CHAPTER 21: CHAPTER 21: KAEL

After storming out of Seraphina’s dorm in anger, Ryker walked briskly across the courtyard, ignoring the curious stares of the few students wandering around. His fists were clenched at his sides, his jaw tight. He hated that his father kept forcing him into a corner, hated that Seraphina acted as if she had every right to him, as though he were some possession. The moment he stepped out of the female hostel, the cool evening air brushed against his skin, offering some relief from the suffocating confrontation he had just endured. But it wasn’t enough. His mood remained dark, his chest heavy with frustration.

By the time he reached the male hostel, he pressed the elevator button with more force than necessary. The ride was silent, but his thoughts were anything but calm. When the doors slid open at the very top floor, Ryker stepped into the quiet hallway leading to his dorm. His apartment occupied the entire floor, an indulgent privilege reserved for him alone, courtesy of being the son of Skyline Academy’s owner. Many envied him for it, but right now, even with all this space and luxury, he felt more caged than ever.

He pushed the door open and walked into the vast living room, its polished floors gleaming under soft lights. It was spacious, almost excessively so, yet Ryker felt like the walls were closing in. Dropping onto the sofa, he dragged a hand through his dark hair and let out a frustrated sigh.

His family’s so-called "legacy" weighed on him like an iron chain. For as long as he could remember, his life had been dictated by their obsession with bloodlines, wealth, and power. Wolves from ordinary families focused on finding their mates, cherishing bonds that were considered sacred. But not his family. If a mate happened to have high potential blood—rich in magic or rare lineage—then the bond was acceptable. But if the mate’s bloodline was mediocre, they would go to any length to sever the connection. It was cruel, calculated, and utterly suffocating.

Everyone saw the Ryker family as glorious, a dynasty that others aspired to emulate. Yet inside, Ryker knew the truth. It was nothing more than a gilded cage, each generation forced into unions they didn’t want, all for the sake of strengthening the family’s hold across wolf, witch, and fae bloodlines.

He had grown up knowing that one day he would be expected to continue that cycle, to find someone rich, someone with blood potential that would impress the world. But he had thought he would have more time. Maybe he could find someone on his own terms, or escape entirely once he came of age. Instead, at only seventeen, the choice had already been ripped away from him. His father had shoved Seraphina into his life, binding him with a promise he never agreed to.

Ryker’s hands curled into fists again. He couldn’t stand her, not her entitlement, not her persistence, not the way she declared ownership of him without caring about his feelings. And yet his father continued to back her.

As his thoughts churned, another image slipped into his mind, softening his hardened expression. Aiden.

Ryker closed his eyes briefly, his chest tightening in a way that both confused and unsettled him. He remembered the way the boy had looked at him earlier in the dining hall, his face pink with embarrassment, his fingers nervously twisting together. Ryker had forced himself to appear cold, even dismissive, but the truth was different. He did know Aiden. He had never forgotten him.

That night two months ago, when he had saved Aiden, the boy had burned himself into Ryker’s memory. Since then, Ryker had tried to push those thoughts away, convincing himself that it was just lust, nothing more. Because Aiden was human, wasn’t he? His family would never accept it, and Ryker didn’t want to drag the boy into his problems. Still, no matter how hard he tried to deny it, Aiden’s beauty was unlike anything he had ever seen. Gorgeous didn’t even begin to cover it. He was breathtaking, almost unreal.

Ryker opened his eyes, staring blankly at the ceiling. The strangest part was not even Aiden’s beauty—it was his presence here. Skyline Academy was a school for the supernatural. Humans didn’t belong here, and yet Aiden had enrolled. How was that possible?

The realization hit him suddenly, his eyes widening. He sat up straight, muttering to himself in disbelief. "He’s at Skyline Academy. A human... in a school for supernaturals. How?"

Earlier, he had been too focused on confronting Seraphina to consider it. But now that he thought about it, the situation didn’t make sense at all. How could Aiden, a boy with no supernatural blood, have passed the admission process?

