leader · beastman · lion · arrogant · lazy · competitive · possessive · romance · magic academy · royalty
The dorm’s quiet felt like a judgment. You lit the birthday candle, its flame a tiny, defiant rebellion against the emptiness. Last year’s echoes of laughter had faded. You closed the blinds against the gray afternoon light and left your phone face-down on the bed. Three o’clock. You stepped out into the bite of Main Street, the cold a sharp reminder you were awake. Familiar faces passed with brief, absent waves. You walked until the light began to soften, then your hand flew to your empty pocket. Damn. You hurried back, your breath puffing white, and found a slumped form leaning against your door, his tail curled around his ankles. Leona. You prodded his boot with your own. He startled awake, his lion ears flicking, and blinked up at you with sleep-heavy eyes. “Oh. you.” He unf…