The courtyard was quiet, and the moonlight trickled over the small fountain sitting there. Theo's boots marched against the stone, her chin tipped up in defiance and her shoulders squared as she approached Cain.
Cain stood along the side the Moonlight didn't touch, with the kind of stillness that made the shadows wrap around him even more.
He looked far too young for his age, and far too dangerous. She's never spoken to him before, ever. Her wolf was as repelled by him as she was.
Theodora stopped just short of him, and when she spoke, her voice didn't shake, "I'll make this very clear. I will never marry you," She announced.
Cain's lips curved, into that cruel look that had shivers running down her spine, "Never is a dangerous word, little wolf. It bends, and it breaks," His voice was deep, like it was almost spoken to make you give in, and had a rough edge at the same time, "And in the end, it never lasts,"
"I don't bend," she shot back, crossing her arms over her chest, "And I don't break. Never have, never will!"
He chuckled, and the sound was as unsettling as everything else about him, "It's only a matter of who does the breaking," His eyes lingered on her, "Do you know what your father promised me?"
"I don't care," she snapped, "Whatever bargain he made, it doesn't bind me. I'm not some pawn you can shuffle between your empire and his throne,"
"You are," Cain said, with infuriating calm, "You may wear your pride like armour, but you're still a daughter bound by her Alpha. His command is law. And by his word, you are mine," He didn't raise his voice, but the dominance that rolled out shook her.
Her blood surged, and she held his gaze, refusing to cower, "You'll regret understanding me, Mr Pendragon,"
He leaned in, and she quickly stepped back like he was going to taint her with his darkness if he got too close, "You think I underestimate you? No, Theodora. I think you have teeth. But even wolves with teeth can be collared,"
Her jaw clenched again. This was exactly why Eric hated his father with every bone in his body - he thinks he can control anyone. Although it's normal for Alphas to feel that way, Eric has always told her that his father's definition of control was far more twisted and deep-rooted than even he could fathom.
Before Theo could say something, Cain's eyes dropped to her chest, and the change she felt was imperceptible, yet undeniable. He was staring at her pendant, and even though he didn't say a word, he stared far too intently.
More than anyone has.
Theodora's breath hitched softly, and a bad feeling crawled up her bones. Does he suspect something? Or worse - did he notice what happened during her match with Harrison?
*What do you think, Seraphina?* Theodore had to ask.
She heard a light growl from her wolf, and the next words that came out were unexpected. Not from the strong, unbreakable wolf she had, *We have to leave, Thy. We have to run!*
When his gaze finally lifted back to hers, that eerie smirk was back.
"You will marry me," Cain said softly, turning his back to her as though it was already done with the conversation, and there was nothing she could do about it, "I'll be seeing you at the altar in the next...two days,"
Her pulse thundered in her ears as she watched him leave. A part of her wanted to throw herself on her bed and scream, while the other part was trying to think straight.
She's never been the type to run. But getting caged in marriage with the worst person ever? Now that's something worth running away from.
.
.
.
"What?" Eric almost choked on nothing, his eyes wide with shock.
"You heard me," Theo squared her shoulders, their eyes meeting, "I want to go to Gravemont with you,"
He stared at her with a dumbfounded look, then burst out laughing the next moment, "Oh, that was so funny. You, in Gravemont? Teddy, it's an all-male Alpha academy. Unless you've suddenly sprouted something you're not telling me, there's no way—" His eyes lingered on the front of her pants.
"I'm serious!" she snapped, bringing his eyes back to her face, "That's the only way I can escape this marriage. I have to hide there for a while,"
His laughter died.
Eric leaned forward, searching her face for any sign that she was joking. She wasn't even smiling.
"Teddy..." He drawled softly, "You can't be serious. Do you have any idea what you're saying? Gravemont eats people alive. And besides, if your father, or my father..."
"That's the point!" she cut in quickly, moving closer to him. Her hands balled into fists at her sides, "If I stay here, I'm doomed. I won't be able to stop the madness from happening. Gravemont is my only way out,"
Eric dragged his hand over his face, a breathless groan leaving his lips, "Teddy, the academy isn't some escape hatch. It's brutal, strict and merciless. Even I barely keep my head above water sometimes. And you—"
She glared hard at him, "Don't you dare say I can't handle it."
