MasukAriana POVI didn't sleep. Somewhere around four in the morning, I gave up pretending and lay on my back, counting the silver stars painted on the canopy of Seraphina's bed. Twenty. Twenty. Twenty. Even the ceiling seemed to be making a point.Before graduation, I had to choose.Before graduation, I had to escape.Somewhere in the space between those two sentences was supposed to be a plan, and I hadn't found it yet."Mistress, you look like a corpse that lost an argument," Luna announced, holding up a comb like a weapon. She had tied her headscarf in a knot today, and it leaned dangerously to the left. "Sit. I'm doing your hair.""I can do my own hair.""Not with those hands. They're still shaking."I looked down. She was right.By the time we reached the Training Grounds, the sun had barely cleared the towers. A cold mist hung across the field, and rows of wooden dummies stood in it like sentries who had given up. Students in black practice uniforms whispered in clusters. Every clus
Ariana POVI poked at my lunch, a fruit that looked like a star and tasted like honey, but I wasn't hungry."You look like you're trying to solve a math problem with your eyes," a smooth,melodic voice said.I looked up to see Eryx.He slid into the seat across from me, his movements as graceful as a cat."I’m just thinking," I said, trying to keep my voice steady."About the mate?" Eryx leaned in closer. "It’s a heavy burden for a Queen. Three potential mates." He said.I sighed, putting down my spoon. "It's not that simple, Eryx.""But it could be," he whispered,with a playful smirk."If you’re confused about who to choose, maybe I can help you see clearly."I raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And how would you do that?"He counted on his long, slender fingers. "First, let’s talk about the Vampire.Cassian,he’s charming, yes. But did you know he already has a girlfriend? A beautiful noble witch from the Night Realm. He’s probably just playing a game here." "A girlfriend?" I asked, unable
Ariana POVBy the time I reached my classroom, I was completely out of breath.I leaned against the wooden door and took a deep breath.Calm down, Ariana.It was just the mate bond."I shook my head.This world is insane.The classroom was already half full.Rows of polished oak desks curved around the room in a semicircle, all facing a floating crystal board where glowing words appeared by themselves. Enchanted windows stretched from floor to ceiling, allowing warm sunlight to pour inside while tiny blue butterflies fluttered around magical flowers growing from stone planters.The moment I stepped inside, every conversation stopped, as dozens of eyes followed me.I walked to the seat at the very back of the room without looking at anyone."Morning, Lady Seraphina.""Good morning, Ice Queen."A few students greeted me nervously.I simply nodded.If Seraphina rarely spoke, then I wasn't about to start giving cheerful speeches.A few moments later, Professor Marcus entered.His long robe
Ariana POVThe next morning, Avalon Academy looked as though nothing had happened, well I guess nothing had happened, except that I was humiliated in front of everyone by those three Alpha bullies.Students filled the stone walkways, chatting and laughing as enchanted birds circled the towers overhead. Floating lanterns drifted lazily through the morning sky while magical carriages landed one after another near the academy gates.Meanwhile, I looked like someone who hadn't slept in three days, but to be fair, I hadn't exactly slept.Every time I closed my eyes, I heard the Moon Goddess's voice.Choose one true mate, or die.Not exactly the kind of bedtime story anyone wanted, right?I tightened my grip around the strap of my leather school bag and sighed."One problem at a time, Ariana."First, survive school. Then figure out how not to die.The marble corridors buzzed with students as I made my way toward the locker hall.Almost every conversation stopped when I walked past."That's
Ariana POV“I’m going to get you something easy on the stomach,” Luna announced.She was still wearing that mischievous expression.“And before you ask, I promise I won’t tell anyone what happened with Alpha Eryx.”I narrowed my eyes. “Nothing happened with Alpha Eryx.”Luna raised two fingers, leaving only a tiny gap between them.“You were this close.”I grabbed the nearest pillow and tossed it at her.“Luna!”She caught it against her chest and burst into laughter.“Fine! I surrender.”She returned the pillow to the bed and gave me a little bow.“I’ll be downstairs. Call me if you need anything.”Once the door shut, I finally let myself breathe.I rubbed my temples.“What is happening to me?”The answer came almost immediately.The mate bond.That had to be it.There was no other explanation for the strange attraction I had felt toward Eryx. I had created him. I knew exactly how arrogant, cold, and infuriating he could be.Yet, for one brief moment, I hadn’t wanted him to move away
Ariana POVI let out a groan before opening my eyes, even though it felt as if someone had split my head open with an axe.The first thing I saw was the familiar white ceiling of the Frost Tower, followed by the soft blue curtains.I let out a sigh, because for a moment, I was certain those three arrogant Alphas were going to destroy each other, and accidentally kill me in the process."You finally woke up." A calm voice startled me.I turned my head to see Eryx, he was sitting quietly in a chair beside my bed.His silver hair fell neatly over his forehead, making him look more like a prince than a student. One leg was crossed over the other, and an open book rested in his lap.The moment our eyes met, he closed the book."How are you feeling?" His voice was gentle, much gentler than I expected.I blinked."Better..." I answered honestly. "At least I think so."He let out a faint smile."I'll take that as a good sign." He said.I looked around the room, the shattered furniture from







