Chapter 59: Mistake - Riven's POV

We thanked Mr. Cross quickly and rushed out of his classroom, practically running to my car after grabbing our bags. My hands were shaking as I unlocked it.

“Why would he call us early?” Callista asked as we climbed in and threw our bags in the bag. “We had two more days.”

“I don’t know.” I started the engine, pulling out of the parking lot faster than I should have. “Maybe he changed his mind or he’s giving us less time to think about it.”

“Do you think our parents called the Academy to let them know we won’t be in the next class?” She asked, looking back at the school in the distance.

“They’ll handle it,” I whispered.

She shook her head as she turned around. Something was on her mind and she wasn’t saying. After several seconds of silence, I couldn’t take it anymore.

“Say it.”

“What?” She asked, glancing at me. “Say what?”

“Say what is on your mind,” I murmured, my voice low.

“What if he knows that we’re digging into the history of Alpha Kings? Mr. Cross changed lesson plans too. If he has spies at the Academy—”

“Then he knows we’ve been asking questions.” My jaw clenched. “Which would explain why he moved up the timeline. He doesn’t want us to learn too much.”

The drive home felt like it took forever, though it wasn’t any longer than usual. Both sets of parents were waiting on the front porch when we pulled up, their expressions far too grim for my liking.

“What happened?” I asked as soon as I parked and stepped out of the car. “Why did he call us early?”

“He wants your answer today,” my father said, his voice rough. “He is demanding that you come to the mansion within the hour to give him your decision in person.”

“An hour?” Callista’s voice was tight as she glanced at my father. “That’s not enough time—”

“It’s a power play,” her father said. “He’s testing you to see if you’ll jump when he says jump. You have to decide now how you’re going to respond to it.”

“What choice do we even have?” I asked, the words tasting bitter. “If we don’t go, he’ll take it as a refusal and our packs could pay the price.”

My mother nodded. “It’s true.”

Luna Monroe looked at Callista, her expression pained and filled with anguish. “Are you sure about this? Once you walk into that mansion, there might not be—”

“Mom, we’ve already decided,” Callista interrupted. “This doesn’t change anything, because we are accepting.”

"Then we're all going," my father said firmly. "If we’re a united front, then he can’t argue with that.”

"Actually, he can," Alpha Monroe said, pulling out his phone. "He specifically said just Riven and Callista. No parents. No pack members. Just the two of them."

The demon stirred, amused.

Isolating you already, it whispered. Smart.

I ignored it. "Fine. We'll go alone."

"Absolutely not—" Luna Monroe started.

"We don't have a choice," I cut her off, more sharply than I intended. "He's the Alpha King. He sets the terms and if those terms are just us, then that's what we do. Who are you to argue with him?”

My father's eyes narrowed at my tone, but he didn't argue.

"At least take your phones," my mother said. "Keep them on you at all times. If anything feels wrong—"

"We'll call," Callista promised.

We had less than an hour to drive to the mansion. I glanced at Callista and we realized we had to go now.

We both slipped back into the car and were out the driveway in a few seconds. I waited until we were down the road before I spoke again.

“Are you ready?”

“No, but it looks like we’re going, anyway,” she said, her fingers twisting together in her lap.

"Are you scared?" She asked quietly.

"Terrified," I admitted. "But also... I don't know. Ready? Like once we do this, at least we'll know what we're dealing with."

“Is your demon quiet?” She asked, glancing my way.

“No, he’s amused.” Though he had only said a few words, he was entirely too smug in the back of my mind. “He’s waiting for whatever happens next.”

It wasn’t long before the mansion came into view. It was massive and imposing as always against the afternoon sky. Guards stood at the gates, and when they saw my car approaching, they opened them without a word.

That told me the Alpha King had been expecting us. He knew we’d come.

I parked in the circular driveway, and we sat there for a moment, neither of us moving.

"Together," Callista said, reaching for my hand.

"Together," I agreed.

We got out of the car just as the front doors opened. Beta Kensley stood there, her expression neutral.

“Mr. Nightshade. Miss Monroe,” she said with a grim smile. “The Alpha King is waiting for you in his study. This way.”

We walked through the entrance, our footsteps echoing on the marble floor. Everything felt different this time, but that was probably because we came alone. Beta Kensley led us up a wide staircase and down a long hallway lined with portraits of the previous kings. I remembered this path, but I wouldn’t have known to take it because I had been too distracted last time.

She stopped at a heavy wooden door and knocked once.

“Enter,” the Alpha King’s voice called out from within.

Beta Kensley opened the door and stepped aside. "I'll be right outside if you need anything."

The way she said it made it sound like a warning. Callista and I exchanged a glance, then stepped into the study.

The Alpha King sat behind a massive desk, papers spread out before him. He looked up as we entered, his expression pleased.

"Ah, Mr. Nightshade. Miss Monroe. Thank you for coming on such short notice." He gestured to the chairs across from his desk. "Please sit."

We sat, and I forced myself to meet his gaze steadily.

“I apologize for moving up our timeline,” he continued, “but circumstances have accelerated. I find that I need your answer sooner than anticipated.”

“Why?” Callista asked, getting straight to the point. Her voice was calm, though I could feel tension radiating through our mate bond. “Why would you need it now?”

“Information has a way of…spreading and I prefer to keep matters contained,” he said, his gaze flicking to mine. “I assume you’ve already made your decision?”

This was it. This was the moment that would change everything.

I took a breath. "We have. We're accepting your offer.”

The Alpha King smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “This is excellent news. I’m pleased to hear that.” He stood, moving around his desk. “However, there are some conditions we need to discuss before we make this official.”

"What kind of conditions?" I asked, already not liking where this was going.

“For starters, you all need to move here. Today, in fact.” He clasped his hands behind his back as he looked at me. “I’ve already prepared two rooms for you right next to each other. We must maintain some propriety, even with Moon Marked mates."

"Separate rooms?" Callista repeated. “You’re worried about propriety when you’ve just asked us to move to the mansion.”

"Yes. You're both quite young, and while I understand the mate bond is strong, I believe some boundaries are appropriate." His smile turned sharper. "Unless you'd prefer to share accommodations? We don’t have to tell your parents.”

This was a test. No, a trap. If we insisted on staying together, then we’d look immature and unable to control ourselves. But if we agreed to separate rooms, though next door to each other, then we could be isolated and easier to control.

"Separate rooms are fine," I said, keeping my voice level. "That’s what we have at my parents’, so we understand."

The demon finally stirred, displeased and thrashing. But his words were what set me on edge.

Mistake, it hissed. Never let them separate you.