Being noticed was dangerous.

Especially in Blackthorn Dominion Academy.

Attention here spread faster than wildfire in dry woods. One whisper became ten. Ten became rumors. Rumors became destruction.

And Ronan Ashbourne had just placed me directly beneath everyone’s gaze.

My fingers tightened around the locker handle as I stared at him.

There was amusement dancing inside his dark eyes.

No—

not amusement.

Satisfaction.

Like he had caught me hiding a secret and enjoyed watching me panic over it.

He raised one brow lazily.

“What?”

I quickly looked away from him and glanced around the hallway.

Students were staring.

Whispering.

Watching us like we were some scene pulled from one of their fantasy dramas.

Thankfully, Ronan hadn’t spoken loudly enough for anyone to hear clearly.

Still—

their curiosity had already awakened.

And curiosity inside this academy was lethal.

I closed my eyes briefly and inhaled deeply, forcing myself to stay calm.

When I opened them again, I looked up at him coldly.

“Can you move?”

His mouth curved slightly.

“Why?”

I nearly groaned in frustration.

“What do you want, Ronan?”

His dark gaze remained fixed on me, heavy enough to make my pulse uneven.

“Why didn’t you tell me who you were when I asked?”

I rolled my eyes instantly.

“Because I didn’t find it important.” I crossed my arms. “And we’re not close enough for personal introductions anyway.”

For a moment—

he said nothing.

I almost thought maybe my words offended him.

Then I noticed the smirk slowly spreading across his lips.

God.

I genuinely wanted to hit that smirk off his face.

It was unfair how beautiful arrogance looked on him.

Before I could say anything else, another voice sliced through the hallway.

“Ronan, what are you doing with her?”

I looked past him.

Sophia Devereux.

Daughter of the Delta family of Nightbane Crescent Pack.

Tall. Beautiful. Cruel in the way rich girls usually were.

Confidence dripped from her posture as she approached us in expensive heels, golden hair falling perfectly over one shoulder.

Everyone knew Sophia.

And Sophia made sure everyone remembered her.

Her obsession with Kael Ashbourne had practically become academy entertainment at this point.

Unfortunately for her—

Kael treated emotions like unnecessary decorations.

Ronan stepped back from me lazily before turning toward Sophia.

“Nothing, sweetheart.” His voice carried effortless charm now. “I was just thinking I might need someone to show me around the academy.”

Sophia’s face brightened immediately.

“What? You should’ve told me that earlier.” She moved closer instantly, possessiveness flashing in her eyes. “Come on. I’ll show you everything.”

Several nearby girls looked ready to volunteer themselves too.

Ronan really was a walking disaster.

He turned back toward me suddenly.

My heartbeat jumped.

For one horrifying second, I thought he might expose who I was.

That I was Beta Lucien Whitmore’s daughter.

That my family was close to the Ashbourne estate.

That I had spent half my childhood watching the Ashbourne brothers from a distance.

But instead—

his eyes gleamed wickedly.

“And you.”

I froze.

His smirk deepened.

“Nice meeting you again, baby.”

Then—

he winked.

Actually winked.

I stared at him in disbelief as he turned around casually.

Sophia instantly wrapped herself around his arm while Ronan rested a hand against her waist without interest, already walking away through the hallway crowd like he owned the academy itself.

Which, technically…

one day he partially would.

The whispers exploded immediately after he left.

“Did you see that?”

“Ronan Ashbourne talked to her?”

“Who even is she?”

“Why did he call her baby?”

“Oh my God, imagine if she’s secretly involved with him—”

I clenched my jaw tightly.

Fantastic.

Absolutely fantastic.

He had just painted a target directly onto my back.

And the worst part?

I had the terrible feeling he did it intentionally.

“Lyra!”

Candice rushed toward me quickly, concern written all over her face.

“Are you okay?”

“What would happen?” I muttered flatly.

Her brows furrowed instantly.

“I just saw Kael and Vivienne leaving this hallway. Then Ronan walked out with Sophia.” She lowered her voice dramatically. “And now everyone’s staring at you like you’re the main character in some forbidden romance.”

I groaned softly.

“Nothing happened. Ronan was just annoying me.”

Candice blinked.

“He what?”

I sighed and reopened my locker, pretending I wasn’t internally dying.

“He’s irritating. That’s all.”

“That boy radiates problems,” she muttered.

“Exactly.”

“What are you all staring at?”

Candice suddenly snapped toward the nearby students.

Instant silence.

Everyone immediately looked away.

I almost laughed.

Candice Vale truly had the terrifying aura of a born Beta female.

People naturally backed down when she raised her voice.

Even wolves stronger than her hesitated sometimes.

She grabbed her books before linking her arm through mine.

“Come on before I start fighting people.”

“That would definitely make my day worse.”

She gasped dramatically. “You wound me.”

Despite everything, I smiled faintly.

But deep inside—

something still felt wrong.

Because beneath Ronan’s teasing…

there had been something else in his eyes.

Recognition.

Interest.

And maybe—

something dangerous.

---

By the time the final class arrived, exhaustion had already settled into my bones.

Unfortunately, this class was shared between all academic years.

Which meant chaos.

Absolute chaos.

Candice wasn’t scheduled for this lecture today, leaving me completely alone as I entered the large classroom.

The noise inside buzzed loudly with conversations and laughter.

I moved quietly toward an empty seat near the middle row.

And froze.

Because seated near the windows—

was Kael Ashbourne.

Of course.

Dark clothes. Sharp jawline. Cold expression.

He sat slightly leaned back in his chair while flipping through a notebook absentmindedly, looking devastatingly untouched by the noise around him.

Girls nearby kept stealing glances at him.

But Kael ignored everyone.

Like always.

A kingdom could burn around him and he’d still remain calm.

My chest tightened painfully.

I quickly looked away and moved toward another seat.

Far from him.

Safe from him.

Or at least—

that was the plan.

Until someone suddenly pulled the chair beside Kael backward and sat down carelessly.

Ronan.

The classroom instantly grew quieter.

Not fully.

Just enough.

Enough for attention to shift.

Enough for tension to breathe.

Ronan leaned lazily into his seat while spinning a pen between his fingers.

Kael didn’t look at him.

Not once.

Which somehow felt more hostile.

Then—

Ronan’s dark eyes slowly lifted.

And landed directly on me.

My heartbeat stumbled immediately.

A slow smirk touched his lips.

Oh no.

No no no.

Please don’t.

He tilted his head toward the empty seat beside him.

Inviting me silently.

The seat beside Kael.

E

very instinct inside me screamed to refuse.

But before I could even react—

the professor entered the classroom.

“Take your seats immediately!”

Students rushed quickly to settle down.

And the only empty seat left…

was beside Ronan Ashbourne.

My stomach dropped.

Meanwhile—

Ronan smiled like the devil himself had just won something.