VioletI woke up with two strong arms wrapped around me and knew exactly whose arms I was in. Last night was a memory I couldn’t and wouldn’t erase from my mind.My lips curled into a soft smile, and then my cheeks began to heat up as memories from last night returned. The way he touched me, cared for me—and was gentle enough to make me feel comfortable.‘You’re okay, I got you—relax.’ ‘Look at me.’ ‘You’re beautiful.’ All of those were words I had never expected to leave Kylan’s mouth, but somehow he did—and then he kissed my head and held me in his arms for the entire night. It was probably nothing, just some aftercare—but it felt nice.Even after almost marking me, he didn’t pull back, hadn’t kicked me out of his room, or brought it up. It was a good thing he didn’t, because I just wanted it to be normal, but then again—maybe if he did, I wouldn’t have had this crush on him.Yes, crush. After losing my virginity, I did the one thing he told me not to do—catch feelings.
VioletNervously, I bit my lips as Esther stared at me with narrowed eyes. I felt my pulse quicken. Even though I was technically on time, I knew she wasn’t stupid. Getting caught out past curfew was no small thing, and an automatic strike—a permanent one.Doing this while being part of the team that was supposedly the pride of the school was not done, and leaving the male dorm was just simply humiliating. Barely anyone got caught, but of course—it had to be me.Although I tried to keep my face neutral, guilt was written all over it.“Seeing as curfew has barely ended, I’m just going to assume that you’re not coming back from a walk,” Esther said, her gaze sharp and intense.Slowly, her eyes traveled to my neck, and I immediately hid it with my hand. I hadn’t looked in a mirror yet, but after everything Kylan and I had done last night, I had a great feeling of what it would look like.Esther’s sharp eyes softened as she let out a small, disappointed sigh. “I can give you a strike,” sh
~ That Morning ~KylanAs I got ready for class, I noticed a hair tie on the edge of my bed. I picked it up, chuckling. Puppy had left in such a hurry an hour ago—and it was probably for the best because the last thing I wanted was for someone to see her leaving.If word got around, the next thing you knew, people would assume she was my mate, and once that happened—I’d never hear the end of it. I wasn’t just looking out for myself, but for her as well.My thoughts drifted back to last night, every moment replaying in my mind. I couldn’t shake off how good she felt, the way she had clung to me, the way she tasted, and the soft moans that had escaped her lips as she collapsed in my arms.Yesterday was not like it was with anyone else before—and even though I enjoyed it, it terrified me.My smile faded as I remembered that one horrific thing I had almost done. I had called her beautiful, let myself say things I had never meant to say out loud—and when I felt her neck under my mouth, the
VioletEach time I heard footsteps, my eyes were automatically fixed on the door, hoping it was him.I had been waiting to see Kylan all day. At first, it was out of excitement, but after Trinity’s words at lunch, I wanted to see how he would react. The idea of him with Chrystal, right after I left his room, made me fear that he regretted everything that happened between us—and I was hoping to be wrong.After keeping me in anticipation, the door cracked open again, and this time it was actually him—Kylan. Nate and Dylan were right beside him. My heart stopped for a moment as Kylan’s eyes found mine, like he’d known I’d be waiting.I wanted to get up, walk straight over to him—but I held myself back. Instead, I gave him a small smile, hoping to test the waters. Was he going to pull away again? Would he just brush me off? To my surprise, Kylan smiled back. A warm, genuine smile.He really had some nerve, smiling at me like that after everything I had heard. It bothered me, yet somehow,
VioletMy stomach turned, and I suddenly regretted ever bringing it up. I wasn’t sure what to feel, let alone what to ask—and the words left my mouth before I could think about it.“I-I guess I just wanted to know if…if perhaps I didn’t make you feel good enough last night, or something,” I stammered, cringing at my own awkwardness as the words left my mouth.Kylan’s expression softened, and he let out a laugh, glancing down. I was desperate to look away, but before I could, he stepped closer—closing the distance between us. My heart fluttered as his hand moved to my chin, tilting my face up to meet his gaze.His eyes locked onto mine, and I felt my knees weaken. Every part of me silently pleaded for him to lean in and kiss me, touch me.Do it, please…But just as I thought he would, he pulled back and turned away.“She did come to my room,” he admitted, his tone casual. “But I sent her away.”Wait, what?Relieved washed over me, but only for a second. He might’ve turned her away this
VioletI leaned my chin into my hand, staring at Kylan from a distance. He was standing with some of the guys of the Elite Team, including Dylan as they were laughing about something.Drool nearly escaped from my mouth as Kylan’s lip curled into his signature smirk that always made my stomach flip.My eyes moved to his biceps as I tried to focus on Trinity’s voice, but it was impossible with him standing right there, looking so…him.Fuck, I was sinking deep.It was around afternoon, and we were sitting at one of the tables outside. For a change, the weather actually wasn’t that bad, and the sun even casted a golden glow over the campus.I had finished Elite training in the early morning, but it wasn’t Rochwall’s training that drained my energy.It was him.I hadn’t spoken to Kylan yesterday, and not today either. It killed me. After our night in the woods and our little moment with the squirrel—who I never heard anything about ever again, by the way—I thought he would’ve at least had
