"What girl?"

It was soft, lilting, but carried the kind of danger only a certain kind of woman could wield.

Valora Gravesend.

I didn't need to look to know it was her. The room seemed to shift when she walked in like gravity remembered itself, but I turned anyway, catching sight of her as she sauntered toward us.

Her deep purple corset dress hugged her frame, short in the front to show off her thighs, with a long, dramatic tail trailing behind her. A chain of dark amethysts glinted around her throat. She was a vision, as always, but I wasn't in the mood for her theatrics today.

She slid into the chair beside me, her dark eyes glinting with that possessive edge she liked to play up, even though she knew exactly what our deal was.

"So, who do I have to kill?" she asked, her voice light but laced with a threat that wasn't entirely a joke.

I scoffed, leaning back in my chair. "Calm down, Val. It's nothing."

Kiyan, ever the instigator, flashed her a sweet smile. "No dark magic on school grounds, Valora. You know the rules."

She tilted her head, her lips curving into a dangerous smile as she looked at me. "Only if the girls keep their hands to themselves."

Seraphine rolled her eyes, muttering something under her breath that I didn't catch but was probably scathing. The bad blood between her and Valora was no secret, and neither Kiyan nor I ever bothered to wade into that mess.

The murky waters between a powerful Warlock and a Wyseath princess? Definitely not Lycan territory. Even Valora, a powerful warlock that she was, knew better than to mess with a water wolf; the entire realm of shifters knew damn well the Wyseath were not to be trifled with, and Seraphine, sweet as she was, was just as dangerous and powerful, if not more than Valora.

Valora ignored Seraphine, her gaze fixed on me.

"Something's got you puzzled," she said, her voice softer now, almost concerned. "What is it?"

I shook my head, forcing a casual shrug. "Just stressed."

"Do you have classes in the next hour?" She asked expectantly.

"No, I don't, why?" I glanced at my wristwatch.

She studied me for a moment, then leaned closer, her hand brushing my arm knowingly. "I know just the thing to take the edge off."

Kiyan groaned loudly. "Gods, please don't."

Seraphine made a disgusted sound, burying her face in Kiyan's shoulder. "You two need to get a room."

Valora smirked, standing and grabbing my wrist as she did. "We're going to do exactly that."

As she pulled me to my feet, Kiyan called after us, "Use condoms, please! No warlock-lycan hybrids, please. The last thing this academy needs is a baby with fangs and telekinesis."

A low laugh escaped me despite myself.

Valora's nails traced lightly along my arm as she led me toward the doors, her perfume lingering like a spell. I followed, outwardly calm, inwardly detached. She was beautiful, deadly, everything a man should want, should fear-and yet, I felt nothing for her beyond the dull familiarity of comfort and power; she knew it too. I had never lied to her, and our arrangement had always been clear.

Casual sex, great company, solid friendship. No romantic feelings, no wanting more, because that? I could not give.

I didn't do love, and I was not interested in it. All I needed was a strong, powerful mate who would solidify my claim as heir to the throne, and Valora understood that. Most of the time.

Still, even as she pulled me through the door, her laughter spilling through the corridor, that other face flickered in my mind.

Those hazel eyes.

That impossible intensity.

And the memory of a battlefield long gone cold, where a boy I once called my friend lay dying beneath my hands.

Rivan.

My jaw tightened.

No. It couldn't be.

I forced the thought away, convincing myself I was imagining the resemblance. Just another student. Just another pretty face with a temper.

But deep down, I knew the truth was circling.

And sooner or later, it was going to land right in front of me.

The second the door to Valora's room clicked shut, she was on me, her hands shoving me against the wall with a force that made the wood creak. Her lips crashed into mine, hungry and relentless, her nails digging into my shoulders as she pressed herself closer. I couldn't help the low giggle that escaped into the kiss, the sudden intensity catching me off guard.

I laughed against her mouth, half caught off guard, half entertained. "What's gotten into you?"

She drew back just enough to murmur, "What do you mean?"

I tilted my head, watching her through half-lidded eyes. "We spent the night together. I left your room just this morning, you're acting like you haven't seen me in weeks. Didn't think you'd be this-" I smirked. "Insatiable."

