LOGINXenia’s POVGriffin doesn’t look at me anymore.Not even accidentally.There was a time when it felt automatic, like he sensed me before he saw me. A glance that lingered too long. A pause where he registered my presence even if he pretended not to care. Now there’s nothing. I could stand right in front of him and he’d walk past like I’m part of the wall.That’s new.And it irritates me more than it should.I lean against the hallway window and watch him cross the courtyard with Lena. He walks close to her, close enough that his shoulder almost brushes hers, like the space between them doesn’t exist anymore. His posture is easy. Relaxed. Griffin never relaxes unless he thinks he’s safe.She makes him feel that way.Not because she’s better. Not because she earned it. Something else chose her first, and people hate admitting that part. They like neat explanations. They like believing affection and power are fair things.They’re not.I turn away before anyone notices me watching. Timing
Ryker’s POVI don’t sleep much anymore.Not because I’m busy. Not because of patrols or Keeper work stacking up. People assume that’s the reason, and maybe it’s easier for them to think so. But it’s not that. It’s the silence. When you grow up a Keeper, you learn early that silence isn’t peaceful. Silence means something is hidden. And right now… everything is too quiet. And I didn't like it. I had never been a fan of calms before a storm and now, it looked like a huge one was coming. The library has been sealed since the attack. That alone is a problem.I stand in the east wing of the archive with my hands shoved deep in my coat pockets, staring at the door like it might move first. Stone frame. Old runes carved so deep they feel permanent. A faint glow curls under the cracks, visible only to people like me.It looks normal.That’s how I know it isn’t.“Still pacing?” a voice says behind me.I don’t turn. “Still pretending this is nothing?”Hale steps beside me. Taller. Older. Calm
Ryker's POVI hated mornings at school.Not because of classes. Not because of people. It was that low hum under my skin. The sense that something was shifting, something I couldn’t name yet. And it felt like I was standing on the edge of it, waiting for it to tip.I stood by my locker, flipping through a book I wasn’t really reading. Marcus came up beside me, hands in his pockets, casual but aware of the tension radiating from me.“You look like crap,” he said.“Good morning to you too,” I replied.He leaned on the locker next to mine. “No, seriously. You look like you haven’t slept.”“I slept,” I said. “Didn’t rest.”“That makes no sense.”“It does if you’re a Keeper,” I said.Marcus snorted. “Ancient bloodline problems. Must be exhausting.”I shrugged. “Ever get the feeling everyone’s standing on thin ice and they don’t even hear it cracking?”“That dramatic, huh?”“Yes.”We walked down the hallway, stepping around groups of students. Laughter, gossip, announcements about finals, p
Griffin’s POVSchool felt wrong the moment I stepped onto campus.Not dangerous. Not hostile. Just… off.The courtyard was loud like always. Lockers slamming. People laughing too hard. Someone yelling about an exam they didn’t study for. Normal stuff. But my wolf was restless under my skin, pacing like it didn’t trust any of it. “Is something going on that I don't know about?” I muttered to myself as I adjusted the strap of my bag on my shoulder and kept walking.“Griffin!”I turned and saw Marcus jogging toward me, hair still damp like he’d just rushed out of the showers. He looked relieved when he saw me, which told me everything.“Thought you weren’t coming,” he said.“I thought about skipping,” I replied.He snorted. “Figures. After what happened?”I stopped walking. “What happened?”Marcus slowed too, then glanced around like the ground might be listening. “You seriously don’t know?”That set my wolf off. I didn't like surprises or bad news. Whatever he was going to say had bett
Donald's POVI woke up with a headache that felt like someone was drilling straight through my skull.My mouth was dry. My head was spinning. And for a second, I couldn’t even remember where I was.Then it all came back.Xenia.The fight.The alcohol.The confession.I groaned and rolled onto my side on the couch. Big mistake. The room tilted and I had to shut my eyes again.“Great,” I muttered. “Just great.”I heard movement in the kitchen. The sound of a cup being set down. Calm footsteps. Not rushed.That meant only one thing.Xenia was awake.I pushed myself up slowly and sat there, elbows on my knees, rubbing my face. I could still smell alcohol on my clothes and I hated that. Hated how weak it made me feel.“Get up,” Xenia said from the kitchen. Her voice was cool. Controlled.I flinched.“I’m up,” I said, louder than I meant to.She stepped into the living room, holding a mug. She looked perfect. Hair neat. Clothes clean. Like she’d slept just fine while I was drowning.She loo
LilithI didn’t mean to listen.That’s what I told myself while I stood halfway down the hallway, my hand resting against the wall like I needed it to stay upright. The lights in the living room were on, casting long shadows across the floor. I could hear voices clearly.Xenia’s voice was calm. Controlled.Donald’s was not.“I messed up,” he said.My stomach dropped.I pressed my lips together and stayed where I was. I should’ve gone back to my room. I knew that. But my feet wouldn’t move. Something in his tone made my chest feel tight.Xenia didn’t answer him right away.That scared him. I could immediately tell. I could hear it in the way he swallowed. In the shuffle of his feet.“I swear it didn’t mean anything,” Donald said quickly.Xenia laughed. Not loud. Not soft either. Just sharp enough to cut.“You stopped it?” she asked.“Yes,” he said, too fast. “I didn’t go all the way.”I closed my eyes.God, he was an idiot.“Don’t touch me,” Xenia said.I peeked around the corner then







