Chapter 33 His Bold Remarks
SERAPHINA
Privacy.
The thought alone made butterflies flutter in my stomach.
If I won the trial and claimed that hierarchy bedroom, I’d finally have the one thing I desperately craved: privacy. No more worrying about sharing showers or changing clothes under constant watch. No more binding my chest every night just to keep my secret safe. It would be more than just a room, it would be a sanctuary. A blessing from the Moon Goddess herself.
Finn and I locked eyes, and in that fleeting moment, our shared ambition was crystal clear. A spark of friendly rivalry passed between us.
“I’m winning that bedroom,” Finn said with a smirk tugging at his lips.
“Well, I hope you’re ready for disappointment,” I grinned back. “Because I’m not holding back.”
We both laughed and declared in unison, “Let’s do our best!”
As we walked off, chatting about how amazing the private room would be, I noticed something different about Finn. Determination burned brighter in his eyes than ever before. It made me smile. This time, he was serious–and I loved that for him.
What I didn’t notice, however, were the watchful eyes following us from across the courtyard. A small group of Alphas stood at a distance, murmuring among themselves. Among them were Reed and Cassius, their gazes laced with venom.
The rest of the day passed in a blur–training sessions, followed by a brief gathering with the Alpha instructor. But when dinnertime rolled around, something felt… off.
Finn was gone.
He didn’t show up in the mess hall. And when I returned to our room, it was empty–not just his bed, but also Reed’s and Cassius‘ An uneasy feeling twisted in my gut.
I laid down, trying to distract myself by imagining the luxurious bedroom and all the comfort it promised. But the moment I closed my eyes, sleep dragged me into darkness–only to be yanked back awake by a strange noise.
The room was dimly lit when I saw him.
Finn stumbled through the doorway, and my heart dropped.
“Finn!” I shot up from bed and rushed to his side. “What happened?!”
His usually sharp features were scratched and bruised, his hair disheveled, and blood stained the corner of his mouth.
“Nothing,” he said with a forced smile. “I just slipped on the stairs.”
Slipped?
I stared at him in disbelief. No stairs did this kind of damage. He was lying. He’d been attacked.
“I’m just going to sleep,” he said quickly, brushing past me.
“But your wounds-
“They’ll heal by morning. Don’t worry.”
He offered another weak grin before collapsing onto his bed.
Something about it all felt wrong.
I turned back to my own bed, biting my lower lip as unease gnawed at me. Reed and Cassius still hadn’t returned. A strange chill ran down my spine.
1/3
8:17 PM O P.
Chapter 33 His Bold Remarks
The next morning, I stretched lazily–only to jolt upright at the unexpected weight beside me.
Roman.
He was sitting on the edge of my bed, looking entirely too comfortable.
“Why are you on my bed?!” I gasped, heart thudding wildly in my chest. How long had he been there?
+8 Pearls
Before he could answer, the hum of a vacuum cleaner caught my attention. The room was being cleaned. Beds moved. Ronan’s included.
I whipped my gaze back to him.
“What’s with that reaction?” he asked with a cocky smirk. Then he leaned in–too close–and murmured, “Two dudes on a bed… It’s normal, right? Unless…” His eyes gleamed. “You’re into men?”
“You and your disgusting imagination!” I snapped, thrusting my pillow into his face, though my ears burned crimson.
Ronan casually pulled the pillow away, still smirking. “So you’re saying you don’t like guys?”
My breath caught in my throat. And that’s when I realized-
The cleaner had overheard everything.
Panic surged within me. If this conversation spread around the Academy, I was doomed. I wasn’t actually Seth Darven–I was Seraphina, in disguise. And the real Seth, my cousin, was as straight as they came. Any rumors like this could ruin his name forever.
“What the hell are you talking about?!” I hissed, scooting closer and glaring. “Are you trying to ruin my image?! I don’t like dudes, okay?!”
My voice was loud–loud enough for the cleaner to hear before he awkwardly excused himself from the room, closing the door behind him.
Ronan’s eyebrows lifted, clearly amused. He slowly leaned closer, his voice dropping to a teasing whisper.
“Is that so?” he murmured. “Then that must mean… you’re into me.”
My breath hitched. My heart skipped.
“What?” I choked.
A wickedly handsome/smile curved across his lips. He glanced at my mouth, then back to my eyes.
“You smell like me. You follow me. You sneak into my bedchamber…,” his voice dropped another octave. “Seth Darven, are you trying to…seduce me?”
My expression went blank at his bold remark.
Stalking him? Smelling like him? Sneaking into his room?
And now–seducing him?
Was this Alpha truly that arrogant?
He was always the one crossing the line, not me. Every lingering look. Every whispered provocation. And yet now he had the nerve to throw those words in my face?
I held his gaze for a long, tense moment before closing the space between us in a single, calculated move.
“Alpha Ronan.” I murmured, my voice low and laced with challenge. His signature smirk faltered.
He didn’t expect me to step in.
His back hit the headboard as I braced both hands on either side of him, effectively caging him in. Our faces were barely inches apart now, our breaths mingling in the thick silence.
2/3
8:18 PM
Chapter 33 His Bold Remarks
+8 Pearls
“You sure you want to act and speak so carelessly around me?” I asked softly, yet every word struck like a blade. “Just because you’re bored and looking for a distraction?”
His brows twitched ever so slightly, surprise flickering in those stormy eyes of his. Eyes that–despite their arrogant gleam- now reflected something else. Something–primal.
I leaned even closer, my voice a whisper against his skin.
“Careful who you provoke, Alpha Ronan. Because the person you claim is trying to seduce you… might just end up claiming you for real.”
His breath caught.
His eyes dropped briefly to my lips.
But he didn’t move. Didn’t push me away.
Instead, he whispered–voice low, almost reverent, “I’m looking forward to that.”
My pulse skipped. My fingers trembled slightly against the mattress. What__?
What the hell does he mean by that?
There it was again–that maddening, breathtaking smile. Equal parts temptation and torment. And yet it rattled me more than I wanted to admit.
“You’re insane,” I growled, jerking back and standing up.
I stormed toward the door, heart thudding wildly, but froze after two steps.
Dante.
He stood by the window, half–cast in shadows, watching. Silent. Still. Eyes fixed on me like he’d heard everything.
The last time I’d seen him was the day we escaped the cursed forest. But the expression on his face now made my blood run cold. That calm silence was anything but peaceful.
It was dangerous.
Konan stepped out behind me, and suddenly, I was caught between the two of them.
I didn’t say a word. Didn’t look at either of them. I just walked past Dante and exited the hallway without looking back.
Today was the trial.
That was what I needed to focus on.
Behind me, the air remained thick with unspoken tension as Ronan and Dante stood, facing one another, neither willing to back down. Their Alpha auras collided violently, like two storms on the verge of breaking.
“Don’t get in my way,” Dante growled, voice low but brimming with intent.
“Then change your target,” Ronan shot back, his tone sharp enough to cut steel.
Dante’s lips curled into a slow, cruel smile. “I might’ve considered it. But now? It’s too late.”
Ronan’s eyes narrowed. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“Because this target is not something have decided.”
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