Chapter 23
(Lily’s POV)
My back was against the wall, and Lucien was standing really close
Anyone walking by would think something was happening between us, and maybe… maybe they wouldn’t be entirely wrong.
I used my head to look up at him. His face was calm, his breath even, and yet I could feel something fluttering in my chest. Not just because of how close he was, but because of everything that led to this moment.
How did I get here?
It was this morning when I went looking for Lucien. The pendant around his neck was a replica of the royal crest, and since I couldn’t get it out of my head as I’d seen it before, I wanted answers.
Someone had told me he was in the art studio, and when I found him, he was alone, sitting by the tall window, painting. The morning light hit his brown hair just right.
When he sawme, he smiled, “Came to model for me!” he teased.
rolled my eyes and crossed my arms. “No, I need to talk with you”
He didn’t drop the brush. “Sure. You can talk or stare at my handsome face for as long as you want.”
I groaned, but a tiny Laugh slipped from my mouth and somehow, the awkward tension between us fizzled for a moment.
Lucien was charming in a way that made a person forget what they initially came for. He cracked silly jokes and even pointed at his half–finished painting, saying it was a masterpiece inspired by heartbreak and handsome genes. I rolled my eyes, but my cheeks hurt from smiling.
When we finally left the art studio to head to class, his fingers slid into mine so casually that it stunned me. “What are you doing?” I asked. He winked. “We need to look convincing, don’t we! We’re in love.”
Just then, a pair of girls walked past squealing and whispering to each other, They’re so cute together!”
As we made our way through the hallway, I finally found the nerve to ask, “I noticed your neck piece last week. The pendant it looks familiar and unique. Where did you get it?
Lucien’s steps faltered just a bit. “This Oh, it’s just old family stuff. Nothing special. He waved it off with a crooked smile, but I noticed it didn’t quite meet his eyes.
Before I could push further, he whispered, “Hold still. You’ve got something!” and gently leaned in so suddenly that I moved backward to the wall. I blinked as his fingers came close to my check
That was when it happened.
A massive force yanked him away from me. It happened so fast that my heartbeat accelerated. What stood in front of me now wasn’t Lucien. It was
kagur.
Zion’s wolf towered, seething with fury. His eyes glowed red, and his claws dripped with readiness. He didn’t look at me. Instead, he lunged at
Lucien
“Stop in” I screamed “Zion, stop!” But he wasn’t listening. It was no longer Zion
Ragnar raised has fist again, slamming it down. The floor cracked beneath thepa, blood splattered, and screams rang out down the hall. I tried to move forward to separate them, but someone held me back–Tobe or Dey, I couldn’t tell–as Ragnar was already throwing Lucien across the hallway like a rag doll.
“You’re going to kill him I shouted, but got no reaction. Suddenly, Lucien shifted, his beast emerging with a desperate roar. I began to fear that Lucien’s beast was going to hurt Zion, and at the same time, I was tom between caring for Lucien, who had only been good to me.
The hallway became a landfield. The two hybrids clawed and slammed into walls, locken- anything in their path. The ceiling cracked, windows shattered, and the floor was littered with debris and blood. Each blow sent shockwaves through the whole school.
I was crying now, sobbing as I watched helplessly. I’d never witnessed anything like this. The fury, the pain, the destruction… It was overwhelming.
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11:16 AM c
Chapter 23
Just when it looked like Ragnar was going to end it, with his claws hovering above Lucien’s beast’s throat, a voice rang out
“Stop!”
It was Zelda.
She came pushing through the crowd, her presence bold and commanding. I could sense her hybrid close to the surface. It enveloped the hallway, and Ragnar froze. He growled lowly, breath heaving.
Zelda stepped between them. Ragnar’s claws twitched, but he didn’t strike. Slowly, he backed down.
Zion took over and fell to his knees. The princess helped him up and led him away. I yearned to follow them to care for Zion, but I forced myself to look away
Never had seen Zion that broken. I didn’t want to think it had anything to do with me but the truth was right in front of me.
Once they were out of sight, the students and staff began to move freely again Aria hurriedly went to caress Lucien’s injured beast, and Lucien shifted back. A few students joined my friends to help the barely conscious Lucien to the school’s clinic.
It was the only building still standing firm
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