoyed look. But it did not match the death glare Kai would have leveled her with if he were here. “How many of ward six and three members do you see running around the woods?” Theon crossed his arms. “Oh, right.” She rubbed her hand over her neck shyly. “But wait,” Kayla spoke up. “If everyone else is in search of the snake’s head today, wouldn’t it be even more dangerous for us to expose how much we know about its location?” I exchanged looks with Nazeera, meeting her expression in a never-ending scowl. “Go on,” Cole had his arms crossed.“Judging from what we have seen so far, only Ward none has been able to come up with more than enough strategy to actually locate the treasure
Zuletzt aktualisiert: 2026-03-04