NOAH’S POVThe moment I stepped into the lecture hall, all heads turned my way. I instantly regretted being late. Finding a cab wasn't easy.A woman stood at the front of the class, arms crossed, an eyebrow raised as she met my gaze. Her stern eyes assessed me, and I knew what was coming."Mr. Leister, you are late," she said, her tone carrying the weight of authority.The logical part of me told me to apologize and take my seat, but where was the fun in that? A mischievous grin tugged at my lips as an idea sparked in my head like firecrackers."You must be a new lecturer," I mused, tilting my head in feigned confusion.The corners of her lips twitched slightly. "What do you mean? Is there something I wasn't informed about you?" she questioned, trying to figure me out."Not exactly," I replied smoothly. "It’s just… I’m quite familiar with all my lecturers, and I don’t recall knowing anyone this hot."I threw in a wink for good measure.A faint blush dusted her cheeks as she shifted aw
NOAH'S POVProfessor Rex led me out of the school like he owned the place, walking with his usual confidence and not bothering to explain where we were going. I had to practically jog to keep up with his long strides."You know, for someone who just saved me from a disciplinary hearing, you could at least tell me where we’re headed," I grumbled, trying not to sound out of breath."You’ll see soon enough," he replied without sparing me a glance.I rolled my eyes. "Mysterious and broody. Got it."We stepped out into the parking lot, and I barely had time to register the sleek black sports car parked at the entrance before he unlocked it with a press of a button.I blinked. "Wait… this is yours?"He gave me a sideways glance before getting in. "No, I stole it."I scoffed, opening the passenger door. "You’re hilarious, Professor."The interior smelled like expensive leather and something distinctly him;cold, fresh, and something dangerously addictive. As we pulled onto the road, silence s
NOAH'S POVBy the time we returned to the restaurant, I was still burning with embarrassment. Professor Rex had single-handedly humiliated me in the most outrageous way possible. The way he smirked at me, the way his golden-amber eyes held nothing but pure amusement, it pissed me off.I needed to reclaim my pride.As we stepped back inside, my eyes landed on a waitress walking past our table. She was pretty; long wavy brown hair, soft hazel eyes, and a charming smile that grew even wider when she met my gaze.Perfect.Prof. Rex sat down, completely unfazed as if nothing had happened. But I wasn’t going to let him win this round.With a confident smirk, I called the waitress over. "Hey there, Gorgeous. What's your name?"She blinked in surprise before giggling. "Lily.""Lily," I repeated, letting her name roll off my tongue. "You know, I couldn’t help but notice how your beauty outshines the chandeliers in this place."Her cheeks flushed. "Oh, wow. That’s… charming."I leaned forward,
ARES' POVThe moment I stepped into the castle, I felt like I was walking through fire.Every muscle in my body was tight with tension, my golden eyes bloodshot from the torment surging through me. My breathing was heavy, controlled,but barely. Each step I took downstairs the grand hallway felt heavier than the last. My vision blurred slightly, but I ignored it, masking my pain as I strode past my subjects, my usual intimidating aura keeping them from questioning my state."Welcome back, Alpha" they greeted, I just replied with a gentle nod I had been restless since the beginning of the day, my wolf pacing with an unsettling urgency. A low growl had been rumbling in my chest all day, my patience running dangerously thin.And yet, when I was with Noah, it only got worse. That was why I couldn’t bring myself to ride with him. I was afraid I might lose control in front of him. I barely managed to hold my self together throughout the dinner. I needed a distraction, which is why I initia
ARES' POVThe moment I stepped into the university hallway, I felt it.His presence.My steps slowed, my senses sharpening, my instincts roaring to attention before my mind could catch up.I turned my head, and there he was.Noah.He was standing at the other end of the hallway, his stormy gray eyes locking onto mine the second I looked his way.A strange, electric tension rippled between us, thick and suffocating. His gaze was searching, curious, as if he was trying to figure me out. As if he knew–felt–that something was off between us.My jaw clenched.I held his gaze for a moment too long before forcing myself to look away. Coldly. Dismissively.Then, without another glance, I walked past him and into the classroom. Ignoring him totally.I didn’t care if he followed. I didn’t care if he noticed my deliberate avoidance. Whatever strange pull I felt toward him was a mistake. It's was an illusion created by my starved mind.And I wasn’t making the mistake of indulging it.I strode to
NOAH'S POVI stood frozen in place, watching as Professor Rex pulled the new lecturer away.His hand gripped her wrist firmly but not forcefully, leading her through the hallway with a sense of purpose.There was something off about the way he held her—possessive, yet distant.And then I remembered.Before he took her away, he had said something. A word so faint I almost missed it."Mate."My brows furrowed.Mate?Were they former classmates? Old acquaintances?Something about the word didn’t sit right, but I shook it off. It wasn’t my business.At least, it shouldn’t be.So why couldn’t I stop thinking about the way he held her?Like she belonged to him.The thought left a bitter taste in my mouth.I exhaled sharply, shaking off the ridiculous feeling creeping up my spine. This wasn’t jealousy. It wasn’t.It was just… curiosity.Yeah, that’s it.Pushing the thought aside, I made my way back to my friends.Penny was already waiting, her arms folded, a teasing smirk plastered across he
