Chapter 1
Selena
The cab came to a slow halt in front of Blackthorne University, the tires crunching softly against the gravel road. I stared out the window for a moment, my heart thudding painfully against my chest.
This was it.
A fresh start.
The driver cleared his throat. “Miss, we’re here.”
I blinked quickly and nodded before stepping out into the chilly September air. The cold breeze immediately brushed against my skin, carrying the scent of pine trees and rain-soaked grass.
Blackthorne University stood before me like something pulled out of a movie.
Tall gothic buildings towered into the gray sky, covered in climbing ivy that curled around ancient stone walls. Massive arched windows reflected the fading afternoon sunlight while students crossed the huge courtyard laughing and talking like they didn’t have a care in the world.
It was beautiful.
Terrifyingly beautiful.
I tightened my fingers around the handle of my suitcase and exhaled shakily.
“Okay, Selena,” I muttered to myself. “You can do this.”
I pushed a strand of dark brown hair behind my ear and adjusted the oversized cream sweater hanging loosely over my frame. My long wavy hair cascaded down my back in soft curls, contrasting against my pale skin. Mom always said my gray eyes looked too emotional for my own good because every feeling I had showed in them instantly.
And right now?
Nervousness was written all over my face.
I dragged my suitcase through the large black gates of Blackthorne University, trying not to look completely lost.
Groups of students passed by me confidently while I awkwardly checked my dorm number for the tenth time. My white sneakers scraped against the pavement as I struggled with my heavy luggage.
Maybe bringing three suitcases had been dramatic.
“Move.”
A deep voice suddenly cut through my thoughts.
Before I could react, someone slammed hard into my shoulder.
I lost balance instantly.
My suitcase tipped over and I crashed onto the ground with a painful gasp.
The sound of laughter erupted around me.
Heat rushed to my face as embarrassment twisted painfully inside my chest. I looked up quickly and froze.
Four boys stood in front of me.
No.
Not boys.
They looked like absolute trouble wrapped in expensive clothes and arrogance.
The one standing in the middle instantly caught my attention.
Noah Kingston.
Even before I knew his name, he looked like someone people feared naturally.
He was tall—easily over six feet—with broad shoulders and tattooed hands shoved casually into the pockets of his black jeans. A dark hoodie stretched perfectly over his muscular build while silver rings decorated his fingers. His messy black hair fell slightly over sharp blue eyes that looked cold enough to freeze someone on the spot.
Everything about him screamed danger.
And somehow… confidence.
Beside him stood another guy with messy brown hair and striking green eyes.
Elias Reed.
He had a calmer appearance compared to Noah, but there was something sly in his smirk that made him equally intimidating. His varsity jacket hung loosely over a white shirt, and girls nearby openly stared at him as he passed.
Next was Jaxon Vale.
His blond hair was perfectly styled, his jawline sharp enough to cut glass. Tattoos peeked from beneath the sleeves of his fitted shirt while a chain rested around his neck. He looked like the type who knew exactly how attractive he was.
Then there was Kai Mercer.
He was quieter than the others, his dark curly hair slightly covering his eyes. He wore all black and carried an unreadable expression, but the small scar above his eyebrow made him look even more dangerous.
The four of them looked unreal.
Like rich villains from a dark romance novel.
And they were laughing at me.
My throat tightened painfully.
I hated this feeling.
Being laughed at.
Being humiliated.
It reminded me too much of high school.
I quickly stood up, brushing dirt off my jeans while trying to ignore the sting behind my eyes.
“Hey, you,” I snapped, my voice trembling slightly. “Watch where you’re going.”
The boys exchanged amused looks.
Jaxon chuckled.
Kai smirked faintly.
Elias outright laughed.
But Noah?
He simply stared at me.
His icy blue eyes slowly traveled over my face, making my stomach twist nervously.
Then his lips curved into the smallest smirk.
“You should watch your step,” he said smoothly.
My breath caught.
His voice was deep and calm, but there was something mocking hidden underneath it.
Before I could say anything else, he turned around and walked away with the others like nothing had happened.
I stared after him in disbelief.
What an asshole.
But annoyingly enough…
My heart was still racing.
“There you are!”
A familiar voice suddenly squealed from behind me.
I turned just in time to see Harper Lane running toward me with excitement written all over her face.
“Selena!”
She practically launched herself at me, wrapping her arms tightly around me before I could react.
I laughed softly despite my bad mood and hugged her back.
Harper pulled away dramatically and grabbed my shoulders.
“Oh my God, look at you!”
I rolled my eyes. “Hi to you too.”
She grinned brightly.
Harper had always been effortlessly beautiful. Her golden blonde hair fell in soft waves down to her waist, framing her tan skin perfectly. Her bright hazel eyes sparkled mischievously while her glossy pink lips curved into a smile that could light up an entire room.
She looked exactly like the popular girls in movies.
Except Harper actually had a heart.
“You got even prettier,” she said accusingly.
I laughed softly. “You literally say that every time.”
“Because it’s true.”
Her smile slowly faded as she studied my face carefully
.
“Wait,” she said. “Why do you look upset?”
I hesitated before pointing toward the direction the boys disappeared.
“That group over there pushed me.”
Harper’s eyes widened slightly.
“You mean them?”
“Yes, them.”
She sighed dramatically.
“Congratulations,” she muttered. “You just met the Kings of Blackthorne.”
“The what?”
She leaned closer slightly.
“Noah Kingston, Elias Reed, Jaxon Vale, and Kai Mercer,” she explained. “The hottest and most dangerous guys in this entire university.”
Dangerous.
The word replayed inside my head strangely.
I frowned. “They seem annoying.”
Harper snorted. “That too.”
“But seriously, don’t worry about it. They’re rude to almost everyone.”
I nodded slowly, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Noah Kingston.
To his eyes.
To his smirk.
To the strange aura surrounding him.
There was something about him that felt dark and magnetic at the same time.
And I hated how curious I suddenly felt.
Harper grabbed my suitcase before I could protest.
“Come on,” she said. “Let’s get you settled in before you start emotionally analyzing hot toxic boys.”
“I am not emotionally analyzing him.”
“You absolutely are.”
I ignored her teasing and followed her across campus toward the dormitory building.
The inside was warm and elegant, with marble floors and dim golden lights decorating the hallways.
“This place is huge,” I whispered.
“Wait till you see the parties,” Harper grinned.
We finally stopped in front of dorm 304.
Harper pushed the door open dramatically.
“Welcome home.”
The dorm was massive.
A large window overlooked the campus while fairy lights decorated one side of the room beautifully.
A girl looked up from her phone as we entered.
She was stunning.
Ava Coles had silky black hair cut neatly to her shoulders and piercing dark eyes lined perfectly with makeup. Her caramel skin glowed under the warm lighting, and she wore an oversized sweatshirt that somehow still looked fashionable.
She smiled softly.
“You must be Selena.”
I nodded politely. “Yeah.”
“I’m Ava.”
Something about her felt calm compared to the chaos outside.
Harper immediately started talking while helping me arrange my clothes and books neatly around the room.
The two of them chatted casually while I unpacked slowly, but my mind kept drifting elsewhere.
Back to cold blue eyes.
Back to tattooed hands.
Back to Noah Kingston.
And somehow…
I already knew Blackthorne University was going to ruin me.
