LOGINPERCY’S POVThe party was still roaring around me, but my attention had left the room the moment Caden took Zana by the hand and led her outside.I watched it happen from across the hall with a smile fixed on my face but I felt something go tight in my chest when it happened.Zana had glanced back once before disappearing through the doors, and that single look had kept replaying in my mind ever since.My wolf had immediately urged me to go after her, but I stayed where I was.I told myself they probably needed privacy.Caden had feelings for her. Anyone with eyes could see that. He’d been orbiting her for weeks, like a wolf who had already chosen his target.If he wanted to speak with her alone, maybe it was none of my business.That didn’t stop me from thinking about her every few seconds.The common hall was louder than before, full of celebrating students, clinking cups, and bodies moving in circles. House Varen banners hung proudly above us, and everywhere I looked people were dr
ZANA’S POVDarren pushed me back against the wall, never breaking the kiss. He used one of his hands to choke me and used the other to grab my ass firmly. I groaned into his mouth as he shoved his tongue even deeper into my mouth.I could feel the heat burning through our bodies combined with a deep need and hunger for each other. I could literally feel the heat radiating off him.The connection I felt to him was something I couldn’t explain. It was something I’d never felt with anyone.This guy infuriated me. He got on my nerves. I hated him or rather, I wanted to hate him.Still, I was strongly drawn to him – like a fucking moth to a flame. My body responded to him in ways I never thought were possible.Right there and then, Darren got on his knees and unbuttoned my pants, pulling my panties down. Before I could react, he placed his mouth on my cunt. His firm hands gripped my hips tightly as he attacked me with his tongue. I almost screamed as the pleasure overtook me. I had to gr
ZANA’S POVMy heart was beating so hard it felt painful. Every beat of it echoed through my chest, through my throat, through the place where Darren stood too close and looked at me like he wanted answers.His words hit me harder than they should have.Why does it feel like someone ripped my chest open?I should have pushed him away.I should have reminded him how cruel he could be, how cold, how impossible. I should have told him to move and let me pass.Instead, I stood there with my back against the stone wall, staring into eyes that looked more raw than angry now.My wolf was fully awake inside me.She pressed forward hard. She was drawn to him with a dangerous pull. She didn’t care about logic or pride or the hundred reasons this was a mistake. She only cared that he was here, close enough to touch, smelling like cedar and male wolf heat, looking at me as if I mattered too much.“You don’t get to say things like that,” I whispered. My voice shook more than I wanted. “Not after th
ZANA’S POVBy the time I walked back into House Varen’s common hall, I felt like I had lived three different days inside one body.My muscles still ached from the tournament. My mind still burned from the argument in the garden, and my heart felt bruised in ways I didn’t know how to explain.The celebration had only grown louder while I was gone. Music pounded through the room, students shouted over one another, and wolves kept dancing with excitement.The hall was glowing with torchlight and silver banners. Long tables were crowded with food, half-empty cups, and laughing students leaning over each other to talk.Some were dancing badly in the center of the room, some were singing, and some were already too drunk to stand straight.Usually, I would have laughed. But tonight, I wanted silence.Jessie spotted me almost immediately. She let out a dramatic scream and stumbled through the crowd toward me with a goblet in one hand and one shoe missing. Her dark braid was half undone, and t
ZANA’S POVI stood frozen in the moon garden. My heart pounded as I stared at Darren.He looked furious. His jaw was tight. His eyes were dark with anger and hurt.He’d seen Caden kissing me. He’d seen me kiss him back.Heat rushed into my face so fast it almost hurt. Guilt hit me hard without warning.I knew I didn’t owe Darren anything. He never asked for me, never claimed me, never given me certainty. Yet standing there beneath that hard stare, I felt as if I had been caught betraying him.My wolf reacted first. She went still. Then, I felt her whimpering inside me. Then she stirred with something far more dangerous than fear. She wanted him closer. I shut her down immediately.Darren’s eyes moved slowly from me to Caden. It was the kind of look predators gave before blood was spilled.Oh Goddess. What was going to happen now?Darren started walking toward us. Before he could say anything, Caden stepped in front of me protectively.“Am I interrupting something?” Darren asked.His v
ZANA’S POVCaden led me outside and through the academy grounds to the moon garden. It was one of the most beautiful places on campus.It was a circular garden filled with flowers that glowed softly in the darkness. The place was also decorated with moonstones that gave off a gentle silver light. The air smelled sweet too.The sudden quiet felt unreal after the noise inside. The garden glowed softly under the night sky. Somewhere nearby, water trickled from a fountain. The air smelled clean and cool.We walked in silence for a while. I kept glancing at Caden. I noticed the tension in his shoulders. His expression seemed angry.We walked deeper into the garden before stopping beneath an arch covered in glowing ivy.For a moment, neither of us spoke."What's wrong?" I asked.He sighed heavily and stopped walking. "I've been trying to stay calm. I’ve been trying to be patient and give you space. But I can't anymore."I was confused. What was he talking about?"Caden-"He dragged a hand t







