SERAPHINA’S POVRight into my first day back at school—following the series of events that included being the target of a psychopath, hallucinations, and befriending Artemis just before he's stabbed with a dagger—something feels distinctly absent. It's as if a sense of warmth, which used to fill the otherwise lifeless hallways of Raven Wood Academy, has evaporated, leaving the opening hours of my day depressingly bleak.I can't pinpoint the cause, but this void haunts me even as I exit my third class, mere minutes after the bell. Dragging my feet to my locker, I switch out textbooks, my shoulders drooping more than usual. I'm so absorbed in my thoughts that I don't even notice someone approaching. When I close my locker and step forward, I mistakenly collide with them, sending their stack of books tumbling to the floor."I'm so sorry," I apologize, still not raising my eyes to see their face. As I bend down to help pick up the fallen books, our hands touch, both reaching for the s

ARTEMIS’ POVHer heart's pounding, a rhythm almost as loud as mine, thumping like it wants to break free from my ribcage. I muster a cool smile to hide my jitters. Words are just too weak to capture the storm of emotions swirling in me from finally seeing her—those hypnotic green eyes, after days locked away in that boring, soul-sucking room. Days without her voice, her laugh, the comfort of her presence. Days that drove me nearly mad, figuring out that nothing—absolutely nothing—mattered more than getting out and getting to her.My wolf is practically buzzing inside me, itching to close the distance between us. It craves the simple comfort of her nearness, aching to breathe in her scent like an addict in withdrawal. I want all of that—Goddess, how I want it. But I hold back, every fiber in me straining to keep control. I don't want to spook her, not when I'm still trying to figure out what I even want.Fuck, I've missed her.Missed her so much that everything else blurred into i

SERAPHINA’S POVMaybe it's because I stayed awake for roughly two days without proper sleep, or the fact that I stayed up most of the night expending energy, but I'm finally able to fall asleep peacefully the second my head crashes into the pillow. The sleep is light and without any of the nightmares, and by the time my alarm rings at its usual time, I feel more refreshed than ever. The dull and sour mood I've been in for days ceases to plague me. Olivia says that there's something different about me when she wakes up minutes later and I'm already fully dressed. I brush it off, telling myself that I've simply decided to let all the feelings of hurt and anger go away. And the fact that today I'm a bit excited for school.The early hours of school run their usual course, and I find myself staring at the clock in intervals, waiting for the bell for the cafeteria to ring. For the first time, I'm looking forward to it for reasons besides food.I'll admit it, a part of me missed Artemis

SERAPHINA’S POV“YOU FUCKING BASTARD!” Artemis' voice cracks the room, sending chills down my spine. Before Ace can even regain his footing, Artemis lunges at him with ferocious speed.I watch, frozen still and horrified, as Artemis' fists hammer down onto Ace with relentless, blinded fury. Each blow lands with a savage precision, as if his life depended on crushing his friend's skull into unfixable pieces. Ace is down, sprawled on the floor, defenseless—yet that does nothing to stop Artemis' assault.I hear the sickening squelch of battered flesh under Artemis' bloodstained knuckles. Each impact splatters crimson droplets, creating a chilling canvas on the walls around us. And even then, Artemis doesn't stop. No, he doesn't even blink. “Artemis...” My voice is strained and mangled from the choking I endured earlier, still trembling as I watch in horror. Artemis doesn't hear me; he's deaf, too engrossed in dealing blows to Ace, giving in to a bloodthirsty rage that's pulling his

SERAPHINA’S POV"Hey.”"Hey," I respond nervously, finding it hard to look into his eyes. When I finally do manage, I can't hold his gaze for long before looking away again.I curse Kamila over and over for having this conversation on school premises. Now I have to face him with so many inappropriate thoughts dancing around in my head. At this point, I’m scared that he might hear them."How are you feeling?" The tone of his voice comes out nervously, and I can immediately hear the weight of guilt hanging on it.His question quickly reminds me of what transpired earlier and why I'm in here in the first place. Suddenly, the discussion with Kamila becomes a distant memory compared to my most recent trauma.Flashes of my encounter with Ace flood my mind. The way he roughly held me down, forced his lips on mine, and stole my first kiss in the worst way possible. It's not something I can easily forget by simply sleeping it off or focusing my attention elsewhere. I can still feel the impr