Morning light had barely touched the windows when the knock came—three sharp raps, the kind that made everyone freeze.
Moments later, the chaos had passed. Nerissa's world felt like it had tilted ever since that headmaster incident, but she didn't know that somewhere else in Mooncrest, another act had begun.
The sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the east corridor as two Wardens carried a pale girl between them. Nia's lashes fluttered, her golden hair loose and wild against her cheeks, her skin soft and almost glowing again—as if the raging aura from last night had never existed.
She blinked slowly, then let her lips part in feigned confusion.
"Where… am I?"
One of the Wardens, a tall woman with silver runes on her armor, adjusted her grip. "You're safe now, miss. You're at Mooncrest Academy."
"Mooncrest…?" Nia repeated softly, as if tasting the word for the first time. Her brows furrowed prettily, and a small gasp escaped her. "But that can't be. I was admitted two days ago, and I wasn't supposed to arrive until next week! I—there was a storm, and I lost my way in the forest."
The Wardens exchanged glances. Her voice trembled perfectly—just enough fear to sound real, just enough innocence to stir sympathy.
One of them sighed. "That must be the management's oversight. We'll inform Headmaster Vale at once."
Nia nodded obediently, clutching the blanket around her shoulders. "Thank you. You're very kind."
As they led her through the halls, whispers began to rise like smoke.
Students leaned against walls, pretending not to stare.
"Is that the girl who was brought in from the woods last night?"
"Wait—she's coming from the Alpha Trio's dorm?"
A low giggle. "Looks like Nerissa might have a competitor."
Nia lowered her eyes demurely but couldn't stop the sly curl of her lips. Competitor…? Oh, we'll see about that.
The infirmary smelled faintly of herbs and moon-dust elixirs. The light here was soft, blue-tinted, as though even the air was enchanted to calm wounds.
Nia lay on the bed, her posture perfect. When Madam Aerith Lorne entered—her silver hair cascading in quiet authority—Nia's face brightened instantly.
"Madam Lorne!" she gasped softly, as though meeting a celebrity. "It's such an honor. I've read about your work in elemental healing! I—I can't believe you're here."
Aerith's expression didn't move. Her beauty was serene, almost too polished for warmth. "Save your breath, Miss…" she looked at the file, "Nia Elara. You've been through a lot."
Nia smiled weakly. "I'll be fine, thanks to your care."
Aerith's eyes narrowed the tiniest bit, sensing the practiced grace behind the words. She nodded, jotting something into her enchanted tablet. "The Headmaster has requested you remain here under observation for a few days."
"Of course," Nia said, folding her hands like a saint.
When Aerith left, she went straight to Vale's office, her tone clipped. "She's clever. Too clever. Sweet on the surface, but she hides it well."
Vale, standing by the tall window, didn't look surprised. "Then we'll watch her. Closely."
By midday, word had already reached Vanessa.
The fiery-haired student stormed into the infirmary—not to check on her cousin, but to deliver venom with a smile.
"Well, look who couldn't wait," Vanessa said, her arms folded. "You were so eager to join us that you fell out of the sky?"
Nia blinked, eyes shimmering with staged confusion, and revealing joy "Oh… cousin? I didn't mean to—"
Vanessa scoffed. "Spare me. The Headmaster says your arrival was an accident, but I think you planned every bit of it. You knew who you'd bump into, didn't you?"
The air between them thickened.
Nia's lashes fluttered and she whispered, trembling, "I… I would never. I just wanted to study here."
Vanessa rolled her eyes. "Sure. Just keep your sweet act to yourself. I'm not Lucien. I don't fall for masks."
Nia's lips trembled. Then, dramatically, she clutched her chest.
"Ow… my heart—it hurts—"
The doctor rushed in instantly. "Miss, please step out!"
Vanessa's jaw clenched, fury burning in her eyes as she was ushered out.
Behind her, Nia exhaled slowly, the faintest smirk pulling at her lips once the door clicked shut.
By the first break, Vanessa's anger had reached boiling point.
She cornered Nerissa near the courtyard fountain, words spilling like sparks.
"You won't believe it—she's in the infirmary acting like some lost angel. The wardens said she came from your room! Your room, Nerissa!"
Nerissa's eyes revealed knowing and she shrugged her shoulders, "Lucien brought her in yesterday, so..."
"She's playing everyone," Vanessa snapped. "And if Lucien so much as—"
She didn't finish. Because Lucien was walking by.
His gaze was cold, unreadable.
"I heard enough," he said, voice like iron. "If I hear you talking about an injured girl that way again, Vanessa, you'll be out of this Academy."
Vanessa spun toward him, her temper flaring. "You're defending her now? After everything?"
Nerissa stepped forward, her voice sharp. "Lucien, you're being unfair!"
His jaw flexed. "Unfair? Maybe you should learn what that means, Nerissa."
Her next words cut deep. "Or maybe you should stop falling for every helpless girl who bats her eyes at you!"
The insult hit its mark. Lucien's control snapped—his hand clenched, arm drawing back—
But before the punch could fly, Riven was there, catching Lucien's wrist mid-air.
"Don't," he said, his voice low, dangerous. "Be a gentleman. Don't forget the bro code—you don't hit a woman. Not even when she deserves it."
Lucien's eyes blazed. "She does deserve it."
Riven's smile was sharp. "And that girl you're defending? She deserves to rot outside these walls."
Lucien's rage broke loose. He shoved Riven back and swung.
The clash was brutal—fists, growls, broken energy sparking between them.
Students screamed and scattered, but Nerissa could only stand frozen, that dream flashing back—only this time, Kael wasn't there.
There was no sinister smile, no shadows. Just two Alphas, fighting because of her. Again.
"Stop it!" she cried, but her voice drowned beneath the roar of chaos.
Then—
A voice slid through the air, silken and commanding.
"Enough."
Aerith Lorne stood at the corridor's end, her eyes glowing faintly silver, with Headmaster Vale beside her.
The magic in her tone froze both boys in place.
Vale's gaze swept over the scene, disappointment heavy as stone.
"Lucien. Riven. Miss Flair, Miss Leeds. My office. Now."
Word spread like wildfire.
By the time Nia heard it from the gossiping nurses, her heart was light.
She turned her head to the window, sunlight brushing her face, and smiled—softly, beautifully.
"That's right," she whispered, almost lovingly. "Keep on fighting. And my dear mate… keep on hating her."
Her eyes drifted half-shut.
In the stillness, flashes of memory returned—
a man who looked exactly like Lucien, holding her close,a woman who looked just like her, but dressed in flowing silks of another age.
Her smile faded, replaced by quiet melancholy.
"Good old days," she murmured. "Let's not waste them again."