THE ALPHA I NEVER SAW

The King of Shadows

Chapter 4: The King of Shadows

By the second day, Mooncrest Royal University had only one topic.

Seraphine Veyra.

Students talked about her during lectures.

They talked about her during lunch.

They talked about her in private group chats.

Some discussed her beauty.

Others discussed her wealth.

Most discussed how she had completely ignored Crown Prince Kieran Blackthorn on her first day.

The story had already become campus legend.

"Did she really walk past him?"

"Without even greeting him."

"I would have fainted."

"I heard she didn't even look nervous."

The rumors spread through Mooncrest faster than wildfire.

Unfortunately for everyone involved, Seraphine couldn't care less.

At that moment, she was being dragged across campus by a hyperactive Aria Sterling.

"No, listen carefully," Aria said dramatically. "Mooncrest has three important places."

Seraphine sighed.

"The library."

"No."

"The lecture halls."

"No."

"The administration building."

Aria looked disappointed.

"The café."

Seraphine stared at her.

"You paid tuition to drink coffee?"

"I paid tuition to build connections."

"By drinking coffee."

"Exactly."

For some reason, Seraphine laughed.

A genuine laugh.

The first one she had allowed herself since arriving at Mooncrest.

The sound surprised even her.

Aria immediately pointed.

"There!"

"What?"

"You smiled."

"So?"

"You should do it more."

Seraphine instantly stopped smiling.

Aria groaned dramatically.

"Why do you keep doing that?"

"Doing what?"

"Acting like a villainess."

The corner of Seraphine's lips twitched.

If only Aria knew.

As they continued walking through campus, Seraphine's gaze wandered across the familiar buildings.

Mooncrest Royal University.

The most prestigious university in the kingdom.

The place where future Alphas, politicians, business leaders, and noble heirs were educated.

In her previous life...

This place had witnessed some of her greatest mistakes.

She remembered chasing after Kieran.

Trying desperately to gain his attention.

Changing herself to fit his standards.

Losing herself piece by piece.

The memories left a bitter taste in her mouth.

Never again.

Suddenly—

A commotion erupted near the university gates.

Students immediately started turning their heads.

Some stood up.

Others rushed toward the entrance.

Excited whispers spread through the crowd.

"Someone important is here."

"Another royal family?"

"No."

"Then why are there security vehicles?"

Aria's eyes immediately lit up.

"Oh."

Seraphine recognized that tone.

"Oh?"

"Oh."

Without warning, Aria grabbed her wrist.

Again.

"Come on."

"No."

"Come on."

"No."

"Come on."

Before Seraphine could refuse again, Aria was already dragging her toward the crowd.

By the time they arrived, dozens of students had gathered near the entrance.

A convoy of black vehicles slowly entered the campus.

Unlike the luxury cars owned by noble heirs, these vehicles looked intimidating.

Dangerous.

The kind of vehicles that didn't need expensive decorations because everyone already knew who they belonged to.

The convoy came to a stop.

Silence spread.

Even the atmosphere seemed to change.

The rear door opened.

A pair of long legs stepped onto the pavement.

Then he appeared.

The entire campus fell silent.

Tall.

Broad-shouldered.

Dressed entirely in black.

Dark hair.

Sharp features.

Silver eyes colder than winter itself.

His presence alone commanded attention.

Not because he demanded it.

But because he naturally possessed it.

Several girls forgot how to breathe.

A few professors visibly stiffened.

Even the security guards straightened instinctively.

Whispers spread immediately.

"Darius Ravencrest."

"The Ravencrest heir?"

"I thought he hated public appearances."

"What is he doing here?"

Across the courtyard, Kieran Blackthorn stood on the steps of the main building.

His silver eyes narrowed slightly.

Darius Ravencrest.

One of the few people he considered a genuine rival.

Why was he at Mooncrest?

Something felt strange.

Very strange.

Meanwhile, beside Seraphine, Aria was waving enthusiastically.

"Hey cousin."

Seraphine blinked.

Then slowly turned toward her.

"Cousin?"

Aria nodded proudly.

"My cousin."

She pointed directly at the newcomer.

"Darius Ravencrest."

For some reason, the name felt oddly familiar.

Before Seraphine could think further—

Darius's gaze found hers.

The world seemed to stop.

Students.

Buildings.

Voices.

Everything disappeared.

His eyes locked onto hers.

And something changed in his expression.

Shock.

Relief.

Disbelief.

Pain.

Enough pain to make Seraphine's chest tighten.

Why was he looking at her like that?

As though he had lost her once before.

As though finding her again was a miracle.

Then Darius started walking.

Straight toward them.

The crowd parted automatically.

Nobody dared stand in his path.

Aria lowered her hand.

"Wait."

Darius kept walking.

"Darius?"

Closer.

"Why are you coming here?"

Closer.

Then he stopped.

Directly in front of Seraphine.

Not Aria.

Not anyone else.

Seraphine.

For several seconds, neither of them spoke.

Then Darius finally broke the silence.

His voice was quiet.

Almost gentle.

"I'm sorry."

Seraphine frowned.

Sorry?

For what?

Then came the next words.

Words that somehow carried years of regret.

"I was too late."

Her breath caught.

Too late?

Too late for what?

She had never met this man before.

Had she?

The silence stretched.

Awkward.

Heavy.

Confusing.

Finally, Aria stepped between them.

Looking from one face to the other.

"Okay."

Nobody answered.

Aria narrowed her eyes.

"Do you two know each other?"

"No," Seraphine answered immediately.

Aria turned toward Darius.

"What about you?"

Darius remained silent for a moment.

Then—

"No."

Aria stared at him.

That answer somehow sounded even more suspicious.

"Then why did you just greet her like a tragic hero from a romance novel?"

Several nearby students nearly choked.

For the first time, Darius looked at his cousin.

His expression remained completely blank.

"Since when do you drag strangers around campus?"

Aria gasped.

"Excuse you."

She immediately wrapped an arm around Seraphine's shoulders.

"She is not a stranger."

Then she proudly announced:

"She's my friend."

Something flickered in Darius's eyes.

A small reaction.

But Aria noticed.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

Before she could investigate—

BEEP.

BEEP.

Both girls' phones vibrated simultaneously.

Aria glanced down.

Then her face turned pale.

"Oh no."

"What?" Seraphine asked.

Aria looked horrified.

"We're late."

Silence.

Then—

"WE'RE LATE!"

The entire courtyard jumped.

Without another word, Aria grabbed Seraphine's wrist.

Again.

And immediately started dragging her toward the lecture building.

"Aria—"

"No time."

"Aria."

"We are absolutely doomed."

"Aria."

"The professor is terrifying."

Halfway across the courtyard, Seraphine glanced back.

She wasn't sure why.

But she did.

Her eyes immediately found Darius.

He was still standing there.

Watching her.

Not the crowd.

Not the campus.

Her.

For a brief moment, their eyes met again.

Then Aria pulled harder.

"Move!"

Seraphine stumbled forward.

Yet a few moments later, she looked back once more.

Darius still hadn't moved.

As though he was afraid she would disappear if he looked away.

A strange feeling settled in her chest.

Confusion.

Curiosity.

Something she couldn't name.

Then the lecture building swallowed her from view.

Only after she disappeared did Darius finally move.

A small smile appeared on his face.

The first genuine smile he had worn in a very long time.

Because she was alive.

And this time...

He intended to stay by her side.