Aurora’s P.O.VThe next day rolled around like a heavy sigh, the kind that settles deep in your bones after hours of relentless spellwork and chanting until your tongue feels like it’s twisted in knots.My fingers still tingle with residual energy as I collapsed on the grass, the same field where we'd started this whole madness a few weeks ago. The wind was gentle, rustling through the tall grass like a lullaby, and for once, I didn’t mind just laying there. Maggie flopped down beside me with a dramatic groan, her dark curls a tangled mess of sweat and leaves. Ashton was the last to sit, and unlike us, he didn’t look half-dead.I rolled onto my side, propping my head on my elbow to look at him properly. “How are you not as tired as us?” I asked, genuinely puzzled. “You barely look like you broke a sweat, and I swear Maggie and I are about to pass out.”Maggie, in true theatrical form, threw an arm over her forehead and huffed, “I am literally panting like a dog, and this guy looks lik
Aurora’s P.O.VIt took me a moment to steady myself, to get back the full functionality of my senses. I blinked rapidly, to keep the darkness at bay, to keep the fatigue from creeping back in and taking control over my body.“Oh, yeah, you’re definitely not going to class,” Caroline said, her arms crossed as she hovered nearby. “Don’t even try to argue, Aura. You look like you’re about to pass out again.”“I’m fine,” I insisted, even as my legs refused to cooperate and I leaned more heavily into Caleb. “I just… stood up too fast.”“You nearly collapsed,” Caleb said, not even pretending to believe me. “You’re not going anywhere but home.”“But we have class—” I looked up at him, my voice catching with guilt. “I don’t want you to miss it because of me. It’s just a little dizziness. I can—”He cut me off, his voice low and firm. “You’re my mate, Aurora. I’d walk through hell for you. You really think I’m going to leave you like this to go sit through some lecture?” His jaw clenched, eyes
Aurora’s P.O.VThe loud clang of the school bell jolted me awake, and I snapped my head up, blinking the sleep from my eyes just as the students around me began packing up their things and shuffling out of the classroom. I hadn’t even realized I’d fallen asleep again. My arms were still crossed on the desk, and my cheek had a faint imprint from my sleeve.Great. Real classy, Aurora.I slowly sat up straight and rubbed at my eyes, still heavy with fatigue. I could feel that same dull throb behind them, like the remnants of a headache that never fully formed but refused to leave either."Hey," Caroline’s voice pulled me out of my daze. I looked up to see her standing beside my desk, concern written all over her face. Caleb was next to her, arms folded and a similar look on his face as well. "You okay? You've been half-asleep the entire day. And I swear you nodded off in alchemy class while Professor Rayne was literally lighting the table on fire."I gave them both a sleepy smile, stretc
Aurora’s P.O.VAlice’s eyes softened as she looked at me, and she gave a small nod. “I understand, Aurora. You’re not the first to feel this way, and you won’t be the last. But learning to fight, to protect, it’s not just about physical strength—it’s about mindset. And you have to be sure, really sure, that this is what you want.""I’m sure," I said, the weight of the words grounding me. "I can’t keep waiting for Caleb to come back and keep thinking I’m not strong enough to stand by him." I didn’t realize how much I needed to say that until the words were out.Before Alice could respond, though, Ashton’s voice cut through the moment, laced with concern. “Alice, what happened to the rogues? Did they manage to kill them all? Or did they escape?” His voice was sharp, his eyes intense, and I could tell he was still on edge.I blinked, surprised by the question. I hadn’t asked Caleb about that yet—hadn’t even thought to ask, honestly. I had been so relieved when he came back to me, safe an
Aurora’s P.O.VThe air in the training room was thick with the smell of damp earth and the sound of footsteps echoing off the walls as Maggie and I stretched, preparing for the day’s training. Ashton, standing a few paces away, was pacing, clearly irritated. It wasn’t exactly a secret that he wasn’t the biggest fan of Alice's rigorous methods.I glanced at Maggie, and she caught my eye. Her smile was wide, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. We had been training for two weeks now, but today, Alice had promised something special. Something more... useful."Can you believe it?" Maggie whispered, practically bouncing on her toes. "Magic training today! Finally!"I smiled back at her, the excitement building in my chest. My fingers tingle at the thought of finally learning how to channel my magic effectively—something more than just the basic tricks we had been practicing till now. I had been itching to learn how to defend myself with it, and today, it seemed, that dream would finally be
Aurora’s P.O.V I didn’t even hear when Caleb had arrived, his footfalls down the hallway had been near silent.One second, I was watching as Ashton made his way to my bed, and the next—I felt the familiar, sharp tug in my chest that always came with Caleb’s presence. I whipped around, heart stuttering in my chest as I saw him standing at the door, his eyes dark and unreadable, lips pressed into a thin line. His gaze wasn’t on me—it was locked on Ashton, like he was sizing him up, trying to figure out just what the hell he was doing here.“What is he doing in your room?”The words echoed through our mental link, his voice low and clipped, sharp enough to cut glass. I winced. Of course, he would pick now to show up. Of all times.I turned toward him, trying to stay calm, trying not to let my nerves show even though my pulse was thundering in my ears. “Caleb, it’s not what you think—Ashton just helped me with Riley. That’s it. Nothing more.” I tried to keep my voice even, soothing, like