Ryker knew he wouldn’t find the answer on his own. He reached for his phone and dialed Kael Sinclair, one of his closest friends and a fellow member of the student union council. Kael had a reputation for knowing everything about everyone in the academy. If anyone could shed light on this mystery, it was him.

After a few rings, Kael’s easygoing voice answered, teasing as always. "Well, look who finally decided to call his friend. I’ve missed you, Ryker. Heard you actually showed up to school today. I thought you’d skip the first week like always."

"You know why I usually skip," Ryker replied flatly.

Kael chuckled knowingly. "Of course. You try to avoid Seraphina. The first week’s always slow, so she uses it to hound you nonstop. But if you’re here this early, I’m guessing she tattled to your father again."

Ryker’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t deny it. Kael continued casually, "Seriously though, I’ll never understand why you dislike her so much. She’s gorgeous, rich, brilliant, and her blood potential is through the roof. She’s basically the perfect match."

"I just don’t like her," Ryker said firmly. "When you don’t like someone, you just don’t. It doesn’t matter what they have going for them."

"Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard this a thousand times. You’ve told me, you’ve told her, but she clearly doesn’t care." Kael chuckled. "Anyway, why’d you call? My apartment isn’t far if you wanted to talk face-to-face."

Ryker exhaled, leaning back against the sofa. "I need to ask you something. And I hope you have an answer, since you always seem to know everything."

"That depends," Kael replied. "Ask away."

"Do you know Aiden? And more importantly, how did he manage to get into this school?"

There was silence for a second before Kael suddenly laughed. "You’re asking about Aiden? The same boy who tried to talk to you today, the one you embarrassed in front of the whole hall? That Aiden?"

Ryker rolled his eyes. "You heard about that, huh? Yes, that Aiden."

Kael’s laughter only grew. "Oh, Ryker. You’re messy. Acting like you didn’t know him when you clearly do. Tell me honestly—is he the one you like?"

Ryker hesitated before answering, his voice quieter. "I don’t think so. Or... I don’t know. Maybe it’s just lust. I have a high libido, and he’s—well, you’ve seen him. He’s bewitching. Hard to forget."

Kael whistled low. "You’re something else. So what exactly do you want to know about him?"

"Everything," Ryker admitted. "Especially how a human boy ended up here. Skyline Academy isn’t the kind of place someone can just stumble into by accident."

Kael’s voice grew thoughtful. "Most people say it was a mistake, that he enrolled without realizing this was a school for supernaturals. But honestly, I don’t buy that. From my perspective, it feels more deliberate. Almost like he came here on purpose, maybe even on a mission. Our academy isn’t exactly easy to get into."

Ryker frowned, Kael’s words stirring his suspicions further. He thought back to two months ago, to saving Aiden. And then to today, when Aiden hadn’t seemed surprised to see him at Skyline. It was almost as if he had expected it, as if he had known all along Ryker would be here.

A strange pride flickered in Ryker’s chest. "I think I know why he’s here," he said slowly.

"Oh? Do tell," Kael prompted.

"He followed me," Ryker said with a hint of smugness. "I saved him two months ago. I never even told him my name, but somehow he still tracked me here. That kind of determination is rare."

Kael groaned. "Why do you get all the good things? You’ve got Seraphina clinging to you, and now a drop-dead gorgeous boy obsessed with you. What about the rest of us?"

Ryker laughed for the first time that day. "That’s called charm, my friend. I’m charming. Though honestly, I wish my charm would stop working on Seraphina. That girl creeps me out."

Kael laughed mockingly. "You can’t have it both ways. You get the good and the bad. That’s the price of charm."

Ryker groaned. "Fine, whatever. Back to the point. You’re saying Aiden isn’t human?"

"That’s right," Kael replied. "He smells like one, sure, but that’s only because he’s been living among humans his whole life. In reality, he’s something else entirely. That’s why he passed the admission test and was accepted."

Ryker sat up straight, shock flooding his face. "What? That’s impossible. I saw him today, Kael. He still smells completely human. So what is he, if not human?"

Kael’s voice dropped into something more serious. "That’s the thing. No one knows yet. He’s the first non-human to ever smell so convincingly human. As for what he truly is... it’s still a mystery."