Ezra Route

Ezra's route summary from Ever After Academy.

## Season 1

### Episode 1

FMC (Female MC) is drawing a black wolf in her notebook but once her brother (MMC) interrupts her she immediately slams her notebook shut. MMC taps the book that he is reading irritably and apologies that he is boring her but reminds her that she’s the one who asked for his help tutoring her. And also reminds her that the school charter says that they can stay at their current university for free but they can still kick them out for bad grades. Therefore, MMC advises FMC that if she doesn’t want to stay in the university for five more years she should focus and pick a major by now since she’s been in the university for her third year. FMC knows that MMC is saying it since he is concerned for her since she’s overfilled her plate with classes, projects, and research and now she’s currently behind on all of it. MMC gives her a determined look and tells her that it’s okay if she hasn’t figured out what she plans on doing for her future and that if she figures it out very late. And gives her an example of himself, that when MMC went to law school he knew it wasn’t for him and now he has selected a new path. FMC decides that MMC should go home while she studies for another hour or two. MMC agrees and heads out and FMC focuses on her textbook only for her to wake up and check her phone to find out it’s past midnight. FMC hurriedly packs up and before she gets the chance to leave she sees a tunnel that she has never seen before and decides to go in and investigate.

Once she enters she sees another library full of fairy tale stories on the shelves, until she sees a destroyed book from the ground and so she picks it up and the title is written as the “The Big Bad Wolf”. She immediately notices that she isn’t alone, she hears a low and rumbling growl and she looks up to see a pair of yellow glowing eyes in the darkness. The stranger appears out of the shadows to reveal a tall and black haired man. He introduces himself as Wolf and tells FMC that the queen has sent him in a rough and low voice until another growl echoes from the bookshelves but this time is deeper and nastier than the first. The stranger presses FMC to the nearest bookcase and tells her to remain quiet as his gloved claws land hard next to her head and the other gentle on her arm. FMC reminds him of personal space but Wolf only glares at her as their noses almost touch. He whispers to MC that she can be as angry as she likes but with her mouth closed. Suddenly the sound slips away from the room and Wolf moves away from her and he stares at his gloves and questions why the enchantment on his gloved claws didn’t hide them from the shadows. He soon sees his destroyed book and indicates that since FMC is from this world she isn't of any use to him since he can’t seem to get back into his world since his book has been destroyed. FMC feeling the sense of questions but irritation crawling through her skin she ends up arguing with how he has treated her since they just met and Wolf staring at her with a smile tells her that she’s small but she burns like a star since most people don’t raise their voices at the Big Bad Wolf. He brushes past her and tells her to never come back to the secret library and to not open any books other than the book that Wolf hands to FMC called “The Witch” in case she’s in trouble.

FMC looks up only to see him disappear, she runs back to the original library to find Wolf but ends up finding MMC with a worried look. MMC explains to her that she didn’t come back home for dinner so he decided to come back and find her. FMC pulls MMC to the secret library and is surprised as well to know that there has been a secret library all along since back then when they were kids they never saw this place before. FMC explains to MMC the whole recent event but MMC doesn’t believe her that once he pulls out a book from the shelf and opens the cover FMC is too late to stop him. A flash of sparkling light reveals a swordsman with a jeweled sword who is clutching his arm that seems to be turning into wood. MMC hurries to check on him and the brand new stranger asks if either of them are witches to help him stop the spell that will soon turn him into a tree for a thousand years. Wolf’s advice comes back to FMC and she scrambles to find the book that he gave her and once she finds it she opens the cover only for the women to fall out of the pages with a roaring wind. FMC not having time to introduce herself, points towards the swordsman who is in need of help and right away the witch attends him. She tells MMC and FMC to hold hands with her and make a circle around the swordsman as the witch attempts to break the spell. The wood vanishes from the swordsman’s arm and leaps to examine his now healthy arm. He thanks them all for their help and introduces them as Prince Lucas Charming and the witch introduces herself as Nora of the Dark Woods. FMC explains to Lucas and Nora that they are from another world and they came out of the books, Nora with a determined look tells MMC and FMC that it’s best that they leave and not come back since it can be dangerous if their worlds mix. Therefore, FMC and MMC exit from the secret library and once the tunnel closes behind them, they try to wrap their heads around the idea that magic is real all along.

