Lucien's Pov.

I've lived my best life in solitude.

Silence has always been easier than conversation, control easier than chaos.

My brothers never understood that.

Riven spends his nights boxing his punching bag just to prove he still can. Cassian spends his pretending he's never been broken at all.

And me?

I study the pieces.

The candle beside me flickers, painting shadows across the open book on my lap. I'm supposed to be reading some forgotten historian's thoughts on wolf lineage, but my eyes keep tracing the same paragraph over and over again.

I can still hear the music from last night.

The laughter. The whispers. The sound of Cassian's pulse, faint but real, after years of nothing.

It shouldn't have been possible.

We don't have heartbeats. Not since the curse. Not since the moon turned her face away from us.

I glance toward the balcony, where Riven is pacing again. His jaw tightens every time the memory crosses his mind.

Cassian lies sprawled on the couch, throwing grapes into his mouth like a man who's never cared about anything in his life.

"Thinking about her again?" Cassian teases, voice smooth and amused.

Riven's silence is answer enough.

Cassian grins wider. "Don't worry, brother. We'll find her. Or she'll find us. They always do."

I close my book and stand. "She's not like the others."

Both of them turn toward me. It's rare for me to speak, rarer still for me to disagree.

Riven frowns. "You felt it too?"

I hesitate. I've never liked speaking about what I feel. Feelings complicate things. But the truth is, I did.

A pulse.

A faint echo inside my chest when our eyes met, hers behind that silver mask.

Cassian raises an eyebrow. "Oh, fascinating. The great Lucien Veyron admits to feeling something. Mark the date, brother."

"Mock all you want," Riven mutters. "But she woke something in us."

"In you," Cassian corrects lightly. "I felt nothing but boredom."

Liar.

He always lies when he's afraid.

I move to the window, staring out at the academy below, students wandering through the courtyards, sunlight glinting over their hair. The normal ones. The blessed ones.

Sometimes I envy them.

Not for their freedom, but for the simplicity of it.

Our curse is a shadow that breathes with us. The night we were born, the moon dimmed. No heartbeat. No wolf scents. No destiny. Just silence.

Every healer failed. Every ritual ended the same. Until we stopped trying.

Until last night.

Something in that girl's quiet presence, shattered the stillness inside me. Like the first raindrop after years of drought.

I run a hand through my hair and shut the window.

Cassian yawns. "I don't think some random girl is responsible for whatever transpired last night. Fate's got a sick sense of humor."

Riven's grumble is low. "You think this is about fate?"

I don't know what he means.

All I know is that my heart, my cursed, dead heart, won't stop echoing her face.

Who is she?

              ************************

The room falls quiet again. Only the candle burns a slow, steady flame, the way our lives used to be before the curse taught us the fear of been still.

Cassian breaks the silence first, scrolling aimlessly through his phone. "If you're going to brood, Lucien, at least brood with a drink in hand. You look like the ghost of your own funeral."

I shoot him a dry glance. "And you look like the jester at it."

He gasps in mock offense. "Rude. I bring joy to this miserable household."

"You bring noise," Riven mutters.

Cassian tosses a grape at him. "You're welcome."

Riven catches it midair without even looking, crushing it between his fingers. "Try that again and it'll be your skull."

"Violence before breakfast. Charming," Cassian says, stretching lazily. "Tell me, does it ever get tiring being so angry all the time?"

"Does it ever get tiring pretending not to care?" Riven fires back.

Cassian laughs, low and teasing. "Not yet."

I watch them, two halves of a storm I've spent my life trying to contain.

"Enough," I say quietly.

They both stop. They always do when I use that tone.

"The more we talk about her," I continue, "the stronger the pull becomes. You can feel it. I can feel it. It's not natural."

Cassian chuckles under his breath. "Neither are we. Stop the illusion, brother."

He's not wrong.

