Chapter Eighty-Three
The suite was ready, every detail in place. Riven had made sure of it. By the time he left for his afternoon classes, he felt a quiet satisfaction knowing Avery would have a place to rest and nest that night.
But satisfaction didn’t make his next seminar any less dull. Business analytics droned on, numbers and charts blurring together until he was fighting to keep his eyes open. He took notes out of habit, but his mind wandered — to Avery’s smile, to Molly’s laughter, to the way Lucien’s sharp mind and Kael’s wolfish energy balanced them all.
It wasn’t until his next class, Intro to Biology, that something shifted.
He sat in the back, listening as the professor spoke about anatomy, about the delicate systems that kept a body alive. Muscles, nerves, blood flow — the fragile balance between life and death.
And suddenly, Avery’s words from last week echoed in his mind.
“You can do whatever you want. Fuel your passions.”
At the time, he and the others had been whining about majors, about what they were supposed to do now that everything had changed. But now, sitting in that classroom, something clicked.
He had always been fascinated by biology. By anatomy. By the mechanics of life itself. He didn’t want to be a healer — not in the traditional sense. But he wanted to understand enough to save the people he loved. To keep his mates, his family, his squads alive until a healer could reach them.
It wasn’t about titles or prestige. It was about purpose.
As the professor sketched the human heart on the board, Riven leaned forward, his pen moving quickly across the page. For the first time in days, he wasn’t restless. He wasn’t floundering. He was focused.
And when he left the classroom, there was a spark in his chest — the beginnings of a path that felt like his own.
Riven was the first one back to their new suite. The wards hummed softly as he keyed himself inside, the space already feeling more like home than any dorm room had a right to. He dropped his bag by the couch and stretched, savoring the silence.
His phone buzzed.
A text from Kael: Training’s running long. Molly and I will be late. Don’t eat without us.
Another pinged almost immediately after — Lucien. Disaster. Underclassman + potion = chaos. Avery’s laughing. I’m stuck teaching children how not to blow themselves up. Disgusted. Will be late. Riven chuckled, shaking his head. He could practically see Lucien’s expression — pinched, exasperated, his patience worn thin — while Avery tried and failed to hide her laughter.
He thumbed out quick replies, then opened the mind link. Kael, Molly — got your message. Lucien, Avery — try not to kill the poor kid. I’ll hold down the fort until you all get here.
The suite was quiet, but not empty. Auron was in the office with Dean Errol, finalizing the last of the security measures. Riven leaned against the doorway, still grinning.
“They’re all running late,” he reported. “Kael and Molly are stuck in training. Lucien and Avery are cleaning up a potion disaster. Lucien’s disgusted. Avery’s entertained.”
Auron’s lips twitched, his eyes glinting with amusement. “I can imagine. Lucien never did have patience for chaos.”
“Which is why Avery finds it hilarious,” Riven said, smirking.
He relayed the updates to Auron, Kael, and Molly through the link, his tone light. The bond hummed with their responses — Kael’s wolfish irritation at being kept late, Molly’s calm reassurance, Avery’s bubbling laughter, Lucien’s clipped annoyance.
Riven sank onto the couch, stretching out. For once, he didn’t mind waiting. The suite was ready, the wards were strong, and soon enough, his circle would be here.
And when they were, Avery would have her nest — safe, warm, and filled with the people she loved.
The suite was officially theirs. Auron and Dean Errol had finished the last of the security protocols, the wards humming with layered protections. Auron handed Riven the keys and codes with a knowing look, “Food will be here within the hour.” he said, before taking his leave with Errol.
Riven pocketed the keys, already imagining Aver’s relief when she saw the space.
He didn’t have long to himself. Molly and Kael came in just as Auron and Errol were leaving. Molly gave Auron a quick hug before darting toward the shower, her hair already coming loose from its braid. Kael followed with a devilish smirk, his eyes glinting with mischief.
“Make it quick,” Riven called after them, shaking his head.
Left alone again, he turned his attention to the game console. He set it up with meticulous care, determined that tonight’s rematch would end differently. He’d been beaten too many times before, and this time, he planned to win.
Just as he was finishing, there was a knock at the door.
Riven frowned, then chuckled as realization hit — of course. Avery and Lucien didn’t have the new keys or codes yet.
He opened the door to find them standing there, Avery still laughing, Lucien looking like he’d bitten into something sour.
“She’s still amused,” Lucien muttered, his irritation only deepening as Avery’s laughter bubbled again.
Riven leaned against the doorframe, grinning. “Which is making you more irritated. I can see that.”
Avery’s eyes sparkled. “It’s not my fault he takes potion accidents so seriously.”
Riven stepped aside to let them in. “Molly and Kael are still in the shower. Try not to think too hard about that.”
Lucien groaned. Avery laughed harder.
Auron appeared one last time, his arms full of bags. He carried them to the counter, the scent of Avery’s favorite dishes filling the suite. “That should keep you all happy for the night,” he said, his tone warm but firm.
He gave them a nod, then bid them goodnight, leaving the five to their own devices.
The suite was quiet again, but now it felt alive — laughter echoing, food waiting, the console ready for battle.
For the first time since the chaos of the gala, it felt like home.