05

Ravenna's POV

I stayed on my knees with my head still bowed. My heart pounded like a drum. Seeing Ronan and Selena had brought back long-buried memories. I thought I was ready to confront my past. Turned out I was wrong.

All eyes were still on me. Selena stayed silent. Her gaze burned like an inferno. Sweat trickled down my back as I knelt there in front of everyone. Honestly, the last thing I wanted was to get thrown out of the academy on the first day of my return.

“How dare you cause a scene at my son’s coronation?”

"Forgive me, Luna."

"You have the galls to knock down my son's mate? Who are you by the way? I don't remember ever seeing you around."

Oh, you know me so well. I am the girl you stabbed. The girl you left to die.

Yeah, I wished I could tell her that. But now wasn't the time.

I swallowed and told the lie I had repeated for so long it felt true. “I’m Vexley Aleron, a transfer student. I'm so sorry. I didn’t mean to disrespect anyone.”

Selena’s eyes narrowed. “A transfer student with no manners? I need to teach you some."

Fear gripped me. That was the thing about Selena. She was evil, cold, unforgiving. . . Maybe I should have been more careful. But it was hard to say calm after seeing Thalia.

Ronan stepped forward and dropped a hand on his mother's shoulder.

“Mother, let it go, she apologized. It's my big day, we don't need to waste time with nobodies like her."

Nobody, huh? You wouldn't even be crowned alpha if I didn't take the fall for your stupid ass!

I looked up and my eyes met his again. My mind flashed back to the day he said the ugliest of words to me. You're just a convenient hole for my release.

For someone I saved his life? Damn it!

Selena nodded. “You're right. We have better things to think about. Get out of here, girl. You are really lucky I’m feeling generous tonight.”

The guards stepped back. And the slowly, the tension in the air eased. I rose slowly and muttered thank you to the gracious Luna. But she had walked away with her entourage.

Ronan pulled Thalia to her feet and dusted down her dress. I felt a knot in my stomach. That would have been me. But I wasn't jealous. Never! I didn't want to be with a bloody-faced liar like Ronan. He was evil, just like his mother.

I watched him take Thalia's hand, pulling her back toward the hall. But Thalia turned and glared at me.

“Don’t think this is over.” Her chilling tone would have scared me if I wasn't so angry.

I finally got to my feet and exhaled. Astrid sprang out from nowhere and looked at me. “Vexley, need to be careful, okay? That could have turned out really ugly.”

"Yeah, it's too early to start stepping on toes."

"Girl, there are some toes you don't want to step on if you don't want to lose your feet," she whispered. "Luna Selena is one."

"I'll watch."

"Do you want to come back to the hall?"

"No, I'll just stay here for now."

Astrid rolled her eyes. "I need to pick something up from the hall. I'll be back soon. Please, don't get into any trouble."

"I won't." I smiled at her.

She gave me a thumbs up and headed toward the hall. My smile vanished as soon as Astrid turned around. She came across as a good person, but I had experienced so much betrayals in my life to truly trust anyone.

I remained outside the garden, listening to the soft music from the hall. My body shuddered as wondered what would have been if Ronan didn't intervene. Would I get thrown in the dungeon? Maybe get stabbed again.

Footsteps crunched behind me. Oh, Astrid? That was quick. But as the footsteps got closer, I recognized the scent. Ronan. My breath froze.

I turned right away. He was a couple of steps away. Our eyes met and he gazed at me intently, like he could see through my soul.

"What's your name again?” He stepped closer.

"It's Vexley, Alpha."

"Vexley. . ." His jaw tightened, and I saw his hands flex. He was fighting the urge to reach out and touch me. “You remind me of someone. Someone I… lost.”

My stomach twisted. You didn’t lose me, you disloyal bastard. You threw me away and let your witch of a mother stab me.

“I’m sorry for your loss."

"Don't be. Life goes on." He was enough to feel the heat of his body. His scent filled my senses and made my head spine. Memories of the many nights he had bent me over and slid his big cock into me came back rushing. Damn it, I used to love this man. He was my world. Until he threw it away.

"Yes, life goes on," I repeated because I had no idea what else to say.

“This is crazy, but there’s something about you that is familiar.”

"You are imagining things, Alpha. I need to go now." I moved away from him with quick steps.

I didn't want Thalia or Selena or anyone see Ronan with me. I had to stay alive long enough to enact my revenge. I thought he would call me back, but he didn't. But I could feel his eyes on my back, and I felt the pull of his wolf. It recognized me. But Ronan would never.

Back in the hall, the music had given way to the chatter of guests as they ate. I spotted Astrid at a table.

She waved me over. “Vexley!"

"Thalia is still sulking in the corner. You must have really upset her."

"Good for her." I eased into the seat.

"Look at that," Astrid said suddenly.

"What?"

"Luna Selena. She's looking at us."

My eyes land on Selena, and she was indeed watching us closely. Me actually. I flashed a nervous smile, but she just looked at me blankly. Her eyes bore into me and made me uncomfortable as hell.

“Girl, you’re a magnet for trouble. First, Thalia, now the Luna won't stop glaring at you. You better stay low for the coming days.” Astrid sounded concerned.

But I laughed it off. If only she knew who I really was, she would stop worrying about me making an enemy of the Luna.

The wineglass on our table rattled and from the corner of my eyes I noticed someone had dropped something and run off. I tried to follow the movement, but the person had mixed with the crowd.

I lifted the wine glass and saw a note scribbled on a piece of paper.

We need to talk tomorrow. Alone. After Training.

— Kael.