Chapter 3

Zara's POV

"You worthless piece of shit! Get on your knees!"

I'd barely stepped through the gates of Crescent Moon Academy when I heard that roar.

The scene before me made my blood boil instantly—Celeste was pinned to the ground, knees pressed against the cold marble floor, her frail body trembling.

A blonde guy stood over her, a cruel smile plastered across his face. A circle of students in designer uniforms surrounded them, but no one stepped in to help. Instead, they watched like it was entertainment.

"P-please... I already apologized..." Celeste sobbed.

"Apologized?" The guy sneered. "You scuffed my shoes. You think sorry cuts it?"

My fists clenched so hard my knuckles cracked.

This had to be Damien Bloodfang—the bastard who ruled this school through fear.

"Let her go!"

My voice echoed through the hallway. Everyone turned to stare at me.

Damien raised an eyebrow, looking me up and down. "Oh? Another do-gooder? And you are?"

I didn't answer. I charged straight at him.

My kick connected with his chest harder than I'd expected. Damien stumbled back several steps, his expression shifting from contempt to rage.

"You dare lay hands on me?" He rolled his shoulders. "Good. It's been a while since anyone had the balls."

The students around us started whispering:

"Who is she? She actually hit Damien?"

"I heard she's the new Silverstone heir..."

"Silverstone? That legendary noble family?"

"But she doesn't look like nobility..."

I didn't give a damn about their gossip. In this place full of rules and hierarchies, I only wanted one thing—to make this asshole pay for what he'd done to Celeste.

"What's your name?" Damien asked, flexing his wrists.

"Zara Nightfall." My voice was ice-cold. "Remember it, because it's going to haunt your nightmares."

He burst out laughing. "The stray from the slums learned to talk tough? How cute."

The moment he finished speaking, he lunged at me.

The fight was more intense than I'd anticipated.

Damien definitely had skills. His movements were precise and powerful, every punch and kick professionally trained. All I had was experience from street fights in the slums.

But I had something he didn't—rage.

Rage for Celeste, rage for every innocent victim.

I dodged his straight punch and drove my knee into his gut. He doubled over in pain, and I seized the chance to grab his hair and slam his head into the wall.

"Nice counter." He wiped blood from his lip, excitement flickering in his eyes. "But it's not enough."

Suddenly, his entire aura changed.

A crushing pressure radiated from him, making it hard to breathe. What the hell was this? I'd never felt anything like it in the slums.

"Now let me show you what real Alpha bloodline looks like."

His speed exploded. Punches rained down like hail. I barely managed to block a few before falling behind.

Shit. I'd underestimated him.

A heavy blow caught my stomach, the pain nearly knocking me unconscious. Then another punch cracked into my ribs.

Crack.

The sharp sound of breaking bone. I felt my rib snap.

Blood trickled from my mouth as I collapsed to my knees, gasping.

"That's all you've got and you dared challenge me?" Damien looked down at me with disdain. "Bloodfang Pack shows no mercy to trash."

I struggled to stand, even though every breath was agony. "I'm... I'm still standing."

"Doesn't matter if you're standing." He flexed his fists. "You're about to be dead."

The students around us grew restless, murmuring:

"Is he going to kill her?"

"Damien never holds back..."

"Someone should stop him..."

But no one dared step forward.

I watched Damien raise his fist, despair flooding through me. Was I really going to die here? What would happen to Celeste?

Then—

"Enough."

A deep voice cut through the crowd.

The entire hallway fell silent, the air itself seeming to freeze. An even more powerful presence descended over everyone, making me feel like prey being stalked by a predator.

Everyone turned, including Damien.

A dark-haired guy walked slowly toward us, each step filled with lethal grace. What shocked me most were his eyes—deep as midnight but glittering with dangerous light.

"Kael..." Fear crept into Damien's voice. "This is my business..."

"Your business?" Kael's laugh was cold. "Bullying the weak in front of me is your business?"

"She's not weak, she's a Silverstone—"

"Get lost."

One word. Simple and final.

Damien's face went pale. He looked between Kael and me, then chose retreat.

"This isn't over." He threw out the threat before slinking away with his cronies.

Kael approached and crouched beside me, examining my injuries. When his hand touched my ribs, warm energy flowed into my body.

The pain faded. The broken bone mended.

What kind of power was this?

"Something's been sealed inside you..." He frowned, as if sensing something. "Ancient power."

"Who are you?" I asked warily. "Why help me?"

He looked at me deeply, those black eyes holding an emotion I couldn't read.

"I'm Kael Obsidian, heir to the Obsidian Pack." He paused. "And I'm your mate."

"What?" My eyes went wide. "What does mate mean?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." I struggled to my feet. Though my body had mostly healed, my emotions were more confused than ever. "Thanks for saving me, but I have to go."

I turned to leave, but he caught my wrist.

"Zara, wait."

That electric sensation shot through me again, making my heart race.

"Things between us are complicated, but I won't hurt you." He released my hand. "If you're ever in trouble, you can always come to me."

I looked at him, emotions churning inside me.

There was something inexplicably magnetic about this man that made me want to get closer, but logic told me to keep my distance.

"I'll think about it." I forced out the words, then left without looking back.

As I walked away, I touched my healed ribs.

Kael Obsidian... who exactly was he? Why did his touch make me feel safe? Why did my heart flutter for him?

And what the hell did he mean by mate?