Score to Settle

The academy grounds were quiet, even more in the late afternoon to evening time.

Serena walked alone along the outer path that circled the lower training fields, her boots pressing softly into the gravel.

The sky above Lunaris had begun to tint faintly red and orange.

Serena’s mind was on one thing. The same thing it had been on for the past few hours since breakfast…

Tomorrow. The Blood Moon Gauntlet.

She exhaled slowly, her fingers brushing against the cool iron railing lining the field.

Seventy Two hours straight…

Three days and nights in the Crescent-border forest with no one else but Damien Blackthorn.

There were no dormitory walls or doors to run out from.

It was just the vast and wild wilderness and.. him.

Her stomach tightened.

Damien noticed everything.

The way she moved, the way she reacted, the way she smelled… or didn’t.

Seventy-two hours meant no reprieve for her spell and no safe moments to recalibrate.

And if it slipped, even once… she was done.

Shelly be exposed and all her dreams of becoming Alpha and proving doubters wrong go up in smoke.

She swallowed the thought down and continued walking.

She needed air right now and empty her worries away.

That was when raised voices broke through the quiet.

She heard it..

First, it was a sharp and loud grunt and then the thud of a body hitting dirt.

Serena turned toward the lower sparring field.

Three upper-year Alphas had cornered a younger recruit near the stone boundary wall. The boy couldn’t be older than sixteen. His uniform was already torn at the collar and his face has small bruises and marks.

One of the Alphas shoved him hard as he stumbled back, barely catching himself.

“Come on, is that all you got kid,” the tallest one sneered.

“You're weak. You shouldn't even be here.” the other added.

The younger boy wiped blood from his mouth.

“No. You're wrong, I earned my spit here.”

Another punch landed across his jaw, this one dropping to the floor fully.

Serena froze and then was about to turn away.

It wasn't her problem.

She shouldn’t get involved.

She already drew too much attention. Damien choosing her had shifted the Academy’s eyes in her direction.

She couldn’t afford more and she couldn't risk putting herself in a situation where she ends up exposing herself as Serene.

The leader kicked the boy in the ribs.

The sound made something inside her chest snap.

She turned to walk away, but when she heard his cry of pain ringing through the fields.

Her feet stopped.

Damn it.

Before she could think better of it, she was already moving.

“Enough.”

Her voice cut clean across the field.

The three Alphas turned slowly and almost immediately flickered in their eyes.

“Well, look who it is,” the tallest one said, lips curling.

Serena stepped between them and the fallen boy without hesitation.

“Leave him alone.”

They laughed.

“You’re serious?”

Another Alpha circled lazily. “Careful. Blackthorn’s pet might bite.”

Her jaw tightened.

“I said leave him.” She refuses to back down.

The tallest one took a slow step toward her.

“You think being chosen makes you untouchable?”

Serena didn’t move.

“I don’t need his protection.”

That earned a darker smile.

“Good,” he said. “Because he isn’t here.”

They began closing in.

One to her left, one to her right and the tall one, directly in front.

Boxing her in.

He brushed the cold stone wall.

Dead end!

So it was a three on one.

Her pulse sharpened.

She could fight them.

She would win.

But she would win too cleanly and too fast, arousing suspicions.

Her reflexes weren’t just Alpha reflexes, not really.

She’d trained her whole life to be sharper than most, trying to be better than her equals, because as a girl that was the only way she could get their attention.

The tallest Alpha cracked his knuckles.

“Let’s see what you’re worth without Blackthorn.”

He lunged.

Serena shifted her weight, preparing to pivot—

“Wait.”

The voice sliced through the tension like a blade.

All movement stopped.

The three Alphas stepped back instantly.

“Prince,” one muttered.

Serena’s gaze lifted.

He emerged from the shadow of the training pavilion with unhurried confidence.

Prince Valen.

She recognized him from the higher ranks…

He came in 2nd rank to Damein alone in last year's ranking system.

While Damein was a little more upfront, Prince was more quiet and to himself.

He walked forward, hands loosely clasped behind his back.

His eyes settled on Serena, studying her.

“Is there a problem?” he asked mildly.

The tallest Alpha straightened. “No, Prince. We're just settling a minor issue.”

Prince’s gaze flicked to the younger recruit behind Serena, then back to her.

“Doesn’t look minor.”

There was a small silence.

“Let him go,” Prince said calmly.

No one argued.

The younger boy scrambled to his feet and bolted without looking back.

Prince’s attention returned to Serena.

He stepped closer, but she didn't flinch, even a little.

“Who do we have here?” he asked.

Serena lifted her chin slightly.

“Apparently, I’m Damien’s little pet.”

One of the Alphas snorted. The prince's lips curved faintly.

“Feisty.”

His eyes held hers a moment longer than necessary.

“Interfering suits you poorly,” he said quietly.

“Standing by suits me worse.”

A flicker of approval crossed his features.

He turned slightly toward the other Alphas.

“You’re dismissed.”

They left immediately.

The prince remained.

“You’ve attracted attention,” he said softly.

“So I’ve heard.”

He studied her again, even more intensely this time.

“Tell Blackthorn,” he said at last, “we still have an old score to settle.”

An old score?

Then he stepped back and walked away, his steps retreating.

Serena remained still long after he disappeared.

Old score.

So Damien had enemies.

Of course he did.

The sky darkened fully by the time Serena returned to the dormitory.

Her mind was still playing what happened today.

She tried to imagine what would have happened if Prince didn't intervene then.

She reached the dorm door and paused.

Another night of pretending with Damein..

She pushed it open and froze.

Damien had someone pinned gently against the wall near his bed.

Their lips crushed passionately, hands wrapped around the other

A girl?!

Serena’s mind blanked.

In an all-boys Academy!