FAZER LOGINELORA'S pov "I'm glad you're okay."I turned to look at him, still unnerved.He was glad I was okay? He looked ready to kill me back when I was with Toby. But now he's...Actually, I think this will be the most I'll be getting from Valen Thorne. Might as well take it."Thanks," I muttered back.The moon started to go to the other side of Earth, it would definitely be leaving soon.If the trial ended without us finding the object, would we be asked to do this again?I looked at the river. Next time we come here, they might consider crossing to check more lands. No, I could barely control things this time... I couldn't afford a next time."Guys, I've seen something!" Tristan shouted.My heart skipped a beat. I had to place my hand on my chest to reassure myself. He said he'd found something, not someone. And the something would probably have something to do with what we were looking for.Then why was I feeling so scared? I was being paranoid.Jaxon and I walked to go see it. He stood a
ELORA'S pov He began walking towards me, his hands folded into fists. He was angry.I had seen Valen Thorne pissed. I had seen him calm. But I hadn't seen him angry before. It felt like the whole area was vibrating with his presence.And each step he took towards me was undoubtedly charged with spite. But it wasn't like I could just push an injured person off me because he didn't like it. And why did he care who laid on my legs?Toby groaned again and this time I couldn't blame him. The air was hard to breathe with Valen's scent dominating everything.When he reached where I sat on the floor, he stood and looked at me again before he ordered, "Do I have to say it?" He continued heavily, "Get. Away. From. Him."I should have listened to him immediately. Because an angry Valen was not to be messed with or teased."But he's wounded. Even you can see that.""Unless you want me to make sure he's completely dead, Elora." He uttered again. And I swallowed. I pulled my backpack and placed it
ELORA'S pov I paused to listen again, and this time I heard the crack of a branch from my left. I wasn't alone. I stood upright, looking at where the sound came from."Come out! I know you're there," I hollered at the bush.A breeze blew and made me feel a bit chilly. I was definitely showing off more confidence than I felt.Soft footsteps made their way forward and I extended my claws for effect.Toby?I saw his round glasses before his face. It was Toby alright. But because of the moon he'd grown larger and more... vicious.Of course he looked intimidating—he was a true Alpha."Lucius?" His shaky voice muttered out.He was currently bigger than me and definitely stronger, but he still sounded scared."How long have you been hiding there, Toby?" I continued with a firm voice.I didn't think he would harm me, but I had no idea how much he saw, how much he knew. I extended my claws longer hoping I looked fierce."Just a little, Lucius. I... I wasn't spying on you, I promise. I just go
ELORA'S pov The second the clock hanging on the wall ticked to twelve, the bells at the hallways rang out, signaling the start of the midnight trial.I exhaled, watching the students who occupied the library with me stand up. I didn't want to return to the dorm room. Even though Valen, Jaxon and Tristan already knew who I was, I felt like my mood or expression would give away why I was really here. The council has singled me out too, I had no idea why, but it sure as hell felt spooky.Exhaling, I closed the ancient book on spiritual communication I had been reading.'Do you think that following the instructions of the book would help?' Lyra asked. I could feel the break in her voice—our mission tonight got her as worked up as it got me. 'That book was written centuries ago by your ancestors. It might need strong magic before it works, you don't have that.''I know that!' I glared, exhaling before tearing out the particular page with the drawing and returning the big book to the books
ELORA'S pov If I thought the school cafeteria was suffocating when it was full, then I might have been kidding myself. Because the hall right now? It was so packed with Alpha students, each oozing with a dangerous, masculine energy I knew I couldn't top, even if I used the entire scent blocker bottles Father gave me.I swallowed again, wiggling from one foot to another. Breathing was getting more difficult with more Alphas entering the already filled up hall."Inhale through your mouth and exhale through your nose." A familiar voice stated...Valen. Unlike how I would have preferred to stay as far away from the monster as werewolfly possible, he made sure I stayed next to him. I guessed it was to keep an eye on me.I turned to him. He was beside me, but his attention was on the heightened part of the podium in the hall, the one three men and two women occupied in sitting positions.How did Valen know what was going on with me if his attention wasn't on me to even start with?Deciding
ELORA'S povMy eyes widened as Valen's body overshadowed mine, his big frame leaning deeper into mine.I couldn't breathe... The room felt too hot, too fucking tight."You've... known." I whispered, my own voice sounding foreign in my head. "All along, you've known.""Which part exactly? That your name isn't Lucius?" He tilted his head slightly, his hand coming to my face as his fingers brushed over my cheek in soft movements. "Or that you're not a man? Which is it?"My brows furrowed. I wasn't supposed to be getting angry right now, but for some reason, the anger rose either way. I slapped his hand away from my face. "So you've just been feigning ignorance and tormenting me over and over? Why the hell would you do that?"A side of his lips perked up. If he was pissed that I slapped his hand away, he sure as hell didn't show. "Not going to lie, but I was curious at first. I needed to know what gave you the confidence to think I wouldn't find out who you are from the first day I got yo







