ASTERION SCHOLARS TOURNAMENTEligible seniors enrolled at any institution in the Asterion School District may apply. The tournament will comprise three rounds, each dedicated to one of the following subjects: metamorphological science, inter-species history and shifter literature. Competitors must be 18 years of age or have signed permission by a parent or guardian to enter. Enter to win: First place with $5000 cash prize, second place with $2500 cash prize, third place with $1000 cash prize.Viviane’s POV“Come on, Viviane. It’s five thousand dollars!” My best friend, Kiera, is jumping up and down in front of the school bulletin board.I shake my head, “I can’t get up on a stage in front of that many people.”Kiera rolls her eyes. “Oh please, I know you sang for Nerissa last week. Though I still don’t understand why you’d help that selfish cow.”“That was different,” I argue without conviction. “No one could see me.” Well, someone saw me, but I’m not counting him.“But you still did
Viviane’s POV“I’m sorry!” I immediately squeak. “I didn’t mean… You… I–”Caspian closes the remaining distance between us, coming so close I have to tilt my head all the way back to see his face. I try to back away, but he catches my nape in one powerful hand. “You what, Viviane?”His fingers send bolts of electricity all the way down my spine. “You startled me.” I admit weakly.“You didn’t seem very startled.” He growls, squeezing the back of my neck. “It looked like you knew exactly what you were doing.”I’m shutting down, preparing for the physical retribution I’m sure is coming. “I swear I didn’t mean to.”Caspian studies me for a long moment, watching as I twist myself into knots waiting for his attack. I flinch when he releases me, stumbling to regain my balance. “Prove it.”I blink in confusion, amazed that he hasn’t hit me yet. “I– how?”He thinks for a moment, cocking his head to the side. “Lend me some money. The fights are about to begin – I think I’ll place a few bets.”I
Caspian’s POVViviane jerks around the moment Courtney pulls the glasses from her eyes. I don’t know why I let the she-wolf bully my mate this way, but then again, I rarely know what I’m doing when it comes to Viviane. I want to be with her every second of every day, but I have no idea how to express this to her. I want to spoil and shower her with affection, but it seems like all I actually end up doing is teasing her.Granted, I do love the way she blushes and squirms, but surely there is more to being mates than this. Even as the thoughts race through my head, I do not regret letting Courtney take Viviane’s sunglasses – not one bit. Because now Viviane is using me to shield her face from the room, and I’ve never seen anything more beautiful. Her eyes are the exact shade of a tropical sea – a bright turquoise unlike anything I’ve seen before. Her cheekbones are high and sharp, accenting her pert nose and full lips.She’s not just pretty, or striking, or even gorgeous. She is everyth
Viviane’s POVMy footsteps echo through the empty halls as I depart the library, my shoes emitting a slow, steady click as my weary feet carry me from another long study session. While other teenagers spend their weekends relaxing and going on dates, I spend mine holed up in the stacks, trying to make up for all the years I went without an education.Kiera and the teachers have no idea how much my good grades cost me. Despite what my best friend thinks, academics do not come easily to me, but I’m determined to have a future beyond tears and hard labor.I’m almost to the front door when I hear it: cheerful chatter and high girlish giggles.Courtney, Madison, and Nerissa round the corner ahead, their faces bearing none of the happiness their voices suggest . They walk straight for me, eyes glinting and mouths twisted into smirks.Squaring my shoulders, I prepare for what will certainly be an unpleasant encounter. “Courtney, Nerissa.” I greet them. “Thinking about transferring to Asterio
Viviane’s POV“Viviane!” Caspian’s voice is rough and wild, and his fist smashes into the heavy wooden door when the handle refuses to turn.“She’s not here!” I call without thinking. This can’t be happening. I need help, but I can’t explain my situation without exposing my identity.Some of the horrible tension in the air dissipates, and the incessant pounding stops, but I can hear Caspian’s furious breathing. “Then who is there?” He almost sounds amused – almost.This time I do not answer, desperately clinging to my last sliver of sanity.“Viviane.” A shiver runs down my spine. He says my name as both warning and reprimand.Silence pulls taught between us, and my heart sinks. There’s no way out of this. One way or another, he’s going to–*SMASH*The door bursts open, splinters of wood flying in every direction as the destroyed frame hangs precariously from its hinges.Caspian stalks toward me, his ferocious blue eyes finding me immediately in the dim light.I’d almost forgotten how
Viviane’s POVThe pack house isn’t what I expected. I always pictured a cold, stuffy mansion. Instead it’s warm and welcoming.Caspian blows smoke into the air, watching me out of the corner of his eye. “First time here?”I nod, looking around the party with unbridled curiosity. Guests mill around packed gaming tables, dressed to the nines and juggling drinks. I don’t recognize many people, but based on their appearances I suspect they’re Academy students. The few faces I do know from Asterion High are far from friendly. I’ve only seen them from afar – apparently I lack the pedigree to be invited to their exclusive cliques.“I don’t get to host often.” Caspian explains, steering me forward with a possessive hand on the small of my back. “But the Alpha is away on business.” The corner of his mouth twitches, “parties here are a bit different.”“I wouldn’t know.” My face flushes, more from the heat of his touch than any embarrassment. “I’d never even been to a party before last week.”Ca
Caspian’s POVI can see the gears turning in my mate’s head, calculations racing through her sharp mind. The probability is simple enough, and the necklace is clearly important enough for her to take the risk.Of course, Viviane has no idea how many years I’ve spent mastering the art of throwing dice. It’s not a matter of probability at all: the odds are far from even, and if she agrees she’ll be completely at my mercy.She takes a deep breath, and I know I’ve won. “Deal.”________________“Settle, Viviane.” We’re in a private parlor, and my mate looks so nervous I have to fight the urge to reassure her. She squirms next to me on a plush sofa, trying to put some space between our bodies but failing to escape the arm trapping her against my side.She obeys instantly, but her attention remains glued to the die in my hand, her pounding heart betraying her anxiety. She must care very deeply for the necklace if she’s willing to endure such stress for its return.Indecision muddles my thoug
Viviane’s POVI feel like I’m coming unraveled at the seams, like every stitch of my being is slowly unfurling, leaving me weak and shapeless. I can’t keep up with Caspian, and I’m afraid I’ll lose myself if I try.I’ve heard about fated mates who do not truly fit together, couples who share a physical bond but lack the emotional connection to live happily together. It’s rare, but it does happen, and I’m starting to think Caspian and I may be one of these unlucky couples.There’s no denying I’m attracted to him, and there’s no question he feels the same. When we are together I feel safe and whole in a way I’ve never experienced before, but when it comes to our personalities I think we could not be more poorly suited.It took all of my strength to come here today, to walk into a den of bloodthirsty wolves cheering for the destruction of their kin. I gave all to keep my promise to Caspian, but all he sees in my efforts is failure. I was not there for his trials, I was not there to cheer