جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 10

Elena Hayes knew she did not belong in that hall long before anyone said it. The way people looked at her made it obvious, their eyes sliding past her like she was not worth noticing. Even standing next to her own sister felt wrong, like she was in a place that was never meant for her.Two girls stood in the center while the nobles gathered around them, whispering softly but without kindness. Elaine held her head high and met every stare without hesitation, as if all the attention belonged to her. Elena kept her eyes down, her shoulders tense, already expecting something to go wrong.Elaine looked completely at ease, like confidence came naturally to her. She showed no doubt, no hesitation, not even for a second. Elena felt the opposite, a tight pressure in her chest as her fingers curled against her palms.If she stayed still enough, maybe no one would notice her and everything would pass without her being seen. But the silence stretched too long, and something about it felt off, lik

“Along with growing stronger on your own, you’ll need to learn how to work as a team,” the teacher’s voice rang across the courtyard. “The goddess blessed us with strength to protect the weak and prevent needless loss. You will learn to cover the weaknesses of others, just as they may one day cover yours. If you want to know where you stand, check the notice board.”With that, she stepped down from the platform and walked away. Students rushed the board at once, shoulders pressing together as voices rose with excitement, pride, and dread. Some shoved forward to secure a better view, while others hung back as though delaying the truth might change it. Elena waited until the first wave thinned before moving closer.Her eyes searched the crowded list until she found her name.Group Three. Senior Rowan.She looked higher and quickly found Elaine’s name near the top of the board. Group One, under Kael Draven, the crown prince. Several girls near the board whispered the prince’s name with o

“Your Highness... my hand.”Elaine’s soft reminder broke through the sudden stillness between them. Kael glanced down and realized he was still holding her hand far longer than courtesy allowed. “Ah, sorry,” he said, releasing it at once, though his calm came a second too late. Beneath the surface, his wolf remained restless and alert.He needed to handle this carefully. Instinct urged him forward, but years of discipline held him in place. Rushing toward a stranger because of a bond she did not understand would only alarm her. Kael forced his breathing steady and schooled his expression into ease.Elena looked between them and instantly felt trapped inside something that had nothing to do with her. The air between Kael and Elaine had changed, charged in a way even she could sense. Whatever was happening, she wanted no part of it. Quietly, she began to step back.A large hand caught her wrist before she could escape. Elena startled and turned to find Rowan beside her, his grip firm bu

Elena slowly opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling for a moment, unsure where she was. Her body felt heavy, as though sleep had dragged stones into her bones. Moonlight still poured through the window, pale and cold across the room. A figure sat beside her bed, quiet and unmoving.“Oh, you’re awake,” the figure said.Elena turned her head and blinked in surprise. “Elaine?” Her voice came out rough and weak. She pushed herself upright, wincing at the ache still lingering in her chest.“Try not to look so shocked,” Elaine said, crossing one leg over the other. “It’s a full moon. You faint every time there’s one, so this hardly counts as a surprise.” Her tone was casual, as though discussing the weather, but her eyes stayed fixed on Elena.Elena looked down at the blanket in her lap. “I thought it stopped,” she muttered quietly. The last time it had happened, she had been younger. She had hoped coming to Lycoria would somehow change things.“It clearly didn’t,” Elaine replied. She re

Rowan stared at the girl in front of him with cool indifference. The courtyard had gone strangely quiet, students sensing tension thickening in the air. “Oh?” he said at last, meeting Elaine’s eyes without the slightest intention of backing down. “Am I meant to be impressed?”“Am I wrong?” Elaine asked smoothly. Her posture remained elegant, chin lifted, expression calm enough to be insulting. Even surrounded by curious students, she looked entirely at ease. That only sharpened Rowan’s gaze.“So this is my fault?” Rowan asked. “A deadweight refuses to rise, and I am expected to answer for it?” His tone never lifted, yet the coldness in it made several nearby students glance away. Elena flinched beside them.“I am saying,” Elaine replied, smiling as though the exchange amused her, “that the performance of a student reflects the quality of their trainer. And from what I have seen, Senior Rowan, you have been doing poor work.” Her words were polished, but no less sharp for it.Gasps ripp