My trembling hand Ch 43_Bonds at War: The Untouched is Mine

Chapter 43 Ivory Solstice

 Chapter 43 Ivory Solstice

 ARDEN

 It was here.

 The Ivory Solstice.

 s

 The day I had dreaded from the moment Tessa first introduced the concept to me. The day when the fantasy of neutrality ended, and everyone had to make a decision–alight with a faction or be left to the mercy of chaos.

 I hadn’t left my dorm much the past week, slipping in and out of sses like a shadow, working shifts in near silence at the Evermore café. Rowan stopped by every shift with his sunny charm and flowery words. Elias made his presence known with a smirk and a riddle I never asked for. Jaxon hovered, tense and growling at anyone who so much as looked my way, and Cade… Cade remained distant,

 Except for that day when he shattered my walls only to ask for something that hollowed me out.

 Do you think, if I break my leg. I won’t have to go?” I muttered as I sat on the edge of my bed, tugging ab through my

 hair.

 Tessa nced at me from the mirror, already in her gown–sleek, navy, and far more morous than mine. “You could try. But I think Mr. Winters would just have the med team wheel you in with a bow tied around your cast.”

 I gave a weakugh, cing theb down and staring at the dress on the hanger.

 It was simple. Ivory chiffon, sleeveless with a modest neckline and a hem that brushed just above my knees. I bought it months ago on a whim and left it in the back of my closet.

 “You look very pretty, Tessa said, suddenly behind me. Her hands rested on my shoulders as I stood.

 “You too,” I murmured, offering a faint smile. “Are you ready? Do you already have a faction in mind?”

 “No,” she admitted. “But I’ll be with you. You’re my only friend here.”

 She touched my hand lightly. “Owen will probably choose where the two of us will go. too.”

 -You are both going before me,

 “I know,” she whispered.

 remember?” I muttered. “It’s in alphabetical order. You’ll have to choose first.”

 “Then…” She took a breath, and her eyes grew firm with resolve. “I’ll pick the safest faction.

 When we arrived at the hall, everything felt too much.

 Extravagant chandeliers hung from carved ceilings. Strings of moonlight shimmered through crystal panes. The floor sparkled beneath our feet like freshly fallen snow. And nearly everyone turned toward me the moment I stepped through the grand doors.

 Like prey entering the den, whispers rose like wind through reeds.

 “The still hasn’t chosen, right?

 “I ho do you think the pick

 I heard the’s been avoiding them all she’s ying the hard game.”

 I wanted to scream. I wanted to run back into the night and rip this dress apart 

 But instead, I smiled at no one. I kept any head held high and walked forward with Tessa’s arm looped around mine.

 Everyer of dur ballroom glistened like something out of a fairy tale–but I wasn’t the princess. I was the dragon’s hoard. A coveted parte ating atop the tallest tower.

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 Chapter 43 Ivory Solstice

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 The factions were already stationed in their designated corners: North, South, East, and West. Each one with their banners raised and their Alpha figureheads standing proud. Rowan near the South, fingers tapping his ss of champagne. Elias lounged against the East table, casual and amused. Jaxon stood rigid in the West, his gaze a storm locked on me. And Cade was barely visible, half–shadowed in the North corner, arms folded, silent.

 And I-

 I needed air.

 “I’m going to step outside,” I told Tessa.

 111e with-

 “No,” I interrupted gently. “I just need a moment”

 She nodded, worry in her eyes, but didn’t stop me.

 I stepped past the velvet curtains and onto the terrace, where the night was cool, and the stars dared to blink. My breath came easier out here. I leaned against the railing, gripping it with trembling fingers.

 I wasn’t ready. Not for this. Not for what it meant to be imed or aligned or chosen.

 Before I couldplete the thought, a hand closed gently around my wrist

 I stiffened, spinning around, only toe face to face with Jaxon.

 His eyes were dark, burning, and hungry.

 “You’re choosing me,” he said.

 It wasn’t a question but a </bmand.

 I opened my mouth to tell him off that out of any of the Alphas, he was the one I was least likely to choose.

 But he didn’t give me the chance.

 He took two steps forward, closing the space between us, and ced his rough, possessive hands on either side of my face.

 Then, he began kissing me against the stone wall of the academy.

 I hated it.

 Not because it was harsh or rough or even surprising. But because he kissed me like he had the right. Like I was already his.

 And the worst part was I felt a whisper of warmth bloom inside me.

 Stupid. Stupid bond.

