CHAPTER 1

Selina~

Never in a million years would I have expected my life to fall apart on a random Tuesday evening.

I had trained for hours in the gym, as usual. My body was tired, but I felt good, and I really wanted to see my boyfriend. After showering and changing, I grabbed a box of Brad's favorite chocolate pastries and headed to his apartment. He was the love of my life. The only person who felt desired about me, even with all my curves. I couldn't wait to tell him about my day and see that smile he always gave me.

I was even wearing the blue dress he said made me look less bulky. It was my favorite dress now because of him, but the moment I reached his door, I noticed it was slightly ajar. I gently pushed it open and stepped inside.

Then I heard it. Someone was shouting Brad's name over and over while moaning. The voice sounded far too familiar.

My feet kept moving forward even though my brain was screaming at me to stop.  I went deeper into the apartment, and the scene was seared into my memory forever.

Brad was on top of her. Shirtless. Covered in sweat. His hands gripped slender hips that were definitely not mine. Iris, my best friend, had her legs wrapped around his waist. Her shoulder-length brown hair was disheveled, her face flushed with desire. The same girl who hugged me when I cried about my body. The same girl I shared all my secrets with, the same girl I treated like a sister.

Now she moaned my boyfriend's name as if he belonged to her.

The pastry box fell from my hands and hit the floor with a loud thud, and they both jumped apart.

"Selina!" Brad's eyes widened in panic. He quickly climbed off the bed and tried to pull up his jeans. Iris didn't even cover herself properly. She just sat there, sighing, looking at me with feigned pity in her eyes.

 Selina, it's not what it looks like, she said softly, and I wanted to laugh, but the sound that came out was pathetic.

Not what it looks like? I whispered. You're in bed with my boyfriend, Iris. My best friend.

Brad stepped closer and held out his hand as if he still had the right to touch me. Baby, please listen. She came at me. I was weak, okay? But you know no one else will choose you the way I did.

His eyes slowly traveled down my body. To my soft belly. To my thick thighs. The disgust in his gaze was so clear it hurt. Iris sat up and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Let's be honest, Selina. You're cute and all, but look at you. Brad needs someone who can really turn heads. Someone who doesn't have to shop in the fat and ugly girl section. I didn't mean to hurt you, but I couldn't say no when he wanted me.

Her words felt like knives slicing into my chest.

For years, I believed her. Every time she told me I was beautiful. Every time she said my curves were perfect. Every time she hugged me and said I deserved the best. All of it was lies. She smiled in my face while she slowly destroyed me.

The pain in my chest was so intense I thought I would break.

I wanted to scream. I wanted to cry, but I did neither. Instead, I stepped forward and punched Brad hard in the face. The sound echoed loudly in the small room, and his head jerked sideways as a red mark immediately appeared on his cheek.

"We're done," I said quietly. My voice didn't even tremble. "Both of you. Stay the hell away from me."

I turned and ran before the tears could fall. I ran until my legs burned and my chest felt like it was going to explode. When I finally reached the gardens behind our property, I collapsed onto a cold stone bench and cried until my eyes felt raw and swollen.

I hated myself so much in that moment.

I hated my big body. I hated my round face. I hated my soft arms and thick thighs. I hated that I had actually believed someone like Brad could truly love me.

 When I finally dragged myself back to my room, it was already late at night. I started packing a bag. I needed to get away from everything. I just wanted space to breathe and think.

Mom and Dad wouldn't mind if I was gone for a few days. I was practically a ghost except when they needed something, and that rarely happened.

I was in the middle of sorting my things in my box when I found the old letter.

It was hidden deep inside the old jewelry box my mother had given me. The paper was yellow and fragile. The handwriting looked elegant but shaky.

I slowly unfolded it and read.

To my beloved granddaughter

By the time you read this, I will be gone, and the time has come. There is something you need to know. Your grandmother wasn't entirely human. She was half Fae. This blood flows in you, Selina. Your soul is pure and powerful. The Fae will sense it. Be careful whom you trust.  Protect your light.

My hands began to tremble violently.

Half-Fae? Me?

A soft laugh came from the dark corner of my room. I whirled around, my heart pounding in my ribs, and to my shock, a young man was leaning against my wall as if he'd been waiting for some time. He looked about eighteen. Pale skin, sharp cheekbones, and dark hair falling over calm gray eyes. He was beautiful in a cold and unsettling way.

Who are you? I grabbed the letter opener from my desk and pointed it at him. How did you get in here?

The stranger tilted his head slightly. My name is Elian Kius. And you, Selina Vaughn, are in far greater danger than you realize.

He took a smooth step closer. Your sister, Carolina, didn't die the way they told you. She discovered your father's secret deal with the dark Fae. They wanted to weaken the werewolves.  The man she ran away with tried to protect her. Your father had them both killed.

The universe was playing some kind of fucking joke on my sanity.

Listen, you lunatic. What are you?

A vampire, and I'm far from crazy. I—

You lunatic. I couldn't care less. Get out of my room.

I wish I could, but you know it's the truth.

No, I whispered. You're lying. This can't be true.

It is, Elian said gently. And your father is sending you to Runeblood Academy for reasons far greater than ley lines. He has plans for you, Princess.

I backed away until my legs touched the bed. My mind was racing.

Why are you telling me this? I asked, my voice trembling.

Elian gave me a small, sad smile. Because I'm bound to protect you. Whether you like it or not.

Before I could ask anything else, there was a loud knock at my door.

"Selina?" My father's voice came through, cold and commanding. "Open this door immediately. We need to talk."

Elian vanished into the shadows, and I stood frozen in the middle of my room, still clutching the old letter. My heart was pounding.