Zaria's POV
The grand hall of the Nightbane Elite Academy was bathed in golden glow, chandeliers casting neon light over the multitude of elegantly dressed wolves. Music, laughter and conversation hummed in the air.
But it was useless. I haven't come here for fun, have I ? My eyes were solely focused on the stage.
There she was.
Aria Everwood.
She was just as beautiful as I remembered. Dressed in a flowing emerald gown that hugged her curves, she stood on the elevated stage, her brown hair flowing down her shoulders. The entire room seems to tremble beneath her like she was the very air they breath in.
I clenched my jaw. The sight made me sick.
The Queen of Highlights. The perfect Luna. Callum's beloved mate. Those compliments swirled around me.
She smiled, nodding and waving at students and elite pack members-some of which I recognised from five years ago. I even saw a particular set of twins, Myra and Kyra -who had enjoyed bullying me then -they would all pay but for now, let them be.
My fingers tightened around the glass of drink, feeling the need to shattered it but I managed to stay calm.
My gaze were still on Lyra as she trailed off the stage. She radiated power, confidence, and authority-the kind I once admired in the past. Enjoy it while it lasts, Aria.
Standing up from my seat, I forced a smile at my roommate, telling them I want to go to the bar. As I moved through the bar, my shoulder hit a solid wall of muscle, and before I could react, my drink splashed, spilling onto the crisp, expensive fabric of someone's shirt.
I quickly raised head, hoping to apologise to the person. My words caught in my throat when I realised who it was.
My gaze , met the piercing silver eyes of Callum Nightbane.
My mate. My betrayer. The man who had destroyed me.
The silence in the room was deafening.
A sharp gasps laced with fear broke out from the crowd.
"She's so doomed.....
"I hate transfer students. Causing trouble already...."
"That's Alpha Callum....."
For a brief second, something flickered across his face-shock, maybe disbelief. Then just as quickly, his features hardened.
Asshole.
He doesn't even recognise me. How couldn't. Everything about me had changed.
The memories from the past came running back. But it doesn't hurt anymore, instead it's motivates. It's motivated me to get stronger, and wiser.
I stepped back slightly, not out of fear, but to fully take him in. Callum Nightbane. He hadn't changed much. Still broad-shouldered, still exuding raw, untamed power.
Elsa whimpered at the back of my mind. 'Our mate.'
'Ex-mate.' I corrected sharply
He sighed loudly, his jaw clenching. "You..... Got nothing to say?" He was waiting for an apology. He would wait forever.
Before I could speak, another presence stepped into view, beside him.
Ashen.
That bastard. The one who attempted to molest me that night.
Still the same too. Ever loyal like a well trained dog. He stepped forward, his gaze scanning me with contempt.
"Kneel," he said , his voice sharp and authoritative. "You just disrespected the Alpha."
I blinked. Then I laughed loudly. The sound was sharp and mocking, sending unease through the gathered onlookers. By this time everyone had forgotten that they were in a party. One would think they were in a cinema instead, watching and waiting anxiously for the drama to unfold.
"Kneel?" I repeated, the absurdity of the words hitting me like a slap. I took a step closer to Ashen, meeting his gaze boldly. "You kneel instead."
The tension in the room heightened. Everyone gasps with their mouth wide open.
Callum had it worst. He was surprised, and also angry.
Aria's stepped forward, her fingers curling around Callum's arm possessively. "Who the hell do you think you are?" She spat, her voice dripping with venom.
Before, I could respond my roommates, standing just behind me, frantically tugged at my arm
"Celeste," Kira whispered urgently. "He's the Alpha. And one of the board members of the academy. Just apologize."
I didn't even look at her nor acknowledged her words.
Aria straightened, exercising her full authority. "Guards," she called, her voice rising with anger. "Throw her out of my party."
Boots hits the marble floor hurriedly and within seconds, two guards appeared.
I exhaled slowly.
And then, just as they reached for me, I smirked.
"Touch me," I said, my voice calm but dangerous," and that would be the last thing you'd ever use those hands for."
The guards hesitated.
Callum's POV
"Touch me, and that would be the last thing you'd ever use those hands for," the woman in front of me said.
Her cold, dangerous voice sent chilly sensation through me and for a second I wondered who she was she? And why did she seem to have a grudge against me-personal and twisted grudge.
She did.....seemed familiar, but then no matter how many times I looked at her, I can't seem to recognise her. I had never known anymore who had such attractive silver eyes and silver silky hair that cascaded over her shoulders in waves. Her skin, smooth and radiant, seemed to glow under the soft light. And her curves...... Fuck!
She was beautiful. Effortlessly beautiful.
But that doesn't give her the right to be rude, does it?
She had bumped into me, spilling drinks all over me. A simple apology would have suffice but it seems she'd rather die than do that.
A student was rude to the Alpha? And even refused to apologise? Unbelievable.
My gaze was still locked on her and she remained as confident or perhaps as defiant as ever. What kind of rude woman is this? I have never seen someone as uncouthed as her. Her parents must have done a terrible job raising her.
The silence in the room was tense, eyes plastered on me. They were watching, waiting for my reaction.
Before I could react, she flicked her wrist, and turned on her heels. "I have better things to do," she muttered, her voice condescending as if we were insignificant.
Aria's fingers tightened around my arms, her manicured nails digging into my skin. "Callum, do something! She just ruined my birthday party. She humiliated me! Humiliated us!" She hissed, her face plastered with rage.
I exhaled sharply, my eyes narrowing as I watched her walk away, head held, still radiating defiance. There was something about her that made my wolf restless. She was no ordinary transfer student.
"Don't worry, Aria," I said evenly, my voice devoid of emotions. "She'll pay for this. I promise."
Aria relaxed slightly, believing in my words.
Turning to Ashen, my Beta, who was still fuming with anger, I issued out orders. "Get me every piece of information about her. I want it on my desk in one hour."
Ashen straightened. "Consider it done, Alpha."
As he left to carry out my orders, my gaze landed on the damp stain on my shirt. My jaw clenched, my anger refreshing.
Who the hell was she? And why does she feel... somewhat familiar?
I turned towards the bar, grabbing a napkin to dab at the wine stained fabric of my shirt. I threw the napkin away in anger. I made a grave mistake. I should have forced her to kneel right there, made an example of her, but something held me back. Something in the she looked at me fucking held me back.
Ashen returned forty minutes later with a file in his hand. He didn't mince words. "I found everything," he said, his voice hinting that something was off. "But you're not going to like it."
I snatched the file from him, flipping through. The first thing I saw was a photograph. Her photograph-that didn't do justice to the beauty I saw earlier.
Silver eyes. Silver hair. Then a name that sent chills down my spine.
Celeste Draven.
My world tilted.
Draven....... the name was enough to set me up edge. Draven? As in...the same Draven. The powerful Rogue king.
What was the Rogue king daughter doing here? At my academy? Is this some sort of joke?
I turned to Ashen, my throat tightening. "How did.....the Rogue king daughter gets into this Academy?" My voice was low, barely above a whisper like the thought of it alone was an abomination that no one else should heard of.
But it was actually an abomination, because I can't even imagine how the other students will feel when they find out that they are breathing in the same air as a Rogue daughter.
Ashen whispered. "She must know someone very very ....powerful here."
"No wonder she was defiant. Her father must have sent her here."
