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Chapter 101
~Valerie’s POV~
I turned back toward the path, my expression blank. Cold, even. If he was expecting a flutter, a stammer, or a flinch—he wasn’t getting it.
I slipped my phone back into my blazer, picked up my bag from the bench beside a statue of one of the oldest principals, and walked away without a glance behind me.
I felt the weight of eyes follow me—some curious, some confused—but I kept my head high and pace even.
The whispers faded behind me.
I pulled my phone out again.
Back to the file and to the rose crest and Professor Anderlyn’s name glowing faintly in the linked annotations.
Let them talk about their new Alpha boy.
I had bigger things to worry about.
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~Xade’s POV~
The message from Principal Whitmore came just as I was finishing a morning patrol of the East Wing.
She never summoned anyone without reason, so I figured something had happened—maybe another incident in the lower dorms or a rogue spell gone wrong.
But when I stepped into her office and saw him—leaning lazily against the window frame like this school was his personal playground—my mood dropped faster than a spell-failed broom.
Kieran Killian.
Just perfect.
He didn’t even have the decency to look up right away. Just stared out the window, probably counting how many hearts he planned to break before lunch.
The same cousin who, years ago, made it very clear that he didn’t respect boundaries—or people. I hadn’t forgotten the way he treated that servant back at the family compound.
Nor the snide comment he made to me during the last Winter Gathering. No one talked to me like that and walked away without consequence. No one except him, apparently.
"Ah, Xade. Thank you for coming," Principal Whitmore greeted, standing behind her antique desk with her hands clasped neatly.
My jaw locked, but I nodded. "You needed me?"
She gestured between us. "Kieran will be staying. As the Alpha Heir of the Killian bloodline, he’ll be joining the Elite courses and some general electives. I’d like you to show him around. Help him settle in."
I didn’t even try to hide the incredulous look I shot her.
"With all due respect, Principal," I said coolly, "I’m not here to babysit a spoiled brat."
That got Kieran’s attention. He turned, slow and dramatic, that smug smile spreading like oil on water.
"Oh dearest cousin," he purred, a hand to his chest, fake hurt dripping from his voice, "you wound me."
Principal Whitmore sighed, rubbing at her temples. "Whatever this is between you two, it’s not my business. Keep it off my school grounds. Handle your family drama outside the school premises. Am I clear?"
I didn’t respond to Kieran. I kept my eyes on her. "If that’s all, I’ll be taking my leave."
"Dismissed," she said, already turning to her papers.
I stepped out without a word, walking past Ms. Heart’s office. Her head popped out briefly, but I didn’t slow down. I just nodded curtly and kept going through the main door, heading toward the courtyard.
But of course, he followed.
His footsteps were almost silent, but his presence was loud.
I was halfway down the steps when his voice rang out behind me.
"There’s a little strong and brave bean I’ve set my eyes on."
I stopped walking but didn’t turn or speak. "What does that have to do with me?" I asked, my voice cold.
"Oh, nothing at all. I just thought you should know," he said airily, "since you’ll have no issue when I go after Valerie Nightshade... and make her my—"
He didn’t finish because I moved.
I had him pinned to the wall before he could blink. My hand clenched his collar, lifting him high enough that his boots left the floor, just barely. My eyes met his glowing red ones—and mine turned a shade deeper than ice, burning blue, the colour I rarely let surface.
I let my aura go.
Cold flooded the corridor, and Frost bit at the air. The sudden drop in temperature even shimmered the glass nearby.
"Go near her," I growled, every syllable carved in ice.
He smirked, breath catching slightly. "I can’t say I won’t, cousin. After all, we’re classmates now. Haven’t you heard? Our schedules match perfectly. Destiny, huh?"
I tightened my grip, making him wheeze.
"You’re not thinking this through," he croaked. "Your darling Principal Whitmore is barely two walls away. You really want a fight?"
I snorted. "It wouldn’t be a fight. It’d be a beating. You wouldn’t even see the first hit."
Kieran winced, still grinning. "Aw, is that concern I hear? Valerie must really mean something to you."
"Last warning," I hissed, letting my power surge one last time before—
A hand caught my wrist mid-swing. "Let it go." The voice was calm but commanding.
I looked sideways to see Dristan, his eyes an ice blue like mine. It only meant he had heard every word Kieran spoke.
His eyes met mine with quiet finality. That look of his—the one that didn’t ask for permission, it demanded composure.
"He’s not worth it."
I hesitated—just a second. Then I blinked and let Kieran drop.
He landed lightly on his feet, brushing his collar like it was dust and not my fingers that nearly crushed his throat.
I shoved my hands into my pockets, preparing to walk away when Kieran spoke again.
"That’s all you got, huh, Xa—"
POW!
Kieran’s words vanished in the echo of Dristan’s punch. The blow slammed into his jaw with bone-jarring precision, sending his head snapping sideways as the wall behind him cracked.
He slumped, dazed, one hand rising weakly to his jaw.
Dristan exhaled slowly, lowering his fist.
"Next time," he said coldly, "learn your place. You may share blood with Xade, but you are not his equal. And I won’t be as merciful if it happens again."
Then he walked off, leaving Kieran stunned and me barely suppressing a smirk.
I followed and for the first time all morning, I felt better.