Mated to Four Heirs

Chapter eleven

CARLA VALE

The corridors of Nightshade Academy were louder than usual after Professor Selene dismissed the class, and although students were walking in every direction, almost every conversation I overheard revolved around one person.

Samantha Carter.

I kept my hands buried inside the pockets of my black coat as I walked through the crowd with my head slightly lowered. My face remained expressionless, yet my mind refused to quiet down. The image of the silver light erupting from the crystal replayed itself over and over again, refusing to leave me alone.

Professor Selene had called it unstable energy.

I almost scoffed at the memory. There had been nothing unstable about what I had witnessed.

That light had carried purpose, power, and recognition. It was as though the crystal itself had bowed before her.

Something ancient had answered Samantha, and every instinct inside my wolf had recognized it immediately.

I hated that feeling. I hated that every passing hour seemed to tie me to her more tightly.

Most of all, I hated that I wanted to know more.

No. I couldn't allow myself to think that way.

The farther I stayed from her, the safer she would be. That was the decision I had made years ago.

It wasn't going to change because the Moon Goddess had decided to play another cruel joke on me.

As I rounded the western corridor, a burst of laughter echoed from the courtyard ahead, and although I had no interest in joining whatever foolish conversation was taking place, one familiar name immediately reached my ears.

"Samantha."

My footsteps slowed.

I remained hidden behind one of the stone pillars, listening without revealing my presence.

A group of second-year students stood beneath the old oak tree in the center of the courtyard, and at the center of them all stood Rowan Mercer.

He always enjoyed making himself the loudest person in every room.

Crossing his arms confidently over his chest, Rowan threw his head back with a smug grin before speaking loudly enough for everyone nearby to hear.

"I still don't understand what those four Alpha heirs saw in that girl."

The students around him burst into laughter.

Another boy shook his head before adding, "Neither do I. She doesn't even smell like a proper wolf."

More laughter followed.

A girl rolled her eyes dramatically before folding her arms.

"She's probably enjoying all the attention," she said with obvious annoyance. "Give it a week, and she'll be begging the Council to make her Queen."

The group laughed even harder.

Rowan smirked proudly as though he had found the greatest joke in existence.

"Maybe the Moon Goddess finally lost her eyesight," he mocked, wiping an imaginary tear from the corner of his eye. "Otherwise, how does a girl like Samantha end up with four Alpha heirs?"

The laughter echoed across the courtyard.

My wolf stirred. A low growl vibrated inside my chest before I forced it back down.

I closed my eyes briefly.

Walk away. This wasn't my problem. She wasn't my responsibility. She would be safer if I stayed out of her life.

That was what I kept telling myself. Yet my feet refused to move. Instead, I watched them continue laughing.

Every word they spoke seemed to scrape against something buried deep inside me.

I didn't understand why.

Perhaps, I didn't want to.

Without another glance, I turned and walked away before my temper could get the better of me.

The rest of the afternoon passed slowly. Training came and went. Lectures ended. Students gradually returned to their dormitories as the Academy settled into its usual rhythm.

I should have gone back to the Shadow Prowl tower. Instead, I found myself waiting, hidden beneath the shadow of one of the stone archways overlooking the eastern corridor.

I wasn't waiting for Samantha. I refused to admit that. I was waiting for Rowan.

It wasn't long before he appeared.

He strolled down the empty corridor alone, humming quietly to himself as though he hadn't spent the afternoon humiliating someone who had done absolutely nothing to deserve it.

Good.

There were no witnesses.

Exactly how I preferred it.

Stepping away from the shadows, I blocked his path.

Rowan froze immediately. His relaxed smile disappeared the instant he recognized me.

"Alpha Carla," he greeted quickly, forcing a nervous smile as he straightened his posture. "I... I didn't realize anyone else was here."

I didn't answer. Instead, I simply stared at him.

The silence stretched painfully between us. He shifted uncomfortably beneath my gaze.

Running a shaky hand through his hair, he let out an awkward laugh before trying again.

"Do... do you need something?"

My expression remained unreadable as I slowly stepped closer.

"I heard what you said earlier."

The confidence drained from his face almost instantly.

"I..." He swallowed hard before forcing another laugh. "I'm not sure what you're referring to."

"You are."

His shoulders stiffened. "It was only a joke."

I stopped barely two feet away from him.

"It wasn't funny."

He lowered his eyes. "I wasn't trying to disrespect you."

A faint crease appeared between my brows. "This has nothing to do with me."

He blinked repeatedly, clearly confused.

"What?"

Keeping my eyes locked on his, I spoke slowly, making sure every single word reached him.

"You will never mock Samantha Carter again."

For several seconds, he simply stared as though he wasn't certain he had heard me correctly.

Finally, he laughed nervously.

"The human?"

I said nothing.

The silence answered for me.

He shifted his weight uneasily.

"I mean... everyone has been talking about her."

"They can talk."

My voice remained calm, but it carried enough warning to make him stop smiling.

"They cannot ridicule her."

His breathing became noticeably uneven.

"I didn't think—"

"No."

I cut him off before he could finish.

"You didn't."

He quickly nodded.

"I understand."

I held his gaze for another moment before continuing.

"And if you hear anyone else making a mockery of her..."

I paused deliberately.

"...you'll remind them of this conversation."

His eyes widened.

"You want me to defend her?"

"I want you to stop behaving like a fool."

He immediately lowered his head.

"Yes... Alpha."

Satisfied, I turned to leave. My work here was done. I had no reason to remain. No reason to explain myself.

No reason...

To think about Samantha anymore.

"Alpha Carla."

Rowan's uncertain voice stopped me halfway down the corridor.

I remained where I was. Slowly, I turned my head just enough to acknowledge him without fully facing him.

He hesitated.

His fingers tightened around the strap of his bag before he finally gathered enough courage to speak.

"...May I ask you something?"

I didn't respond.

Taking my silence as permission, he drew in a deep breath.

His eyes searched my face, trying to find an answer before he even asked the question.

Then, with obvious hesitation, he spoke.

"...Have you fallen for her?”