I sink back into the armchair, rubbing my temples. "I'm not very sure this connection is from the girl, but I can't pin it to anything else."  

Cassian yawns, like he's tired of the day before it even begins.

Riven stops pacing. "You think someone noticed?"

"Three sons of the Alpha line, suddenly showing life after years of nothing?" I glance up at him. "Someone always notices."

Cassian leans forward, elbows on his knees, his grin gone. "So what do you suggest, brother? Pretend it never happened?"

"Yes."

He laughs softly. "You've spent so long pretending to feel nothing, maybe you've forgotten how."

"Maybe."

Riven looks between us, his eyes hard. "And what if pretending isn't enough this time?"

I don't answer. Because deep down, I know he's right.

The curse has always been predictable, pain without life, power without direction. But last night, something inside us stirred. That's never happened before.

Cassian stands, stretching his arms above his head. "Well, I, for one, plan to enjoy this little mystery. It's been centuries since I've been intrigued."

Riven growls. "You'll stay away from her."

Cassian's smile sharpens. "Why? Afraid she'll like me better?"

"You don't know what she is," Riven snaps.

"She's nothing but a random stranger!" Cassian shouts back, his smile fading for only a second before widening again.

I look between both of them. Cassian only snaps when he's scared.

I rise again before the air shifts into something darker. When the three of us lose control, the curse burns.

"Enough," I repeat, firmer.

Cassian's grin fades completely now. He turns away, sliding his hands into his pockets. "Whatever you say, brother. But you can't cage curiosity forever."

He strides to the door. "I'll be in the courtyard if anyone needs me. Or doesn't."

The door slams softly behind him.

Riven stands motionless for a long time before muttering, "He'll get us all killed one day."

I sigh. "Probably."

He moves toward the window again, staring out at the sprawling academy grounds. "You really think she's ordinary?"

I hesitate. The image of her flashes behind my eyes, those sharp grey eyes beneath the silver mask.

"No," I admit quietly.

Riven nods once, like he expected that answer, and leaves the room without another word.

Now I'm alone again.

I close my eyes, replaying the moment at the ball.

The silver-masked girl's presence.

Cassian's hand touching hers.

The beat.

His heartbeat.

But then, beneath all that, another sound drifts back to me. Something I'd dismissed as part of the crowd.

A rumble.

A shift in the air.

A presence I didn't recognize.

My eyes snap open.

"There was someone else there," I whisper into the quiet. "Someone... watching."

A chill crawls down my spine.

Maybe the girl caused nothing.

Maybe she was just standing in the wrong place at the wrong time.

And the worst part?

if she really is just a stranger, then what in the hell made our hearts beat?"

Elara's Pov- 35 hours earlier.

If happiness had a sound, it would be the rustling of suitcases and the clatter of shoes on marble floors.

"Careful with that one!" I call out as one of the maids lifts my third trunk, the one with my books and sketchpads. "That's fragile!"

"Yes, Miss Elara," she says, breathless but smiling.

My room looks like a storm of silk and sunlight, dresses everywhere, ribbons scattered, the scent of fresh lavender and excitement in the air. I haven't felt this alive in years. Maybe ever.

Lunacrest Academy.

I whisper the name in my head like a spell.

The place where legends are made. The academy for the strongest wolves of the realm. And somehow, me, Elara Vayne, the girl without a wolf, got in.

"Mother!" I shout, practically running to the mirror to check my reflection. My curls fall in soft waves down my back, and for the first time in a long while, I don't hate what I see.

My mother appears in the doorway, radiant and composed, holding a folded cloak in her arms. "You look beautiful, sweetheart."

"Do I?" I spin once, grinning. "Do I look like a Lunacrest student?"

She laughs softly. "You look like my daughter. That's more than enough."

There's warmth in her eyes, the kind I haven't seen since I turned sixteen and everyone realized my wolf wasn't coming.

The day most girls in our world shift for the first time, I didn't. I waited under the full moon, breathless and trembling... and nothing happened.

