Serene’s POV

" That was intense and exciting to watch at the same time. " Lavaria Sensei congratulated us with a hearty smile. "Now, now Lavaria, these slackers weren’t that bad. Meaning Sarim did work hard with them. I am excited to see how your little cubs are gonna do." Shumal Sensei teased Lavaria Sensei making us all chuckle, even Sarim Sensei couldn’t hide his smile.

" You won’t be disappointed my lady, I promise." Lavaria Sensei bowed a little with the twinkle in his eyes and Shumal Sensei blushed in response. "I am really proud that you people utilized the loophole in the rules and used it to your advantage. Well done, that was really a team effort. " Sarim Sensei seemed proud of us. Ralph was bouncing up and down like a spring. Zilver gave us all a group hug too.

The next tournament was about to begin which was between teams comprising of werewolves and vampires. Lourden and Kiwan were the leaders of the two teams. As I was about to sit and watch the next tournament. " Serene, you need to get that wound checked. You got hit and I can see fresh blood, so come with me," as he handed me a glass of a green drink and ordered me to drink.

I, followed him as he took me to the infirmary and changed my bandage. " Your stitches are still intact but the wound is not properly healed. So, I am gonna put some ointment on. We could have asked any healing witch to heal your wound but institute policy forbids that unless and until it’s life-threatening and they want nature to take its course. " He explained.

" I, understand. It’s not a big deal. I had my share of wounds, we Fae are not that fragile as others tend to think." I tried to smile and he chuckled. " I never said you are weak. You are very strong and determined, the way you fought and followed my instructions. I am very proud of you and I am sure you will keep growing like that in future. All done here as well." He had changed my bandage.

" Thank you, can I go watch the tournament now?" I asked him. "Firstly, go to the common room. I need to discuss something with you guys. Wait there for the rest. " He told me.

I made my way to our common room. I opened the door and it was empty. So, I went and sat on a chair. After a few minutes, the door opened and Zeph entered, followed by Ralph. His eyes widened at the sight of me. I looked confusedly at Ralph.

" Well, since you two have a lot to talk about but somehow due to unusual circumstances and people, it hasn’t been possible. So, we thought it was a good opportunity to make that happen. " He shrugged with his hands open.

" What are you talking about?" Zeph turned and glared at him. " Oh, don’t worry pal, your fake mate Lourden is busy with her team right now. Besides, this room is ours, so no one is going to disturb you. Ahhh, one more thing before I forget. We added Heart’s desire to the drinks both of you just had. It takes about 5 minutes for it to take effect and lasts hours. So, the time starts now, good luck. This door is not gonna get opened any time soon." He waved and winked at us before showing us a key, my heart skipped a beat.

Zeph rushed towards him but he was too quick. He closed the door and I heard him turn the key. Zeph tried the door knob but it was of no use. Oh no, he was gonna lock me here with Zeph and what was that he said they had given us? I remembered the drink Zilver has given me. What have they been planning? My heart was thundering in my chest, my face had probably lost all its colour and I was sweating profoundly.

Zeph banged at the door shouting: " Once I get out, you are so dead, Ralph." He stood there for a few seconds before turning and glancing toward me. His eyes looked soft and his expressions were warmer and not hostile. " Did you plan all this with them?" He asked staring at me, At least his voice was not threatening. " No, I am as clueless about this as you are. " I replied sincerely.

He came closer picked up a chair and sat opposite me, combing his perfect hair with his hands. " What’s a Heart’s desire?" I asked innocently since I had no clue. " It’s a powerful elixir, which won’t let you lie once you drink it, revealing deepest darkest secrets and desires. But, for it to be effective two people need to drink it. It doesn’t work one way, both will have to reveal what’s in their hearts. " He explained.

" I, see. Is she your mate? Are you happy with her?" I couldn’t stop myself. He looked at me with shock, his eyes widening, he tried biting his lips but it was of no use: " You shouldn’t have asked me that."

" Why not? I need to know the truth." I replied. " Because she is psychotic who wants to hurt you and Ralph and by no means I am gonna let that happen. So, she concocted and schemed and took advantage of us. Especially, you and me. She wants to be the centre of attention and as she hasn’t found her real mate yet, she wanted someone she could just show off. She doesn’t care whom she is hurting unless she is getting what she wants. " He spatted out, his eyes full of hatred and disgust.

" Did she hurt you, Zeph?" I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. So, she had threatened him, although he had phrased the words carefully to not worry me but I understood why he went with her plan.

He lowered his head before answering. " She disgusts me, every time she touched me I felt repulsed by her. Whenever she tried to force herself on me, there was this twinkle in her eyes as if she enjoyed the pain and misery she was causing me. I wanted to stop her, to escape the hell she has created for me. Intimacy without love is torture and she has destroyed that intimate part of me. " His voice was heavy with emotions as he clutched the side of the chair hard, his knuckles turned white and muscles in his arm strained.

I saw a tear drop from his eye and fall on the ground, it was just a droplet but it was filled with his emotions, pain and suffering. My heart began to ache as if someone had clenched it, seeing him silently cry. I got up and hugged him. He crossed his arms around my waist and buried his face in my abdomen. I gently placed my arms around his head and let him cry. I had never seen him so emotional and vulnerable before, he always acted like the tough guy. But, deep down he was as emotional as the rest of us. We remained like that for an eternity, the warmth of his touch spreading inside of me.