ARES’ POV I was sitting in my office, lost in thought, when someone walked in. Lifting my gaze, I saw Birdy. "Someone finally decided to pay me a visit," I said, leaning back in my chair with a smirk. "Is it true?" she asked, skipping the pleasantries altogether. I raised an eyebrow. "Is what true?" I played dumb, though I already knew what she was talking about. She rolled her eyes. "That you found your mate." I exhaled through my nose, tilting my head slightly. "How did you find out?" "News spreads like wildfire among wolves," she answered smugly, folding her arms. I gave a slight nod. "It’s true." Birdy’s face immediately lit up. Her eyes gleamed with excitement as she leaned forward, nearly bouncing on her feet. "Really? That was quick! You know, when they said the Moon Goddess finally gave you a mate, I didn’t believe it at first. But now, this is amazing!" she gushed. I shook my head, amused. "You still haven’t changed, Birdy." Her smile dropped into a scowl. "I’ve to
NOAH'S POV The moment my eyes met Professor Rex’s in the crowd, he winked at me. I grinned, unable to help myself, before turning away and stepping off the court. The game was over anyway, thanks to that weird, out-of-nowhere incident. As soon as I exited, Penny and Nathan rushed toward me, their faces painted with worry. "Oh my God, Noah! Are you okay?" Penny practically shrieked. "That ball was coming at you so fast! I thought you were going to get hit!" Nathan frowned, arms crossed. "That was definitely intentional. I swear those guys threw it on purpose." "I'm fine, guys," I reassured them with a small chuckle. "Seriously, you worry too much." Penny huffed. "Of course we worry! You could have been hit! Do you know how much your pretty face is worth to me?" I rolled my eyes. "Let’s just go." As we walked down the hallway, still chatting about the bizarre moment on the court, we turned a corner and bam, nearly collided with two figures. Professor Rex. And the new lecturer,
NOAH’S POVThe last class finally ended, dragging itself like an old man with a broken cane. I shoved my books into my bag and practically skipped out the door. My legs knew the way by heart...to the massive oak tree, my little sanctuary, where Penny and Nathan usually waited.But today, it was just Nathan, leaning against the tree like some K-drama lead...arms crossed, sunshine glinting off his brown curls, and a smirk playing on his lips like he knew all the world's secrets.Perfect opportunity.I tiptoed up behind him, bit my lip to stop a giggle, and pounced—wrapping my arms around his neck from behind. "Gotcha!"Nathan didn’t even flinch. Ugh. Why is it so hard to startle this guy?He merely smiled, reaching up to pat my hand like I was a puppy. “Have Penny successfully initiated you into her crazy acts?”I swung around in front of him, flipping my hair dramatically. “Who knows… she does have irresistible charms.”He chuckled, those signature cheek dimples flashing. I gasped like
ARES’ POVA cocky smirk tugged at my lips as I watched little Leister run like hell, his steps frantic, flailing arms barely keeping up with his body. Poor kid must've thought I was naked. That alone seemed to have scrambled his brain and instincts. Hilarious.I stepped fully out of the water, droplets sliding down my skin, glistening under the filtered light that peeked through the trees. My tight black shorts clung to me like a second skin, and I raked a hand through my wet hair, shaking off the excess water.Cute brat. Always skittish, always flushed, like a tiny mouse caught staring at a lion.I reached for the towel I had left hanging on a low branch and began drying myself off, deliberately slow, enjoying the silence of my sanctuary. This wasn’t just any ordinary place...it was mine. A hidden slice of the world untouched by chaos or duty. I discovered it long before my father died… before the weight of the crown descended on my shoulders. Back then, I hadn't cared much for fairy
NOAH’S POVAt long last, the hellish French class ended. I swear, if torture had a language, it’d be French conjugation. Penny, Nathan, and I finally stumbled out of the room like war survivors. Nathan and I looked like we’d been run over by a farm truck, while Penny had this annoyingly bright sparkle in her eyes, as if she’d just stepped out of a Parisian fairytale.Nathan turned to me, brow furrowed, finger raised like an overdramatic mom. “Don’t. Do. This. Again,” he warned with mock seriousness.I snapped to attention, saluting him. “Roger that, captain.”Penny let out one of her signature fairy giggles. “Honestly, you guys are just dramatic. I actually enjoyed it!”Nathan and I exchanged a mutual eye-roll so powerful it could’ve triggered a minor earthquake.“Okay, buddies! Time to hit the cafeteria!” Penny squealed, grabbing both our arms like we were heading to Disneyland.But then her tone dropped into a venomous growl. “But that hulk of yours is not coming with us. I swear he
