POV: Aira Moonstone
The soft crunch of gravel echoed under Aira's shoes as she walked alongside Lila toward the school building, the sun still low in the morning sky. Training had ended, but the energy of the match still lingered in her muscles—and in her mind.
Lila was practically bouncing beside her, her words spilling out like a flood.
"Aira, you were a total savage today! The way you knocked Irene down, the whole training ground went silent. And Cedric's face? Priceless."
Aira chuckled, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "She underestimated me."
"They all do. But today?" Lila grinned. "Today, you shut them up. I swear, if I had recorded that, I'd be replaying it every morning with my breakfast."
They reached the school's double doors, slipping into the cool hallway. Morning chatter hummed around them as students filed in. Most walked in groups—packs, both literally and socially. Aira, as always, felt on the outside of it all. Except when she was with Lila.
"I mean," Lila continued, "she'll probably cry to Asher or something. Or plot revenge. You know how dramatic she is."
Aira gave a small smile but didn't respond. Inside, she still wasn't used to compliments, even when they were well-earned. After so many years of being ignored, dismissed, blamed—it felt unreal to be praised, even just by her best friend.
They turned down the hallway toward their lockers. Aira's hands were a little sore from sparring, but she felt lighter. Stronger. It wasn't just the win—it was the fact that, for once, she hadn't felt like prey.
She reached her locker and turned the dial. The door creaked open, and something unfamiliar caught her eye.
A small, neatly folded piece of paper lay on top of her books.
"What's that?" Lila asked curiously, stopping mid-sentence.
Aira picked up the note, heart beginning to thud softly in her chest. She hesitated, then opened it slowly.
The handwriting was firm, confident, masculine. Her breath caught as she read the words.
"I couldn't stop looking at you during training. The way you moved, the fire in your eyes… I've never seen anything like it. You're not what they say you are, Aira. You're something far more. I see you."
There was no signature.
Aira stood frozen, staring at the ink on the page as if it might disappear.
"Aira?" Lila whispered, stepping closer. "Is that—?" She snatched the note gently from Aira's hands and read it. Her eyes widened. "Oh my goddess. Aira Moonstone! You didn't tell me you had a secret admirer!"
Aira blinked. "I… I don't. I swear I don't."
Lila gasped. "Wait—wait—what if this is your mate?! No, you're not eighteen yet... Or is it someone who already knows you're theirs? Or—or maybe it's Asher!"
Aira's cheeks flushed. "Lila! Don't say that."
"But you did catch him watching you today."
Aira shook her head, trying to chase the fluttering in her chest. "It's probably a prank. Someone trying to mess with me."
"This doesn't sound like a prank," Lila said, waving the note in her hand. "It sounds like someone has a serious crush. Maybe even someone... important."
Aira reached out and took the note back, folding it carefully and slipping it into her bag.
Still, her fingers lingered on the edge of the paper.
Someone saw me. Someone… noticed.
It wasn't much. But it was enough to make her heart beat a little faster.
Across the hall, hidden partly behind a locker bank, Irene leaned casually with her arms crossed. Her perfectly glossed lips curled into a venomous smirk.
"Hook, line, and sinker," she whispered. "Let's see how long you float, little Omega."