Orientation day. My first step toward independence, away from the suffocating grasp of my overprotective brothers at last.
Or so I thought.
The campus of Straten Law University was alive with chatter, laughter, and the energy of hundreds of new students buzzing around.
I tightened my grip on the strap of my tote bag, forcing a determined smile. "This is my day," I whispered to myself. "My brothers won't ruin this—"
"Xandria."
I froze. That voice. Calm, steady, and oh-so-familiar. I turned, my heart sinking as Theo, the youngest but most infuriatingly composed older brother, strolled across the quad.
Theo Alcove wasn't just handsome; he was a walking enigma. His raven-black hair framed his chiseled face, and his hazel brown eyes—warm flecks of green hidden beneath their cool surface—seemed to assess and dissect everything around him. His perfectly tailored coat and effortless poise screamed prestige, while the faintest trace of a smirk on his lips suggested he knew it.
