The morning of the Northwood Academy Autumn Gala felt like the dawn of a revolution. For three months, I had been a ghost in my own home, a Miss Nobody disappearing into the shadows of the Thorne gym and the dusty corners of the Business and Law library. I had lived on iron, sweat, and the forbidden heat of Killian's gaze. I stood before the full-length mirror in my suite, staring at a stranger. The girl who had been dumped for being overweight was gone. In her place was a woman with a silhouette that demanded attention. My waist was nipped in, my legs were long and toned from miles of running, and my skin had a radiance that seemed to glow from within, a byproduct of my awakening healing ability. I reached for the dress Killian had left on my bed. It was a slip of midnight-blue silk that looked like liquid moonlight. As I stepped into it, the fabric skimmed over my new curves, hugging me in a way that felt like a second skin. I did my own makeup, sharpening my eyes with kohl and painting my lips a defiant shade of crimson. I wasn't just going to a party; I was going to a battlefield.
A soft knock sounded at the door. I didn't need to ask who it was. The air in the room suddenly felt electric, heavy with the scent of cedar and expensive tobacco.
Come in, I said, my voice steadier than I felt.
Killian entered, looking lethal in a custom black tuxedo. He stopped in his tracks, his obsessive gaze raking over me from head to toe. For a moment, the Alpha was speechless. The erotic tension in the room was so thick I could almost taste it.
Elara, he breathed, his voice a low roar of pure hunger. I knew you were beautiful, but this... this is dangerous. I don't know if I can let you leave this room. I want to keep you here, locked away where only I can see what I've helped create.
You promised me my revenge, Killian, I reminded him, stepping closer until I could feel the heat radiating off his body. You promised me that they would repent.
And they will, he growled, reaching out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear. His touch burned, sending a jolt of the mate bond through my veins. But don't be surprised if I have to break a few jaws tonight for looking at you too long.
Just don't break Jason's yet, I whispered, a dark spark of revenge in my eyes. I want him to realize exactly what he threw away first.
We arrived at the Academy's grand ballroom just as the event was reaching its peak. The elite students of the Business and Law departments were all there, sipping champagne and gossiping about who was up for the top internships.
As the double doors swung open and Killian led me inside, his hand firmly on the small of my back, the music seemed to falter. A hush fell over the crowd.
Who is that? I heard a girl whisper.
Is that a new transfer student? She's stunning, a guy replied, his eyes wide.
I scanned the room until I found them. Sarah and Jason were standing near the fountain, the perfect couple of the Law department. Sarah was wearing a bright red dress that now looked cheap compared to my silk, and Jason was holding a drink, looking bored, until his eyes landed on me. He actually dropped his glass. The sound of shattering crystal echoed in the sudden silence.
Elara? Jason stammered, his face turning a ghostly shade of white. "It... it can't be."
I didn't stop. I walked right past him, my head held high, my heels clicking rhythmically on the marble floor. I felt like a queen walking through a room of peasants. The amazing transformation was complete, and the look of regret on Jason's face was the sweetest wine I had ever tasted.
Elara, wait! Jason called out, stepping away from a fuming Sarah.
He caught up to us, his eyes scanning my face with a desperate, pathetic hunger.
"You look... you look incredible," he said, his voice trembling. "I didn't know... I mean, I heard you were living at the Thorne place, but I didn't think"
You didn't think I was worth your time when I didn't fit your aesthetic, Jason, I cut him off, my voice cold and clear. You made your choice in the rain three months ago. Don't try to change it now that the sun is out.
Elara, I made a mistake, he pleaded, reaching for my hand. We can talk about this. I still care about you. Before he could touch me, Killian stepped between us. He didn't say a word, but the Alpha energy he projected was enough to make Jason stumble back. Killian's eyes were fiery, his jaw set in a line of pure territorial aggression.
She told you to back off, Jason, Killian said, his voice like the rumble of distant thunder. And if I were you, I'd listen. I'm not as patient as she is.
Killian, stay out of this, Jason tried to sound brave, but his voice cracked. This is between me and Elara.
Everything involving Elara involves me, Killian replied, his hand finding the small of my back again, pulling me flush against his side. She is a Thorne now. And more importantly, she is mine.
The room gasped. The forbidden nature of our relationship was now public. My mother, standing across the room with Silas, looked like she was about to faint. But I didn't care. I leaned into Killian, feeling the strong heart in my chest beating in sync with his.
Sarah marched over, her face red with fury. "This is a joke, right? You're dating your step-brother now, Elara? How low-economic status of you. You're just a gold-digger who used your mother's marriage to get a makeover."
I turned to her, a slow, calm smile spreading across my lips. "I didn't need a makeover, Sarah. I just needed to stop letting people like you tell me what I was worth. As for Killian... he's more man than Jason could ever hope to be. But I wouldn't expect a girl who settles for leftovers to understand that."
The crowd oohed, and Sarah looked like she wanted to lunge at me. But the Alpha presence of Killian held everyone back.
Come on, Elara, Killian whispered, his breath hot against my ear. I've had enough of these vultures. Let's go somewhere where I can show you exactly how much I appreciate your new look.
He led me out toward the moonlit balcony, leaving a trail of scorned rivals and repentant exes in our wake. The air outside was crisp, smelling of pine and the coming winter. Killian pulled me into the shadows, his hands finding the bare skin of my back where the dress dipped low.
You were magnificent in there, he murmured, his eyes glowing with that obsessive light. But I hated every second of them looking at you.
I only care about how you look at me, Killian, I whispered, my fingers tangling in the silk of his tie.
He leaned down, his lips brushing against mine in a way that made my soul ache. "I look at you and I see my future, Elara. I see the woman who is going to rule this empire by my side. But first..."
He trailed off, his kiss deepening into something erotic and demanding. I felt the healing power in my veins hum in response to his touch, a golden warmth that spread from my heart to my fingertips. We were forbidden, we were a scandal in the making, but in this moment, under the stars, we were the only two people in the world.
Elara, he groaned against my mouth. I want you. Here. Now. I don't care who's inside.
Then take me, Alpha, I breathed, my strong heart finally finding its home.
Just as he pressed me against the stone railing, his hands sliding up the silk of my dress, a heavy footstep sounded from the doorway.
"Killian! Elara!"
It was my mother, her face tear-streaked and terrified. "You have to come inside. Now. Silas... he's collapsed. And the lawyers... they're saying the bloodline results are in. They're saying Elara isn't who we thought she was."
Killian froze, his eyes locking onto mine. The revenge was over, but a new, much more dangerous game was beginning.
What do they mean? I asked, my voice trembling.
They mean, my mother sobbed, that you aren't Silas's step-daughter. You're his greatest threat.