After the asshole brothers left, I reflected on the day's event, realizing that my only chance to get into the trails had been cruely taken away from me. I was alone in the girls' restroom, cradling the shredded remains of my paper as tears slipped down my face.
The worst part was that participants were limited to one form. I couldn't ask for another.
I tossed the paper into the toilet and flushed, watching my dreams and my dad's flush away. The trials were the one thing I thought I could control since everything in my life never went how I wanted. It was the one thing that felt right, and Astrid and her minions just took it away from me.
As I wiped my tears, dad's words echoed through the walls of my mind, like a reminder. A wave of determination surged through me as I clenched my fists, feeling my rage searing beneath my skin.
This was unfair, but I couldn't give up just like that. I'd come this far. I couldn't let them win.
Storming out of the bathroom, Mira pushed back from the wall, her expression concerned. She'd be waiting outside, knowing to leave me alone so I could feel all my emotions.
"How do you feel now?" she asked softly, as she watched me closely.
"I'm going to the Chacellor's office to get another form."
Her brows furrowed, as if conflicting if this was really a good idea, but then she relaxed, a smile creasing her lips. "You're not going to give up that easily, huh?"
"Not a chance," I said, feeling less like shit like I did few minutes ago.
"I'm backing you. Let's go."
We stomped through the hallways, my determination leading the way until we got to the Chancellor's office. I knocked, and then we both let ourselves in.
The Chancellor was seated on his desk, his face stoic and devoid of any expression as he stared at us through the rim of his thin glasses.
Immediately, his eyes landed on me, and a familiar look of disdain flashed through his eyes. I ignored it. I'd seen that look on too many faces, and I was starting to grow tired of it.
"Dahlia, and…" he spoke, his tone dismissive. Of course, he knew my name; everyone did.
He shifted his gaze to Mira, and she answered.
"Mira."
"What can I help you with?" he leaned back in his leather swivel chair, crossing his arms on his desk.
"I have a complaint," I spoke out, my voice shaky. I was nervous, not sure if this meeting would turn out the way I wanted, but I had high hopes.
"Take your seats. I'm listening," he said, signaling to the seats in front of his desk. We sat, my spine straightening as I gathered the courage to speak.
I told him everything, from my enthusiasm to get into the trials to Astrid ripping it into shreds and making me chew on it. He wasn't shaken, like the notion of his students bullying in the most violent ways was a normal occasion.
"I know it's not allowed, but I need another chance to register," I said.
He released a deep sigh and cast his gaze downward. "I'm afraid I can't do that."
My heart sank. "What?"
When he looked up, I saw the lack of empathy in his eyes. "A participant is only given one chance to register. It's against the rules."
"Yeah, and so is bullying," Mira snapped, earning a cold stare from him, but that didn't stop her. "We were both beaten to pulp just so she wouldn't get into the trials. You'll obviously sweep this bullying case under the rug, but grant her the chance to register again."
I nodded frantically, agreeing with Mira. "Yes, please." I leaned closer to his desk as I rubbed my sweaty palms on my lap.
His cold gaze shifted to me, making me feel uneasy. "I can't do anything about it. You both can leave if you don't have anything else to say."
My gut wrenched as I felt myself on the brink of tears. I stood up abruptly, my fingers pressing into his desk.
"Please, Chancellor Magnus. This isn't fair! I deserve this more than anyone does." My voice raised to a decibel, my words choked. 'Why do I have to be the one to deal with this, when my bullies go free?"
His nostrils flared as his gaze hardened. "I won't deal with your tantrums. Leave my office."
Anger suddenly coursed through my veins as the muscles in my jaw ticked. I was so close to unleashing the words that teetered on the tip of my tongue. My eyes drifted to the minuscule golden statue of a wolf's head perched on his desk, my fingers itching to grab onto it and bash it into his skull until he gave in.
Suddenly, the door opened, and a deep silence hung in the air. I turned to see who had walked in without even bothering to knock. My eyes widened as my breath hitched in my throat.
What the hell!
"Riven?" Mira's startled tone mirrored my shocked expression. A rush of negative memories flooded my mind, rendering me lightheaded.
