LOGINTheronIt was happening too suddenly. No one had anticipated a mission this early, and as reluctant as I was to allow the healers to join, it couldn’t be avoided.Dominic’s reasoning had been sound, and deep down, I knew he was right.As always, the Heirs myself, Orion, Lucas, and Matteo, would be dispatched to the Depths and the Shallows. The most dangerous missions usually fell to us.Those were our territories. Orion was back, and that meant he was coming with me.We had our differences, personal ones that ran deeper than anyone else could guess, but Orion was competent. Too competent, sometimes. Whatever his feelings toward me, he knew how to set them aside and get the job done.I drew a slow breath. “Nine teams,” I said finally.The Hunts consisted of thirty-eight active members. Two teams would form under the Heirs, joined by two additional members each. That left enough for seven more teams.Orion frowned. “Why not ten?”“Nine,” I replied firmly.He studied me, waiting for an
AuroraAside from the regular Hunts meetings and training sessions, Orion made time to give me extra tips. He didn’t go easy on me either. The first two days left my body aching in places I didn’t even know existed. Every muscle screamed, and even breathing hurt, but Orion kept encouraging me, insisting the pain meant I was getting stronger.So, I pushed through.Each morning, long before anyone else was awake, I was already up stretching in the faint blue light of dawn. I started at the lodge’s small but surprisingly equipped gym, using whatever equipment was available, then jogged through the quiet paths. The air was always cold at that hour, sharp enough to sting my lungs, but it cleared my head.Gradually, the routines at the Hunts’ sessions started to feel… manageable. I wasn’t suddenly as strong or as swift as the others, but at least I wasn’t the weak link gasping at the back anymore.Orion somehow found ways to fit me into his already packed schedule. After team meetings,
AuroraI was restless the whole night.Mulling over my conversation with Theron. Why was he so hell bent on picking on me? Of all the people in this school, thousands of students, he just had to focus on me?My conclusion: he was just an oaf. An overbearing, arrogant one. So I shook it off and finally slept.Morning couldn't come soon enough, and it finally did.Classes went by in a breeze, and soon it was three p.m. The air was thick with anticipation as I made my way toward the Hunts ground, my heart drumming steadily in my chest."Welcome," Commander Vale began, his deep, commanding voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "You'll first be assessed to determine whether you can be indoctrinated. This is not a formality."Ten of us stood in a perfect line, identical in pale gray tunics embroidered with the crest of the Twilight Hunts. Ten healers. Ten hopefuls."You are ten," Vale continued, pacing before us. "But believe me when I say, we don't need many. And there's a good ch
Theron's POVThis woman was infuriating.Every damn inch of her.I was equally pissed at her, at myself, at the entire twisted situation. She had lied just to get through to me. Lied right to my face. And the worst part? I'd fallen for it.How did I not see through her sudden humility? She was stubborn and snappy. She could never change.That sudden switch she had today, how did I not see through it? It was fake. Her downcast eyes and soft spoken tone? It was all an act.How in the hell did I, of all people, not see it?Who did I think I was? Here I was trying to protect her.I clenched my jaw, forcing back a growl that threatened to escape.Why wouldn't she just listen!"Who the hell do you think you are?!" she had said. "What I decide to do is not your concern."It is, I wanted to yell. It was. One hundred percent my concern.She was going to be right under my nose, within the Hunts, surrounded by people who could tear her apart in a blink if they sensed what she really was. The cl
Aurora"So, Aurora," the man began, flipping through the folder of recommendation papers in front of him. "I have to ask, what do you think about the Hunts? Is this a place you see yourself fitting in? Do you want in?"The big question.The one Theron had drilled into my head not to answer like this.I drew in a deep breath, feeling his gaze dig into my back like a hot brand. My fingers trembled slightly, but I curled them into fists by my sides, forcing the nerves down."Yes, sir," I began, my voice coming out steadier than I felt. "I'm very excited. It's a team I've admired for a long time, and I honestly cannot wait to join and contribute to the work."Theron's gaze seemed to burn even hotter into my back. A bit more force than that and he'd probably be shooting lasers at me.My heart raced, but I pushed on. "I spent the last two nights studying the history and formation of the Twilight Hunts Squad," I added quickly.I had started the moment Miss Grace brought up the idea to me.The
AuroraMy heart pounded long before I reached the entrance of the Hunts division.And there he was.Theron.My chest sank. Of all people.As Hunts Captain, he oversaw the first stage of screening. Every recommendation, every candidate, passed under his scrutiny. There was no skipping, no exceptions.I slowed my steps, clutching the freshly sealed recommendation letter tighter.His opinion of me was already clear. I didn't belong. He would block me. I could feel it in the tension in his posture, the rigid set of his jaw.Bracing myself, I drew a slow breath and stepped forward.The moment Theron looked up, his expression faltered. His sharp green eyes widened in shock, as though he couldn't believe what he was seeing."You," he muttered, brows knitting together.My grip on the letter tightened, knuckles white. The memory of the first recommendation letter flared in my mind.Why was he reacting like that?"You're not supposed to be here," he said, his surprise hardening into something sh







