Chapter 0495

I knew Seraphina would stand by Ivy, but hearing it out loud still warmed my heart. As much as I crave being Ivy's first choice when she's troubled, we're not there yet. She needs her childhood best friend right now.

The car rolled into the school parking lot when Seraphina asked, "So Alpha Sebastian knows everything. But who's legally responsible for you? You're still underage."

"Alpha Sebastian became my guardian. My mother could've stayed with me, but I wanted her with my father."

Seraphina slung an arm around Ivy as we exited the vehicle. "Guess I'll be doing homework at the packhouse then."

I watched them walk toward the school entrance, Seraphina's protective grip never loosening. Alistair and I fell into step behind them like twin bodyguards. Whatever expression we wore must've been effective—nobody dared approach.

At the lockers, Ivy and Seraphina were still whispering, though Ivy's shoulders had lost some tension. Alistair closed his locker beside me. "She'd make an incredible Luna, don't you think?"

My growl erupted before I could stop it. I whirled on my friend, ready to throw punches if necessary. Ivy had specifically worried about forced mate bonds, and here he was fueling those fears.

To his credit, Alistair didn't flinch. "I meant Seraphina, obviously."

The tension drained from my muscles. "Yeah, she would." My gaze followed the girls heading to class. "She handled that situation perfectly."

Ivy glanced back at me then. I gave her an encouraging nod. We'd see each other in chemistry soon. Hopefully the rest of her day would go smoothly.

"She'll be fine," Alistair said with unusual conviction. We started walking toward our classes. "You really believe she's your mate, don't you?"

His eyes never left Seraphina. "Magnus has never reacted this way to anyone before. It's like he wants to bare his throat to her."

I snorted. "Evander's the same with Ivy and Valeria. He'd move mountains to see them happy."

'Because she's our mate. No sacrifice is too great,' Evander murmured in my mind.

Chemistry class proved far more productive today. Working alongside Ivy felt effortless—our experiment succeeded where others failed miserably. Something had shifted between us. Maybe it was newfound trust, or perhaps our shared Guardian bond made her more comfortable around me. If this was a preview of our future as mates, we'd be unstoppable together.

Literature remained my Achilles' heel, but I'd improve. With Seraphina joining our study sessions at the packhouse, Alistair and I would tag along. More time with them, plus the chance to debate these so-called classics Ivy adored. The books weren't terrible—someone clearly considered them masterpieces—but they'd never mattered to me before. Now they did, because they mattered to her.

"When are you telling Seraphina the rest?" I asked as we headed to our lockers after school.

Ivy shrugged. "Not sure. I already dropped one bombshell today. Don't want to overload her."

"If it helps, I think she was hurt you waited so long to confide in her. She's tougher than people realize."

"Of course she is," Ivy defended instantly. "I just..."

I stopped walking, forcing her to meet my gaze. "You just what?"

"What if knowing endangers her? Maybe ignorance is safer."

"Want my advice?"

She nodded.

"If you trust her, tell her everything."

We resumed walking. "Did you tell Alistair immediately?"

"Instantly. I was ten, he was my best friend, and I was thrilled it meant we'd never be separated."

Another nod. "I'll tell her."

After dropping Seraphina home with promises of a study session later, I gave Ivy thirty minutes to prepare for training. With warriors using the obstacle course, I led her toward the forest for privacy—fewer witnesses to her Guardian abilities.

"Offense or defense today?"

"Offense."

I assumed a defensive stance. Her initial attacks mirrored last week's strength. After several minutes of her holding back, I escalated the intensity, forcing her into defensive maneuvers.

When she hit the ground, I offered a hand up. "You're fighting like your old self. You're stronger now. Again."

The second round showed improvement, but frustration lined her face after another takedown.

"My turn to attack. Stop overthinking—let Valeria's power flow through you."

Her defensive stance wavered as I launched my hardest assault yet—Alpha-level intensity. Then it happened: gold flashed in her eyes as her reflexes sharpened. Block after block, her speed matched mine perfectly. When she finally landed a counterstrike, I called it.

"Nice!" We both gasped for air, hands on knees.

I met her gaze. "Feel the difference?"

Her nod sent satisfaction through me.

"Good. That's the strength you need against Sebastian, Nathaniel, and Alistair." I guided her back toward the packhouse. Time for food, then homework with our mates-to-be.