The whispers started.

The stares followed.

And I started to fade.

For months, I couldn't eat. Couldn't smile. I avoided mirrors. Avoided my own reflection. I was the Beta's daughter who couldn't shift, the pack's quiet shame wrapped in expensive silk.

But today feels different.

Today, I finally get to breathe again.

Lunacrest Academy might be filled with powerful heirs and ruthless Alphas, but it's also my fresh start. No more pity. No more sad smiles. Just Elara, trying to belong.

Mother helps me fasten my cloak. "You know," she says softly, "when your father and I agreed to let you go, I wasn't sure you'd truly want it. But seeing you now..."

"I do," I say quickly. "I need this. I can't stay locked away forever, pretending I'm fine."

She smiles and brushes a curl from my face. "You've always been stronger than you think."

A knock sounds at the door before I can reply. Claude's voice carries through, low and firm. "Elara, we're leaving in five."

I roll my eyes, grinning. "Of course we are. Claude Vayne, punctual as ever."

Mother laughs. "Be kind to your brother. He worries too much because he loves you too much."

"I know," I mumble, but affection warms my chest.

Claude's always been that way, too serious, too protective, too everything. Ever since Father made him Beta-in-training, he's treated responsibility like it's stitched into his bones.

By the time I step outside, our car is waiting, it's sleek black color glinting in the morning sun. Claude stands beside it in his academy uniform, dark silver jacket, crest embroidered in gold, his expression sharp.

"Finally," he says when he sees me. "Do you plan to make a royal entrance, or were you aiming for fashionably late?"

"Maybe both," I tease, bumping his arm lightly.

He exhales, somewhere between fond and frustrated. "You packed half the manor, didn't you?"

"Only the essentials."

Claude gives the driver a look that clearly says 'my sister is hopeless.' Then he turns to me, voice softening. "You sure about this?"

I nod. "Positive."

He studies me for a long second, his silver eyes, so much like Father's, searching for cracks I don't want him to see. Finally, he sighs. "Alright then. Let's get you to Lunacrest."

The journey takes hours, winding roads through forests of pines, the morning air cool and crisp.

Lunacrest sits at the heart of neutral territory, where the great packs send their heirs to learn diplomacy, dominance, and control.

From a distance, the academy looks like a castle carved into the mountain itself, tall spires, glass windows glowing in the sun, banners rippling in the wind.

I press my face to the car window, heart thudding with excitement. "It's even more beautiful than I imagined."

Claude follows my gaze, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Don't let the view fool you. This place can be brutal."

"I'll be fine," I say. "You'll be here too."

"I'll be here," he confirms, but there's a warning beneath his tone. "Still... promise me something."

I glance at him. "What?"

"Keep your head down. Don't draw attention to yourself. These students... most of them can smell weakness from a mile away. And you..."

"I know," I finish for him. "I don't have a wolf."

He looks pained for a second. "I didn't mean it like that."

"Yes, you did." I smile, not angry. "But it's okay. I'll be careful."

He exhales slowly, running a hand through his hair. "Good. And remember, if anyone gives you trouble, you come to me. Always."

"Got it, Commander."

He chuckles despite himself. "You're impossible."

When we reach the academy gates, everything feels bigger than I imagined, the courtyard busy with students, the sound of chatter and laughter echoing through the hallways. Wolves everywhere, powerful and graceful.

And me, trying not to shrink.

Claude helps me out of the car. "Your dorm's in the south wing," he says, already in responsible big brother mode. "Stay close to the Beta ranks. They'll be friendlier than the Alphas."

"Got it."

"And if anyone asks about your wolf, just say she's... dormant."

"Dormant?" I echo. "That's your brilliant cover story?"

"It's better than 'nonexistent.'"

I laugh. "Fair point."

