<h4>Chapter 77: The Surpise at the Mansion</h4>


    <strong>Evaline:</strong>


    I shifted on my feet, watching the sun filter through the tall windows of the greenhouse ssroom. A strange sensation was making my chest feel heavier - prideced with hesitation.


    "You are going to make a lot of people ufortable with this power, Evaline," Professor Kieran added.


    I already was.


    "I want to choose the ss Keeper myself," I said quietly after I finally epted his decision.


    His head lifted slightly and his dark green eyes focused on me. I didn’t flinch. "You do?"


    "Yes." Iced my fingers together, trying not to fidget. "If I’m to lead this ss, I need someone I trust beside me. Someone reliable. Someone I know will always do the right thing."


    He leaned back against the desk and arched a brow. "And your choice?"


    I didn’t hesitate as I dropped the name. "Kyros."


    As soon as the name left my lips, I saw something shift in Kieran’s expression - a twitch of approval.


    "Kyros," he repeated, as though tasting the name. "Top scorer after you in the entrance exams. Alpha-blooded, clean record, sharp instincts. Loyal. Good choice."


    I allowed myself a small breath of relief. "He’s also one of my friends. I trust him."


    He folded his arms over his chest. "I see no reason to object. Inform him yourself, he should hear it from you before the professors make it official."


    I nodded quickly. "Thank you, sir."


    He inclined his head, and I didn’t wait around long enough to invite further questions. The truth was, his approval made my chest tighten more than it should have. I couldn’t afford to think about how strange and careful his attention was bing.


    I hurried down the marble hallway toward my next ss, letting my feet carry me faster than my mind. My thoughts were a whirlwind - about Kyros, about my new role, about this entire idea of me going to the mansion.


    When I stepped into the ssroom, Mallory waved me over to the desk in third row, and Ria gave me her usual grin from beside her. Kyros had his arms crossed on the desk, head tilted, as if he already knew something wasing.


    "Took you long enough," Mallory whispered as I slid into my seat. "What did he want?"


    I exhaled slowly. "It’s...plicated. He offered me a position."


    Their eyes widened.


    "ss President," I said. "Effective immediately. And Kyros," I nced toward him, "will be the ss Keeper."


    Kyros blinked. "Wait, what?"


    I smiled and leaned forward to whisper, "I asked for you. I wanted someone I trust."


    For a moment, his expression went perfectly still, then softened into something rare - genuine, quiet pride. "Thanks, Eva. I’ll do my best."


    "You better," I teased.


    Mallory gaped. "You are President? Of Year One? Eva, that’s... Goddess, that’s huge."


    Ria elbowed her as she spoke, "Well deserved, if you ask me."


    I smiled softly at her, feeling my heart easing just a little. "It’s... a lot. But I’ll manage."


    The bell rang before we could talk more, and our focus shifted to lectures and note-taking. After lunch, we filed into History and Politics ss as the midday sun castzy shadows across the desks. I felt the shift in the air even before the professor spoke.


    Professor Elira walked to the front with slow, deliberate steps. She was younger than most, but her voicemanded the room with ease. She ced a folder on her desk before turning to survey the ss.


    "Before we begin," she said, "a quick announcement."


    I sat straighter, my heart skipping a beat as I prepared for what wasing.


    "With the full agreement of the Academy Council and all Year One professors, we are instating two student roles this term. Your ss President will be Miss Evaline."


    There were audible gasps. A few people whispered, and not kindly.


    "And your ss Keeper will be Mr. Kyros Graves."


    More whispers.


    Someone from the back scoffed. "Why her?"


    I turned slowly. It was Marcus - always loud, always arrogant. Professor Elira’s gaze cut toward him with deadly precision.


    "You want to know why?" Her voice was calm, but sharp. "Miss Evaline ranked first in the entrance examination - the same one where you ced thirty-second, Mr. Bane."


    There were some chuckles and Marcus looked thoroughly embarrassed.


