ANMELDENRITA ASHCROFT There were only a few names that mattered inside Nightshade Academy, and mine was one of them.I had spent three years building that reputation, and every early morning training session, every sleepless night studying pack politics, every duel I had won, and every expectation placed upon my shoulders had shaped me into the woman everyone believed would one day stand beside one of the four Alpha heirs. It wasn't something I had demanded, nor was it a title anyone had officially given me. It was simply the future everyone had always seen for me, and after hearing it repeated for so many years, I had started believing it too.As I walked through the eastern co rridor, students immediately stepped aside to make room for me, while others lowered their heads respectfully."Good morning, Rita," a second-year student greeted politely, offering me a small smile.I returned the smile with a graceful nod before continuing down the hallway.Another group of student
SAMANTHA CARTER The moment I closed my bedroom door behind me, I leaned against it and let out a shaky breath I didn't realize I had been holding.The room was quiet, too quiet.Carla's words kept replaying in my head."Stay away from me. I don't want you anywhere near me."I slid down the door until I was sitting on the floor, wrapping my arms around my knees.What had I done?I had only wanted to thank him.He had saved my life yesterday, and despite the way he acted around me, I thought maybe there was another side to him. Maybe he was just shy. Maybe he wasn't good at talking to people.Instead, he had looked at me as though I carried a deadly disease.I squeezed my eyes shut."No," I whispered to myself, shaking my head. "You're not doing this."I wasn't going to spend my first week at Nightshade Academy crying over someone who clearly wanted nothing to do with me.Besides, I had bigger problems.The Council had practically sentenced me to death if I failed to make
CARLA VALESleep refused to come.I lay on my bed with one arm over my eyes, yet no matter how tightly I shut them, I could still feel her.Samantha.She was only a few rooms away, but to my wolf, it felt like she was miles beyond my reach.‘Go to her,’ my wolf urged for what felt like the hundredth time that night."No."‘She is our mate,’ my wolf insisted, as if that was supposed to make me happy."I know."‘Then why are we hiding?’Because loving her would kill her.I turned onto my side and stared at the ceiling. I had spent years preparing myself for a life without love. I had convinced myself that I would never have a mate, never have a family, never know what it felt like to hold someone without fear.Then the Moon Goddess had placed Samantha before me and expected me to pretend everything would somehow be different.It wouldn't. It never was.My eyes drifted toward the old wooden chest beneath my bed. I hadn't opened it in months.Slowly, I got up and knelt b
SAMANTHA CARTERThe walk from the Council Hall to the Crescent Residence felt longer than it probably was, and although none of us spoke for several minutes, I could feel every pair of curious eyes following us through the Academy grounds.If this was only my second day, I couldn't imagine what tomorrow would be like.The silence beside me finally broke when Darius threw his hands into the air with an exaggerated sigh."This is depressing," he complained, shaking his head dramatically before flashing me a grin. "We're supposed to be celebrating our first day as roommates, not walking around like we're headed to a funeral.""No one is celebrating," Karl replied calmly, although amusement flickered briefly across his face."I am.""That doesn't surprise me.""It shouldn't."Adrian chuckled softly and glanced at me."Ignore them. They've been arguing since they were children.""I do not argue," Karl answered."You absolutely do," Darius shot back, laughing. "You just do it polite
SAMANTHA CARTERMy heart stopped the moment those words left Alpha Blackwood's mouth."Then you will be killed."The sentence echoed inside my head again and again until every other sound around me disappeared. My throat tightened, and I couldn't even remember how to breathe. My fingers curled into trembling fists at my sides, yet I forced myself to remain standing.The Council Hall, which had been silent only moments ago, suddenly erupted into loud voices."She's an abomination!""The Moon Goddess has never made four mates!""She should be executed before disaster follows!""No! If the Goddess chose her, then killing her would be defying the Moon herself!"The arguments collided from every direction, making my head pound, while I stood in the middle of the chamber feeling less like a person and more like a criminal being judged for a crime I didn't even know I had committed.I hadn't asked for any of this. I hadn't asked to come to Nightshade Academy. I hadn't asked to be
SAMANTHA'S POV“Samantha, come with me; we need to talk,” Vex said with a cold voice, as she walked past me toward a side corridor, clearly expecting me to follow.I stood there for a moment, considering my options, as I stared at the four alphas who were still staring at me. I didn't hesitate anymore and followed her.Her office was at the top of the west tower. Circular room, windows on all sides, bookshelves stuffed with ancient texts that looked like they would crumble if I breathed on them.A massive desk dominated the center, covered in papers and maps and something that looked like a family tree."Sit," Vex said, pointing her hand to the chair opposite hers. I sat without any hesitation."Tell me about your family, Miss Carter." She said, taking her seat as well, with her gaze fixed on me fully now.I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat as I stared at her. My palms were becoming sweaty already."Ma'am, I'm human, and I already told you, my parents are human, and tha







