CHAPTER 5

Selina~

"Stop talking," he said, his voice so deep and rough it took my breath away. I stood there, staring up at him as his cold gaze pierced right through me. The air between us suddenly felt stifling. My heart was racing, and I hated that my body reacted this way to his proximity. He was still too close. His scent enveloped me—strong and masculine, with an underlying wildness that made my head spin, though I’d ​​never admit it.

"What do you mean, 'my scent'?" I asked, forcing my voice to remain calm. "You’re a werewolf, talking about scents like it’s normal. I’m not an animal. I’m human."

"Half-fae," he corrected, his eyes briefly sweeping over my face. "Your blood smells pure. Too pure. It bothers me."

I took a step back; the intensity of his gaze frightened me—and stirred something else I didn't want to name. "You have no right to speak to me like that. You humiliated me in front of everyone. You called me pathetic after saving me. What is your problem, Raymond?"

He let out a short, cold laugh. "My problem is that I’m bound to you. A soft human hybrid who can’t even control her own magic. The bond will devour my powers, yet here you stand, expecting me to be nice."

I felt tears stinging my eyes but held them back. "I never expected you to be nice. I just expect you to stop treating me like dirt. I want this bond as little as you do. My parents sent me here, and I hate it. I hate this academy. I hate the stares. And I hate you for making it even worse."

For a moment, he looked surprised. Then his face hardened again. "Fine. At least we agree on something. Go to sleep, Selina. Tomorrow won't be any easier." He turned and walked into his room. The door slammed shut, leaving me standing alone in the living room. My hands were still trembling from the magic that had erupted earlier. I clenched them into fists and went back to my room. There, I sat on the bed and stared at the ceiling until sleep finally claimed me.

The next morning, I woke up with a stiff shoulder and a heavy feeling in my stomach. The bandages were dry, but the pain remained. I took a quick shower and put on loose clothing again—this time, a long black sweater and jeans. I wanted to be as invisible as possible.

When I stepped into the living room, Raymond was already gone. On the counter sat a cup of coffee and a plate of toast. Beside them lay a note with just two words: *Eat this.*

I stared at the note, feeling a mix of anger and confusion. He hated me. He called me weak. And yet, he had left food out for me. I ate reluctantly—my stomach was growling—and then headed to the cafeteria.

Alfred was already waiting outside. He smiled when he saw me. "Good morning. How’s your shoulder?"

"Better," I lied. "Thanks for being there yesterday."

He shrugged. "Iris has done enough damage. I don’t want you thinking all Brandon are the same. Come on. I have time today. After breakfast, we can go to the archives and look for information on hybrid powers."

Breakfast was loud and filled with stares again. This time, no one tried to trip me—perhaps because Alfred was sitting next to me, or because rumors about my magic were already circulating. I heard whispers about green sparks and fire on the training mat. Some students looked frightened; others, scornful.

After the meal, I followed Alfred through long corridors to the archives. The room was vast and silent, filled with towering shelves of old books and scrolls. The smell of paper and dust hung in the air. Alfred led me to a table in the corner and brought over several thick volumes.

"Here," he said. "Everything about Fae bloodlines and hybrids. Most of the texts are old and incomplete. But perhaps we’ll find something about uncontrolled outbursts."

We read for hours. The texts spoke of pure souls and how Fae blood sometimes awakened late—especially in hybrids who had grown up as humans. There were warnings about the emotions that triggered the magic: anger, fear, and something referred to as "bond energy."

My breath caught when I read the section on bond energy. Alfred noticed.

"What’s wrong?"

"Nothing," I replied quickly. "It’s just... complicated."

He nodded and said nothing more. I was grateful. The idea that the soul bond might amplify my magic terrified me. What if I hurt someone? What if I lost control completely?

Later that day, I had combat training again. Beta Geraldine gave me a stern look as I entered the room.

"You’re staying on the sidelines today," she said. "No sparring until we know what’s going on with your magic. Watch. Learn."

I sat against the wall and watched the others train. Rowan came over and sat beside me.

"Yesterday was impressive," he said quietly. "The sparks. I’ve only heard of things like that in ancient dragon legends. Pure blood reacts strongly to threats."

"I didn't want that," I replied. "It’s embarrassing."

"It’s power. And power is frightening. That’s why they stare. But you aren't alone here. If you want, I can train with you privately. Slowly. Safely."

I nodded. "Thanks, Rowan."

He smiled and stood up to rejoin the training. As I watched, I felt that gaze again. Raymond was standing against the opposite wall once more. He wasn't training; he was just watching. His arms were crossed, and his eyes followed my every movement, even when I was just sitting there.

When the class ended, he walked straight toward me. The other students stepped aside to let him pass.

"Come," he said curtly. "We need to talk."

Reluctantly, I followed him outside to an empty courtyard. The mountains loomed in the background, and the wind was cold.

"What do you want?" I asked.

He looked at me for a long time. "The magic yesterday. That was Fae. Powerful Fae. You were hiding it."

"I wasn't hiding anything. I didn't know it was there. It only woke up recently."

"The letter. The truth about your grandmother. Elian told you."

I stared at him. "How do you know about Elian?"

Raymond’s jaw tightened. "He’s everywhere. The vampire guarding you. As if I weren't enough. As if the bond weren't enough."

Jealousy. That was it. He was jealous. The realization hit me like a blow.

"Elian is bound by an ancient oath. He protects me because he has to. Not because I asked him to."

Raymond stepped closer. His scent enveloped me again. "Your blood smells of rain and ancient forests. It makes the wolf restless. It makes *me* restless. And now your magic is breaking free, and everyone can see it. That makes you a target."

"I’m already a target. Since day one."

He fell silent for a moment. Then he said more quietly, "I overreacted yesterday. The words I spoke in front of the class. It was stupid."

"It was cruel."

"I know. The curse is eating away at me. A little more every day. And this bond is supposed to stop it. But it binds me to you. To someone I didn't choose. To someone who hates everything I am."

"I don't hate everything you are. I hate what I was told about werewolves. And I hate that you treat me like trash."

He looked away—toward the mountains. Somewhere in the distance, a wolf howled. Then he turned back to me.

"Go to the archives. Learn to control your powers before someone else controls them for you. And stay away from Liora and her group." You smile too much.