Her answering grin was slow, predatory. "Maybe I am. Maybe I need you too often for my own good."

I could've laughed again if it didn't sound so true.

She stepped back, her movements deliberate as she made a show of undressing. The purple corset dress she'd been wearing slid to the floor, revealing smooth skin and curves that never failed to pull my attention. It was always a performance with her - Valora never moved without the intent to be watched.

I exhaled through my nose, amused, until my hands found her waist again.

I leaned against the wall, watching her with a raised brow. "You do love your dramatics, don't you?"

Her eyes flicked to mine, wicked amusement in them. "And you love to watch."

She wasn't wrong.

I smirked, my own shirt hitting the ground as I followed her lead. I closed the distance between us, grabbing her waist and spinning her so her chest pressed against the wall. She gasped - half surprise, half anticipation. Her head tilted back, her breath unsteady. I could feel her pulse racing against my fingertips.

My fingers worked quickly, unbuckling my belt with a sharp snap. "Hands back," I ordered, my voice low.

Valora complied, stretching her arms behind her, and I looped the belt around her wrists, pulling it tight. She let out a soft whimper, her body already trembling with anticipation. But instead of closing the gap, I stepped back, leaning against the opposite wall, my eyes locked on hers.

She twisted her head to look at me, confusion flickering across her face. "Aklan? What are you doing?"

"Don't move," I said quietly, dragging a hand through my hair. "Tell me something first."

She blinked, wary. "Tell you what?"

I crossed my arms, my gaze steady. "What's our arrangement, Valora?"

Her frown deepened, her bare shoulders tensing. "Why are you asking me that now? I'm practically naked."

"Because this is the only time I know you'll be truthful," I said, my tone sharp. "When you're desperate. So, what's our arrangement?"

Her brows knit together. "You're impossible."

"Humor me."

She stared at me, confusion flickering into a faint smile. "We agreed it's casual. No promises. No emotions."

I nodded, stepping closer but not touching her yet. "Good. Now, what was that earlier, in the cafeteria? Asking who you had to kill?"

Her expression softened, and she let out another small whimper, shifting against the wall. "It was just a joke, Aklan. Harmless."

I tilted my head, studying her. "I don't believe you. You get possessive, Val. Too possessive. I need to know you're not going to pull what you did the first year again. You promised me you wouldn't do anything stupid because of me."

"Aklan-"

"No," I cut in, voice sharper now. "You've done reckless things before."

"I won't," she said quickly, her voice pleading. "I swear, I won't."

I wanted to believe her. Saints, I did. But belief wasn't something I afforded easily anymore.

"Good," I said after a long pause.

I held her gaze for a moment longer, searching for any hint of a lie. Satisfied, I closed the distance, turning her to face me. My pants hit the floor, and I pressed myself against her, my fangs grazing her neck just enough to draw a gasp. She melted into me, her body yielding as I guided her to the makeup desk nearby. Using the belt still binding her wrists, I bent her over the desk, pulling her back into each thrust.

My lips brushed her ear as I leaned down. "This is supposed to be quick," I murmured. "I'm not holding back for you."

I quickened my pace, her moans filling the room as the tension built fast and fierce. It didn't take long before our orgasms crashed over us, leaving us both breathless. 

Afterwards, silence settled between us - heavy, spent, my mind already elsewhere. I steadied her, carefully unfastening the belt from her wrists and helping her back into her clothes.

When she was dressed, I pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. She smiled faintly. "You're leaving already?

"I've got class in twenty minutes," I murmured. "And I don't intend to walk in smelling like you."

Her smirk returned, slow and sly. "Shame. I like marking you."

"I'll see you later."

She nodded, still catching her breath, and I slipped out of her room, the door clicking shut behind me.

The rest of the day blurred by in a haze of classes, drills, and paperwork. By the time evening rolled around, I was spent, my body heavy with exhaustion. I collapsed onto my bed, the mattress groaning under my weight, and let my eyes drift shut. I didn't even realize I had fallen into a deep sleep until the world shifted.

When I opened my eyes again, I was no longer in my room.