    Professor Elira continued, "Miss Evaline is consistently top of the ss in every subject. She shows discipline, attentiveness, and initiative. She has answered more questions in this ss alone than half of youbined."


    That shut everyone up.


    "She is also an intern at the Council... the youngest we have seen in a century," the professor finished, smoothing out her clothes. "So, unless any of you haveparable qualifications, I suggest you hold your tongues."


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    I lowered my gaze, feeling heat rise to my cheeks. Not from embarrassment, but from pressure. Every single word of praise felt like a spotlight. I didn’t like it. But at least it kept the doubters quiet.


    The rest of the day passed in a blur of congrattions from some and res from others. When the final bell rang, I packed my bag quickly and slipped out of ss.


    I had to meet Professor Kieran, but I had no ns of going alone.


    I found Mallory by the lockers, and she tilted her head when she saw my expression. "What now?"


    "You areing with me," I said, grabbing her hand.


    She blinked. "To...?"


    "The mansion."


    Her mouth fell open. "What mansion? You can’t be talking about <i>that mansion</i>!"


    I nodded. "Professor Kieran is taking me there to grab some reports. I figured... maybe it would be easier if you came too."


    Her eyes flicked between excitement and sheer panic. "I... should I be excited or terrified?"


    "Both," I muttered.


    We arrived at the Academy’s front gate just as Kieran pulled up in a sleek ck car. The engine was purring like a beast, and the windows were tinted dark.


    When he stepped out, his expression flickered slightly upon seeing Mallory at my side.


    "She’s with me," I said before he could speak.


    His unreadable gaze lingered on her a moment longer before he nodded once. "Fine. Get in."


    Mallory clutched my arm as we slid into the back seat. "For the very first time, he smells dangerous." She whispered.


    "He is dangerous," I whispered back.


    As the car sped through the forest road, I stared out the window. A whileter, the trees started thinning, revealing the towering gates of the mansion. Even now, after everything, the sight of it still gave me chills.


    The gates opened slowly, revealing a wide stone path lined with manicured bushes and fountains. The mansion was looming ahead like a fortress, majestic and cold.


    Mallory pressed her face to the ss. "This ce looks like a fairytale."


    "Not the good kind," I murmured before I could stop myself.


    When we stepped out, a few servants milling near the entrance paused. Their eyes locked on my Academy uniform, then flicked to Kieran, then back to me. They recognized me immediately.


    They knew who I was. They remembered. And they were looking ufortable.


    My gaze thennded on a very familiar face, Sera. She was standing by the doorway, watching us. Her lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say something. But Kieran’s presence silenced her. One look from him, and she lowered her gaze, stepping aside.


    I nced at Mallory who was too busy gaping at the sheer luxury around us to notice anything. Good. She didn’t need to know what I used to be.


    I wasn’t ashamed of the work I had done, I was ashamed of the memories. Of how powerless I used to be in these halls. And most importantly, I couldn’t bring myself to exin my twisted rtion with the Rogue Alphas.


    Professor Kieran led us through the grand corridor, past rooms I had once cleaned.


    We rounded a corner toward the west wing when the air shifted.


    A man was standing at the far end of the hallway. Broad shoulders. Dark brown hair that they almost looked ck in shadows, just like his eyes. And though I have seen him only once before this, I recognized him instantly.


    Jasper.


    He was River’s second-inmand. His Beta. And the same man who caught me during my run and brought me here to present to his Alpha.


    My pulse quickened.


    But he wasn’t looking at me.


    His gaze had locked onto Mallory.


    And in that instant, the entire world seemed to still.


    His chest rose sharply, like he had been punched in the gut. Mallory blinked up at him, confused, unsure why the stranger looked like the ground beneath him had cracked open.


    "Who-?" she started, but he stepped forward, slowly, like a predator stalking prey.


    His voice came low and ragged.


    "Mine."


    Mallory froze.


    So did I.


    And somewhere deep in my chest, I knew... everything had just changed.