Alaric’s POV I watched Elowen walk away, her back straight, her head high—like she hadn't just torn through every inch of my defenses with a few simple words. "If you really want to change, Alaric, prove it." She didn’t believe me. And why would she? I had given her every reason to hate me, every reason to walk away without looking back. But I wasn’t giving up. Not this time. I needed to prove to her—and to myself—that I was more than the bastard she remembered. That night, I didn’t sleep. I kept replaying every mistake I had made, every cruel word I had thrown at her, every time I had stood by and done nothing while my father, while we, made her life hell. Regret burned in my chest like a poison I couldn’t shake. But regret wasn’t enough. I had to act. Next day I was already in the training ring when Elowen arrived. She paused when she saw me, her brow furrowing in suspicion. “What are you doing here?” she asked, crossing her arms. I picked up a wooden training sword
Alaric’s POV The rain soaked through every inch of our clothes, but I didn’t care. Elowen was in my arms, her body pressed against mine, her lips moving in perfect rhythm with mine, and for the first time in my life, I felt whole. She was fire and ice, soft and fierce, a storm raging against my skin, and I wanted more. I traced my fingers along her jaw, feeling the warmth of her skin despite the cold rain. Her breath hitched when I tilted her head, deepening the kiss, our mouths moving with raw, unrestrained hunger. She gripped the front of my shirt, her fingers tightening as if she was afraid to let go. Good. Because I wasn’t letting her go. I pulled back slightly, just enough to look at her—her lips swollen, her golden eyes dazed, her breath uneven. Beautiful. Utterly beautiful. “Elowen…” I murmured, brushing my thumb over her bottom lip. Her lashes fluttered, her body still pressed against mine as if she didn’t trust herself to stand on her own. She swallowed, her voi
Elowen’s POVThe rain continued to pour, soaking through my clothes, making my hair cling to my skin. But I barely noticed. My mind was a storm, twisting and turning with emotions I didn’t want to name.I had already given them a chance.Yet, standing here now, with all three of them staring at me, I felt suffocated.Alaric had just kissed me—again. And I had let him.Theron stood there, his jaw tight, his hands curled into fists, his body tense as if he was holding himself back.And Ranon…Ranon watched me like he always did—like he was waiting for me to run just so he could chase me down.I exhaled sharply, my chest tightening. “Why are you all looking at me like that?”Theron ran a hand through his drenched hair, his expression unreadable. “Because we know you’re about to run.”I let out a humorless laugh. “And what if I am?”Alaric stepped closer, his fingers brushing against mine, tentative, careful. “Then we’ll follow.”A lump formed in my throat, and I hated how much those word
Elowen’s POV The next day at the academy, the corridors felt colder than ever. I moved through the halls with my head held high, yet every step was weighted with lingering doubts and memories that I’d rather forget. The storm from last night had passed, but the thunder of my conflicted heart still rumbled beneath my ribs. I arrived at the courtyard early—hoping to catch a few moments of solitude—only to find them already gathered in a tight, tense circle near the ancient fountain. Theron stood in the center, his dark eyes scanning the horizon as if searching for an answer. Alaric leaned casually against a stone pillar, his usual cocky demeanor replaced by a pensive, almost guarded look. Ranon, quiet and intense, stood close by, his gaze fixed on me with an unreadable expression. I paused at the edge of the group. Their eyes followed my every step, and I felt as though I were being dissected by memories of every cruel word, every act of humiliation they’d once inflicted upon me. Ye
Elowen’s POVAfter the stormy confrontation in the courtyard, I found myself restless. There was too much unspoken between us, too many raw wounds still fresh in my heart. Late that night, when the academy was quiet and the world outside whispered of change, Theron pulled up in his old, battered pickup. The vehicle’s paint was chipped and faded from countless journeys, yet it held an unspoken promise of escape and new beginnings. I hesitated at the edge of the rain-soaked lot, then stepped toward him.Inside, the cabin was dimly lit by the dashboard’s glow. The smell of leather, engine oil, and damp rain mingled in the small space—a comforting, familiar scent that seemed to offer a temporary reprieve from the chaos of my thoughts. Theron opened the passenger door with a gentle nod. “Elowen,” he said softly, “climb in. Let’s drive for a while.”I settled into the seat, the worn fabric cool against my skin, and for a moment, the world outside slowed to a gentle hum. The engine purred to
