“Do you always let them treat you like that?” I muttered when he returned.
He shrugged with one shoulder, his expression calm. “I don’t mind. I’m not here to make enemies. If doing a few favors keeps the peace, l’d rather do that.”
I studied him quietly. There was no bitterness in his voice. Just quiet acceptance.
Over the past few days, we’d grown closer. I had come to learn more about him-how he came from a prestigious, wealthy pack. How he was the second son of his Alpha father, soft-spoken and gentle because he hated violence. A rare trait in a place like this.
Yet, here he was-sent to this brutal Academy because his father believed even second sons needed to be hardened.
The final whistle blew across the field. Training was done for the day.
Under the evening’s cold breeze, I stood and tugged at my sweat-drenched shirt, which clung to my skin like a second layer.
“You really need to get a new uniform,” Finn said beside me, concern lacing his voice. “You’re going to overheat wearing that much in this weather. Why not ask your pack or family-the one I mentioned before?”
I forced a small laugh. “I would… if I could. But I’m not exactly on speaking terms with my family right now. Personal reasons. So, I can’t really ask them for help.”
Finn frowned, then reached into his training bag and pulled out a neatly folded uniform. “Here,” he offered.
I blinked. “Oh, no. I can’t take your uniform.”
“I have three, and I’ve only worn this one twice,” he said gently. “What’sone less? You need it more than I do. And it’s clean.”
I hesitated. For the past few days, I’d been washing and re-wearing the same uniform. Sometimes it didn’t even dry properly. I needed a new one, but this was Finn’s. His offer felt too generous. Too sudden. But was I really in a position te refuse?
“What are you waiting for? Take it-my arm is hurting,” he chuckled.
I pursed my lips and slowly accepted it. “Thanks,” I murmured, a smile breaking through the exhaustion on my face. “T’ll repay this kindness one day.”
He smiled back, modest and sheepish. “Really? Just don’t beat me up, okay?”
I giggled despite myself. He laughed with me.
Neither of us noticed the pair of intense violet eyes watching from the distance.
Up on the ridge near the weapons shed, Ronan stood silently, arms crossed. His gaze was locked on me, on the way I smiled at Finn. On the way Finn looked at me.
Then, in the next second, the ground shifted beneath me.
A blur of movement caught my eye. A massive black Alpha wolf charged toward me-too fast to dodge. Too close to defend. Finn barely backed away in time as the wolf barreled past, knocking the neatly folded uniform from my hands.
“No!” I gasped as it flew through the air, landing over the edge of the cliff. My jaw dropped. My eyes widened.
Gone. Just like that. The only spare uniform I could’ve had… lost to a place l’d never reach.Slowly, i turned
The black wolf had shifted into his human form. Ronan stood there, naked and unapologetic.
“What the hell was that?!” I snapped, barely holding back my fury.
He strode toward me. “What’s all the fuss over a dirty uniform?”
Dirty? He dared call that clean, folded outfit dirty?
“You were in my way. This is the training field-not a place to laugh and chat,” he said coldly.
Something inside me cracked. Laugh and chat?
“What the hell does that mean?” I shot back. “You knocked away the only extra uniform Finn could give me! What am I supposed to wear now?!”
At Finn’s name, something flickered in Ronan’s gaze. His jaw tightened. He stepped closer, eyes sharper.
“Is Finn the only one with a uniform in this entire academy?” he asked flatly.
“What?” I stared, confused.
He towered over me, voice heavy and unwavering. “Ill take responsibility for your loss. Take my uniform.”
SERAPHINA
Everything froze for a moment as my eyes locked with Ronan’s. Take responsibility? By offering me his uniform?
“What a joke,” I muttered under my breath, jaw tight as I stormed off the field. My hands still tingled from the cold, but the heat rising inside me was pure irritation. Ronan’s arrogance burned hotter than the evening sun ever could. Tossing his uniform at me after knocking the uniform over the edge earlier. Acting like he owned the damn academy
By the time I reached my room, the damp fabric of my shirt clung to my skin, chilling me to the bone. I yanked open the wardrobe, grabbing the oversized shirt and jacket! always wore-my shield to mask the curves I wasn’t allowed to have here.
The room was empty. Everyone else was in the showers. Since I couldn’t use them, not with the Alphas in there, I settled for wiping myself clean with a damp cloth. It wasn’t ideal, but it was safer.
Just as I thought about changing, the door creaked open.
I froze.
Ronan stepped in, a bag slung casually over his shoulder.
Panic flared in my chest. Thank the Moon Goddess, I hadn’t taken off my clothes yet.
“What do you want now?” I snapped, narrowing my eyes.
He raised a brow, completely unfazed. “Taking responsibility,” he said, tossing the bag onto my bed. The corner of a black and gold uniform slipped out.I crossed my arms, glaring. ” don’t need your help. Do your charity work somewhere else.”
“I don’t do charity,” he replied coolly, stepping closer. His presence was different this time-heavier, more commanding. “If word got out that the newbie cried over a dirty uniform because of me, my reputation would suffer.”
He stopped just inches from me and added, “So, Seth Darven… accept it while I’m asking nicely.”
The corner of my lips twitched at his attitude. “Or what?” I asked, keeping my voice neutral.
His expression flickered like he wasn’t used to being questioned. But he composed himself quickly, leaning even closer.
“Or Finn might end up losing all his uniforms… or worse, his place in the academy.”
My heart dropped. He’s threatening me? Over a uniform?
“What the hell..”
He stepped in, until only a breath separated us. “Accept it, Seth Darven,” he said again, softer this time. He picked up the bag he’d tossed and placed it gently in my hands. “Mine is better than Finn’s.”
I stared down at the bag between us, then looked back up. “Your uniforms are the same. Why are you so obsessed with giving me yours?”
“Nothing about me is the same,” he murmured, his gaze sharpening.”
Don’t compare me to him or anyone else for that matter.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but his next comment stopped me cold.
“Your scentless body is already getting on my nerves. And I alreadyfucking know that my instict are not something good for you, I don’t know how I’ll tolerate it if you start smelling like another wolf thanks to their uniform. So use mine.”
His voice wasn’t demanding-it was low, rough, and steady. Not dominance, but possession.
My heartbeat jumped. What did he mean by instinct? What instinct was he talking about? I felt danger for some reason.
The uniform in my hands suddenly felt heavier. Also giving me his uniform instead of Finn’s… it was as if he wanted me to smell like him
No, I shook the thought from my head.
“I still don’t want it. It won’t fit me anyway,” I muttered, shoving it back into his hands and turning away.
But before I could step aside, something dropped over my head-the uniform. His scent curled around me, thick and disorienting. It wasn’t neatly folded anymore; it now covered my head, brushing my back and shoulders.
His breath warmed my ear as he whispered, “Try it on. If it doesn’t fit… throw it away.”
My heart pounded as his chest brushed lightly against mine. Then he turned and walked out, the door clicking shut behind him.
Slowly, I pulled the shirt off my head and looked at it. The fabric was rich and smooth beneath my fingers.
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