Mag-log inStephanie’s POV:“Follow me,” he said over his shoulder, his tone clipped but carrying an edge of authority that left no room for argument.I scrambled to keep up, my sneakers slipping slightly on the grass as I trailed behind him. He moved with the kind of effortless grace that made it impossible not to notice the ripple of muscle beneath his bare skin. The sun caught the sheen of sweat on his back, tracing the lines of his shoulders and the curve of his spine. I forced my gaze away, chastising myself for letting my thoughts stray.This was training. Not… whatever this was.Nicholas led me to a small patch of dirt at the edge of the training ground. The space was secluded, bordered by tall trees that cast dappled shadows over the area.“Stand here,” he said, pointing to a spot directly in front of him.I obeyed, swallowing hard as he circled me, his eyes scanning me from head to toe. His scrutiny made my skin prickle, and I had to fight the urge to fidget under his gaze.“First, I wa
Stephanie's POV:Knock. Knock. Knock.I groaned, burying my face deeper into the soft, welcoming warmth of my pillow. It was the… Well, I'd honestly lost count of how many times someone had knocked on my door this morning. A heavy sigh escaped me, my body pleading for just a little more rest. Couldn’t they take a hint? Instead of dragging myself out of bed, I had been steadfastly ignoring the knocks, pulling my duvet over my head as if it could shield me from the world. But this time, something about the persistent rhythm made me reconsider.Reluctantly, I tossed the duvet aside, swung my legs over the side of the bed, and shuffled toward the door with the energy of a sloth. My feet dragged across the cold floor as I reached for the doorknob, my face already set in a frown. But as soon as I swung open the door, my scowl melted into a mix of confusion and surprise.Nicholas?“What are you doing here?” I blurted out, the words tumbling out before I could stop myself.He didn’t respond i
Stephanie's POV:We were at the top of the mountain, the place he said was his favorite spot. It was the first place he had taken me when he showed me around Moonsdale back then. The memory was still vivid, but this time, the sight before me was even more breathtaking. The moon hung high in the sky, its silvery light casting a soft glow over the landscape. Moonsdale stretched below us, a sleepy town bathed in a sea of moonlight. The view was enchanting, but what truly stole my breath were the decorations he had prepared for this moment.The clearing was transformed into something out of a dream. Twinkling fairy lights were strung delicately between the trees, their warm glow resembling the stars above. A soft path of rose petals, crimson and velvety, led to the center of the clearing. There, a small table stood, adorned with a pristine white cloth and a single candle flickering steadily in the night breeze.Around the edges of the clearing, lanterns hung from low branches, their lig
Stephanie's POV:The day passed faster than I could comprehend. One moment, I was busy, and the next, the clock struck midnight. I switched off the lights, rolled the curtains closed, and sank into my bed.Though exhaustion weighed heavily on my body, sleep refused to come. My thoughts were consumed by Alex, the way he carried himself, and the coldness he exuded. But I knew I needed to rest; the next day’s training wouldn’t wait for my sleeplessness. I closed my eyes tightly, determined to will myself into slumber.A knock startled me.My eyes flew open. Who could that possibly be at this hour?Reluctantly, I pushed back the covers and shuffled toward the door. The hallway light seeped faintly under the doorframe, casting shadows in the corners of my room. I unlocked the door and opened it cautiously. The hallway was dark and eerily silent. No one was there. I peered further out, scanning for any sign of movement, but the corridor stood still, empty.Maybe I heard wrong.I closed the
Stephanie's POV:My shoulders sagged as I stared at the target board. I missed. I didn’t even graze the edge of the target. A pang of frustration gnawed at me, but before I could dwell on it, Alex’s voice cut through my thoughts. “You just started,” he said, his tone steady and calm. I turned to see him walking toward me, his usual air of confidence wrapped around him like armor. “You’ve still got a lot to learn,” he added, the corner of his lips tugging upward slightly in a reassuring smile. I sighed, the weight of the gun in my hands feeling heavier than it should. “Yeah, no kidding,” I muttered, glancing at the weapon as if it were the problem and not me. Alex chuckled softly. “Alright, let’s take it from the top. I’ll teach you.” Alex stepped closer, his presence steady and grounding. He gently reached for the gun in my hands, his fingers brushing mine briefly. His touch, firm but not overbearing, made me look up at him. He was patient, I realized, and oddly enough,
Stephanie's POV:After arranging the weapons carefully, he pressed a button on the wall that I hadn’t noticed before. The sound of an iron door creaking open echoed through the room. Without hesitation, he stepped inside, and I followed.This room was entirely different from the previous one. While the first room had a dark, foreboding atmosphere, this one had a pristine white theme with black target boards positioned at the far end. A long table stood across the room, and atop it lay an array of guns, each varying in size and type. The sight was both intimidating and fascinating. He walked over to the table, his movements purposeful, and I followed closely behind.Stopping in front of the table, he picked up one of the guns. It wasn’t the largest, but something about how he handled it made it seem like it was the most important thing in the world. He pulled out a soft rag and began to clean the weapon with meticulous care, his every motion precise, as though the gun were a priceless