Elowen's POV The drive had been long. By the time Theron pulled off the road and parked beside a secluded lake, dawn was already painting the horizon in delicate shades of pink and gold. The rain had stopped, leaving the world dewy and fresh, and the silence between us was no longer heavy with the weight of the past—it was something else now, something fragile but full of unspoken promises. I stepped out of the truck, my boots sinking into the damp earth, the cool morning breeze wrapping around me like a whisper. I heard the door close behind me, felt his presence as he walked up beside me. Theron didn’t speak at first. Instead, he reached out, tucking a strand of damp hair behind my ear. His fingers lingered for just a second longer than necessary, brushing against my skin like a fleeting caress. My heart stuttered, and I hated how easily he still affected me. “I never thought I’d see you like this,” he murmured, his voice low, intimate. “Like what?” I asked, turning to mee
Elowen’s POV The morning after our moonlit walk, the academy’s courtyard was bathed in soft, golden light. Dew still clung to the grass, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of blooming jasmine. I found myself wandering the quiet grounds, the echoes of our whispered promises from the night before lingering in every step.I hadn’t planned to see Theron again so soon—but fate, it seems, had its own designs. There, under an ancient oak whose gnarled branches stretched protectively overhead, he stood waiting. His dark eyes, warm and sincere in the morning glow, met mine as soon as I approached.“Good morning, Elowen,” he said softly, a tender smile playing on his lips.I paused, my heart fluttering unexpectedly. “Morning,” I replied, trying to keep my tone neutral, though the memory of our garden kiss sent ripples of warmth through me.Theron stepped closer, closing the distance between us until we stood nearly shoulder-to-shoulder. “I was thinking,” he began, his voice tentative yet ea
Elowen’s POV Later that afternoon, as the academy’s bustle faded into a gentle hum, I found solace in the secret gardens tucked away behind ancient stone walls. The late sunlight filtered through the canopy of lush trees, scattering golden flecks across the dew-laden grass and blooming wildflowers. I wasn’t alone for long. Theron was waiting by a trickling fountain, its soft murmur a quiet counterpoint to my racing thoughts.I approached hesitantly, still wary of the ghosts of our past but undeniably drawn to his steady presence. As I neared, he turned and offered a warm, tentative smile that made my heart skip. His eyes, dark and sincere, held the promise of something gentle—a world that might be kinder than all that had come before.“Elowen,” he said softly as I reached him, “it feels like this place was made for moments like these.” I managed a small smile in return, brushing a damp lock of hair behind my ear. “It does have a way of making the world seem… simpler.” My voice trem
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
Theron’s POVThe rain, a persistent veil earlier, now clung to us like a second skin, the soft, cool mist of it still swirling in the night air, clinging to our eyelashes and dampening the strands of Elowen’s hair that escaped Alaric’s too-large jacket. Her hand, small and trusting, was tucked securely within the warm, calloused grip of mine, her steps slow and heavy with a delicious exhaustion as we guided her back toward the imposing stone walls of the academy.Alaric’s dark leather jacket, usually molded perfectly to his broad shoulders, now swallowed her petite frame, the collar pulled high around her neck, a silent, possessive claim. Ranon’s large hand hovered protectively near the small of her back, a constant, reassuring presence, ready to steady her if her tired limbs faltered.She was quiet, her body radiating a boneless weariness, the sweet aftermath of being so thoroughly, so completely adored by all three of us weighing her down like a comforting blanket. But her eyes – go
Theron’s POVLater that night the academy gardens, usually bustling with the hushed conversations of students seeking solace or clandestine meetings, were deserted. The towering hedges of sculpted yew stood like silent sentinels, their dark forms absorbing the ambient sounds, leaving only the soft, intimate rustle of leaves stirred by a gentle night breeze and the sporadic, rhythmic chirp of crickets hidden amongst the flowerbeds. Above us, the moon hung full and luminous, a perfect orb of silver suspended in the inky expanse, bathing the meticulously manicured lawns and stone pathways in an ethereal, otherworldly glow.Elowen stood just a few feet ahead of me on the winding stone path, her slender back to us, her silhouette delicate against the stark white of a marble bench. The faint, almost imperceptible breeze caught the loose ends of her golden-streaked hair, lifting them in wispy tendrils that danced gently around her bare shoulders, a halo of moonlight framing her.She didn’t k