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I snapped my head in his direction, though I could barely see in the darkness. “I do not.”

“You do, and it’s loud. I need my beauty rest and all. These wings don’t stay this gorgeous on their own.”

“Please,” I scoffed. “I’ve barely seen you sleeping the entire time we’ve been here. You’ll be fine.”

“Again, it’s your snoring.”

I turned, propping myself up on my elbow and facing him. “One, I don’t snore. Two, if you have a problem with my alleged snoring, you’re welcome to sleep elsewhere. I’m certainly not begging you to stay.”

Wolf mimicked my position, turning and resting his chin on his hand. In the dark shadows, his eyes lit up, almost glowing. Iwatched as his face slowly morphed, exposing his perfect white teeth in a massive, arrogant smile.

“What are you smiling at?” I pushed.

“Nothing,” he replied. “Just imagining you begging. It’s quite a vision.”

“Ugh!” I fell back onto my pillow, ripping my gaze from him. “You’re infuriating! Why did Maekus have to be the one to die and not you?”

“Careful, Huntress,” he cooed. Even though I turned away, I felt his eyes lingering. “You’re being rude again.”

“I’m allowed to be rude,” I sighed. “I’ve had a long day.”

“What’s wrong? Is Moira Seminary not the luxurious escape from the slums you thought it would be?” he taunted.

I didn’t have to look to know that his annoying smirk splayed proudly across his face.

“I never expected this academy to be luxurious. I also didn’t expect to be pummeled by one of the largest fae here on my first day of combat training, but that’s beside the point.”

Wolf huffed. “You’re letting him get to you.”

I turned my head in his direction. “He killed Maekus today. He used his natural magic to suffocate him before slitting his throat. I knew this academy would be dangerous, but Ryder’s a problem that needs to be handled.”

“He’ll never make it into The Golden City, and if you would’ve stopped him like you wanted to earlier today, you would be dead, too.” He laughed to himself. “By the look on your face, I thought for certain Ryder was going to get a glimpse of the violent huntress.”

“You were watching me?” My eyes widened.

Now it was Wolf’s turn to fall backward and stare at the ceiling. The moonlight trickled through the small window, illuminating a path from his dark, messy hair tucked behind his ears to the sculpted muscles of his bare chest.

“Of course I was watching you. I couldn’t look away for a moment, even if I tried.” My cheeks heated before he continued. “It’s quite embarrassing, the way you let Ryder antagonize you. The way you pretend you can’t fight during our trainings only to let that weak male believe he’s helping you. You haven’t managed to summon a single ounce of natural magic yet, which would be somewhat understandable if it weren’t for the entire class already learning the basics. I’m beginning to wonder if you ever really planned on surviving this academy to begin with.”

Wolf kept his gaze glued to the ceiling while he casually hurled his insults.

I was glad his attention wasn’t on me, though. I didn’t want him to see my mouth falling agape as his words landed.

“Iwillsurvive this academy,” I replied, voice soft. “We’ve only been learning how to use magic for a couple of days. I’ll catch up soon. And standing up to Ryder is only going to put attention on me.”

I felt his gaze fall on me then. “You think I’m the only one watching you? I hate to break it to you, buteveryone’sattention is on you. Especially the males.”

Chills arose on my arms at the way his voice lowered, vibrating through the air in those last few words.

“Why do you even care? Why don’t you worry about yourself and leave me to do the same?”

I turned in time to see his blue eyes twinkle in the darkness. “I’m invested now. I’d be much too bored here without you chaotically spiraling through this academy.”

“I’m glad my chaos entertains you, but I don’t need an audience.” I turned my body toward the wall and pulled my thin pillow beneath my head.

A few minutes passed in silence, and I thought Wolf might have drifted back to sleep. I let my eyes flutter closed before he whispered, “Sweet dreams, Huntress.”

I said nothing in return.