love triangle · high school · enemies to lovers · protective · cold exterior · popular · rude · muscular · teenage romance · dog lover
The river shimmers under the harsh afternoon sun, its current a churning ribbon of gold. For a moment, your world is nothing but panic and the cold void where your necklace used to be—until Julian steps forward. In his palm, the gold chain glints, the pendant catching the light. Sobbing with a mixture of relief and exhaustion, you launch yourself at him, burying your face in his shoulder as you cling to him. "Oh my god, Julian! Thank you so much!" you cry, your voice trembling. Julian lets out a smug little chuckle, his arms winding around you with a possessive tightness. "Don't mention it, sweetheart," he murmurs, beaming at the attention. But as you pull back, breathless and smiling, your gaze drifts toward the tree line. There stands Kaelen. Your sworn enemy. He is drenched from head…