---
The air felt different that morning.
The kind of stillness that made Ivy's skin prickle.
Ever since the strange encounter with the silver-haired man on campus, her dreams had worsened. The voice had become louder. Clearer. And now it echoed even when she was awake.
"Ivora… I'm close."
It haunted her like a ghost tethered to her soul.
She rubbed her temples and watched Xander laugh from across the table, face messy with syrup as he devoured his waffles.
Jayden ruffled his hair and sat beside him, a natural smile playing at his lips.
"Slow down, champ," he teased.
"I'm not a champ," Xander argued with a grin. "I'm a superhero!"
Jayden chuckled. "You're both, buddy."
Ivy's heart softened. In moments like this, she could almost pretend life was normal. That she wasn't split between love, fear, and something unknown tugging at her from the shadows.
After breakfast, they dropped Xander at school.
As Jayden knelt to hug him goodbye, Xander threw his arms around his neck. "Love you, Daddy."
Jayden's voice was thick when he answered. "Love you more, kiddo."
Ivy watched them, her heart aching—not from sadness, but from something deeper. Love. Fear. A longing she couldn't name.
—
At campus, Ivy stood by the garden, surrounded by soft wind that moved only for her. Her elemental energy had been erratic lately. Even the air seemed confused, like it was reacting to her inner conflict.
Then it happened again.
A brush of presence.
Jake.
He stood by the library entrance, casually flipping through a book, but his eyes were on someone else.
Aslam.
Jake's expression faltered. His body stilled.
Ivy noticed from a distance, something strange stirring in her stomach. Her gaze shifted between them—and her breath caught.
Jake's pupils dilated. His heartbeat sped up.
And Aslam… turned and locked eyes with him.
Jake took a single step forward, his breath hitching.
"I… no. That's not possible," he muttered.
But the truth was unmistakable.
His mate bond had triggered.
Not with Ivy.
With Aslam.
—
Later that day, Ivy sat on the rooftop of the dorm building, her fingers tracing the edges of her necklace. Her thoughts were a storm—Jayden, Jake, Aslam, the dreams.
The connection she felt to Jake terrified her.
It wasn't love.
Not the way she felt for Jayden.
But it was something—raw and old, like a link from another life.
A bond that didn't make sense.
She was so deep in her thoughts, she didn't notice Xander running up behind her until he plopped down beside her with a proud smile.
"Mommy," he said, holding a crumpled paper. "I drew us."
She unfolded it.
Three stick figures. One with purple eyes. One with messy hair like Jayden's. And one small one holding both their hands.
"I put Daddy too," he said softly. "Even though he's not here always, I know he loves us."
Ivy choked back tears. "He does, baby. More than anything."
Xander looked at her, wide-eyed. "And you too. Even when you're sad or quiet, I still know your heart."
She pulled him into a hug. His small hands around her neck felt like sunlight in a storm.
—
That night, Ivy woke screaming.
Another nightmare. Another whisper.
"Ivora… Listen to your heart. You feel it. The connection. You're denying it."
Her powers surged out of control. Wind howled through the room. Water rose from her glass. A vase shattered.
Panicked, Ivy bolted from the house and ran into the forest, barefoot and trembling.
Leaves danced violently as her elemental energy spiraled. Her veins shimmered with a glowing purple hue.
"Stop!" she cried. "Just stop!"
The voice came again, clearer.
"You know he's part of you. Not like a mate. Something deeper. Ancient. You need to feel it. Let yourself remember."
She fell to her knees, gasping.
Suddenly, the wind stopped.
The forest hushed.
And a single whisper cut through the silence.
"You're almost ready."
Her glowing eyes faded slowly, her breath shaky.
She was terrified.
Not of Jake.
Not of Jayden.
But of herself.
And the truth waiting to be revealed.
---
🌙 End Scene
> As Ivy stumbles back toward home, Jayden runs out to meet her, worry etched into every line of his face.
She collapses into his arms—silent tears on her cheeks.
"I've got you," he whispers. "I've got you."
But in the shadows of the trees, Jake watches silently.
He saw her glow.
And he knows—
She's changing.
---