Alaric’s POV The cold light of morning filtered through the academy’s tall, narrow windows as I stepped out into the courtyard. The echoes of last night’s tumult still clung to the stone walls, but now there was an air of calm—a fragile, tentative peace that I was determined to nurture. I could almost taste the promise of a new day, even as the bitter whispers of scandal and gossip from the previous day still lingered in the corridors. I walked slowly toward the main entrance, the faint murmur of students’ hushed voices floating around me, but I paid them no mind. My focus was singular: to find Elowen. I needed to see her smile again, to hear her gentle laugh that had, for a moment, made me believe that perhaps the past could be mended. There, beneath an ancient oak in a secluded corner of the courtyard, I found her. She stood alone, her gaze fixed on the horizon as if she were waiting for something—or someone—to come rescue her from her own haunted thoughts. Her dark hair cascade
Elowen’s POV – Twilight WhispersThat evening, as the last vestiges of daylight faded into the soft embrace of twilight, the academy’s grounds transformed into a quiet sanctuary. I found myself wandering along a secluded stone path leading to a hidden courtyard, a place that had once been filled with echoes of our past conflicts and now promised a fragile new beginning. The gentle hum of evening stirred in the air—a murmur of crickets, the soft rustle of leaves—and all around, the academy seemed to exhale, releasing the weight of the day.I hadn’t expected to see Alaric there. But as if drawn by a silent magnetism, he stood near a weathered marble bench beneath a flowering arbor. The cool, amber glow of lanterns danced over his features, softening the edge of his once-ruthless demeanor into something unexpectedly tender. His dark eyes met mine with a mixture of intensity and unspoken apology, and for a moment, I felt the lingering scars of yesterday’s pain ebb away in the glow of this
Elowen’s POV The academy’s courtyard was transformed the next evening into a riot of color and light—a celebration of renewal and hope. Ribbons in every hue fluttered from ancient stone arches, lanterns cast a soft, enchanting glow, and laughter mingled with the music that filled the night air. It was as if the darkness of our past had finally been pushed aside by a promise of a brighter future.I stepped into the throng of students with cautious trepidation, my heart still tender from recent battles and fragile reconciliations. In the midst of the celebration, I could almost forget the cruelty of yesterday—the whispered insults, the venomous glares, and the harsh judgments of those who once sought to tear me down. Tonight, it was as if the academy itself was daring us to believe in new beginnings.I spotted Alaric near a cluster of brightly lit trees, his dark eyes scanning the crowd as if searching for me. His presence was magnetic—even amidst the jubilant chaos, he seemed to stand
Elowen’s POV Dawn broke slowly over the academy, its gentle light filtering through the stained-glass windows of my small room. I awoke with the echo of last night’s festival still playing in my ears—the laughter, the whispered promises, the tender, tentative touches that had woven a fragile new tapestry between us. Yet, as I lay there in the early morning hush, a subtle heaviness tugged at me—a mix of hope, uncertainty, and the lingering sting of old wounds.I rose and drew aside the heavy curtains, watching the sunrise paint the courtyard in soft hues of peach and gold. Somewhere among those awakening beams, I wondered if the scars of yesterday could begin to fade. The night had been a celebration of new beginnings, but the next day always brought with it a moment of reckoning.Before I had time to gather my scattered thoughts, there was a soft knock on my door. I opened it to find Alaric standing in the corridor, his eyes a gentle mixture of determination and concern. The cool mor
Ranon’s POV I had spent so many years hiding behind sarcasm and cruelty, convinced it was the only way to survive in this harsh world. But now, as dusk settled over the academy and the chaotic echoes of our past began to fade into a tentative silence, I found myself longing for something different—something genuine.I wandered into the academy gardens alone, seeking solace among the ancient stone statues and blooming night jasmine. The garden, bathed in the soft light of lanterns and the cool caress of the evening breeze, felt like a sanctuary. Here, the whispers of gossip and the biting laughter of yesteryear were replaced by the gentle rustling of leaves and the murmuring water of a small fountain.I paused at the edge of a winding path, my heart heavy with regret and hope intermingled. I remembered all the times I had taunted Elowen—my words, laced with cruelty, had cut her deeply. I remembered how she had endured our abuse with quiet dignity, the hurt in her eyes that I once thou
Ranon’s POV The night had settled into a thick silence, the kind that carried weight—the kind that came before a storm.Elowen had allowed me a chance, a moment of fragile trust, but I knew it wouldn’t be enough. Not yet.I had spent too many years as the bastard who tormented her, and even if her lips had met mine tonight, I knew that the wounds I had left wouldn’t disappear so easily.She had walked away after that kiss, leaving me standing beneath the moonlit arbor, my chest heavy with something foreign—hope.But as I turned to leave, the sharp scent of wolves in the wind made my body go rigid.I wasn’t alone.A slow clap echoed through the darkness, followed by the sound of approaching footsteps.Then, a voice—taunting, laced with amusement.“Well, well, well… look at you, Ranon. The mighty bastard prince reduced to chasing after a woman he once spat on.”I didn’t need to see him to know who it was.Alaric.I turned, my jaw clenching as I faced my brother. He leaned against the s
