LOGINPOV: VINEThe sound that came out of Drew’s mother wasn't human. It was this high-pitched, jagged scream that felt like it was peeling the paint off the walls.I fought the urge to cover my ears. The dizziness felt like it was coming back. "No! You can’t do this! You have no right to take away his life!" she shrieked, her expensive purse hitting the table with a heavy thud.I was literally shaking in my pants. I tried to keep my face blank, but my hands were trembling so hard I had to sit on them.The room was a pressure cooker. It wasn't just Drew’s mom. I could feel the heat of a dozen other glares burning into the side of my head. These were the donors, the alumni, the people who poured millions into the hockey program and the "restige of Silverclaw Academy. To them, I wasn't the victim who had been brave enough to speak up.If anything, I was the girl who had broken their favorite toy."This is an outrage," one man in a charcoal suit barked, standing up. He was one of the school
POV: VINEDrew’s mother stood there for a long second, her chest heaving, looking like she wanted to spit in Ace’s face. Her eyes were darting between me and the hand Ace had just used to shove her back.She opened her mouth, her face twisting as she prepared to launch another round of insults. "You think you can—""Lydia, for the love of God, please sit down."The voice wasn't exactly loud, but it carried this authority, I had to look up. Of course. Mr Callahan. Ace’s father didn't even move from his spot by the window. It was terrifying how much Ace looked like him. He had the signature bored look on his face. "Don't embarrass yourself any further," Mr. Callahan added, his eyes briefly flicking to the Principal and then back to her. "The drama is already public. There is no need to make it a circus. Go to your seat."Drew’s mother turned even redder, if that was possible. She looked like she was about to explode, but you didn't just ignore a direct order from Alpha Callahan. Not i
POV: VINEI never thought my mini reveal of last night would cause this much havoc within the school board in less than 12 hours.As the car pulled up to the front gates of the academy, I actually had to squint. The driveway was so fucking packed. This wasn't just the usual fleet of student sports cars and bikes. These were the big cars. You know, those kind of sleek, armored SUVs and long black sedans that only showed up when the parents—the real power behind the school—decided to descend from their ivory towers.My stomach did a slow, painful flip. This couldn't have been because of my small event last night, could it? Or maybe there was a more serious issue at hand?I seriously hated being the center of attention. I looked down at my hand. Ace was still holding it. He'd been sticking with me everywhere since I fainted last night. Hell, I still hadn't fully processed the fact that I had woken up in his guest room this morning. I remember the dizzying heat in the garden, the feeli
POV: ACEThe second she hit the floor, my heart stopped for what seemed to be like a whole solid minute. I’ve seen girls faint before. Usually, it’s for attention or because they skipped lunch to fit into a dress, but this was different.Vine had literally just crumpled like a puppet with its strings cut right before my eyes. I couldn't even move fast enough to catch her before she hit the ground. "Vine?" I barked, dropping to my knees beside her.Her skin was blazing hot. I could feel the heat radiating off her even before I touched her. It was like she was burning from the inside out."Vine! Wake up. This isn't funny, V. Stop playing around."I shook her shoulders, but her head just lolled back. Her eyes were shut tight, and her breathing was shallow, coming in these short, ragged puffs that made my chest tighten with a panic I didn't recognize.I pulled out my phone, tapping on the guy's group chat. Ace: Where the fuck are you guys? I need you here, like right now. Kai: What? Y
POV: VINEJosh kept staring at me like I was some stranger he failed to recognize. His hand was still hovering near mine, but he looked terrified. I couldn’t blame him. We had just set the entire social hierarchy of Silverclaw academy on fire in less than five minutes. He was probably panicking internally about how things could suddenly go wrong. I was too, to be honest. But I've already come this far. It'd be over my dead body that I'd back down now. "Vine?" he whispered, his voice cracking over the sound of the rising shouting in the room. "Are you okay? We should probably go. Like, right now. Come on, the car's already outside, we just need to get there."I looked at him, but I didn't really see him. My pulse was a drum beating in my ears. I felt this weird, cold feeling that I struggled to put a name on. For months, I had been the girl who hid in the shadows. Who did her best to be invisible just so she could avoid any unnecessary drama. I even let myself get humiliated time an
POV: VINEThe night of the Costume Festival finally arrived, and the air around the academy felt a little bit different. The smell of different colognes were everywhere, and it felt a bit nauseating. I stood at the entrance of the ballroom, my fingers laced with Josh’s. He'd really done his best like he'd promised me he would. Somehow, even though he stayed up all night, working on the thing I asked of him, he looked completely normal. If anything, I was the one who had eyebags like a fucking zombie. His costume looked nice on him. I still couldn't believe tonight would determine Drew's fate. If things went well, I couldn't be more relieved. But if not, then....."You look amazing, Vine," Josh said, looking me over. "Seriously. If I didn't know you were about to start a third world war, I’d be intimidated."I forced a laugh, smoothing down the fabric of my outfit. "You don't look too bad yourself," I teased. "The decor club actually outdid themselves this year. I expected it to lo
Vine"What did she say?""Huh?" "I mean my Mom, what did she say?""Well," Clyde shrugged, narrowing her eyes, "She said she could trust me.""What are you talking about? My Mom just came here and said "Hi Clyde, I think I trust you?" I waved my palm at her face, "Hello? Can you come off the ficti
Vine"Well, at the moment, I have nothing to do with that." I stared at her, shifting a little, just in case her words birthed some terrible wolf out there to scratch the hell out of my face.Well, just kidding because her facial expression was so horrific.She sighed in relief and took a long brea
Vine"Oh, this initiation must be something really fun, isn't it?" I smiled at Jaxon, hoping he'd continue with some details that would be beneficial to me.However, Ace quickly intervened, "I'll engage her when the time is right." I wondered what they were talking about seeing how Ace curled his
VineI shut my eyes the moment his tongue touched mine, I could feel my senses gone as my skin exploded in warmth, and an ecstasy I didn't imagine existed.Was Ace a good kisser or he had some other kind of magic to his tongue...Or both. 'Cause I've never been so high on just a kiss.His free left