I was sitting on a fallen oak tree under a pale sky that had no sun, no stars. Just a faint light that didn't come from anywhere. The air felt different here - thicker, colder. The smell of burnt wood lingered.

And beside me, as real as life, sat Rivan.

"Hello brother," His voice, calm as dawn and a thousand rumbles of thunder at the same time.

I was in shock. "Rivan?" 

He looked the same - dark hair tousled, eyes too sharp to belong to the dead.

"Good to see you too, brother." His smile pierced the very fabric of my soul.

"How? How are you here?" 

"You never let me in anymore, but I had to find another way." He said quietly.

My throat tightened. "Didn't think it would be easy seeing you again."

He chuckled, that familiar crooked grin ghosting his face. "You've changed, you're harder, colder even, and I can't decide if that's good or bad."

"Probably both."

"This is my doing, is it not? I made you this way." His eyes carried sadness in them.

I shook my head; it wasn't his fault, it never was. "No, it's not your fault. I just, I-"

Rivan extended his hand and nodded for me to take it. I did "Your heart carries too much burden, Aklan, you are heavier because you do not want to feel."

"What? You died and became a therapist?" I scoffed.

He smiled at me. "It's beautiful here. I would invite you over for a visit, but we both know the warlock girl will resurrect you and kill you all over again."

"How did you-? So now you're a therapist and a stalker." 

He smirked. "I thought you had a thing for stalkers, that would explain your fixation with the witch." 

"I'm not fixated." I shrugged because it was true. 

He flashed his ridiculous grin. "That's a lot of late-night sneaking and early morning sessions for someone who isn't fixated."

"Great, you brought me to the endless to discuss my sex life. Well, what about you? Getting any pussy out here?"

Rivan looked faux offended "We do not mate here in the abyss. I'm in the abyss, not in the endless yet. I still get to wander and visit my favorite people."

"And you chose to watch me fuck. Is this how you spend your days, Rivan?"

"Beats sitting by the riverbank every day." He smiled.

I missed him, I missed him more than I knew how to explain.

I grabbed him and hugged him like my life depended on it. I knew it was just a dream, but he felt real. "It's good to see you, brother."

"If I didn't know any better, I would say you had the hots for me when I was alive."

I laughed loudly, my shoulders shrieking, my chest felt loose. I had forgotten how easy life was with Rivan by my side. 

"It is good to hear your laughter again, Aklan. It's been four years too long," His eyes mirrored the relief in mine.

I nodded. "I guess I would let you in more often now that time has sharpened your humor." 

"We would see each other more often than you think" His voice carried a level of worry that sent a chill through me.

He looked ahead, toward the horizon that didn't exist. "Have you found the red wolf?"

"The what?" I turned to him, frowning.

"The one who doesn't know what she carries," he said, voice distant now. "She's closer than you think, Aklan."

"What are you talking about? Who-"

But before I could finish, he turned to me again, and his expression had shifted - something between sorrow and warning. "You need to find her. She is the key, you have to teach her-."

A sound cut through the dream - faint, rhythmic, and sounded like knocking.

I blinked, and the dream world began to crumble.

When I opened my eyes, I was back in my room, the air thick with the scent of pinewood and sweat. Someone was knocking - louder now.

I groaned and dragged myself to the door to find Kiyan standing there, leaning against the frame.

"You alive?" he asked, brow raised. Probably because he knew I wasn't a deep sleeper and I had taken forever to open the door.

"Define alive."

He rolled his eyes, smiling. "You forgot the recruit's punishment."

I swore under my breath, checking the clock. 11:30 p.m. "She's not going to show up."

"She did," he said simply. "Still standing there."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Perfect. Let her stand all night. Consider it part of the discipline."

Kiyan gave me a look that said he wanted to argue, but didn't. He shrugged. "Your call."

When the door shut again, I collapsed back onto my bed, staring at the ceiling.

For a long time, I didn't move. I tried to tell myself it didn't matter - that she would survive standing for a few hours, that I owed nothing to the world anymore.

But I knew a girl as stubborn as that wouldn't wait for me to come. She would leave if she didn't find me.

By the time my eyes drifted shut again, all I could see was Rivan's smile - and the shadow of a conversation I didn't understand.