Ranon’s POV The next few days at the academy were a test of patience. Elowen didn’t make things easy. Not that I expected her to. She wasn’t cold—not exactly. But she didn’t trust me, didn’t let me close the way she did with Theron and Alaric. And I understood why. Of all the things I had done to her, trust was the one thing I had shattered beyond repair. So, I didn’t push. I didn’t try to force my way back into her life with grand gestures or pretty words. Instead, I did something I had never done before—I showed up. I was there. When she walked into class, I had already saved her a seat—not beside me, but near enough that she noticed. When she sparred in training, I partnered with her—not as a challenge, but as a teammate, offering support when she needed it. When Lisa or anyone else dared to whisper about her behind her back, I was there to shut them up before she even had to hear it. I didn’t expect gratitude or recognition. I didn’t expect her to look at me a
Ranon’s POV The silence between us stretched, thick with unspoken words.Elowen wasn’t the type to trust easily—not after everything she had been through, not after everything I had done to her.But she also wasn’t the type to ignore the truth.And the truth was, I wasn’t leaving.I leaned back against the tree trunk, watching her out of the corner of my eye. She was still guarded, still wary, but she hadn’t walked away. That had to count for something.“Do you always sit out here alone?” I asked, breaking the silence.She shrugged. “It’s quiet.”“Quiet is overrated.”That earned me a small smirk. “Says the guy who used to make my life a living hell just to hear me yell at him.”I huffed a laugh. “Fair point.”She shook her head, but there was no anger in her expression. If anything, she looked… tired. Like she was holding too much inside, and for once, she didn’t know what to do with it.“Elowen.” I kept my voice steady, serious. “I don’t expect you to trust me overnight. But I mean
Elowen's POV His grip tightened, and his hips bucked forward, hitting the back of my throat, and I moaned, the sensation a delightful mix of pleasure and pain. Alaric shifted forward, his lips closing around the nipple that Theron had been neglecting, his fingers teasing the other. Theron kissed my shoulder, his teeth grazing the sensitive skin, and his hands slid across the front of my panties, gently rubbing, the pressure eliciting a new wave of desire. Then Ranon tightened his grip on my hair, and the world blurred, his cock hitting the back of my throat, the sensation sending a ripple of pleasure straight to the aching apex of my thighs. I moaned, a sound he clearly felt, and a string of curses fell from his lips, his hips thrusting more forcefully, hitting the back of my throat again and again, the sensation pushing me closer and closer to the edge, the pressure building between my thighs. A familiar hand cupped the front of my panties, and a second later Theron ripped
Elowen's POV “I want to mark you, Elowen,” he said quietly, his voice thick with emotion. “Not just with a bite, a physical claim. I want the world to know, unequivocally, that you are ours. That you belong to us, body and soul.” My heart raced, a thrill mixed with a sense of profound belonging coursing through me. “Then… show me, Ranon.” He captured my lips in a deep, possessive kiss, his tongue seeking entry, exploring the warm cavern of my mouth with a gentle insistence. Then a second pair of hands slid across my chest, his thumbs finding the sensitive skin beneath the swell of my breasts, and my breath hitched. Theron. His fingers gently lifted my shirt, a low, approving growl sounding from his chest when he saw the black lace of my bra. Then he pushed the fabric further, his calloused fingers finding the taut peaks of my nipples and tweaking, eliciting a low moan from my throat. My senses were overloading, every nerve ending coming alive, the intoxicating scent of sa
Elowen’s POVThe sun, a molten orb of amber and gold, had just begun its slow descent below the jagged horizon, painting the western sky in fiery hues that bled into soft violets and deep oranges. The tall, arched windows of the triplets’ private quarters, a sprawling suite they had painstakingly personalized, cast long, dancing shadows on the ancient stone walls, the flickering light resembling the hushed whispers of old magic, secrets stirring in the very fabric of the mansion. I stood before the crackling fireplace, the warmth radiating against my back doing little to thaw the lingering tension that still coiled within me like a tightly wound knot after the day’s unsettling events.They hadn’t spoken much after Caelum’s unexpected appearance in the combat hall. Not in explicit words, at least. But their silent communication had been deafening. The way they walked closer to me than usual, their bodies a constant, protective presence; the unwavering intensity of Theron’s gaze, barely
