The first rays of dawn filtered through the stained-glass windows of the dormitory hall, painting Lyra's room in hues of crimson and gold. She blinked against the light, her wolf still restless, as if reminding her that awakening wasn't just a ceremony—it was a warning.
Her roommate, a lively witch named Elara Moon, stretched and yawned, her hair shimmering silver in the morning glow. "You're Lyra, right? The one who bonded with Kael Nightfang?" she asked, eyes sparkling. "Everyone's talking about you. Literally everyone. You've already shaken the academy before breakfast."
Lyra grimaced. "I didn't mean to… it just happened."
Elara laughed softly. "Doesn't matter if it 'just happened.' At Romance Academy, everyone notices when a bond awakens. Especially with someone like Kael."
Kael. The name sent a shiver down Lyra's spine. She had barely spoken two words to him, and yet, the connection thrummed through her like a live wire.
Before she could answer, a knock sounded at the door. Aiden Crowe, a sly, cocky werewolf with dark eyes and a mischievous grin, leaned in. "New girl, huh? Let me guess—bonded with the king of ice himself?" He winked at Elara and smirked at Lyra. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. But be warned—some of us don't take kindly to others claiming a mate."
Lyra's wolf bristled at the tone. "I didn't choose this," she said quietly, "and I won't let anyone—"
"Relax," Aiden said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "For now, you're safe. But the unclaimed are… ambitious."
Ambitious. Lyra didn't need explanation. The very air of the academy crackled with competition. Every unclaimed student—every outsider—wanted what the bonded had, whether it was power, status, or love.
By mid-morning, the students gathered in the Training Grounds, a sprawling courtyard lined with jagged stones and enchanted trees. Today was not just a warm-up—it was the first test of strength and cunning.
Lyra followed Kael, who moved with calm, precise steps, the epitome of controlled power. Other pairs and small groups of students paired off, laughter and sparks of magic lighting the air. She noticed two other bonded pairs already:
Riven and Selene, a fiery werewolf and a water witch, their bond radiating a warm, protective aura. They moved with synchronicity that made Lyra's stomach twist with both envy and awe.
Darian and Ivy, a magician and a shadow wolf, whose connection seemed… fragile, tested, as though everyone around them might pry it apart at any second.
Kael stopped before the Bonding Circle's smaller training area. "Today," he said, voice steady, "you'll learn that love is more than emotion. It's power. And at this academy, power is fought for."
The unclaimed students circled, their eyes flicking to bonded pairs. Lyra noticed a girl with emerald eyes staring at her with a mix of jealousy and calculation. Her wolf growled, warning her that the girl might not wait for the rules to test the bond.
A horn blared. Magic flared, and the first duel began. Students paired off, but unlike normal dueling, these battles tested bonded pairs as units. Lyra and Kael were forced to fight side by side.
Lyra's hands glowed as her wolf surged, instinct guiding her spells. Kael moved with precision, his power rippling in waves that shielded her, amplified her attacks, and struck their opponents with ruthless efficiency. For a moment, it felt like they were alone in the world, their connection tangible, almost visible.
But then, a shadow darted from the edge of the grounds—Aiden. And he wasn't alone. Another unclaimed student lunged toward Lyra, eyes wild.
Lyra barely had time to react. Kael's hand shot out, gripping her wrist, pulling her behind him. The impact of the attack slammed into the ground where she had been standing seconds before.
"Do you feel it?" Kael murmured, eyes meeting hers. "They want what's ours."
Lyra's wolf snarled, and she realized something terrifying: at Romance Academy, love was never safe, and her bond with Kael had just painted a target on her back.
And across the grounds, other bonded couples exchanged wary glances. Some were already plotting their defenses. Some, like Riven and Selene, looked ready to fight with everything they had.
Lyra clenched her fists, wolf howling inside her chest. She didn't know how many battles lay ahead, but she did know one thing: she would fight for Kael. No one—claimed or unclaimed—would take him from her.