Chapter 7. Claim

Raven's POV

The noise outside their dorm was loud enough to shake the walls. Screams, growls, and heavy footsteps echoed down the hall. My heart hammered so fast I thought it might rip out of my chest. Monica and I froze, listening.

“What’s happening?” I whispered.

“I don’t know,” Monica said, her eyes wide, her fangs twitching out in fear.

We listened harder. Then came it, a voice. Deep. Cold. Familiar.

“Open the door.”

I went still. My stomach dropped. I knew that voice.

Monica’s face turned pale. “It’s… Prince Hades.”

Before I could say a word, she hurried to the door and opened it.

He stood there, the dragon prince himself. His tall frame filled the doorway like a storm. In his grip was the dark beast, lifted clean off the ground by the scruff of his neck. The beast’s claws scratched helplessly at Hades’s arm, but the prince didn’t even flinch.

“Don’t let me see you in this dorm again,” Hades said, his voice low and deadly.

The beast nodded, terrified. The moment Hades dropped him, he stumbled back and fled down the corridor without looking back.

The room fell silent. Only the sound of my breathing filled the air.

Then Hades stepped inside.

My heart stuttered. I couldn’t move. His eyes, sharp, burning silver — fell on me like fire.

Monica stood beside me, trying to act innocent, but I could feel her trembling.

“Are you claimed?” Hades asked suddenly, his voice cutting through the silence.

The question hit me like a slap. Claimed? He was talking to me.

I looked at Monica helplessly, then shook my head. “No…”

Hades’s eyes darkened. “Then you’ll be claimed. I claim you.”

I froze. My lips parted but no sound came out. My chest tightened. The vampire prince had claimed me before or at least said he did.

“W–wait,” I stammered, “the vampire… the vampire prince—”

Hades’s gaze hardened. “The vampire what?”

“The vampire king had laid a claim,” I said quickly, my voice trembling.

Hades moved faster than I could blink. His hand gripped my arm and he yanked me against him. His scent, smoke, fire, danger, filled my head. He tilted my chin and his cold fingers brushed my neck.

No mark.

He growled softly. “He didn’t mark you yet. So you’re mine.”

My breath caught. I didn’t know whether to scream or faint.

He leaned closer, his voice low and deadly. “If anyone dares touch you… I’ll burn them alive.”

Monica gasped. I stood frozen, too stunned to move.

Hades reached into his coat and pulled out a thin silver chain. A dragon symbol gleamed on it, wings spread wide, eyes glowing faintly.

He handed it to me. “Put it on.”

I didn’t hesitate. My hands shook as I fastened it around my neck. The metal was cold against my skin.

Hades nodded once. “Good.” Then he turned and walked out, his steps heavy and sure, leaving the air burning in his wake.

The moment the door shut, Monica screamed, “Girl! Do you realize what just happened? You’ve been claimed — by not just any high rank, but a prince! The dragon prince!”

I dropped onto the bed, still trembling. “No… no, this is bad, Monica. Worse than you think.”

“It’s not bad, Raven!” Monica said, practically jumping. “You’re going to be the center of attention. And jealousy. Every girl in this academy is going to lose her mind.”

“I don’t want attention,” I said weakly. “I just want to survive.”

Monica sighed, sitting beside me. “I’m not going to lie, Raven. This school is hell. But if you want to survive here, stick with that prince. Please. You don’t want to know what happens to girls who don’t have protection.”

I turned to look at her. “Have you ever caught a prince’s attention before?”

She gave a sad smile. “Once. The wolf prince. But he found his mate, and his family would never have allowed me anyway.” Her eyes dropped. “After that, I’ve only caught the attention of high ranks but not a prince and trust me — it’s hell. You don’t know what they do to me.”

I didn’t know what to say. My stomach twisted at the thought.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered.

She shook her head quickly. “Don’t be. Just… learn from it.”

I sat back against the wall, holding the dragon chain around my neck. The metal felt heavier now, like a collar.

Night had fallen before I realized how much time had passed. The dorm was quiet again.

“Have you eaten?” Monica asked.

I shook my head. “No. I haven’t eaten since morning.”

She opened her small flask and pulled out some food. “One of the high ranks gave it to me. The only good thing I get from them.” She smiled sadly and handed me half.

We ate in silence, the air between us thick with unspoken fear.

Monica finally spoke again. “Tomorrow’s a new day. Classes start early. You’ll see what this place really is, Raven.”

“What do you mean?” I asked quietly.

She looked at me, her eyes serious. “Rivaldrelle isn’t like any school you’ve known. You’ll see students of all kinds, vampires, dragons, wolves, demons. Some are beautiful, some are monsters, some are both. And none of them are harmless.”

Her words made my blood run cold.

“You’re lucky, Raven. You’re beautiful enough to attract a prince. You’re already attracting prince to yourself, it feels good and bad at same time” She gave me a look, half jealous, half concerned. “But don’t think that’s all good news. You’ll also attract enemies, jealous ones, dangerous ones.”

My stomach turned.

“Be ready, Raven,” she said, standing up and walking to her bed. “I won’t be by your side every time. You’ll have to learn to stand on your own.”

I looked at her, fear creeping up my spine. “I mean , I’ve heard terrible things about this place. Things that goes on but really, what kind of place is this?”

She met my eyes, and her voice dropped low.

“Rivaldrelle is hell.”