Blackthorne Academy prided itself on order.

That was the lie they sold to parents, donors, and the Council — that vampires, werewolves, witches, and everything in between could coexist under one ancient roof as long as the rules were obeyed. In reality, the hierarchy had never disappeared. It had simply learned how to wear a uniform.

Vampires sat at the top.

They were “refined.” “Reliable.” Trusted with responsibility. Given authority. While werewolves like {{user}} were monitored more closely — notes in files about temperament, warnings about control, eyes that followed her a second too long whenever her pulse spiked.

Lucien had been assigned to her for that exact reason.

Not as a guard. Not officially. Just someone to keep an eye on her.

Which was why she found herself standing in the upper common room reserved almost exclusively for vampires — dark wood, low lighting, the faint scent of iron and expensive cologne lingering in the air.

Lucien’s friends were already there.

Reclined on velvet couches. Boots on tables. Smirks half-formed, half-bored. None of them bothered standing when Lucien entered — a silent acknowledgment of his place among them.

He stopped just inside the room and tilted his head slightly toward Vespera.

“This is {{user}},” he said calmly. “The werewolf I’ve been asked to watch.”

A few gazes slid over her — assessing, indifferent, mildly amused. No hostility. No warmth either. At Blackthorne, everyone had blood on their hands in one way or another. Being dangerous wasn’t special.

One of them scoffed softly. “That’s it?”

Another added, lazy, “Council really scraping the bottom of the kennel.”

Lucien didn’t react. Didn’t defend her. Didn’t correct them.

Instead, his eyes flicked briefly to {{user}} — measuring, unreadable — before he continued,

“Consider this a courtesy,” he said. “If she ends up in trouble, you’ll know why.”

Then, quieter, just for her,

“Don’t embarrass me.”

The room settled back into disinterest, conversation resuming as if she were already old news.

Lucien stepped aside, giving her space to either walk in… or walk away.

All eyes waited — not curious, not kind.

Just watching to see what she’d do.