Zeph woke up with a headache the next day. Ralph had stayed over in his room to make sure he was feeling alright. "What happened last night? Why is everything so blurry?" He grumbled as he sat up in his bed.

"What happened was that you made out with the most notorious girl in the institute, in front of everyone. " Ralph replied sarcastically while standing in front of him.

"What are you talking about, Ralph? Are you trying to pull my leg? " Zeph had no memories of last night.

"I am not, you were kissing actually eating Lourden’s mouth in front of the whole institute. Zilver had to end the party early to stop that sacrilegious sight." Ralph explained.

"What the hell, why I don’t remember anything?" Zeph mumbled.

"Someone did something to you, to make you act that way, most probably Lourden. But, we are not sure. At least that’s what Zilver, Serene, and I believe." Ralph sighed.

"I am gonna go talk to her, right now. How dare she take advantage of me?" He shot up from his bed angrily.

"Hold your horses, idiot. You can’t just barge into girls’ dorms. Especially without any proof. Do you think we haven’t been trying to find out? Zilver checked with Mr Ameer who was in charge of the spell which was cast to let him know if anyone tries to use any magical powers. He detected no trace of magic. Then they checked all the food and drinks. None had traces of any kind of magical powder or potion. I, don’t think Zilver has slept the whole night, trying to find out what happened to you." Ralph filled him in.

"Well, I am not going to sit here and do nothing." Zeph got out of bed. Meanwhile, the door opened and Mikasim entered.

He looked rather flushed and came forward to hand a note to Zeph: " It’s from Lourden, she wants to meet you on the ground outside."

Zeph took the note, read it and bolted towards the door with Ralph at his heels. He scampered down the stairs and went outside through the main door. It was early morning and there were no classes today, so hardly anyone was awake. He rushed towards the place which had been indicated by Lourden. As he reached there, Lourden was sitting on a bench smiling.

"What the hell did you do to me?" He asked her angrily, his voice full of malice.

"Me?" She asked in a shocked voice and expression. " It was you who came on to me as soon as the clock struck 12 last night." She replied rather shyly.

"I don’t even have any recollection of those moments. " Zeph shouted.

She ignored him and addressed Ralph. "I would like to talk to him alone. Can you give us some time?" She asked.

"No way in hell I am leaving him alone with you." Ralph stared back at her. "Then I am afraid Zeph you won’t get the answers you are looking for." She zipped her lips with her fingers.

"Ralph, go. I will be fine. " Zeph turned towards him.

"Umm, no. I am not leaving." Ralph said adamantly. "I said go. NOW!!!" Zeph shouted at him. Ralph took one last look at Lourden and left.

Once he had gone inside the building, Lourden began. " So, it seems like you and I are mates. You turned 18 yesterday and realized I am your mate and then we bonded." She replied in a calm and collected voice.

"I am not your mate, all I feel towards you is hatred. And, I am already 18." He shot back.

"Well, your parents didn’t remember your actual birthday so they gave you the wrong one. Today is your birthday." She shrugged her shoulders.

"What are you scheming? " Zeph eyed her sharply.

"Well, all I have ever wanted is a mate. Since I couldn’t get Zilver, it’s time I took things into my hands and made one for myself. I find you extremely attractive. Plus, that bitch Fae of yours has a little crush on you. Since I hate her as this is our institute and Fae doesn’t belong here, I need to crush her mentally and emotionally. Using you will be the perfect scheme." Lourden explained as she handed him a paper with Serene’s handwriting. His name was written under the question, who is the most handsome junior?

Zeph was a bit taken aback as he stared at the paper then he finally spoke up. "I have no intention of going with your malevolent plan and I don’t care who has a crush on whom." He spat.

"If you won’t, then I will tell the Senseis that you tried to rape me. And, I can be very influential as my father is an Alpha. Besides, that little Fae you were clinging to you yesterday, I am going to make her life hell. You know accidents can happen anywhere, it can happen to her as well." She smirked.

Zeph’s head pounded at her malicious words. His mouth was left hanging open as he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. "I will go and talk to Artins Sensei about it." He stammered.

"And tell him what exactly that you kissed me at a party which are actually held for these purposes and now I am an evil person because you turned out to be my mate. No one is going to believe you because they won’t find any evidence." She shrugged and continued.

"I just need you for one year after that I will pass out and you can act like rejecting me in front of everyone and it will be over. But, from now on you are mine and only mine. And, you will tell about this to no one. I, don’t want you anywhere near that filthy fae except of course your team assignments. You will sit with me in your free time. If unable to do that I will hurt her and Ralph." She stood up and put her hands around his neck and gradually moved closer to him. Zeph ground his teeth.

"Hate to break your little party but I need to talk to Zeph." Zilver had come over and was standing a few feet from them.

"Well, he is my mate. I am sure he will have all good things to tell you about me, right Zeph, " as she slid her hands back and nudged him before giving a smirk to Zilver and leaving them both standing there.

When she was out of their earshot Zilver turned to Zeph: " We are investigating the incident, we haven’t found any evidence yet but we will get her. Don’t worry, keep your distance from her for now. "

Zilver tried to explain the situation. "No need, she is my mate as she told you. I discovered it yesterday because my parents had forgotten my actual birthday and it seems it is today. She didn’t do anything, so I want you to drop the investigation and leave us be." Zeph spoke in a cold tone.

Zilver couldn’t believe his ears. "If she has threatened you by any means. You can tell me, I know how manipulative and controlling she is." Zilver tried to make sense of things.

"She did no such thing. She is my mate, end of the story." Zeph’s tone and eyes were both indifferent as he began to make his way back to the building leaving Zilver in a state of shock.

As Zeph entered the building and began to head for his room, he found Ralph and Serene waiting for him on top of the stairs. "Are you alright, Zeph? How is your headache? What did Lourden say?" Serene asked him eloquently.

"None of your damn business. I don’t understand why you are always poking your nose where it’s not needed. And, that idea you have in your head of me ever liking you, well you better throw it out. Because I hate you and your presence disgusts me." He spat out the venomous words and threw the piece of paper with her writing towards her.