Elowen's POVThe next morning golden sunlight, fractured by the delicate weave of the gauzy curtains, painted shifting patterns across the dark wooden floors of our shared bedroom, finally settling in warm, inviting pools on the soft, rumpled sheets tangled around my limbs. For a few blissful, stolen seconds, cocooned in the lingering warmth of their bodies and the faint scent of their skin, I managed to forget everything—the rigid rules of the academy, the ever-present hum of latent magic, the unseen threats lurking in the shadows, the hushed whispers that followed me like a persistent echo. All that registered was the steady, comforting warmth of a muscular body pressed intimately against my back.Ranon’s strong arm was draped possessively over my waist, his calloused fingers splayed against the soft skin of my stomach, a silent claim that sent a pleasant shiver down my spine. Behind me, I could hear the soft, even rhythm of Alaric’s breathing, a reassuring presence in the quiet roo
Elowen's POV When his thumb brushed the thin, soaked fabric of my panties, a strangled whimper escaped my lips, a sound raw with need. The ache between my legs intensified, a sharp, insistent throbbing that demanded his touch, their touch. “Gods, you’re so wet, Elowen,” Ranon muttered against my skin, his breath hot and ragged against my inner thigh, the possessive observation sending another shiver of anticipation through me. Then his finger slipped beneath the delicate edge of the fabric, gliding with exquisite slowness over my slick, swollen heat, and I couldn’t help the involuntary moan that spilled from my lips, my head falling back against the cool, rough stone of the rooftop as a wave of pure, unadulterated pleasure shuddered through my core. Ranon groaned, the sound low and guttural, a primal rumble that vibrated against my skin, his fingers stroking against me with a teasing gentleness that left me trembling uncontrollably, every nerve ending screaming for more. “I want
Elowen’s POV The cool night air, sharp with the scent of distant rain and damp stone, pressed in around us, no longer a chill but a warm, endless cocoon, isolating us from the rest of the sleeping Academy. Above, the celestial canvas was a breathtaking spectacle, the stars spun in dizzying, intricate patterns, a thousand tiny, silent witnesses to the beautiful, chaotic storm raging within my heart. I felt like I was burning from the inside out, a slow, consuming fire ignited by their nearness, their unwavering gazes. Surrounded by them—Alaric’s steady, grounding strength, Theron’s consuming, passionate fire, Ranon’s wild, untamed hunger—I was drowning in the magnetic pull that bound us together, a force both terrifying and exhilarating. And I didn’t want to be saved. I yearned to succumb, to be completely consumed by the intensity of our connection. I wanted to drown in the depths of their devotion. “Look at me, little star,” Theron whispered, his voice a rough, urgent rasp that r
Elowen’s POVThe night pressed down on the Academy like a heavy velvet shroud, suffocating and restless. Even after the last echoes of footsteps faded down the long corridors and the heavy oak doors of the student rooms clicked shut, sealing everyone into their private spaces, sleep remained a distant, unattainable shore for me. I paced the confines of my room, the moonlight filtering through the tall, arched windows, casting pale silver rectangles across the dark, polished hardwood floors, my mind a relentless whirlwind of anxieties and unanswered questions, spinning endlessly around Caelum’s cryptic words and the Triplets’ simmering fury.They had been a silent, ominous presence throughout dinner in the grand hall. Dangerously, furiously silent. Their usual banter and playful jabs absent, replaced by a taut, almost palpable tension that crackled in the air around us like an impending storm gathering strength, the heavy clouds of their anger darkening their eyes. I knew, with a certa
Elowen's POVThe sun was a pale, watery smudge behind a thick blanket of heavy, bruised clouds as I stepped into the Academy’s main courtyard the next morning. The cool wind, carrying the faint scent of damp earth and distant rain, stirred the loose strands of my hair around my shoulders, a fleeting caress that did little to dispel the deeper chill that snaked its way down my spine.It wasn’t the bite of the autumn air that made my skin prickle with unease.It was the way they watched me.Alaric.Theron.Ranon.My mates.Their gazes, sharp and possessive, followed my every movement across the bustling courtyard with such focused, unwavering intensity that it felt like a tangible pressure against my skin, a silent, invisible touch that both reassured and unnerved me. Protective. Possessive. Fierce. Their united front was a comforting shield, yet sometimes, the sheer weight of their attention felt like a gilded cage.And now, adding another layer to the already charged atmosphere, Caelu
Theron’s POVThe silence in the grand hall was thick enough to cut with a knife. Every fork clinked a little too loudly, every hushed conversation seemed to die in its tracks. All eyes were on us. On Elowen.I kept my arm possessively around her shoulders, my fingers lightly tracing the curve of her neck beneath the collar of Alaric’s jacket she still wore. A silent warning to anyone who dared to look too long.Ranon’s presence behind us was a palpable weight, a silent promise of retribution to anyone who might consider challenging our claim. I could feel the heat radiating off him, the barely leashed possessiveness that mirrored my own.Alaric, ever the pragmatist, continued eating as if nothing unusual was happening, but his silver eyes flicked around the hall, assessing the reactions, cataloging the threats. His hand, resting casually on the table, was close enough to Elowen’s to reach her instantly.Elowen, bless her oblivious heart, seemed more concerned with the plate of fruit i