Chapter 19

Seraphina

Sunday. The Day After the Alpha Phi Ceremony.

I couldn’t escape it. The inevitable move to the Alpha Phi house loomed over me, and no matter how much I tried to avoid it, I knew it was time. My belongings were scattered around my dorm room—books, clothes, trinkets, and memories. The move was going to be messy and exhausting, but I didn’t have a choice. I had to do this.

Angie was a whirlwind of energy, organizing things with military precision. “We’ll get you settled in,” she said, grabbing a few boxes with one hand and holding up her phone in the other. “I already called a few of the other girls. They’ll help too.”

TJ showed up shortly after, a little hesitant but looking determined. I could tell he was trying to stay neutral, even though his eyes kept darting toward me, full of unspoken thoughts.

I was grateful for Angie’s help. The last thing I wanted was to be left alone with TJ, especially after everything that had happened. Every time I looked at him, memories of the Alpha Phi party and the games the men had played came rushing back. I had tried to dismiss the tension in the air the night before, but TJ had noticed too. I could feel it—the growing pressure for me to choose a side, for me to decide which world I wanted to belong to.

As Angie and the other girls from the sorority kept moving boxes, I found myself alone with TJ for a few minutes.

“Seri…” TJ started, his voice low and trying to be calm. “You sure about this? I mean, you don’t have to do this, right? You’ve got other options. We’ve all been through this rush thing, but this place… Alpha Phi... it’s not what you think it is. They’ll suck you dry. I don’t want you getting caught up in that.”

As I folded the last of my sweaters, TJ leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. “Are you really sure you want to do this?”

I didn’t look up. “Yes, I’m sure.”

TJ exhaled sharply, pushing off the frame. “I just think… Maybe you’re better off staying put. This rivalry shit runs deep. Once you’re with Alpha Phi, you’re cutting off half the campus.”

I finally met his gaze. “I think I can handle that.”

His jaw tightened, but he nodded once before walking off. Strange. It wasn’t like TJ to give a damn about where I lived. Unless someone put him up to it.

My lips pressed into a thin line, but I didn’t reply. I couldn’t afford to get caught up in his words.

By the time I settled into my new room at Alpha Phi, the sun had long set. I ran my fingers over the smooth wooden desk, the framed mirror, the fresh sheets. It should have felt like a new beginning, a fresh start. But all I could think about was them.

Tyrone’s grip. Marius’ calculating silence. Damon’s smirk. The way they had surrounded me, demanding answers I had refused to give. The way Tyrone had kissed me like he was claiming me, like I had no choice but to give in.

I swallowed hard, throwing myself into unpacking, trying to shut out the memories. But they clung to me, refusing to be ignored.

You want this as much as we do, sweetheart.

I shoved the last of my books onto the shelf and stepped back. I needed air. A walk would clear my head, remind me of who I was—what I was here to do.

I had always prided myself on being in control. My emotions were my own, not something I’d let anyone manipulate. If I was going to succeed at Cornell, if I was going to achieve what I came here for, I couldn’t afford to get tangled up in any of this. Not in the men. Not in their games.

I didn’t want them. I couldn’t want them.

Yet, as much as I tried to deny it, I did. I did want them. The way they watched me, the way they pursued me—it made me feel powerful, irresistible. I had never been the sole focus of someone’s attention before, let alone three powerful men. And there was something about their dark, raw energy that called to me. But I couldn’t let it happen. Not now. Not when I was so close to my goal. I needed to think, to get outside and be just with my own thoughts. Even though it was late, it’s not like I couldn’t defend myself.

The campus was eerily quiet at this hour. I kept to the well-lit paths, my hands shoved into the pockets of my hoodie. I wasn’t stupid; I knew wandering alone at night was a risk. But I needed the space, needed to think—needed to shake off whatever spell those three had cast over me.

The moment I turned down a side path leading toward the library, I felt it.

Someone was watching me.

I didn’t react, didn’t turn my head, didn’t quicken my pace. But I knew the feeling well—too well.

A shadow detached itself from the trees ahead, stepping into my path. Marius.

His tailored jacket was gone, replaced with a simple black sweater that clung to his lean, powerful frame. His piercing blue eyes locked onto me, unreadable.

I exhaled through my nose. “You really don’t know how to take a hint, do you?”

Marius took a slow step closer. “I take hints just fine. I just don’t care for them.”

My muscles tensed. “And what, exactly, do you want?”

“I want to know why you’re fighting so hard against something that’s already happening.”

I tilted my head. “And what’s that?”

Marius reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair from my face, sliding his hand round to the back of my neck and pulling me into him before I could pull away. “Us.”

My breath hitched. Not because of the touch itself, but because of what it did to me. The heat that pooled low in my stomach, the way my heart pounded in warning. He was dangerous. They all were.

I swallowed. “There is no us, Marius. You’re playing a game. I just refuse to be part of it.”

His smirk was slow, deliberate. “You think you’re not playing, but you are. You’ve been playing since the moment you stepped onto this campus.”

I pushed his arm away and took a step back. “Whatever you think you know about me, you don’t.”

Marius didn’t stop me this time. He simply watched as I turned and walked—no, ran—back toward the Alpha Phi house.

I shut the door to my room, pressing my back against it, breathing hard. Damn him. Damn them.

I had spent the last three years training myself to avoid vulnerability, to build walls so high that no one could reach me. Because if I let someone in, if I let myself want… I could lose everything.

And yet, here I was, wanting. Not just one of them—all three of them.

They were dangerous. They were possessive. And worst of all, they saw me—really saw me. That was something I had never allowed before. But if I was going to accomplish my goal, I couldn’t afford to be weak.

I pushed off the door, climbing into bed without bothering to eat. I pulled the covers up to my chin, my mind still racing.

My breathing was shallow as I lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling, letting the thoughts swirl around in my mind. I hadn’t eaten. I hadn’t cared. All I could think about was the kiss, the men, and what was coming next.

I closed my eyes, blocking out the thoughts. If I let them in too long, if I felt any of it, I might be lost.

I couldn’t afford that. Not now.