The next morning, FMC stumbles into class still trying to shake the feeling that she didn’t wake up from her alarm clock but also that magic is real and what she witnessed last night wasn’t a dream. Her thoughts are interrupted when she hears her professor ask someone if they are enrolled into their class. FMC looks up to see Wolf dressed with a leather jacket over his uniform shirt. Wolf’s eyes look around the classroom and sees FMC and with one eyebrow lifting as his gaze lands on FMC, responses towards the professor that he just transferred in.

### Episode 2

FMC with her mouth dropped open as the professor examines the note that Wolf gave her. The professor tells the now so-called “Ezra” that she’ll appreciate it if he were on time for the rest of the semester. FMC’s friend named Omar plucks FMC’s sleeve and asks her if she knows him, FMC in response tells Omar that she’s never seen him. Catching the professor’s attention, she asks if FMC has anything to add, but FMC apologies as she overhears Darla and her group of friends laughing behind her. FMC attempts to concentrate after but can't stop thinking of Wolf in the back row and practically feeling him watching her.

When class ends, Ezra leaves without a glance and FMC comes racing after him to question him. Once she chases him into the hall and manages to catch up to him. FMC asks what he’s doing here, by this Ezra replies that he’s not leaving until he finds his contact so he decides to make a cover while he locates them. FMC asks where he got the clothes and his student I.D, Ezra with a smile, tells her that he stole the clothes and he managed to bribe someone to make him a fake I.D card by paying them with gold. Ezra tells her that he’s glad she stopped her but FMC states that it didn’t seem that way since he bolted without taking the chance to talk to her. Ezra leans forward with a smile and asks her if she was watching him and if she’s upset that he didn’t pay much attention to her. FMC irritatingly tells Ezra she doesn’t have time for any of it and she starts to march away but Ezra only hurries after her. Ezra tells her he’ll start being serious since he needs her help. Ezra, looking a bit embarrassed, tells her that there isn’t a forest on the grounds to hunt in and that he’s even tried to buy food from a vendor but they didn’t take the gold as the card-forger did. FMC with shock written all over her face asks him if he hasn’t eaten since last night. Ezra explains that he isn’t looking for sympathy and that he can’t steal food since that’s something you can’t return other than the clothes. He whispers towards FMC and says “please” only for her to hear.

***Heart Scene - Show Ezra how to hunt lunch***

*FMC tells him to follow her but to be nice. Ezra follows her to the cafe without teasing her and FMC asks what he wants to eat as he picks up a snack bag from the shelf and squints at it. FMC decides to grab a bunch of stuff and experiment with Ezra’s taste in food. FMC grabs sandwiches, salads, and chips and sets them on the little table Ezra claimed. Ezra thanks her and tells her he will no longer bother her again since he now knows how to get it for himself from now on. But instead, FMC chooses to sit across from him and asks Ezra if he wants her to just pay and leave. Ezra sighs and tells her to join him but that she really doesn’t need to eat with him. FMC replies that she does since she has a lot of questions. Ezra with a grumpy look tells her that she can’t expect him to talk and eat at the same time but FMC in return tells him she expects him to be a good company since she bought him food in the first place. Ezra, trying not to smile, tells her that she shouldn’t get used to it since next time she won’t be buying. By this, FMC amusingly asks if there will be a next time. This leads towards Ezra opening his chip bag with a furious pop and FMC covers her smile with her hand. Ezra defeatedly asks her what she studies at the university for which it’s FMC’s least favorite question. Usually, FMC will make something up to make others assume she has everything figured out but with Ezra, she feels like she needs to make appearances since he seems like he doesn’t care. FMC tells Ezra that she will figure it out later and asks who even needs plans anyway? As she accidentally raises her voice which makes the nearby tables swivel towards her. FMC quiets down and feels embarrassed but notices right away that Ezra isn’t staring at her with amusement or at least judging her but is observing her. FMC explains to Ezra that she’s afraid of making up her mind once she gets a degree she’ll have to face the real world. Ezra tells her that he didn't choose who to be, but if he could he would have chosen something different from the one he has as of now. But even so, it’s no longer up to him for him to decide on that. FMC explains that both of her parents are professors and they love their field and she can’t seem to find something that calls to her. Therefore, FMC feels as if her life will be wasted once she graduates but she feels safer at the university, wondering if she can take classes forever.*