NOAH’S POVI stared at my reflection in the mirror and almost flinched.Dark circles ringed my eyes like I hadn’t slept in weeks. My cheeks were hollowed out, lips pale, and my usually shiny hair looked like a mop abandoned in a storm. I looked like a haunted raccoon. A very sad, smelly, rebellious raccoon.“This is what grounding does to a person,” I muttered to my reflection, dragging my fingers through my tangled hair. “Congratulations, Gavin. You’ve officially won the Worst Big Brother of the Year Award.”For the past two days, I had been locked in my room like a prisoner of war. Gavin was dead serious about the whole “you’re not leaving till you agree to my terms” threat. The jerk even camped at my door, literally. Lucas was the one delivering meals, knocking gently and slipping the tray in like I was some kind of feral animal. Not that it mattered; I hadn’t touched a bite. Hunger strike in full swing.I groaned and slumped on the edge of my bed, my phone in my hand. My thumb hov
NOAH’S POVThe hallway was eerily silent, as though the entire building had fallen into a post-party coma. My heels clicked lazily against the tiled floor, echoing in the stillness. I was still in my girl outfit from the Halloween party. Penny had insisted we keep dancing long after the crowd vanished, and like a fool, I agreed. We danced until our legs gave out beneath us, drunk on sugar, music, and fleeting joy.Now, I was paying the price, every step felt like I was dragging a corpse, probably my own.As I turned the corner toward my room, a hand suddenly grabbed my wrist and yanked me into the shadows. I let out a startled gasp, my body slamming into a cold wall. The air left my lungs in a rush, and my eyes struggled to adjust to the dark. But I saw her.Elsa.Of course."What the fuck?!" I snapped, yanking my wrist from her grip. My eyes blazed with fury as I glared at her, trying to conceal the pounding in my chest. Not from fear. From annoyance.Elsa folded her arms across her
GAVIN’S POVThe second I stepped into the living room, drenched in sweat and breathing heavily from a brutal workout session, I knew something was off. The air felt thick...tense...and not from the stench rolling off my shirt. No, this was something else.Lucas was pacing.And when he paces, something is seriously wrong.Only one person could make my ever-composed, stone-faced brother look like he was about to tear the place apart.Noah.Damn.I dropped my gym bag beside the couch and wiped the sweat from my face with the towel hanging around my neck. “Hey, Lucas. What’s up?” I asked, pretending like I didn’t already know the storm that was brewing behind his narrowed eyes.He turned to me so fast, his boots squeaked against the floor. His eyes...those infamous forest-green eyes...flashed with unfiltered rage. “Where the hell have you been?” he thundered. “I’ve been trying to reach you for hours!”I didn’t flinch. I’ve had years of practice dealing with Lucas’ temper. His anger wasn’t
ARES' POVThe scariest part wasn’t that Little Leister was doing something to me.It was that whatever it was, I wasn’t ready to rebel against it.Hell, a dark, forbidden part of me was curious...curious to see just how far he would go, and how far I would let him.The soft, slow hum of the romantic song washed over the hall like a spell. Everyone else seemed to fade into shadows as Little Leister and I moved together, syncing to the slow, sensual rhythm. His slender waist brushed against my palm, sending unwanted shivers up my spine. His body fit against mine too perfectly.I could feel his heartbeat, fast and fluttering, through the thin material of his ridiculous gown.He lifted his gaze...those stormy-grey eyes locking with mine, searching, questioning, trembling with an emotion he couldn’t name."I never knew you were attending," he said softly, his voice delicate, almost trembling. The sound brushed against my senses like silk, igniting something dangerous inside me.I arched a
ARES' POVI walked into the massive, glittering hall with Elsa clinging onto my arm like a stubborn vine. She was dressed in a sparkling Cinderella ballgown, her golden hair curled perfectly, looking every inch the fairy tale princess she aimed to be.Gatherings like this were never my thing. Too noisy. Too crowded. Too fake.But Elsa had begged me to come, her big blue eyes shimmering with hope. I could’ve easily said no....should have said no...but I was still trying to play the part of the dutiful mate.Tonight, I wore an all-black ensemble: black button-down, black slacks, a simple black mask covering half my face. The first three buttons of my shirt were left undone, exposing my chest, a sight that earned a few lingering glances from the female students and lecturers. I ignored them all.The second we stepped into the suffocating, over-decorated hall, regret hit me like a punch to the gut. Laughter, gossip, bad music, and even a makeshift strip show happening at one end. The air
NOAH'S POVI stood frozen in front of my bed, staring at the shimmering black gown laid neatly across it. The fabric sparkled under the soft lights of the suite, almost as if it was trying to seduce me into wearing it.I chewed my bottom lip nervously. Could I really pull this off?Or more importantly... Should I?Sebastian must have noticed my hesitation because he sauntered over, his arms folded across his chest.“You know you don’t have to do it if you’re not comfortable,” he said gently. “Nobody’s forcing you.”I inhaled sharply, the tightness in my chest easing slightly at his words. But still, I shook my head.“No, it’s fine. I'll put it on.”If I'm going to do this, I need to commit.Just as I gathered the gown into my arms, a sharp knock rattled the door."I’ll get that," Sebastian said, already moving away.I turned my attention back to the mirror, trying to mentally prepare myself, but my thoughts derailed when the door swung open with an audible bang.Standing there was Pen