Before he could answer, the hum of a vacuum cleaner caught my attention. The room was being cleaned. Beds moved. Ronan's included. I whipped my gaze back to him. "What's with that reaction?" he asked with a cocky smirk. Then he leaned in-too close-and murmured, "Two dudes on a bed… It's normal, right? Unless…" His eyes gleamed. "You're into men?" "You and your disgusting imagination!" I snapped, thrusting my pillow into his face, though my ears burned crimson. Ronan casually pulled the pillow away, still smirking. "So you're saying you don't like guys?" My breath caught in my throat. And that's when I realized- The cleaner had overheard everything. Panic surged within me. If this conversation spread around the Academy, I was doomed. I wasn't actually Seth Darven-I was Seraphina, in disguise. And the real Seth, my cousin, was as straight as they came. Any rumors like this could ruin his name forever. "What the hell are you talking about?!" I hissed, scooting closer and glaring. "Are you trying to ruin my image?! I don't like dudes, okay?!" My voice was loud-loud enough for the cleaner to hear before he awkwardly excused himself from the room, closing the door behind him. Ronan's eyebrows lifted, clearly amused. He slowly leaned closer, his voice dropping to a teasing whisper. "Is that so?" he murmured. "Then that must mean… you're into me." My breath hitched. My heart skipped. "What?" I choked. A wickedly handsome/smile curved across his lips. He glanced at my mouth, then back to my eyes. "You smell like me. You follow me. You sneak into my bedchamber…," his voice dropped another octave. "Seth Darven, are you trying to…seduce me?" My expression went blank at his bold remark. Stalking him? Smelling like him? Sneaking into his room? And now-seducing him? Was this Alpha truly that arrogant? He was always the one crossing the line, not me. Every lingering look. Every whispered provocation. And yet now he had the nerve to throw those words in my face? I held his gaze for a long, tense moment before closing the space between us in a single, calculated move. "Alpha Ronan." I murmured, my voice low and laced with challenge. His signature smirk faltered. He didn't expect me to step in. His back hit the headboard as I braced both hands on either side of him, effectively caging him in. Our faces were barely inches apart now, our breaths mingling in the thick silence. 2/3 "You sure you want to act and speak so carelessly around me?" I asked softly, yet every word struck like a blade. "Just because you're bored and looking for a distraction?" His brows twitched ever so slightly, surprise flickering in those stormy eyes of his. Eyes that-despite their arrogant gleam- now reflected something else. Something-primal. I leaned even closer, my voice a whisper against his skin. "Careful who you provoke, Alpha Ronan. Because the person you claim is trying to seduce you… might just end up claiming you for real." His breath caught. His eyes dropped briefly to my lips. But he didn't move. Didn't push me away. Instead, he whispered-voice low, almost reverent, "I'm looking forward to that." My pulse skipped. My fingers trembled slightly against the mattress. What__? What the hell does he mean by that? There it was again-that maddening, breathtaking smile. Equal parts temptation and torment. And yet it rattled me more than I wanted to admit. "You're insane," I growled, jerking back and standing up. I stormed toward the door, heart thudding wildly, but froze after two steps. Dante. He stood by the window, half-cast in shadows, watching. Silent. Still. Eyes fixed on me like he'd heard everything. The last time I'd seen him was the day we escaped the cursed forest. But the expression on his face now made my blood run cold. That calm silence was anything but peaceful. It was dangerous. Konan stepped out behind me, and suddenly, I was caught between the two of them. I didn't say a word. Didn't look at either of them. I just walked past Dante and exited the hallway without looking back. Today was the trial. That was what I needed to focus on. Behind me, the air remained thick with unspoken tension as Ronan and Dante stood, facing one another, neither willing to back down. Their Alpha auras collided violently, like two storms on the verge of breaking. "Don't get in my way," Dante growled, voice low but brimming with intent. "Then change your target," Ronan shot back, his tone sharp enough to cut steel. Dante's lips curled into a slow, cruel smile. "I might've considered it. But now? It's too late." Ronan's eyes narrowed. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?" "Because this target is not something have decided." Send Gifts 639