Riven strode in, his eyes holding mine in a manner that sent chills down my spine.
How could it be? Why was he here?
I recalled the harsh words he'd spat out at me as I knelt in the grass under the roaring rain. The girl I'd caught him cheating on me with stood, latched to his arm. His mate.
Yes, Riven was my ex.
He'd been gone for so long, after the tragic events that led to his mate's death. Now he was here. Why?
"Mister Riven," Chancellor Magnus's voice echoed, piercing through the tension in the air. "What a surprise to see you here."
Riven ignored him and walked to his desk, standing so close to me that I could feel his body's warmth radiating through me. It wasn't comforting or warming like I'd remember in the past; it was scalding, licking at my skin like ferocious flames.
"Spare me the pleasantries." His deep voice sent a rumble to my chest. "I'm here for something."
"And what's that?"
"Give Dahlia the chance to register for the trials."
The world stopped spinning. My eyes widened as I looked at him, but he never returned the gaze.
What the hell was happening?
"And why should I do that? You know it's against the rules, right?" The Chancellor's voice was smug and irritated, like we were wasting every bit of his time.
"Because I know how much it means to her."
My heart wrenched as I stared at Riven through furrowed brows.
"And why do I have to take your word for it?"
Riven leaned into his desk, his palms resting against the surface as his gaze narrowed.
"Because you don't have a fucking choice," he growled and it sent a rush of heat to my stomach. "Remember who put you in this seat."
It made sense that Riven was trying to intimidate and assert power over the Chacellor. After all, he was the son of the Beta, Caius Valehart. He was spoiled, rich, and had people wrapped around his finger.
But what he was doing here didn't make any sense to me, or why he was trying to help me. I didn't question him about it yet. All I cared about right now was getting to register in the trials, even if it had to be a cheating ex pulling the strings.
The Chancellor, seeing he didn't have the upper hand in this, begrudgingly reached under his desk and brought out a paper. He passed it to me roughly, almost slipping to the ground if I hadn't caught it quickly. I scanned the form, and my heart flipped in my chest.
This was really happening.
I wasted no time in filling out the contents of the form. When I was done, I handed it over to the Chancellor, who nearly snatched it out of my grasp. I watched as he placed it into a file while I held my breath.
"It's done," The chancellor said with a sigh, clearly annoyed that we'd won.
After we were dismissed, as we stood at the door, the whole situation came to register in my mind.
Riven is back.
He was already about to walk away when I called out his name. He froze, listening.
"Thank you," I muttered, feeling my throat closing in. He still hadn't looked at me yet. "Why did you help me?"
"Because I know how much you wanted it."
Immediately he said those words, he met my gaze, and warmth rushed through my heart.
He was still as handsome as I remembered. Now sporting a shorter dark hair that framed his face and brought out his hazel eyes, he was way hotter. He was more muscular now, because I could see his muscles and abs peeking from beneath his shirt.
I'd forgotten how hot he is, or maybe I just failed to acknowledge it. Things had changed after what happened between us. That spark had gone. It almost felt impossible to get over him, and I always thought that the day I'd see him, I would lose myself and break down. But here I was, unfazed and standing strong.
I held his gaze. "Why did you come back?"
He looked away and mumbled, "Goodbye, Dahlia," then walked away, leaving my question hanging in the air.
Mira cleared her throat, grabbing my attention as I turned to her.
"That was weird," she said.
"Tell me about it." I sighed as I rubbed my temples. My shoulders slumped as the day's exhaustion weighed heavy on me.
"He seemed different, though," Mira let out, earning a raised brow reaction from me.
"In what sense?"
"He looked like he was head over heels for you," she muttered, as if trying to believe her words.
"No way. He cheated on me," I retorted, but something stirred in my gut, a feeling I couldn't explain. I let myself not think about it anymore.
My phone suddenly beeped in my pocket. I took it out and stared at the text on my screen.
'Crimsonfang Heights, Thornvalle Tower'
'Get your ass here. Don't be late, or we'll come get you ourselves, and trust me, we won't be gentle.'
I released an exasperated sigh. Could this day get any more exhausting?