Nova Pov-
The forest loomed ahead, dark and alive, the kind of place that didn't just breathe — it waited. Every tree shimmered faintly with enchantments, the shadows too thick to be natural. The students around us buzzed with nervous laughter, but my stomach sank lower with each step toward the gates.
Beside me, Kieran strolled like we were about to walk into a nightclub instead of thirty minutes of sanctioned hell. Hands shoved casually into his pockets, smirk etched on his face, like nothing in the world could touch him.
"You're tense, Sinclair," he drawled, tilting his head my way. "Don't worry. I'll make sure you don't get eaten alive in there. Unless…" His golden eyes glinted under the lantern light. "…you want me to bite first."
I shot him a glare sharp enough to cut glass. "You're disgusting."
He only grinned wider, like I'd just complimented him. That damn smirk again. Always the smirk.
But then the gates creaked open, and something shifted. His body went still, unnaturally so, and for the first time, Kieran's smile didn't reach his eyes. They weren't just golden now — they burned, faintly rimmed with red, predator cutting through playboy.
The crowd's chatter faded, replaced by the hum of magic. My pulse quickened.
When Kieran finally spoke, his voice was lower, stripped of the teasing lilt.
"Stay close, Sinclair. This forest doesn't play nice… and neither do I."
A shiver ran through me. Not just because of the words, but because in that moment, I believed him.
The gates slammed shut behind us.
The forest swallowed the sound, thick and heavy like the air itself had teeth. Strange lights flickered between the trees, whispers brushing against my ears though no one was close enough to speak.
I tried to steady my breathing. Tried not to let him see I was nervous.
Kieran walked a step ahead, lazy at first, like this was a game he already knew he'd win. But his eyes… they never stopped moving. Watching. Calculating.
"So," he said without looking back, voice casual. "You gonna slow me down, Sinclair?"
"I should be asking you that," I shot back, keeping pace. "I don't plan on babysitting."
That smirk curved his lips. "Good. Because I bite."
I rolled my eyes, but the heat in my chest was impossible to ignore. Why did every word out of his mouth feel like it was laced with double meaning?
The deeper we went, the darker it got. The path broke into shadows and glowing runes carved into bark. My skin prickled.
Then—snap.
Something moved fast through the trees.
I stiffened, spinning toward the sound. "Did you hear—"
Before I could finish, Kieran's arm was around me, dragging me against him and pulling me into the shadows of an oak. His body pressed into mine, all heat and tension, his breath brushing my ear.
"Don't move," he whispered. But it wasn't the flirty Kieran this time. His voice was sharp. Commanding. Predatory.
I froze, my heart slamming against my ribs.
The sound of footsteps passed, two students racing by, searching. They didn't notice us. Didn't notice the way Kieran held me completely still, like a hunter pinning prey.
When they were gone, I shoved at his chest. "You didn't have to—"
"Yes, I did," he cut in, eyes flashing red for half a second. "You breathe too loud when you're scared."
My words died on my tongue. The smirk was gone. He was dead serious.
For the first time since I met him, I saw something raw beneath the act.
He stepped back, finally giving me space, but his gaze lingered. "You want to survive this game? Stay close to me. Don't argue. Don't wander. I'll get us through this."
I wanted to say something—something biting, something to remind him I didn't need saving. But the way he said it… the way his voice dropped low, steady and dangerous…
It didn't feel like an offer. It felt like a promise.
The forest was alive. Not in the beautiful, storybook way—no. This place breathed. It watched. Every creak of a branch, every gust of wind, every snap of leaves underfoot felt like something waiting to pounce.
The principal's words echoed in my head. Dangerous creatures. Tradition. Prove you belong here.
I wanted to be brave. I wanted to keep my head up like nothing could shake me. But my thoughts slipped where they shouldn't.
Serena.
What if Damien left her? What if he decided one Sinclair wasn't worth saving? I knew my stepsister could handle herself—she wasn't weak. A Beta, confident, sharp, proud. But out here? With no rules? With Damien?
My chest tightened.
I barely noticed the root jutting up until my boot caught it. My balance tipped—
Strong hands gripped me, yanking me back before I face-planted into the dirt.
"Careful, Sinclair." Kieran's voice was low against my ear, his smirk softened but his eyes sharp. "Keep your head in the game. Unless you're trying to get yourself killed."
"I—" My throat tightened. "I was just thinking…"
"About your sister?"
My head snapped toward him, shocked. "How do you—"
Kieran gave a small shrug. "You wear your worries like a neon sign." His gaze flickered, almost serious, almost… softer. "Relax. Blackwood won't let anything happen to her."
I blinked, confused. "You mean Damien?"
"Mm." That damned smirk tugged his mouth again. But his words weren't teasing this time. "He might be a cold bastard, but he doesn't throw away what's his to protect. Your sister's safe."
I stared at him. That… wasn't the Damien I knew. The Damien I knew hated me. Made my life hell whenever he could. Why would Kieran sound so sure?
Before I could press him, the forest answered for us.
A growl ripped through the trees. Low. Hungry. Close.
Kieran shifted instantly, his whole body snapping from lazy flirt to predator in a blink. His hand shot out, pulling me behind him just as something lunged from the shadows.
I caught only a flash of claws and glowing eyes before Kieran moved.
Fast. Too fast.
One moment, the beast was in midair, all fangs and fury. The next, Kieran blurred, his hand wrapped around its throat, slamming it into the ground so hard the earth cracked beneath it.
The creature snarled, thrashing, but Kieran's grin was feral now, fangs flashing as his voice dripped danger.
"Bad dog."
He crushed it back into the dirt, his other hand glowing faintly—fae energy sparking blue-white along his veins, searing into the monster's skin. The beast let out a strangled cry before going still, smoke curling from its form.
My jaw dropped.
"What… what the hell are you?" I breathed.
Kieran looked over his shoulder at me, fangs still out, eyes burning gold-red. His grin was wicked. "Half vampire. Half fae. Best of both nightmares."
He let the creature's corpse fall, brushing dirt from his hands like he'd only swatted a fly.
"You're welcome, Sinclair."
I swallowed, my heart racing. I wanted to snap at him, but the words caught in my throat.
Because he'd just saved me. Again.
And because something about seeing him like that—lethal, merciless, a storm in human skin—sent a shiver down my spine I didn't want to admit.
Kieran stepped closer, studying my face. "Don't look so shocked. Stick with me, and you'll live. Stick alone, and you'll end up like him." He nodded toward the corpse.
I straightened, forcing my voice steady. "I can handle myself."
He smirked, eyes glittering with something I couldn't name. "Good. Then prove it, Sinclair."
Another growl echoed through the trees. This time, more than one.
I tightened my fists.
"Looks like you'll get my chance Sinclair."