Chapter#30

Selene’s POV

“Kaelen, you did it!” a trainee shouted, clapping my shoulder hard.

The newest round of scores was posted on the wooden board outside the training hall. My eyes widened as I saw my name, Kaelen, ranked higher. The logic exam pushed me up the list.

“Top ten, Kaelen… impressive!” another called as he nudged me.

“Kaelen, you absolute beast!” Rowan exclaimed, clapping me on the back, “Top ten? I knew you had it in you! That logic exam must’ve been your playground.”

“Yeah, you crushed it!” Caden added, throwing an arm around my shoulders, “I’m not even surprised…those court smarts of yours are no joke. You’re making us look bad, Kaelen!”

I laughed, my eyes glistening as I glanced between them, “Thanks, guys… I didn’t think I’d get this far. It’s unreal.”

“Kaelen!” Liam’s voice cut through the noise. His russet hair caught the sun as he pushed through the crowd, his hazel eyes locking on mine. He didn’t speak…just stepped forward and wrapped his arms around me.

“Oh,” I gasped, my voice muffled against his shoulder, my eyes closing as I breathed him in, “Liam…”

“Proud of you,” he murmured, his arms squeezing me for a moment before he pulled back.

“Thanks,” I whispered. My fingers twitched with the urge to touch his hair, but I held myself still.

The morning blurred into a rush; training drills where I dodged a spear by inches, my wolf growling with adrenaline, and a quick spar with Caden that left us both laughing on the dirt. But as the day wound down, I crossed paths with Varian near the armory.

“Kaelen,” he growled, stepping closer. His hand brushed my arm, “You’re climbing fast.”

I swallowed, “Thank you, I guess…”

His eyes narrowed, “Be careful. It draws eyes.”

I gasped, pulling back, “Could’ve praised me…”

He let out a cold chuckle, “Praise you? Isn’t Liam enough for that?”

“You’re jealous or something?” I snapped. But he didn’t reply and jogged off leaving me wondering what’s he actually upto. Some night ago, he told me to stay away from him, and now, he’s trying to get my attention.

What he didn’t know was that he’s had my attention since day one. And no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t pull myself away from him.

Later, back in the common room, the fire crackled low, casting a warm glow over the wooden tables. Liam didn’t keep the distance he once had. He leaned back in his chair. Varian sat just in front of us. I could feel his gaze getting under my skin.

“You did well, Kaelen,” Liam sftly spoke. His hand brushed my spine, a slow, deliberate stroke that sent a jolt ripping through me.

“Oh!” I gasped. My eyes opened wide as I turned my head slowly, unable to stop myself. His hazel eyes were already on me. A smirk tugged at his lips. He knew exactly what he was doing.

“Like that, huh?” he whispered. His fingers brushed my spine again, slower, tracing a path that made me shiver. “You’re shaking, Kaelen…”

“Liam…” I breathed. My body leaned closer as my hand brushed his thigh under the table to make Varian jealous, “You’re playing dirty… stop it.”

“Maybe I am,” he purred as he leaned in, his lips grazing my ear, “But you’re loving it, Kaelen…Want me to keep going?”

I bit my lip. His hand slid to my lower back, pulling me closer. His thumb traced circles that made my breath hitch.

I gasped, “Liam, we shouldn’t...”

“Why not?” he asked. His fingers dipped lower, making my wolf stir. “Kaelen… don’t fight it.”

This… whatever was happening between me and Liam, it wasn’t ordinary, not some casual tease I could brush off. It wasn’t just in my head.

Liam had just made his move. It was a claim I couldn’t ignore, but Varian’s gaze was a challenge of its own, a pull that scared me as much as it drew me in, and I didn’t know how to play this game without losing myself.

“I need some air,”my voice broke.

“Kaelen, wait…” Liam started as he reached for me, but I slipped out. My heart raced as I pulled Rowan and Caden aside near the hallway.

My gray eyes darted between them, “Do all guys act like that with each other? You know, being all touchy and flirty?”

Rowan blinked as he scratched his head. “What? Nah.”

Caden nearly choked on his water, coughing as he wiped his mouth, “Whoa, hold on! No way, man! Guys don’t get that handsy unless…”

I swallowed hard, glancing back toward the common room, “It’s Liam…he kept touching my back… whispering stuff, pulling me close. It felt… intense.”

Caden grinned, nudging Rowan with his elbow, “Selene, it’s time Rowan should know. You can’t keep hiding this from him. He’s already suspicious.”

“Wait…” Rowan exclaimed, “There is something going on between you and Liam, right?”

I opened my mouth to speak but Caden interrupted me, “Our dear friend Liam is one of her mates.”

Rowan’s eyes widened, “One of your mates? Wait, hold up…there are more mates other than Liam?”

I bit my lip, “It’s… it’s Varian…but he scares me.”

Rowan burst out laughing, slapping his knee, “Varian?! Oh, Selene! The top two trainees in the academy are your mates?”

Caden chuckled, clapping my shoulder, “Your love triangle’s a mess. Liam’s all over you, and Varian’s brooding like a storm.”

“That day in the gym, they were talking about you…” Rowan muttered, “Remember what they said, Caden? They’ll fight eachoher to death for their mate.”

I groaned, burying my face in my hands, “This is a nightmare… I don’t know what to do with them.”

“But they don’t know you’re a woman, right?” Rowan asked with curiosity.

“They don’t know that yet,” Caden answered, “But with them around, it’s hard to mask her scent.”

It was a game. A love triangle pulling me between Liam and Varian. And I couldn’t escape no matter how hard I tried.