Before he could answer , the hum of a vacuum cleaner caught my attention . The room was being cleaned . Beds moved . Ronan's included . I whipped my gaze back to him . " What's with that reaction ? " he asked with a cocky smirk . Then he leaned in - too close - and murmured , " Two dudes on a bed … It's normal , right ? Unless … " His eyes gleamed . " You're into men ? " " You and your disgusting imagination ! " I snapped , thrusting my pillow into his face , though my ears burned crimson . Ronan casually pulled the pillow away , still smirking . " So you're saying you don't like guys ? " My breath caught in my throat . And that's when I realized- The cleaner had overheard everything . Panic surged within me . If this conversation spread around the Academy , I was doomed . I wasn't actually Seth Darven - I was Seraphina , in disguise . And the real Seth , my cousin , was as straight as they came . Any rumors like this could ruin his name forever . " What the hell are you talking about ?! " I hissed , scooting closer and glaring . " Are you trying to ruin my image ?! I don't like dudes , okay ?! " My voice was loud - loud enough for the cleaner to hear before he awkwardly excused himself from the room , closing the door behind him . Ronan's eyebrows lifted , clearly amused . He slowly leaned closer , his voice dropping to a teasing whisper . " Is that so ? " he murmured . " Then that must mean … you're into me . " My breath hitched . My heart skipped . " What ? " I choked . A wickedly handsome / smile curved across his lips . He glanced at my mouth , then back to my eyes . " You smell like me . You follow me . You sneak into my bedchamber … , " his voice dropped another octave . " Seth Darven , are you trying to … seduce me ? " My expression went blank at his bold remark . Stalking him ? Smelling like him ? Sneaking into his room ? And now - seducing him ? Was this Alpha truly that arrogant ? He was always the one crossing the line , not me . Every lingering look . Every whispered provocation . And yet now he had the nerve to throw those words in my face ? I held his gaze for a long , tense moment before closing the space between us in a single , calculated move . " Alpha Ronan . " I murmured , my voice low and laced with challenge . His signature smirk faltered . He didn't expect me to step in . His back hit the headboard as I braced both hands on either side of him , effectively caging him in . Our faces were barely inches apart now , our breaths mingling in the thick silence . 2/3 " You sure you want to act and speak so carelessly around me ? " I asked softly , yet every word struck like a blade . " Just because you're bored and looking for a distraction ? " His brows twitched ever so slightly , surprise flickering in those stormy eyes of his . Eyes that - despite their arrogant gleam- now reflected something else . Something - primal . I leaned even closer , my voice a whisper against his skin . " Careful who you provoke , Alpha Ronan . Because the person you claim is trying to seduce you … might just end up claiming you for real . " His breath caught . His eyes dropped briefly to my lips . But he didn't move . Didn't push me away . Instead , he whispered - voice low , almost reverent , " I'm looking forward to that . " My pulse skipped . My fingers trembled slightly against the mattress . What__ ? What the hell does he mean by that ? There it was again - that maddening , breathtaking smile . Equal parts temptation and torment . And yet it rattled me more than I wanted to admit . " You're insane , " I growled , jerking back and standing up . I stormed toward the door , heart thudding wildly , but froze after two steps . Dante . He stood by the window , half - cast in shadows , watching . Silent . Still . Eyes fixed on me like he'd heard everything . The last time I'd seen him was the day we escaped the cursed forest . But the expression on his face now made my blood run cold . That calm silence was anything but peaceful . It was dangerous . Konan stepped out behind me , and suddenly , I was caught between the two of them . I didn't say a word . Didn't look at either of them . I just walked past Dante and exited the hallway without looking back . Today was the trial . That was what I needed to focus on . Behind me , the air remained thick with unspoken tension as Ronan and Dante stood , facing one another , neither willing to back down . Their Alpha auras collided violently , like two storms on the verge of breaking . " Don't get in my way , " Dante growled , voice low but brimming with intent . " Then change your target , " Ronan shot back , his tone sharp enough to cut steel . Dante's lips curled into a slow , cruel smile . " I might've considered it . But now ? It's too late ." Ronan's eyes narrowed . " What the hell is that supposed to mean ? " " Because this target is not something have decided . " Send Gifts 639