VioletThe ride was silent.Kylan’s eyes stayed on the road ahead, not even glancing at my direction while I shifted in my seat, fidgeting with the hem of my shirt as I tried to think of something to say.“So, I’m wondering…” I began. This time Kylan glanced at me briefly, lifting a brow.“How is my little friend doing?” I asked, testing the waters as I often did with him.Was he going to react like the usual Kylan, or the softer version?He chuckled, his lips curling into a small smile. “The squirrel?”I nodded, returning his smile.“She’s made herself pretty comfortable in my room,” he chuckled, the sound of it warming my heart. I guess he was being kind again.“Even more comfortable than me?” The words slipped out before I could stop them, and my cheeks immediately flushed. Why had I said that?Kylan didn’t answer right away, but a smile appeared on his lips. He looked amused by my embarrassment.“So you’ve never gone out before?” he asked, changing the subject.I shook my head. “N
VioletHe didn’t want me to get lost?To be honest, it was understandable. He was the one who had taken me outside the gates, so at the moment—he was the one responsible for me.I swallowed hard, my face growing hotter.Wake up, Violet—this was not some romantic outing. The guy isn’t even into you like that, doesn’t even want you as his mate.“Right,” I mumbled softly, automatically squeezing his hand. We started walking again, and I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from smiling like an idiot, imagining what it could’ve been like if he didn’t resent the Moon Goddess’ wishes.As we walked further into the market, my eyes darted from one stall to the next. There was so much I wanted to do, that my mind was spinning. When I saw something I couldn’t ignore, I stopped in my steps, pulling Kylan with me.“What?” he mumbled softly.My finger pointed to the small jewelry stand, leading to a shop inside. There was a big sign that read ‘handmade jewelry,’ and I just felt it calling me
VioletThe woods looked darker than the last time we were here. So did the path we followed as we headed for Aelius’ cave—or the caves of Bloodstone Haven.Days had passed, and after surviving a week of Commandor Jorn’s training, it was now time to survive Aelius’s.And in a few days, I would have to survive Lyperia.As promised, Kylan had joined me. He walked a few steps ahead of me, and even that wasn’t enough to save me from myself.“Ow!” I yelped, almost tripping over a fallen branch. Luckily, I had managed to catch myself just in time before I hit the ground. Nothing new for me.Kylan looked over his shoulder, chuckling. “Do you need a break?”“No, I’m good.”“Or do you need another piggyback—”“No, I’m good!” I said, waving him off. He was having way too much fun with this.A laugh escaped his lips. Frustrated, I quickened my pace and bumped against his shoulder to push him aside. Then I took the lead at the front.“I can walk, thanks.”He was annoying, but it was moments like t
VioletOf course they were pushing for Chrystal as mistress.By now, I kind of knew what to expect of Lyperians, so it wasn’t supposed to come as a surprise—neither Chrystal nor the other mistresses.But hearing her name…that changed everything.Each time I tried to convince myself that whatever had happened, happened, and I didn’t care anymore. But the impact that name left on me said otherwise. There was still so much pain, anger, but definitely not fear. Not anymore.Still, I just couldn’t bear the thought of her standing next to Kylan, getting some kind of title, being praised by people, even if they were her own. The thought made my stomach twist.I swallowed, hard. “Is that what you want?” I chuckled bitterly. “For Chrystal to be your mistress?”Kylan’s eyes narrowed, and then he started laughing. “No,” he choked. “No, she will not be my mistress. I’ll deal with it in the future.”“Oh. Okay.”I stared down at the table, picking at some food. “But you do want a mistress?”It was
VioletI sat with Kylan in the corner of the diner, a full tray of food right in front of me. Honestly, I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until I started eating, and now I couldn’t stop.Kylan watched me, his arms crossed on the table. His eyes were warm, smile a bit too soft—so soft it almost scared me.“Are you not eating?” I nudged the food.“No,” Kylan said. “I just want you to eat.”Then he kept staring at me again with that same gaze. If I hadn’t known any better, I would’ve thought some spirit had taken over his body. This was not the Kylan from yesterday.“What?” I asked, a bit weirded out.He shook his head. “Just looking at you.”I narrowed my eyes. “And what’s going through your head as you’re looking at me?”His smile faltered a little, and I saw him swallow hard, like he didn’t know what to say.“You always tell me I’m the weird one,” I said, pointing my fork at him. “But you really got me beat today.”He let out a small, embarrassed laugh and sat up straighter in his ch
