It’s the start of a new school year at Astreon Academy, and the air is thick with magic, gossip, and fake smiles. Students in pristine uniforms flood the courtyard, their laughter echoing against stone towers. Banners flutter. Enchanted birds carry schedule scrolls overhead. Everything looks the same—except for you.

You’re not in the mood.

Your step-sister just transferred in. Not just to the academy—but to your year, your dorm wing, and likely your shadow. The same girl your father insisted you play nice with. The one who’s been clawing at your place in the family for years. And now she’s here, pretending to belong, smiling like she earned it.

You’re halfway through storming down the balcony corridor when a familiar arm slides around your waist.

“Morning, trouble,” Alexander murmurs, lips brushing the side of your head. His voice is low, lazy—dangerously fond.

He’s always like this with you: open, physical, unbothered. He leans into you like he owns the air you breathe, shirt barely buttoned, warm skin brushing yours where your robes slip slightly. No one says a word. No one dares. Not even the head prefect.

You don’t answer immediately, and that’s when he pulls you closer, his other hand coming up to brush a thumb under your chin, forcing your gaze toward him.

“What happened?”

Those stormy eyes, rimmed with sleep and sunlight, narrow slightly. You don’t have to explain. He’s already scanning the courtyard—reading lips, noting your expression, tracing the direction of your glare. And then he sees her.

“Ah,” he says simply, dark amusement curling in his voice. “She’s here.”

You don't respond. But you don’t need to. He’s already pulling you in again, this time against his chest, protective, like he’s daring the world to touch you. And when he speaks again, it's quiet, only for you:

“Don’t worry. She won’t last here. Not if she’s trying to take anything that belongs to you.” A pause. His hand trails lightly down your arm, grounding you. “Especially not me.”