The academy bells rang at dawn—low, heavy, unforgiving.
The sound crawled beneath Lyra's skin and settled in her chest like a warning. Today was the first day of the Claiming Trials.
Students gathered in the central courtyard, the air thick with tension. Bonded couples stood close, hands clasped, shoulders brushing as if proximity alone could keep fate from tearing them apart. Across from them, the unclaimed waited—some calm, some desperate, some burning with longing that had twisted into something dangerous.
Lyra felt Kael's presence before she felt his touch. He stood beside her, silent and solid, his jaw set, eyes dark with resolve.
"The first trial isn't about strength," he said quietly. "It's about endurance. Emotional endurance."
She swallowed. "That scares me more."
A silver barrier rose from the ground, splitting the courtyard into mirrored paths. Headmistress Selvara's voice echoed once more.
"The Trial of Separation begins now. Bonded pairs will be divided. Unclaimed challengers may walk beside the one they seek. No magic. No force. Only words."
Lyra's heart dropped.
Before she could react, the ground shifted. The barrier slid between her and Kael, separating them just out of reach. His hand slipped from hers.
"Kael—"
"Look at me," he said firmly. "No matter what you hear. No matter what they say. Remember what you feel."
Then he was gone.
Lyra stood alone on her path, her wolf restless, aching. Footsteps approached from behind.
Aiden Crowe.
He walked beside her at a measured pace, not touching, not crowding—just close enough to feel his presence.
"I won't lie to you," he said softly. "This isn't about winning anymore. It's about honesty."
She kept her eyes forward. "Then be honest somewhere else."
He sighed. "You're afraid."
"Yes," she admitted, voice shaking. "But not of you."
Aiden stopped walking. Lyra hesitated, then turned. His expression had changed—no smirk, no arrogance. Just raw emotion.
"I've never had a bond," he said quietly. "Not once. Do you know what it's like to watch everyone else be chosen while you're left behind? To feel invisible?"
Her chest tightened despite herself.
"I don't want to steal you," he continued. "I want you to choose me. Even once. Even for a heartbeat."
Pain flared in Lyra's chest—not temptation, but sorrow.
"I'm sorry," she said gently. "But love given out of pity isn't love. And I won't break someone else's heart to ease yours."
Aiden looked away, jaw tight. "Then he's lucky," he muttered.
Across the courtyard, Selene's path shook with raised voices. Marek pressed her with cruel precision, pointing out every scar, every fear, every night Riven had nearly lost control.
"You're tired," Marek said. "You're afraid of what he might become."
Selene's tears fell freely now. "I'm afraid," she sobbed. "But I still love him."
Those words echoed like thunder.
On another path, Ivy collapsed to her knees, overwhelmed, clutching her chest as Darian screamed her name from the other side of the barrier—unable to reach her, helpless.
Lyra's wolf howled inside her.
Then the barriers fell.
Bonded mates ran to each other without hesitation. Riven caught Selene in his arms, shaking. Darian dropped beside Ivy, holding her as if she might disappear.
Kael reached Lyra in three strides.
She didn't speak. She just pressed into him, breathing him in, grounding herself in the bond that burned brighter than doubt.
"You didn't waver," he murmured, forehead resting against hers.
"Neither did you," she whispered.
Around them, the unclaimed stood in silence. Some angry. Some broken. Some quietly accepting the truth they had fought so hard to deny.
Headmistress Selvara's voice rang out one last time.
"The first trial ends. Many bonds have strengthened today. Others have cracked."
Her gaze lingered on the crowd.
"And the next trial will decide which hearts are strong enough to survive what comes next."
Lyra tightened her grip on Kael's hand.
Because now she understood.
At Romance Academy, love wasn't just something you felt.
It was something you had to prove—again and again—even when it hurts.