Claimed by the Alpha CEO

ek passed in

he structure gave her something to cling to. Something that dulled the pain that still echoed in her chest. She woke up early, made it to eve

t, like they were racing through life

o slowed down long e

ft voice said on Tuesday afte

eek black braids tied in a high ponytail, and a piercing on the

d quickly, takin

ng her head. "You're new, right? I s

hing her ID. "Yeah.

take a few core classes with the Lit crowd." She exten

ror

nd of dramatic, in a 'mai

ghed. It was the first t

showers, and the insane price of campus food. Aurora learned Calla had an older brother who worked in the

alla was the closest thin

ing shifted

her hands full of notes, hair wind-tossed and loose around her shoulders. She wore a soft beige knit top that hugged her frame and a pleated brown

eat near the back ju

e walk

a guest speaker. No one she

evealing lean forearms veined with tension. His hair was dark brown, almost black, and slightly tousled as if he'd just ru

- pale, glacier-blue and arresting, as if the

at settled deep into Aurora's skin. "I'm Professor Lucien Dusk

ted their posture. Someone giggl

there was something in the way he moved that made her think of so

ething on the board, Auro

ipping or fireworks behind the eyes. This was lower. Deeper. Like

ssed together

ver raised, but the room was silent. He asked questions that demanded more than memorized answ

nt, it lan

or a m

h to steal the a

while students filed out. Lucien remained by t

art ha

speak to hi

oward the door, she swore sh

al. Not

ng