He glances toward a group of students in dark uniforms, tall, commanding, radiating dominance even at a distance. His expression hardens slightly. "And one more thing. Stay away from the Veyron brothers."

I blink. "Your best friends?"

"Yes, Elara." His tone drops lower. "They're trouble."

I shrug. "You say that about everyone."

"This time I mean it."

There's a flicker of something uneasy in his eyes, but before I can ask, one of his friends calls his name. He sighs. "Duty calls."

Then he turns back to me, hesitating. "There's a ball tonight. A welcome event for the new semester."

"Oh." My heart lifts a little. "Can I..."

"No." His answer is immediate. "You're not going."

I blink, surprised. "Why not?"

"Because these events are full of posturing and dominance games. Everyone trying to prove who's strongest. You'll just draw attention to yourself, and not the good kind."

I cross my arms. "I can handle a few glares."

"Elara." His voice softens. "Please. Just this once. Stay in your dorm. I'll come find you after."

I look up at him, torn between wanting to obey and wanting to live. "Alright," I say finally. "I promise."

He studies me for a moment longer, as if he doesn't quite believe me, then nods. "Good."

He reaches out, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear the way he did when we were kids. "You'll do fine, Elara. Just... stay low."

Then he walks away, his back straight, his aura steady and confident, everything I'm not.

I watch him disappear into the crowd, and for a long moment, I just stand there, clutching my bags, staring at the academy gates.

Lunacrest Academy.

My new beginning.

I take a deep breath and step forward.

And yes I'm aware, this is the step that will change everything.

Elara's POV-Present day.

My phone has been vibrating for the past ten minutes, buzzing against the nightstand like it's personally offended. I already know who it is, because only one person calls this early, and only one person uses anger as a ringtone.

When I finally answer, my brother doesn't bother with hello.

"You went to the ball."

I pinch the bridge of my nose. "Good morning to you too, Claude."

"Don't 'good morning' me, Elara. You promised. You said you'd keep your head down, stay invisible..."

"I did stay invisible," I interrupt quickly, forcing a calm I don't feel. "No one knows it was me."

There's a pause. I can practically hear him grinding his teeth on the other end. "You think hiding behind a silver mask counts as invisible? Everyone's talking about the girl who danced with Alpha Cassian Veyron."

"Exactly," I say softly. "They're talking about the girl in the mask. Not me."

Silence again. A heavy one this time.

He sighs, that long, tired kind that makes guilt crawl up my throat. "Elara, do you even realize what could happen if they find out who you are?"

"I know," I whisper. "And I'm being careful. No one saw me leave. My roommate hasn't arrived yet. I'm fine."

"Fine," he repeats, voice low. "That's what you said before everything went to hell last time."

That stings. I bite my lip, but I don't answer. There's nothing I can say that will make him trust me again, not after last time.

After a moment, his voice softens. "Just... promise me you'll stay out of trouble now. Please, El."

I clutch my blanket, staring at the ceiling. "I promise."

A lie.

A necessary one.

When I hang up, the quiet of my room feels heavier. The sunlight through the window is too bright, my reflection in the mirror too flushed. My hands still remember the warmth of his-Alpha Cassian's-when we danced.

I shouldn't even think about it. I shouldn't want to.

But the memory plays on loop anyway: the way he looked at me like he could see through the mask, the way the world went still when he said my name, no, when he said nothing at all, just stared.

The girl in the silver mask might've been a rumor to everyone else.

But to me, she felt real. Alive for the first time in years.

          *********************

Riven's Pov.

When unusual things happen, it's wise to dig up the roots.

Lucien's words, not mine. He's the one who believes everything has a reason, that if you dig deep enough, you'll find order in the mess.

I don't believe in order.

I believe in punishment.

The boy kneels before us now, shaking, blood magic smeared up his forearms like casual paint. The scent burns in my nose, iron and fear. Stupid. Reckless.

He tried to tamper with the wards during the ball. Thought he could summon something strong enough to make a joke of us.

