Forbidden Mate Legacy

Three months later

That was how long Amelia had been enduring the relentless trials of the Academy. Three months of exhaustion, bruises, and sleepless nights. Three months of fighting–both in battle and in politics. She had learned quickly that the Academy wasn't just about physical strength, it was about alliances, strategy, and knowing who to trust.

And trust was a fragile thing.

She sat on a chair, staring at her reflection in the mirror. The girl looking back at her was not the same girl who had arrived months ago. Her skin, once untouched by war, bore faint scars from battles of the trials fought. Her muscles were more defined, her posture more straight, her presence sharper. But the biggest change was her eyes.

Her night vision had sharpened unnaturally. At first, she thought it was her imagination–tricks of the moonlight, exhaustion playing with her mind. But after weeks of testing it, she knew it was real. She could see in the dark with startling clarity, able to pick up details others couldn't. It unnerved her. Was this the first real sign of her wolf bloodline awakening?

She had told no one.

Not Serah, not Marcus, Not Eryk, not even Kael. If Kael knew, he hadn't said anything. But she caught the way he watched her sometimes, as if waiting for something to happen. It made her uneasy.

Kael. 

His presence lingered in her thoughts far too often. He had kept his distance. They worked together when necessary, kept their truce intact, and even shared moments of understanding. But beneath it all, there was something unspoken. A tension neither of them addressed.

And then there was Velora.

Amelia's fingers curled into fists at the thought of her.

Velora had been added to their dormitory two months ago, and from the moment she arrived, she had made her intentions clear–she wanted Kael though already betrothed.

She draped herself over him at every opportunity, her fingers brushing his arms, her voice laced with honeyed words. She laughed at his every remark, even when they weren't meant to be amusing. She stared at him like he was something to be conquered.

And Kael? He gave her nothing.

No encouragement, no rejection. Just a polite nod here, a brief reply there.

Amelia told herself she didn't care.

She told herself it didn't matter.

But every time she watched Velora shamelessly throw herself at Kael, something in her burned with irritation. She wasn't jealous, she assured herself. It was simply….annoyance.

Right?

She exhaled sharply and stood, pushing those thoughts aside.

Today was another day of trials, another day of proving herself. There was no time for unnecessary distractions.

Amelia stood among the other competitors, stretching her muscles, preparing for the grueling exercise ahead. The training grounds were buzzing with activity. She could hear the murmurs of her fellow trainees, their exhaustion matching her own.

"Three months of this hell," Rael muttered beside her, rolling his shoulders. " They are trying to kill us."

"They are," Eryk replied with a smirk. "Survival of the fittest."

Amelia smiled, she used to their unnecessary conversations they have all the time. Her gaze flickered towards the other side of the grounds. Kael was there, standing. Velora was beside him, talking animatedly about something.

Her stomach twisted. She forced herself to look away.

"Are you even listening, Princess?" Marcus nudged her shoulder.

She blinked. "What?"

Serah gave her a knowing look. "You've been staring at him a lot lately."

"I have not."

Rael grinned. "Oh, you definitely have. And not in the 'I want to stab you' way. More like the 'I don't know whether to strangle you or kiss you' way"

Amelia glared. "I will stab you if you keep talking."

Rael held up his hands in surrender, laughing.

Eryk, who had been silent, suddenly spoke. "Be careful, Princess."

She frowned. "Of what?"

His gaze was serious. "Kael is dangerous, but Velora? She's worse. Witches don't play fair."

Amelia knew that. But what could Velora possibly do?

*****

By midday, exhaustion weighed on her body. The trials had been brutal, pushing them all to their limit. Sweat clung on her skin as she wiped her face with a wet piece of cloth, glancing around.

Kael was nearby, standing tall and composed despite the strenuous training. His gaze on her briefly before shifting away.

Velora noticed.

She moved closer to him, brushing against his arm as she spoke, her voice sickeningly sweet. "You barely look tired, Your Highness. It's impressive."

Kael said. "Endurance is expected."

Velora giggled, tilting her head. "Well, I think it's more than that. You're–"

"I think you should step back." The words left Amelia's lips before she could stop them.

Velora turned to her, her lips curving into a sly smirk. "Oh? And why is that?"

Amelia met her eyes, unflinching. "Because you're embarrassing yourself."

A sharp silence followed.

Serah let out a quite snicker. Rael whistled under his breath.

Velora's expression darkened, but before she could reply, Kael spoke.

"Enough!." His voice is calm but firm. He glanced at Velora. "Go"

Velora hesitated, then with a huff, walked away.

Amelia exhaled slowly, her heart pounding. She hadn't meant to intervene. She had no reason to.

Kael stepped closer, his gaze searching hers. "Why do you care?"

She lifted her head high. "I don't"

A ghost of a smirk touched his lips. " Liar, were you perhaps jealous?"

She scowled. "Go to hell."

Kael chuckled, turning away. "Already there, Little flame."

Amelia realized as more time passed, Kael wasn't just an enemy anymore. And that terrified her.