Chapter 91: A Real Partner

Adeline’s pov~

"I don’t mind if you use me, Adeline," Keiran whispered, his gaze dropping to the exposed line of my collarbone before lingering on my mouth. "In fact, you can use me however you like. You can even use me to make anyone in this room jealous."

His heavy gaze flicked past my cheek, landing directly on the back of Lucas and Logan’s heads sitting a row below us. The implication was crystal clear. He was offering himself as a weapon, a shield, or a pawn, telling me to lean into his royal shadow just to spite the very people who took pleasure in stepping on me.

"No," I replied, my voice dropping into a firm, stern tone as I held his gaze. "Do you honestly think I have such bad taste in men? Of course not."

A slow, genuine smile spread across Keiran’s face, softening the harsh, lethal angles of his features into something breathtakingly handsome. It was a dangerous look on him.

"Good then," he said softly, with an approving look. "I’m glad to hear that. But if you ever want me... then know that I am always here for you. You can use my name for anything you want, in any room you walk into, and I will always have your back, Adeline. Without a single question."

I stared at him, my mind completely short-circuiting. The fierce, unyielding sincerity in his voice felt like a total contradiction to everything I knew about the royal hierarchy.

Highborns didn’t offer protection without demanding blood in return. Princes didn’t offer their names to wolfless, scentless nobodies like me out of the goodness of their hearts.

I let out a soft, cautious smile, my eyes searching his face for the inevitable trap.

"Why?" I asked softly.

Keiran raised one dark, elegant eyebrow. "Why what?"

"I mean... why?" I repeated, leaning in just an inch closer so my quiet voice wouldn’t carry across the desks. "Why would a Royal Prince let me use him? Why would you hand me your title, your name, and your power just to let me get whatever I want?"

"Because I would rather be used by you than watch you get destroyed by anyone else," he whispered, his voice deep, calm, absolute as his eyes held mine. "So do it, Adeline. Use me."

I bit my inner cheek, forcing a faint, guarded smile to my face as I tried to swallow down the sudden, betraying heat creeping up my neck.

My stomach did a violent, dizzying flip at his absolute, terrifying words. Rather be used by me than watch me be destroyed? What kind of twisted, dangerous devotion was that?

Keiran stood up casually. He gave me one last smile, a subtle, secret thing meant only for me, before turning away and walking back toward his usual seat at the top of the hall.

I watched his broad shoulders retreat. As he reached his usual spot, the other three Lycan Princes, Raven, Zyran, and Blake, shifted their heavy gazes toward me. It lasted for only a blink, a split second of suffocating, collective focus, before they turned away as if nothing had happened.

A moment later, the doors opened and Professor Ethan, a stern Highborn Alpha, walked in to begin the lecture.

For the next two hours, I sat in a total haze. Words blurred together on the chalkboard, my mind constantly spiralling back to the dark room with Zyran, the teasing warnings from Blake, and the absolute, dangerous offer from Keiran. How was I supposed to survive in this place when all four royal lycan were closing in on me from every angle?

"Alright," Professor Ethan’s loud voice cut through my thoughts, snapping me back to reality as he prepared to leave. "Before you leave, remember that the academy will be entering its mid-term break starting next week. Use your days off wisely."

A collective murmur of excitement rippled through the classroom. Days off meant freedom for most. For me, it just meant more time exposed, without the structured safety of crowded lecture halls.

"Finally!" Sierra cheered under her breath, grabbing her bag.

We packed our things and stepped out into the bustling, sunlit corridor. Sierra immediately fell into step beside me, her voice buzzing with excitement as she launched straight into her favourite topic.

"You are going on this date, Adeline!" Sierra gushed loudly, totally ignoring my tense silence as she babbled away about romance and relationships. "He is extremely handsome, he’s hot, and honestly... if you get even a single thought about losing your V-card after spending some time with him, don’t waste time! Just make the first move!"

My face flushed hot, and I immediately grabbed the sleeve of her uniform coat, tugging her closer to silence her before the passing Alphas heard her loud mouth. "Sierra, Shh! Will you keep your voice down?! Are you trying to advertise my life to the entire hallway?!"

"I’m just being real!" she laughed, completely unbothered by my embarrassment. "I am so, so excited for your date!"

I stopped walking, turning to face her with a weary sigh. "Sierra... I am telling you, this isn’t going to work. Why are you pushing this so hard?"

Sierra’s playful expression softened, replaced by a look of genuine, protective affection as she grabbed both my hands. "Because it’s time, Adeline. It’s time for you to stop hiding under that hoodie. It’s time to find a real partner, enjoy your life, and yes, lose your V-card to someone who will treat you right! Besides, Adrian is actually a really nice guy—"

"Sierra?"

A deep, smooth male voice called out from further down the hallway, cutting her off mid-sentence.

Sierra’s eyes lit up instantly. "Kai!"

She let go of my hands and hurried forward as two tall, powerful Alphas walked toward us from the opposite direction. She practically flew past me, throwing her arms around a tall, broad-shouldered guy with dark hair and a warm smile. He caught her easily, wrapping his arms around her waist with a soft chuckle.

So... that’s her boyfriend. Kai Vane, the future Alpha of the Silvercrest pack.

My gaze naturally shifted to the man standing right beside him, and my breath hitched slightly. His sharp, golden eyes were already locked straight onto me, studying me with an intense, quiet curiosity. He wore his black academy uniform immaculately, his dark hair brushed back with clean precision.

So that is Adrian Wolfe. The future Alpha of the Mooncrest pack.

"Adeline, come here!" Sierra called out excitedly, wrapping her arm tightly around my shoulders as I walked up to them. "Let me introduce you guys! Adeline... this is my boyfriend, Kai Vane. And this is Adrian Thorn. And guys... this is Adeline, my absolute best friend."

I kept my chin up, offering a polite, reserved smile with a small nod of my head, deliberately keeping my hands tucked tightly inside my oversized hoodie pockets. I didn’t dare extend a hand. A scentless orphan extending a hand to highborn alphas was usually seen as an insult.

"Nice meeting you both," I said softly.

"Hi, Adeline," Adrian said, his voice smooth, respectful, and rich. A soft, genuine smile curved his lips as he stepped forward and extended his right hand toward me for a handshake. "It’s really nice to finally meet you."