A WEEK LATER
XAVIER'S POINT OF VIEW:
The academy festival was in full swing. Today's events were more than just competitions they were a test of skill, endurance, and… reputation. And as I stood by the sidelines, I couldn't shake the unease settling in my chest. This wasn't just any contest, this was where legends were made. The field was set up for combat, strategy, agility, and archery. Jackson, our gruff archery instructor, stood at the front, calling the participants to get ready. His voice boomed across the field, igniting the crowd's excitement. The royal family was already seated in their special section, their eyes scanning the participants with sharp, calculating gazes.
Isabella, my younger sister, sat beside them, her eyes only occasionally drifting toward me, but mostly, they stayed fixed on one person. Villiam. I couldn't help but tense up. He had become the talk of the academy, not just because of his sudden rise in skill but because of the aura of mystery that surrounded him. Something was compelling about Villiam that I couldn't quite explain. It wasn't just that he was talented. He was good at everything. But it was the way people watched him. How the air shifted when he walked in. I wasn't the only one who noticed.
"Xavier." Laura's voice cut through my thoughts, and I turned to her, startled.
"Yeah?" I asked, trying to shake off the feeling of dread.
"Remember, don't get too cocky. You're up in combat soon. Focus." Her tone was cool, but I could hear the undercurrent of concern in her words. "I know you're good, but don't forget that others are just as strong."
I nodded, but my gaze quickly flicked back to Villiam. He was walking toward the archery line now, bow in hand, and I could see the subtle tension in his shoulders.
"All right, everyone! The first contest- a combat!" Jackson's voice boomed, and I snapped to attention, readying myself.
I quickly fell into rhythm, knocking down one opponent after another. But even as I fought, my eyes kept drifting back to Villiam. I watched from the corner of my eye as he finished off an opponent in one swift, graceful move. He wasn't just good, he was untouchable. When the combat section ended, Jackson moved the crowd to archery. This was where things would get interesting. Villiam had already made his mark in every other event, and now it was time to see how he would handle the bow.
"I've got this." I muttered to myself as I stepped up to the line. I knew my skill with a bow was good, but Villiam had a different kind of precision.
I shot my first arrow, and it hit the outer circle of the target. It wasn't a bad shot by any means, but it wasn't the bullseye I was aiming for. Jackson raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything. He was watching Villiam now.
Villiam stepped up to the line, his stance poised and perfect, like he'd done this a thousand times before. Without even looking back at the crowd, he notched his arrow and aimed. The bowstring twanged, and the arrow flew perfectly aimed, sinking into the heart of the target. The crowd gasped in unison, eyes wide.
"You've got to be kidding me." Jackson muttered under his breath, as if he couldn't believe it himself.
The royal family was murmuring now, clearly impressed. Isabella, my younger sister, was sitting with them, her eyes fixed on Villiam. I saw her flush slightly. I couldn't tell if it was from admiration or something else, but it made my stomach churn.
"Not bad." Jackson said with a small nod, though there was no hiding the awe in his voice. "But I've got a few more tricks to test your precision."
But Villiam didn't respond. He was already moving on to the next challenge, barely acknowledging the praise. He was cool, too cool for his good. The next event was strategy, and Villiam didn't disappoint. I watched from the sidelines, feeling a mixture of awe and frustration.
"You doing okay?" Laura's voice suddenly pulled me back to the present. She was standing next to me, arms crossed.
"Yeah, thank you." I grumbled. "Just a little distracted, that's all."
Laura raised an eyebrow, a knowing look in her eyes.
"By him, I assume?"She asked.
I didn't answer, but the fact that she knew what I was thinking was enough. I was alpha and I felt pretty upset losing to him at almost every challenge.
"He's good," I said quietly.
"Good?" Laura scoffed. "He's more than good. He's a natural, Xavier. But you're not so bad yourself, you know."
I nodded, but my attention was still on Villiam. He was untouchable, and I hated it.
Then came agility. This was something I knew I could do. I had trained for it. I flew through the course with speed, ducking under obstacles and jumping over hurdles without a second thought. But when Villiam's turn came up, the crowd held their breath. With a fluid motion, he started the course. I watched in disbelief as he moved like water, no hesitation, no wasted motion. He finished faster than anyone, not even breaking a sweat.
The crowd erupted in applause. Even the royal family seemed to approve, murmuring amongst themselves. Isabella's face was flushed, her eyes still locked on Villiam as if she couldn't look away. I felt a tightening in my chest. This wasn't just a competition anymore. It was about more than winning. It was about proving something. And right now, Villiam was proving he was the best at everything. Finally, the contests were over, and the royal family stood to leave, murmuring amongst themselves.
"You should go talk to him." Laura said, suddenly appearing beside me again. "Now's your chance.'
"Talk to him?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "Are you kidding?"
"Why not? You're both competing for the same thing." She said with a sly smile.
I froze. For a second, I thought she meant something else.
"What do you mean?"I asked.
But before she could respond, Isabella suddenly approached us, her face flushed.
"Xavier." She said. "I need to speak with you… about Villiam."
I swallowed hard, unsure of what she meant.
"What about him?" I asked.
She glanced at Villiam from across the field, her gaze softening slightly.
"I think... I think I'm starting to understand why everyone's so captivated by him."Isabella said.
I felt my stomach twist.
"Isabella, no. You can't be serious."I said.
"I am." She replied quietly, her voice steady but soft. "And I think you might be too, brother."
I sometimes hated Isabella smiling like that She only smiled that way when she wants something. As kids, it meant stealing the last slice of cake. As teens, it meant convincing father to let her learn swordplay instead of etiquette.
Now? She was staring at Villiam.
"I like him." She said simply, like she was talking about a new book she wanted to read.
I choked on air.
"What?"I asked.
Her eyes didn't leave Villiam as he led Damon across the training field. The horse, the demon beast that nearly bit Wren's hand off, was walking obediently beside him like a docile pup.
"He's cool." Isabella added with a dreamy sigh. "Kind of mysterious. Cold. I like the quiet ones."
"You just met him." I hissed, grabbing her arm and dragging her behind a tree before someone heard us.
She shrugged.
"And? That's usually enough. I've got good instincts."She said.
"Your instincts are about as accurate as a blindfolded archer in a windstorm."I said.
She turned to me, eyes narrowing.
"Why are you acting like this?"She asked.
"Because you can't just like him!" I snapped. "He's, he's-!"
He's mine. Okay, not mine, but-. Laura appeared like the walking omen she always was. Arms crossed. Expression unreadable.
"You two fighting about Villiam?" She asked flatly.
"I'm not fighting." Isabella said sweetly. "I'm declaring interest."
"I'm fighting." I muttered.
Laura raised an eyebrow.
"Of course you are."Laura said.
"Why does it matter to you, anyway?" Isabella turned to her. "Unless-" Her gaze sharpened. "Are you one of those jealous mentors?"
Laura laughed.
"Stars, no. I'm just trying to stop a royal sibling war before it spills blood."She said.
Isabella smirked.
"He'd choose me, anyway."Isabella said.
"Would he?" I asked before I could stop myself.
Her head snapped toward me, eyes narrowing.
"Oh? Got a stake in this, big brother?"She asked.
Laura groaned and massaged her temples.
"Great. You're both in love with him."She said.
"No I'm not in love-" I started.
"Could've fooled me." Laura deadpanned.
"I liked him first!" I protested.
"He's not a pastry, Xavier. You don't get dibs." Isabella shot back.
We both turned to glare at each other like children arguing over a toy, only this wasn't a toy, a low thud echoed behind us.