 When he pulled back, his lips brushed against my check, and I could still feel the ghost of his smirk as he said softly, “This is how I make you feel, Arden.”

 I turned my face away, ashamed of the heat in my skin.

 He tilted his head Remember, I’m your first love. No matter how much you fight it. it’s still me.

 He pressed a final kiss to my temple, then walked off, back toward the hall, leaving me standing there like I was made of leftover pieces.

 I wiped my face with the back of my hand and forced myself back into the hall just as the headmaster raised his voice over the gathering crowd.

 Mr. Winters atrod at the grand podium in his silver–trimmed robes, arms open like a benevolent god presiding over

 gurut day

 Wee, students, to this year’s Ivory Solstice,” he began, his voice booming across the ballroom. The night you all

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 Chapter 43 Ivory Solstice

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 officially enter the factions of our system. The foundation of our future governance, of peace and structure, begins with you.”

 Behind him stood four towering columns–each carved with a different emblem, representing the factions. In front of them sat four ss boxes, crystal–clear and glowing faintly from within.

 “The factions are here not to divide,” he continued, “but to connect. Unity in diversity. Coboration through structure. We believe that by choosing the Alpha that resonates with your values, your strengths, and your instincts, we create bnce and peace.

 He gestured to the boxes.

 “You must ce your original badge–your neutral crest–inside one of these. When you do, you will be handed your new badge marked with the symbol of your faction. Choose wisely, for this decision determines the shape of your next two years. How you live. Who you learn beside. And who will protect you”

 My fingers curled around the neutral badge pinned to my chest. The small gold emblem with no mark.

 Names began to be called.

 Owen Alvar.”

 He stepped forward, running his fingers through his dark hair before approaching the boxes. His eyes darted to the East–his home.

 I held my breath.

 He bit his lip before he dropped his badge into the North box.

 A murmur rippled through the crow.

 Owen simply epted his new badge, gave a short nod, and walked back, sitting next to Tessa and me without saying anything.

 Names continued to be called out until it was Tessa’s turn.

 “Tessa Fay.”

 My heart caught in my throat.

 She looked back at me. For a moment, I thought she’d choose South. It was her faction, after all.

 However, she didn’t move toward it.

 She walked to the North as well. just like Owen, and dropped in her badge.

 Why?

 I turned to where Rowan was and saw him appearing bored out of his mind andpletely uninterested.

 She looked at me as she returned, her eyes soft but determined.

 “Trisa_” I whispered.

 She just strailed, reassuring me about a decision I haven’t even made yet.

 More names followed.

 The majority close their original factions, with some strays here and there,

 me was called, I was so sure she’d follow Jason in the West

 But to everyone shock, she walked right past the West and straight to the North

 What the hell is going on.” I whispered to myself, fingers shaking slightly

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 Chapter 43 Ivory Solstice

 I stood still as more names echoed through the room, none of them

 mine

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 I wished it would nevere, but to my dismay, my name was still called.

 Arden Stone.”

 Silence fell, every head turned, and every gazended on me.

 I took one step forward. Then another.

 The hush that fell across the room was deafening. I could feel their eyes, the hundred silent judgments with expectations thick in the air.

 This was the moment they’d all been waiting for

 The girl who hadn’t chosen.

 The girl, they said, was still pure.

 Whispers had floated all week. That I was “holding out.” That I was “ying hard to get For what? For whom?

 That whoever I chose tonight… would im more than just my faction

 They’d im me,

 My heartbeat mmed against my ribs, but I kept walking. I passed rows of students with their fresh faction emblems glowing on their cors. I passed Owen, who looked at me with concern. I passed Tessa, whose brows furrowed gently. I passed Jaxon, arms folded, lips curled with confidence like he already knew what I was about to do.

 The four True Alphas sat at the front like kings waiting for their queen, waiting to see which kingdom I’d hand myself to.

 I reached the boxes, my neutra! badge burning against my chest.

 This choice would seal

 ny fate

 my

 But I didn’te here to be sealed.

 to prove I could do it alone.

 I came here to prove I didn’t need a protector to have worth. I came here to

 My fingers gripped the badge.

 The murmurs started again, and I took a deep breath.

 Then slowly. I pulled the badge from my cor.

 1 held it up for everyone to see.

 And dropped it—not into a box, but onto the polished marble floor.

 dattered like thunder

 “I will not be choosing.” I said, my voice clear

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My trembling hand Ch 43