Chapter 15 She glanced over her shoulder. "I don't bet on things that smile that much." And then she walked off. Hm. That almost felt like a compliment. I stood there for a moment, hands in my pockets, watching the moon catch in her hair like gold and fire. Even in this light, she shines more like the sun. Fascinating. On problem though... I wasn't supposed to care. Or really be entertaining this. Whether he admitted it or not, she was Callum's apparent mate. My best friend's fated match. And she was already marked by drama. She'd clashed with Bianca. She was making waves. Dangerous waves. If the council cracked down, if the pack stepped in, she'd be gone. Expelled. Removed. Quietly erased. And that would be a shame. Because for once, someone at this school wasn't pretending. Wasn't bending. And I wanted to see what she'd do next. Liora Zane... was just as Mia had described. He was tall, striking, careless in that maddening way. The kind of boy whose smile looked practiced but natural. But I wasn't impressed. 1/4 CIVI Jun 29 Chapter 15 83% +15 BONUS My first impression? He was a flirt. A complete, unapologetic playboy. He practically wore it like a cologne. That lazy confidence, the wink tucked into every sentence, it was exhausting. Still, I watched him as he talked. Mostly to make sure he didn't try anything. After confirming that he wasn't hostile, just chronically unserious, I turned to leave. I had better things to do than entertain tree-dwellers. "Hey," his voice followed, smooth as dusk. "I'm not a bad bet, you know!" I stopped. Turned. Raised a single brow. "I don't bet on things that smile that much." His grin widened like I'd just offered him candy instead of rejection. "Ouch," he said, placing a hand dramatically over his heart. "You'll come back to find me," he called. "I'm sure of it!" I walked away. Confidence is charming on people who earn it. On him, it was just noise. Three days later, I found myself crammed into the back seat of a fancy black car, surrounded by overpriced perfume, nervous excitement, and an unbearable amount of glitter. Bianca had, naturally, arranged the transportation herself. Of course she had. She sat front and center like a crown jewel, perched in the best seat with Jessica hanging on her every word. "You look so royal today, Bianca," Jessica gushed. "I mean, you always do. But today? You look like the castle was built for you." 214 practically was.' Mia sat beside me, fiddling with her sleeves. She hated these girls. But even she was looking out the window like something magical might appear. "You okay?" I asked. She nodded quickly. "Just... I've never been to a royal castle. Not even a low-tier one." I blinked. "Low-tier?" "No, I-" she panicked. "I meant I would be excited for any castle, it's just-" I spared her. "Joking." She exhaled. "Gods, don't do that. Your jokes sound like assassination threats." Fair. We rode in silence for a while after that, the energy in the car buzzing with poorly disguised anticipation. Everyone was excited. Even those pretending not to be. Except me. I was watching Bianca. Her posture had shifted. Slightly. Her hands, always so precise, were starting to fidget. Her smile was faltering at the edges. I knew why. The castle gates. It came into view like something from a forgotten era-marble arches, silver-threaded banners, and a heavy silence that pulsed with magic older than any of us. The kind of place that didn't welcome visitors. It evaluated them. 3/4 +15 BONUS The car slowed to a stop. We stepped out one by one, the cool air biting at our skin as we stared up at the looming iron gates. Jessica clapped her hands. "It's beautiful!" Bianca smiled thinly. "Yes. Just like I remember." Right... "So how does it work?" someone asked. "Do we knock or..." "Royal blood," I answered before Bianca could. "The magic responds to direct lineage. You don't need guards when the gate decides for you." All eyes turned to Bianca. And I couldn't help but raise a brow, waiting for the show. 1 4/4