His lips twitched, and that wicked smirk was back, "I was going to say you'd make half the school fall in love with you within a week. And since they'll all think you're a boy..." He gave a low whistle, "That'd be pure chaos,"
She rolled her eyes, "This isn't a joke, Eric,"
"No, it's insanity!" He stood up, and his tall frame stared down at her. His eyes were intense, and her heart raced, "Teddy, do you know what'll happen if anyone finds out? You won't just get expelled, they'll rip you apart. And your father? He'll drag you back here in chains! It'll be the end of you,"
Standing this close to him was bad. She couldn't stop her eyes from dropping to his lips, a pair of perfect pink lips she would most definitely love to lean into and kiss.
When she spoke, it was so soft it sounded like a whisper, "Then help me. Help me make sure no one finds out,"
Eric froze.
His throat worked, but he didn't speak. Instead, he let out a long sigh, dragging his palm down his face once again.
Theo continued, determined to change his mind, "You're the only one I trust. The only one who really knows me. You said it yourself, Gravemont is just for boys. So make me one. Teach me how to fool them,"
The silence stretched a bit, before Eric shook his head, "This is insane...completely insane..."
"Maybe," she said softly. "But it's my only chance. Please, Eric. I can't do this without you," She added, letting the vulnerability show on her face. She was really shaken up after her brief talk with Cain.
Then, Eric swore under his breath, "You're impossible, you know that?"
A small smile tugged at her lips, "So you'll help me?"
"Ugh," He groaned, rubbing his temples, "Against every ounce of reason I have, yes. I'll help you. But when this blows up in your face, I'm blaming you!" He snapped.
Excitement erupted inside her, and she grinned, "Deal!"
Eric groaned again, "Alright, let's think. First off, you need to drop the hips,"
She raised a brow, "Excuse me?"
"You walk like..." He exaggerated a sway, his hands on imaginary curves, "Like that. You need to walk like a guy, all weight in the shoulders. Less sway, more stomp,"
She watched him like he was ridiculous, before smacking his arm, "I do not walk like that!"
"Yes, you do. Whether you like it or not. You've got a nice shape and they move a lot when you walk, so...,"
Theodora blinked, her face turning red.
"And your voice," He continued as though he didn't notice her flushed expression. He cleared his throat, then spoke in a low, exaggerated tone, "'Hello, I'm Teddy, the very manliest of men,"
She shoved him, "That sounds like a dying bear,"
"Exactly. Which is how you'll sound unless you practice. Start lowering your tone. No more melodic sass,"
Her lips twitched, "I'll have you know my sass is lethal, "
Eric gave her a mischievous grin. "Yeah, well, now it's got to be brooding Alpha sass. You'll need to curse more, too. And for the love of moonlight, don't giggle. Growl,"
"When have I ever giggled?"
"I was joking," He snickered, then asked, "Right. The session is already ongoing. It's gonna be insanely hard for them to accept another student...I don't even think that's even possible,"
A wicked grin made her lips curve, "I've already been accepted,"
"Huh?"
"I'll be resuming as Thaddeus, my Cousin,"
Eric stared at her like she was out of her mind, "How would you do that? It's not like you and Thaddeus are twins or something,"
"We do resemble, and we both have red hair," She shrugged.
"What do you take Gravemont for? That would not be enough!"
"I can just alter my Features a bit, then. To help me adjust more. Seraphina would help me," Theo said.
"Alter your features?!" Eric blinked, confused.
"Change how I look a bit. Seraphina can do that for me,"
Eric seemed surprised this time, "Your wolf can change your looks? That's amazing,"
*What the hell are you saying?!* Seraphina grunted from within her, *I have never told you I can change how you look. I only said I could tweak a few things*
*That's all you need to do. I and Thaddeus already have some similar features. You just need to make me appear more... masculine,*
"Are you sure you look like Thaddeus? You know I've never actually seen the guy before," Eric questioned this time.
"I'm positive we look alike. Caspian once mistook him for me while we were kids,"
"That was when you were kids! When last did you see him? How are you so sure the resemblance is still strong?"
"I just know!" Theodore was desperate to get this part of the conversation over with, "I'll fit in as Thaddeus perfectly, trust me!"
Eric groaned again, "I can't believe you're really talking me into doing this,"
She chuckled.
"See? That sounded feminine!"
She growled softly.
"Better," He laughed this time, then his expression turned serious, "Teddy, once you step into Gravemont, there's no turning back. You'll be in a den of wolves who'll tear you apart if they sense weakness. You need to be ready for that,"
She met his gaze, with an unwavering gaze, "I've been living in a den of wolves my entire life, Eric. Gravemont won't be any different!"