CHAPTER 3

Selina~

I knew I was probably in deep trouble for saying that, but what was the worst that could happen?

He didn't say a word afterward, though, and turned to leave. Who was going to help me with my things if he wasn't going to?

Tch, damned rude bastard! I muttered to myself as I dragged my luggage behind me.

***

The main hall of Runeblood Academy was eerily beautiful. Crystal chandeliers floated in the air without ropes. Soft golden light mingled with glowing runes on the walls. Flowers I'd never seen before bloomed around the stage, their petals changing color every few seconds. It would have been magical if I weren't standing there like a lamb about to be sacrificed.

Hundreds of students and important people filled the seats. Werewolves, Fae, dragons, vampires. They were all staring at me.  Some looked curious. Most looked disgusted. I could clearly hear the whispers.

Why is a human here?

She's so round.

The Alpha Heir has to bond with her?

My face burned with shame, but I held my chin up. I wouldn't let her see me cry. Not here. Not in front of all these beings.

Raymond was already standing on the stage, tall and stiff in a black formal suit. His icy blue eyes seemed even colder under the lights. His mullet was neatly styled, and the snake tattoo on his arm was visible. He looked good. Intimidatingly good, but the way he was staring at me made my skin prickle.

Like I was dirt under his shoe.

The ceremony began quickly. An old werewolf in long robes spoke about peace between the races and shared power. I barely heard a word. My hands were shaking so badly I had to clench them tightly.

 Then they called us forward.

My father had emailed me on the way here. As soon as I arrived at school, I was to be connected with Raymond.

THAT ASSHOLE COULDN'T WAIT?!

I walked up the steps, feeling every single stare on my body. My blue dress suddenly felt too tight. Too revealing. I wished I could disappear.

Raymond didn't offer me his hand. He just stood there like a statue until the officiant told us to face each other.

The binding ritual began. They made us hold hands. His grip was strong and warm, but it felt like holding ice. Magic swirled around us in silver and blue threads. It was pretty, but I felt nothing but anger.

When it was time for the oaths, Raymond spoke first. His voice was cold and clear enough for everyone to hear.

"I, Raymond Viel, Alpha Heir of the Runeblood Pack, accept this political pact for the good of my people. Nothing more."

The hall was silent for a second before murmurs began.

My turn came. I looked directly into his icy eyes, even though my heart was pounding.

"I, Selina Vaughn, am only doing this because my father is forcing me. I don't like you. I don't trust you, and I definitely don't want you."

Shouts filled the hall. Someone laughed. I saw a few Fae girls whispering and pointing at me. "If that bastard thought he'd sunk low, I'd take him straight to the seven levels of hell."

Raymond's jaw tightened. His eyes flashed with rage. "You've got quite a big mouth for a weak human," he said quietly, just for me to hear.

 "And you have quite the attitude for someone who needs my royal blood," I retorted.

The officiant quickly ended the ceremony before we could say anything worse. Silver light enveloped our wrists for a moment, then faded. We were officially bound. At least on paper.

The moment it ended, Raymond dropped my hand as if it were burning him and walked off the stage without looking back. I stood there alone for a few seconds, feeling utterly humiliated, before I too hurried down the steps.

The rest of the evening passed in a haze of fake smiles and cruel whispers. No one congratulated me. They just stared. I barely ate anything at the light supper afterward. My stomach was too cramped.

When night fell, I was exhausted. I wanted to sleep and forget that awful day. Someone had taken all my luggage, and I could finally find some peace, but the Academy had other plans.

I decided to go for a walk outside to clear my head.  The area was beautiful at night. There were glowing trees and floating lanterns illuminating the paths. I stayed on the main path, as I'd been told. I just needed some fresh air. Just five minutes.

I didn't even hear it coming.

A deep growl behind me made my blood run cold. I slowly turned around. A huge black wolf stood a few meters away, teeth bared, eyes glowing red. It wasn't normal.

I backed away slowly. Good wolf, good wolf.

He lunged at me. I didn't even think and screamed as I tried to run, but he was too fast. Pain exploded in my shoulder as his claws lashed across my back. I fell hard to the ground. The wolf stood over me, ready to bite my neck.

That was it. I was going to die here on my first night in this hellhole, but suddenly a loud roar shook the air. Another wolf, larger, with dark fur and ice-blue eyes, crashed into the rogue like a truck.  They fought fiercely. Growling, biting, rolling on the ground. The fight was brutal and fast.

The dark wolf won.

With one last snap of his jaws, the rogue wolf went limp. He transformed back into a man I didn't recognize, and then the larger wolf transformed as well.

It was Raymond.

He stood there shirtless, breathing heavily, blood on his hands and chest. His eyes were still glowing as he looked down at me.

I trembled on the ground, my dress torn, blood soaking my back.

Raymond said nothing. He simply bent down, lifted me as if I weighed nothing, and began carrying me back to the dorms. One arm was under my knees, the other supporting my back. I wanted to push him away, but I was too weak and in too much pain.

His body was warm. Really warm. And he smelled of pine and something else I couldn't identify.  When we reached our shared quarters, which I hadn't yet had the misfortune of seeing—an elegant two-bedroom apartment—he kicked open the door and carried me straight to my bed. He laid me down on it, not gently, but not too roughly either.

I winced in pain. Raymond stood over me, staring down with those cold blue eyes. His expression was harsh.

"Stay out of my way, Hybrid," he said in a deep, dangerous voice. "This bond is a curse, not a choice. Next time you decide to wander around like an idiot at night, I might not be there to save you."

He turned to leave but remained standing by the door.

"And don't think that changes anything. I still hate you."

Then he went out, slammed the door behind him, and I lay on the bed, my shoulder burning, tears streaming down my face.