Now he's about to learn what exposure really means.

Lucien sits across from him, one ankle resting over his knee, arms folded. Calm. Watching. His EarPods are in, music humming faintly, but I know he's listening to every word spoken in this room.

Cassian leans against the wall, that damned grin carved across his face like he's watching a show instead of an interrogation.

The boy stammers, "I... I didn't mean anything, I swear..."

"Don't lie to me."

My voice comes out low, dangerous. The kind of tone that makes even his breath hesitate.

He flinches, eyes darting between us. "I just... I wanted to see what makes you three so different..."

My fist slams into his jaw before he can finish. He hits the ground hard, coughing blood.

Cassian laughs softly. "That's one way to get him to the point."

"Shut up," I growl, grabbing the boy by the collar and dragging him back up. "You wanted to play with blood? Fine. Let's see what it costs."

His pulse races so fast I can almost hear it over the silence. The smell makes Cassian tilt his head, interest flickering in his crimson eyes.

Lucien doesn't move. Just watches. The flicker of candlelight catches his eyes, calm, calculating, unreadable.

"Blood magic disrupts balance," he says evenly. "He meddled with energy that wasn't his. The backlash explains the spike we felt last night."

I tighten my grip. "You're saying he caused it?"

"I'm saying he tried to," Lucien answers. "I did my diggings and this bastard is the one that tried to disrupt our minds."

Cassian chuckles. "How poetic. The boy calls on darkness and finds something brighter instead."

The kid's whimpering now, tears streaking through the grime. "Please. I didn't know it would..."

Cassian moves in a blur. One second he's leaning casually; the next he's behind the boy, hand clamped around his throat.

"You didn't know?" His tone is sweet, mocking. "Curiosity's a funny thing. Do you have your answers now, curious little one?"

The boy chokes, shaking. Cassian leans closer, releasing his fangs slowly until they graze skin, not biting yet, just tracing.

"Tell me," he murmurs, voice almost tender, "what did you see when you looked at us?"

"Monsters," the boy gasps.

Cassian's smile widens. "Good. At least you're not blind."

I take a step forward. "Cassian."

He doesn't look back.

"What? He already knows. Might as well make it memorable."

Lucien sighs, quietly like he already knows what Cassian would do next. "Don't make a mess."

Cassian glances at me over his shoulder, fangs glinting. "Do you want a taste, brother?"

My jaw tightens. I turn to Lucien, who looks absolutely unamused. "That bastard can't control his thirst."

Cassian winks. "Control is boring."

Then he bites. Quiet and sharp.

The boy jerks once, twice, and then goes still. Cassian doesn't drain him fast; he draws it out, a predator savoring his prey.

The color drains from the kid's face until he's pale as chalk, heartbeat faltering, gone.

When Cassian finally lets go, the body drops with a dull thud.

The room goes silent. Even the candlelight seems afraid to flicker.

Lucien removes an earbud. "Satisfied?"

Cassian licks a trace of blood from his lip, unbothered. "Not really. He tasted like regret."

I exhale slowly, trying to smother the burn in my chest. Rage. Hunger. Guilt. They all sound the same when you've lived too long with a curse.

Lucien stands, smooth as ever. "Dispose of him before sunrise. We don't need rumors."

Cassian yawns. "Always so practical."

Lucien's gaze hardens. "Always necessary."

Cassian stretches lazily and strolls toward the door. "You know what I think?"

"What?" I mutter.

He glances back, that infuriating grin still there. "That you two should loosen up a bit. You don't want to leave this world in regret of how you could have lived, you know?"

Then he vanishes before I can respond.

Lucien lingers for a moment, studying the corpse for a minute. Then he looks at me. "Live a little?"

I don't answer. Because the truth is, my way of surviving this curse is through aggression. Living a little would mean, allowing the curse overwhelm me.

And I'd rather lay down my life than be a slave to this curse.