From His Luna to His Rival's Mate

Chapter 15

SELENE

NEXT MORNING

The academy hall was packed with students. I sat near the middle row, my hands resting quietly on my lap.

The big room felt warm and full of energy as everyone waited for the announcement. Whispers moved through the crowd like soft wind. I kept my eyes forward, trying to stay calm even though my stomach felt tight.

Headmaster Blackwood walked onto the stage. He was an older man with gray hair and a strong presence. He raised his hand and the room grew quiet.

"Students," he said, his voice clear and loud. "In a few weeks, the Bond Trials will begin. This is an important tradition at Silverwood Academy. During these trials, you will have the chance to test and strengthen mate bonds. Some of you may choose your own partner, others will be assigned based on compatibility readings. This is a serious event. Your performance can affect your future rankings and pack alliances."

A buzz of excitement filled the hall. Students turned to each other, talking in low voices. I sat very still. My hands tightened slightly in my lap. I already knew what this meant. It was another way for Calder to try to claim me.

Before anyone could say more, Calder stood up from his seat near the front. His tall body drew every eye in the room. He walked to the center aisle with confident steps and faced the entire hall.

"I have already chosen my partner," he announced loudly. His deep voice echoed off the walls. "Selene Vale will be my mate in the Bond Trials. We were meant to be together. The Moon Goddess chose us."

Gasps and whispers exploded around me. Many students turned to look at me but I kept my face calm. Calder stood tall, his shoulders back and his silver eyes full of certainty. He truly believed what he was saying.

Headmaster Blackwood raised his hand for silence. "Alpha Calder, partners are not officially declared yet. Students still have time to choose."

Calder did not back down. "I am declaring it now. Selene belongs with me, there is no need for her to choose anyone else."

The whispers grew louder. I felt my heart beat faster, this was too much. He was trying to force my hand in front of the entire academy. I stood up slowly from my seat. My legs felt a little shaky, but I forced them to stay steady.

I walked to the aisle so everyone could see me clearly. All eyes were on me now and the room grew quiet again.

"I refuse," I said, my voice loud and clear. "I will not be your partner in the Bond Trials, Calder. I will choose my own partner when the time comes."

A shocked silence fell over the hall. Then the whispers returned, louder than before. Calder’s face changed with anger and disbelief. He took a step toward me.

"You do not get to refuse me," he said, his voice rough. "We are meant to be together. Stop fighting this, Selene. Stop embarrassing both of us in front of everyone."

I lifted my chin and looked straight at him. "I am not embarrassing anyone. I am making my own choice, and my choice is no."

Calder’s hands clenched into fists at his sides. His breathing grew heavier. "You kissed Voss in front of the whole school. You rejected me publicly more than once, and now you want to choose your own partner? Do you really think I will allow that?"

The tension in the room felt thick enough to touch. Students watched us with wide eyes. Some looked excited. Others looked uncomfortable. I could feel the weight of all their stares on my skin.

"I do not need your permission," I said firmly. "This is my life, not yours. Not your sister’s. Mine."

Calder took another step closer. His body looked tight with barely controlled anger. "You will regret this. I promise you that. You belong to me, Selene. One way or another, you will see it."

He turned and walked back to his seat. The hall stayed noisy with whispers and quiet conversations. I stood there for a moment longer, then returned to my seat. My hands were shaking slightly, but I kept my head high.

As I sat down, my eyes moved to the back of the hall. Kael stood near the back wall, watching everything, his arms were crossed over his chest and his face looked tight. His dark eyes met mine across the distance, there was conflict in them, concern and something deeper that made my chest feel warm. He did not move or say anything, but I could see the struggle on his face.

The Headmaster tried to bring order back to the hall. "The Bond Trials will proceed as planned. Students have time to consider their choices, that is all for today."

People started leaving the hall in groups, still talking about what had just happened. I stayed in my seat for a little while, letting the crowd thin out, my heart was still beating fast.

When most students had left, I finally stood up and walked out, the fresh air outside felt good on my face. I moved toward the dorm with slow steps, thinking about everything that had just happened. Calder was getting bolder, he was no longer hiding his obsession. He was declaring it in front of everyone.

I thought about Kael standing at the back, the way he had watched me, the conflict in his eyes. He cared, I could see it. But he was still holding back.

I took a deep breath and kept walking. The Bond Trials were coming soon. I would have to make a real choice, and I already knew who I wanted to choose, even if it made everything more complicated.