All Chapters of The Guardian's Mate: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Sophia Pov The school reopened under heavy police presence.Yellow tape still fluttered in the breeze near the side entrance where Mia had been found, a grim reminder that the horror of last week wasn’t just a nightmare. Uniformed officers stood at every gate, checking bags and IDs with serious expressions. Metal detectors had been installed overnight, and the usual cheerful chatter of students arriving was replaced by hushed whispers and uneasy glances. The entire campus felt like it was holding its breath, waiting for something else to happen.I walked through the main gates with my bag slung over one shoulder, my heart heavy. The familiar red-brick buildings and manicured lawns looked the same, but everything felt different. Mia’s absence was a wound that hadn’t even begun to scab over. Her locker, now covered with flowers and notes, stood like a shrine near the science block. I stopped for a moment, staring at the colorful messages and photos taped to the metal door. *We miss you

POV: SophiaStudents congratulated Ethan from every direction.The field was still buzzing with energy after the competition ended. Cheers and applause echoed across the grounds as people rushed toward him, patting his back and shouting his name. “Prince of Blackwood!” someone yelled. “You crushed it, Ethan!” another added. The title suited him — he stood tall, smiling modestly but with that quiet confidence that made him stand out. I watched from the edge of the crowd, my heart still racing from the intensity of the day. Ethan had won all three events. He had earned this moment.Damian left humiliated.I saw him slip away from the stage without a word, his usual composed expression cracked just enough for me to notice. His shoulders were tense, his jaw tight. He didn’t look back. The crowd barely noticed him leaving — their focus was on Ethan. But I did. The way Damian’s eyes had lingered on me during the competition, the way he had publicly claimed me as a prize if he won… it all fe

Sophia Pov Emma stayed at the estate that night.After the chaos of the day — the competition, the kiss with Ethan, and the terrifying news of another missing student — none of us wanted to be alone. Emma’s father, the D.P.O., had insisted she stay somewhere safe, and the Blackwood Estate was the most secure place we knew. Lily had come along too, her parents agreeing that the girls should stick together. The three of us had turned one of the mansion’s large kitchens into our sanctuary for the evening, determined to create a small pocket of normalcy in the middle of the storm.The kitchen was warm and inviting, with soft lighting and the rich smell of vanilla and chocolate filling the air. We had raided the pantry for ingredients, laughing as we pulled out flour, sugar, eggs, and chocolate chips. Baking together felt like the perfect way to forget, even if just for a few hours, the darkness lurking outside the estate walls.Emma tied an apron around her waist, her movements a little

Ethan Pov The Guardians and police searched together.The forest surrounding the school had become a battlefield of shadows and secrets. The sun was barely up, but the search parties were already moving through the dense trees, flashlights cutting through the early morning mist. I led one of the groups, flanked by two Guardians and three police officers. Inspector Raymond walked beside me, his expression grim but determined. The alliance we had formed after Rachel’s body was found had grown stronger with every passing hour. We were no longer working separately. We were hunting as one.“Stay close,” I said quietly, my voice carrying just enough for the group to hear. “The killer knows these woods better than we do. Don’t give him any openings.”The officers nodded, their hands resting on their weapons. The Guardians moved silently, their eyes scanning the undergrowth for any sign of disturbance. We had been searching for hours, following faint trails and broken branches that suggested

Sophia Pov Emma confessed to Ryan that afternoon.The school day had been heavy with the usual tension — police presence at every corner, whispers in the hallways, the lingering fear that another student might disappear. But Emma had been determined. She had spent the entire morning fidgeting, practicing what she would say, her hands trembling slightly as she clutched her books. Lily and I had encouraged her, walking with her to the library where Ryan usually studied during free periods.“You’ve got this,” I whispered as we approached the table where Ryan sat alone, headphones in, focused on his notes. “Just be honest. He likes you too. I know it.”Emma nodded, taking a deep breath. “Wish me luck.”She walked over to him, her steps hesitant but brave. Lily and I stayed back, watching from a distance. Ryan looked up as she approached, removing his headphones with a warm smile. “Hey, Emma. What’s up?”Emma sat down across from him, her voice soft but clear. “Ryan… I like you. A lot. I’