Violet“I see you’ve come back to your dorms,” Esther said, a fake smile plastered on her lips.“I have,” I answered shortly.“Good,” she squeezed her eyes together. “I won’t report you. You’ve already been through so much.”I felt something twist in my stomach. Seeing this woman smile in my face after all the things I knew about her bothered the crap out of me. Whether it was a real or fake smile, she didn’t have any right to laugh.“Thank you, ma’am. That’s kind of you.”I waited for her to leave, but at the same time, I knew she wouldn’t. She had clearly come here because she wanted something from me. However, it was still unclear what she wanted.She kept staring at me with that uncomfortable grin on her face, like she had practiced it beforehand.After some time, she took a small huff. “Do you really not want Starlight to expel those girls, sweetheart?”There it was again. She was trying to push me—wanted me to think about it and get angry, lose control so I could light up Starli
Violet“If that creepy woman bothers you again,” Trinity’s voice blasted through the empty cafeteria, “you better tell me!”She was clearly talking about Esther. I turned the other way, silently ignoring her words.Although I was back in my dorm, I had managed to escape her for the night, but I had run out of lock. I had Healing Class today, so there was that.“Dylan went downtown with the boys, and for some reason, it bothers me because it was supposed to be our thing,” Trinity complained. “Like, didn’t they already go yesterday?”I didn’t have to look at her face to figure she was most likely pouting. “Maybe it’s time for you to let him breathe a little,” I chuckled.Trinity gasped, holding her heart. “Let Dylan breathe?” she spoke in horror like I had said something awful. “The same way you let Kylan breathe?”Yes, that was definitely sarcastic.“Speaking of Kylan, have you heard anything from him today?”I smiled through the slight ache I felt in my heart, then shook my head. “No
KylanThe market was packed.As usual, people were talking loudly, laughing, and the air had a strong scent of the market food. It was everything I hated.Bright, colorful, loud.We had some time between classes, and Nate had begged us to go downtown again. He said he felt left out, that the three of us hadn’t done anything fun in weeks. So now here we were, Nate, Dylan, and me, walking through the same market where everything had changed.Where we met Aelius…Where Violet found out the truth…It felt strange being back here. Almost like walking into a memory I wasn’t ready to deal with.I couldn’t help but wonder what Violet was doing at this moment, just like I couldn’t help but wonder every damn second if she was doing okay.At least, knowing that Dylan and Trinity still stood by her side after everything she had told them, made me feel a bit better. We weren’t the only ones holding onto the secret anymore. It was out in the open, and seeing Violet look past her fears to tell them
Violet“Yes,” I clarified.“Who escaped?” Dylan asked.“I wish I could tell you, but I don’t know,” I replied.Aelius wouldn’t tell me, and I’m sure he has his reasons for that.“Wow, Violet,” Trinity spoke, in awe. “So you’re a child of blood, a highborn witch… and a princess?”“I wanted to tell you both because you’re important to me,” I said quietly. “I’ve been holding all of this in for so long, and I kept thinking… what if it pushes you away?”“Pushes me away?” Trinity spat, offended.I let out a nervous laugh. “Honestly, I thought your reactions would be worse.”My eyes flickered toward Dylan. “Especially yours… now that I’m not a Hastings anymore.”“Not a Hastings anymore?” Dylan chuckled softly. He leaned forward. “Violet, you will always be a Hastings,” he said. “And you are a Bloodrose. You and I are still family.”My voice cracked a bit. “Yes?”His words were strong, and I could tell he meant every word with his whole heart. He looked almost repulsed, even, that I could eve
VioletIt went silent.I was met with complete silence after I said the words. I looked at their faces, trying to figure out what they were thinking, but neither one of them reacted. They just stared at me with blank expressions.“I’m half witch,” I repeated, only to be met with the same silence.I knew it.This was a bad idea. They were shocked, disgusted, and couldn’t even find the words.Kylan and I glanced at each other, both confused, and then I continued speaking. “My real mom and dad…” I explained. “They weren’t Claire and Greg. Claire and Greg raised me, but they’re not my birth parents. My mom was a witch—a child of blood. That means I am too. And my dad was a prince, the Alpha prince.”Still, no one said a word.I was just about to fumble my hands, but Kylan grabbed my wrist before I could do so. His eyes narrowed as he stared at the two. “Say something,” he quietly demanded.Trinity and Dylan slowly turned their heads to look at each other, then they looked back at me. Dyla
VioletAfter a short day of classes, I found myself back in Kylan’s room. I leaned against his door, watching him with a weak smile as he played with Jumper, the squirrel he had sworn he didn’t want anything from but now pretty much treated like his daughter.My stance might’ve been calm, but my mind wasn’t. It had been around fifteen minutes, and I had barely spoken because I wasn’t sure how to start the conversation. I wasn’t sure how to tell him that I would not only go back to my dorm but would also tell the others about my true identity.Kylan patted Jumper over her back. “What is it?” he finally asked after a long moment of silence. “You’re still here, not handcuffed, so it can’t be your eyes.”I knew he wasn’t a mind reader, but I guess anyone could tell something was clearly going on. Hesitant, I looked down for a second.“I’m going back to my dorms today,” I said. “I don’t want Trinity to feel like I’m ignoring her or something.”Kylan paused for a second, his hand resting on