Chapter Three

Stella's POV

The next day, I walked into the Silvermoon Academy adult trial grounds alone.

Once we passed the trials, we'd choose which academy and territory to enter — and for a werewolf, that choice basically decided our standing for life.

But this time, Kyle wasn't there with me.

As I was heading toward the trial grounds, someone slammed into my back.

I stumbled against the notice board, and my goggles flew off.

"Sorry, I didn't see you there."

A girl thick with Alpha scent stopped beside me.

I didn't have it in me to argue. The blinding light forced me to squeeze my eyes shut.

I crouched down frantically, groping along the ground with my hands.

But no matter how I searched, I couldn't find them.

Then a hand reached down and picked up the goggles.

"Watch where you're going!"

I looked up, and through my blurry vision, I still recognized Kyle.

The girl clearly hadn't expected him to show up. She froze for a second. "Do you have to be so harsh? I didn't do it on purpose!"

"I already apologized. She's the one who's too slow."

Kyle didn't bother with her anymore. He bent down, gathered up the rest of my scattered things, then walked over to me, his tall frame blocking out the harsh light. Then he slid the goggles back onto my face. "Come on, I'll walk you to the trial grounds."

Before I could refuse, he was already walking. I just fell in quietly behind him.

As I passed the girl, I heard her mutter under her breath.

"What a drama queen."

I recognized that voice.

That night outside the dorms, she'd been one of the ones laughing at me along with Victoria's friends.

Kyle didn't seem to hear it. He just kept leading me forward.

Along the way, I thought back to our childhood.

Back then, when I couldn't see the way, Kyle would hold my hand and walk me home.

When someone mocked me for being a useless, weak-eyed werewolf, he'd step in front of me and warn them to shut up.

I used to believe that no matter what happened, he'd always be on my side.

But now, I didn't dare think that way anymore.

When he got me to the entrance of the trial grounds, Kyle stopped.

"Go on in. Don't be late."

"Thanks."

I said it quietly, then turned and walked into the exam hall.

When the adult trials were over, I went back to my dorm and tidied up a bit. I picked up my communicator, ready to rest, when I came across Victoria's post.

In the photo was an exquisite silver bone-blade.

On the hilt was the familiar set of initials. Along the edge of the scabbard ran the tiny pattern I'd asked the craftsman to leave there.

I stared at the photo for a long time.

That blade was identical to the one I'd given Kyle.

Hurt and anger surged up inside me at once.

I dialed Kyle's communicator immediately.

"Did you give the birthday gift I made you to Victoria?"

He hummed in answer, dismissive.

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"The blade's a bit off-balance for me. She happened to like it, so I gave it to her."

I gripped the communicator, my voice trembling.

"That was custom-made for you! Don't you think it's wrong to just hand off a gift I gave you to someone else?"

Kyle sounded annoyed.

"Stella, it's just a dagger."

My heart felt like it had been pierced clean through.

"This isn't about the dagger. That was something I made for you!"

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end.

"Fine. I'll go get it back from Victoria in a couple days, okay?"

"No need!"

I hung up. I couldn't stand to hear another word from him.

From that day on, we didn't speak again.

Until the graduation party.

I didn't even want to go, but my mother talked me into it.

Selene had reached out to Kyle too, asking him to look after me.

It was the first time we'd seen each other since our fight.

The whole way there, Kyle's face was sullen.

And because of what had happened, I wasn't about to talk to him first.

We walked into the restaurant in silence.

Once the party got going, everyone fell into conversation quickly.

I sat off to the side with a glass of juice, quietly listening.

They talked about their training scores, their future territories, the parties they'd been to lately.

None of it was anything I could really join in on.

Not two minutes after I'd sat down, I already wanted to go home.

Then someone suggested a game of truth or dare.

The bottle spun across the table a few times and finally stopped in front of Kyle.

"Which one?" someone asked, grinning.

Kyle leaned back in his chair.

"Truth."

The guy's smile turned knowing.

"Alright, Kyle. You're always looking after Stella like this — is it because you actually like her, or because you feel sorry for her?"