CHAPTER 4

Selina~

The pain in my shoulder woke me before the sun even rose. I groaned softly as I tried to sit up. The wound from the rogue wolf's claws burned like fire every time I moved.

I immediately noticed that someone had changed me into a loose shirt while I slept. It was probably one of the Academy Handmaids, but the bandages were already stained with blood. I felt sore all over.

I slowly looked around the room. It was beautiful. Too beautiful. A large bed, dark wood furniture, and a window that offered a stunning view of the mountains. But none of that mattered because this wasn't just my room.

It was our shared quarters.

I froze when I heard movement in the living area. Raymond was already awake. I could hear him moving around, probably making coffee or something. The memory of last night came flooding back.  The way he carried me, his warm body, the smell of him, and then his cold words before he slammed the door.

I hated how my stomach churned at the thought.

I forced myself out of bed, wincing the whole time, and changed into comfortable clothes: black sweatpants and a baggy hoodie that hid most of my curves. I didn't want to give those people any more reasons to stare.

When I stepped into the living room, Raymond was standing at the kitchen counter. He was shirtless again, wearing only gray sweatpants that hung low on his hips. His back muscles tensed as he reached for something.

He turned around, and our eyes met. How could someone so good-looking be such a fucking asshole?!

"You're awake," he said flatly. "Good. Don't expect me to babysit you every time you do something stupid."

I stared at him. I didn't ask you to rescue me last night.

 Raymond let out a short, cold laugh. Next time, I won't.

He grabbed his shirt and walked past me without another word, slamming his bedroom door behind him. I stood there, feeling angry, embarrassed, and something else I couldn't quite put my finger on.

Asshole.

***

Breakfast in the academy cafeteria was pure hell. The moment I walked in with my tray, the whispers started. Louder than yesterday.

Look at her. She's the human princess.

More like the human cow.

Why would Raymond agree to bond with her?

I lowered my head and tried to find an empty table in the corner. My shoulder was killing me, but I refused to show it. I was almost there when someone stuck out their foot, tripping me.

My tray flew forward. Food spilled everywhere. Eggs, toast, and juice splattered across the floor. I landed hard on my injured shoulder.  Pain shot through me so intensely that tears burned in my eyes.

Laughter erupted in the hall. I bit my lip hard to keep from crying. As I tried to push myself up, a hand appeared in front of me.

"Here," said a soft voice.

I looked up. A guy about my age, with kind brown eyes and tousled hair, offered me his hand. He looked human.

I took his hand and let him help me up.

"I'm Alfred," he said quietly, giving me a small smile. "Iris's younger brother. The one who deliberately pushed you. I know what she did, and I'm truly sorry."

I stared at him for a second, surprised. Was he kidding me? You're not like her?

He shook his head. "Not even close. Come on, let's get you another tray and find a seat. Ignore those idiots.”

For the first time since my arrival, someone was actually nice to me. I followed him to a quieter corner, and once we’d sat down, he told me he worked in the academy archives and had been there for a while, doing research. He even apologized again on Iris’s behalf. I didn’t fully trust him yet, but it felt good not to eat alone.

After breakfast, Alfred walked me to my first combat class.

The instructor was a woman named Beta Geraldine. She looked so tall and strong that I was certain she could snap someone in half without breaking a sweat.

The class was brutal.

Most of the students were werewolves or other powerful beings. They moved fast and hit hard. I did my best, drawing on the training I’d had back home, but I was clearly lagging behind. Someone shoved me while we were sparring. Another person laughed when I fell.

Then, a tall guy with warm brown skin and golden eyes stepped in.

"Enough," he said in a deep voice. "She’s new. Give her a break."

He turned to me and smiled. "I’m Rowan. Want to train together? I’ll take it easy and won’t let those idiots bully you."

I nodded gratefully. Rowan was patient and actually taught me a few moves. For the first time all day, I didn’t feel completely useless.

But, of course, the peace didn’t last.

Raymond walked into the training area in the middle of the session. He didn’t join in; he just leaned against the wall and watched. His eyes followed me the whole time. I could feel his gaze burning against my skin.

When I messed up a move and fell again, he grinned.

"Pathetic," he said, loud enough for everyone to hear. "And they expect me to bond with *her*?"

The whole class laughed.

My face burned with shame and anger. I pushed myself up, ignoring the pain in my shoulder.  Before I could say anything back, something strange happened. Heat raced through my body as green and gold sparks danced around my hands, and the training mat in front of me caught fire for a second before extinguishing again.

Everyone fell silent as I stared at my hands in shock.

What the hell was that?

Rowan looked surprised. Alfred, who had come to watch, looked worried. And Raymond’s eyes widened for a moment before narrowing again.

I quickly hid my hands behind my back, breathing heavily.

What the hell was that?!

The silence in the training arena was deafening, and everyone stared at me as if I’d grown a second head. My hands were still tingling from that strange green and gold energy. I quickly hid them behind my back; my heart was racing so fast I thought it would explode.

What the hell just happened?

Beta Geraldine stepped forward quickly. "Class dismissed," she announced loudly. "Everyone out. Now."

The students filed out slowly, still whispering and casting glances my way. I stood there frozen, feeling completely exposed. My shoulder was still aching from the night before, and now this? My stupid Fae blood had decided to show itself at the worst possible moment.

Rowan stepped closer to me. "Hey, are you okay? That was... well, I’ve never seen anything like it."

"I don't know," I whispered. "I didn't mean to do that."

Alfred appeared beside us, too. "We should get you out of here before more people show up and start asking questions. Come on."

They both helped me leave the training area. I was grateful for them, but my mind was racing the whole way back to the shared quarters. How was I supposed to hide something like that? I didn't even understand what was happening to me.

When I finally entered the apartment, it was quiet. Raymond wasn't back yet.  I went straight to my room, closed the door, and sat on the bed. My hands were still trembling. I looked down at them and tried to summon the magic again, but nothing happened. Just ordinary, slightly chubby hands.

Great. So now I was some strange being who couldn't even control what was inside her.

I stayed in my room for the rest of the day and avoided everyone. Alfred brought me some food later, and we chatted for a bit. He was actually nice. He told me he’d help me research powers in the archives if I wanted. I said yes. I desperately wanted that letter to be wrong so I could shove it in her face.

Well, "Dead Face.”

Night came faster than I expected, and I was lying on my bed trying to sleep when I heard the front door open. Raymond was back. I could hear him pacing in the living room. Part of me wanted to stay hidden, but another part was furious. He had called me pathetic in front of everyone today. After he had saved me last night. After he had carried me like I meant something for two seconds.

I couldn't take it anymore.

I got up, still in my baggy hoodie and sweatpants, and went into the living room. Raymond was sitting on the sofa, scrolling through his phone. He didn't even look up when I came in.

"Why do you hate me so much?" I asked, my voice sharper than I intended.

He finally looked at me. Those icy blue eyes were calm, but I could see something darker beneath them.

"I don't hate you," he said coldly. "I just don't want you here. This alliance is a mistake. You're weak. Human. And now apparently some kind of freak who can't even control his own magic."

 His words hurt more than I wanted to admit.

I stepped closer. You know nothing about me. Do you think I wanted this? Do you think I enjoy being the fat person everyone laughs at? I hate it just as much as you do.

Raymond slowly stood up. He was so tall. So much taller than me. He walked until he was right in front of me, looking down at me with that intense gaze.

"Why does your scent keep doing this to my head?" he muttered, almost as if he were talking to himself.

I blinked. What? What scent? Are you a dog or something? I'm talking about something serious, and you're talking about damn perfumes?! Is this a novel or some bullshit that—

Stop talking.