Every eye burned into me, waiting for my answer.
The silence stretched. Seconds feeling like hours. The entire Academy held its breath, watching to see if I'd take Darius's hand. The air was thick with anticipation, pressing against my skin like invisible hands. Even the torches seemed to hold their flames still, waiting.
If I'd accept being claimed by the Alpha heir who'd won the right to me in combat.
My heart screamed at me to do it. To walk to him. To take his hand and complete the bond and let myself have this. Each beat felt like a hammer blow against my ribs, painful and insistent. The sound of my own pulse roared in my ears, drowning out everything else.
Because I wanted him. Despite everything. Despite the hurt. Despite knowing he'd only changed his mind because I'd proven I wasn't weak.
I still wanted him.
