Serene’s POV

I turned around and found myself face-to-face with the vampire who had hurt Arlo. A wave of anger swept over me seeing his smirking face. He was alone, his gang was standing at a distance carefully watching us. We stared back at them.

"Don’t think anyone would like to be matched with a bully," I replied trying to keep a straight face.

"Bully? I thought it was a fair and square battle. He couldn’t handle my attack, poor guy having to have feelings for a girl who doesn’t even love him. Tch, tch. Pretty sad if you ask me." I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth at his insolent remarks but before I could say something a voice called him.

"Komine, that’s enough. We are leaving, head back here." It was their Sensei and he looked pretty angry at him. He quickly retreated but not before flashing me a crooked smile. I was clenching my fists so tightly that nails dug into my skin.

"Ignore them, Serene. They are leaving already. No need to get rattled over idiots." Zeph murmured to me, stroking my hair so I would relax.

"What a sorry-looking bunch of losers. They lost but still had the nerve to bad-mouth Arlo. He pretty much handed them their asses in the match." Alvene pipped in.

"They have a history with Arlo, that’s why they feel the need to do that." I was still looking at their receding steps and everyone looked at me with wide eyes.

Just then Shumal Sensei’s voice caught our attention and focus from me was shifted to her. She had taken the center position in the hall and Lavaria Sensei stood with her. She was wearing a beautiful sky-blue gown while Lavaria Sensei was dressed in a two-piece and was holding a few royal blue velvet boxes.

"Greetings my beautiful people, I hope all of you are enjoying the party." She asked in a jubilant voice.

"YESSSSS!!!" shouted the crowd.

"Good, because I came bearing gifts. You all know we had two tremendous days of The Contest, filled with some mind-blowing action. It’s time to award the winners. But firstly let’s give a huge round of applause to all the participating teams and applaud their efforts. Please step forward when I call your name to receive the runner-up shields."

All the runner-up teams were awarded shields as a recognition for their participation. Then all the winning teams were awarded Golden trophies. Zeph and his team received it first as they were the first ones to win. I clapped hard and cheered for them.

Zeph was smiling and it filled my heart with so much warmth. Ralph had taken the trophy from Zeph and was putting it on his head, making everyone giggle around him. They finally walked up to us and showed us the golden trophy. It was shaped like a giant sword and had jewels embedded into its hilt.

"You guys deserved it, this is so exquisitely made." I patted the boys on the back and so did Zilver. Alvene gave Ralph a passionate kiss.

Next, our Werewolf Team received their trophy amidst a huge round of applause. We all cheered for them and chanted their names. It was good to see Tanzil and Mikasim happy.

Then it was time for the Team Vampires, Sahala was their team leader she stepped forward to receive the trophy. I was disheartened, almost sad to see Arlo wasn’t here with his team to receive the trophy. I hadn’t seen him the whole day. Where was he?

Then Witches of Tomorrow received their trophy and they were super psyched. Sibine was jumping up and down in excitement. We all clapped and cheered for them even though they were not from our Institute. They thanked us all for the recognition.

Finally, Shumal Sensei called my name. "Go," Zeph whispered to me. I smiled as I made my way to Shumal and Lavaria Sensei. He was holding a big trophy that had been shaped like Fae Wings, it was made up of icy blue and lilac glass with gemstones of violet and mauve embedded into them. My heart was pounding due to excitement and my palms had become so sweaty.

Shumal Sensei hugged me and said: "I am so proud of you Serene. You did extremely well."

"Thank you, Sensei." I beamed at her.

Lavaria Sensei handed me the trophy with a broad smile on his face. "You have made all of us proud." I smiled at his words as I received my trophy.

I raised it over my head to show it to everyone and the hall erupted in cheers. "You go girl," I heard Ayrden shout and wave at me.

"Go, enjoy your party." Shumal Sensei patted my shoulder before leaving with Lavaria Sensei. I wondered where Kilamin was.

My small gang had gathered around me and I showed all of them the trophy one by one. Zeph hugged me again, showing how proud he felt seeing me succeed.

This day was turning out to be more fun than I had ever imagined. Mr. Ameer came to collect our trophies, they were to be placed in the Trophy Room with our names engraved on them and I was sure our team will win the belts this month, too.

"Come, let’s play a game," Alvene whispered in my ear as she whisked me away towards the dance floor. Dances had stopped and all the girls were lining up on one side while the boys were lining up on the other side. They were wearing blindfolds.

"Since we are having a blast with this party. Let’s play a couple’s game. It’s called: "Identity your partner" boys will be wearing blindfolds. The boy will only be allowed to touch the hand of the girl to identify if she is his partner. Let’s see if you can identify your partners. Werewolves and vampires have been given a special potion so they can’t use their special sense of smell." Ziva announced the rules.

I stood between Ayrden and Tanzil. All the girls were giggling, seeing boys standing in front of them with their eyes covered. Zeph was standing in the far right corner. "Those who won’t be able to identify are so dead." Tanzil chuckled staring at Mikasim, it was his turn first.

Zilver brought him forward and made him stand in front of Sahala. She placed her hand in his and Mikasim instantly shook his head. He then moved him in front of Frila and he still shook his head. Finally, he was brought face to face with Tanzil and she put her hand in his and he instantly recognized his mate even without his sense of smell. He removed his blindfold and took her in his arms.

"Yahhh, Mikasim." Everyone clapped while Tanzil gave him a passionate kiss. Next, it was Carios and the poor guy looked so lost. Ayrden and he was so new to this relationship stuff.

He thought Frila was Ayrden and took off his blindfold. He was so embarrassed that he rubbed the back of his head and said sorry to Ayrden so many times. Ayrden was a good laugh about him and he was easily forgiven.

Next was Sahala’s boyfriend and he was easily able to identify her.

Finally, it was Zeph’s turn and everyone was watching excitedly. Trying to hide their smiles and giggles. They placed him in front of Sahala, one touch and he knew that wasn’t me. They moved him to Tanzil but he still shook his head, then Frila, and still a no from him. I was trying to suppress a chuckle when they brought him in front of me.

I took his hand in mine and he smiled and said: "That’s my girl," before taking off his blindfold and enveloping me in a hug. Everyone cheered around us and I couldn’t help but beam at him.

We played a few more interesting games before calling it a day. People began to leave to head back to their rooms, it was late. We decided to help the seniors tidy up the place. Threw away all the trash and cleaned the place up, restoring it to its original look. Then we said our goodbyes for the night.

"Shall we go?" Zeph inquired and I nodded. We stepped outside the Hall and it had gotten chilly. I began to shiver. Zeph took off his coat and covered me with it. It was so warm and was imbued with his scent. I inhaled deeply.

Kilamin was waiting outside, standing by the wall. "Serene, you had a good time?" He inquired glancing in our direction.

"I did, thank you."

"So, I have been talking to Artins. As your condition is getting worse it is better if you stay with more than one person at night. If this continues, Ayrden won’t be able to handle you alone. Plus she needs her rest. We have discussed this with Shumal and she has agreed to watch over you. From now on, you will stay the nights in her room." My face fell at his words, this was going to be so awkward.