Ezra follows FMC to the quad and as they walk there FMC warns Ezra that he isn’t alone, that Nora and Lucas are also stuck here as he is. Ezra folds his arms and tightens his jaw in response as he glares at the sidewalk but not at FMC. Ezra explains to FMC that the world is too dangerous for Lucas and Nora since the magic is too thin. FMC tries to ask further but Ezra tells her she’s too curious for her own good for which FMC questions if Ezra knows about the children’s stories about him and if he really did kill an old lady and eat her granddaughter. But Ezra with his teeth bared and a sudden heat flickering in his eyes tells her it’s none of her business. For which it turns towards a heated moment that Ezra asks FMC if she really expects Ezra to believe FMC that she’s the child of the founders of the university since the professor reprimanded her and her classmates laughed at her. Other than Omar who is nothing but a fresh meat and from the lowest of the whole group. FMC defends Omar but also realizes that Ezra is right about FMC being an outsider. Ezra’s face softens as he realizes that his words affected FMC and tells her he didn’t mean to offend her and he himself doesn’t have any friends and he knows how it works. FMC reminds him that he didn’t answer her questions but Ezra brushes it off and tells her to stay away since he’s dangerous and he leaves MC in the middle of the quad.

FMC who is at home with MMC tells him how much she doesn't like Ezra for which MMC reminds her that he gets it and that she’s been talking about him for two hours. They are soon interrupted by a knock at their door which brings them a surprise since they hardly get any visitors. FMC opens the door to reveal Nora and Lucas waiting at their doorstep. They welcome them inside and Nora and Lucas explain that they have tried everything and that they were out of options so they decided to go search for MMC and FMC. FMC apologizes for not saying anything sooner but finally gets the chance to tell Nora and Lucas that before they came, Ezra was the first one to enter their world before them. For which Lucas and Nora exchanged a heavy look. Lucas warns FMC to stay away from Ezra and Nora explains that she has never met him but has heard empty rumors about him that they all point to make Ezra a dangerous man. Lucas also adds that Ezra was expelled from the Hunters, which is a guild of mercenaries. FMC’s phone beeps with a new text and is reminded that she has to attend a late-night tutor with Arin and that she is ten minutes late.FMC grabs her Shakespeare book and hurries out the door.

As FMC is in a hurry she stops on her tracks and sees a little glow of flickers of life on the path ahead, bobbing in thin air like a buoy. The small lights lead away from the path and suddenly FMC’s feet move forward towards the light by themselves. FMC attempts to pull back or scream but nothing works, it’s as if her body no longer responds to her mind. She walks further and further until she sees the ocean far from her and realizes she is going to be drowned.

### Episode 3

FMC’s legs carry her to the beach and she starts to feel the freezing water. A warm hand covers FMC eyes and the world goes dark. Ezra whispers in FMC’s ear as he tightens his arms around her waist like a seatbelt and tells her not to move. FMC tries as she is struggling and Ezra explains to FMC that the more she struggles the harder the pull will be therefore he tells her to relax and that he won’t let her go. FMC tries to focus on Ezra’s warmth of his body from behind her and also notices how Ezra’s hand covers her eyes to block out the light but is being careful not to press hard. And slowly FMC lets Ezra take her by her weight and drag her back. Ezra lets her go and tells her that the lights are gone and FMC opens her eyes and looks back at Ezra and asks what those lights were. Ezra explains that it was a trap and it was probably meant for someone else and not her. Ezra smiles and asks why he’s the one to keep saving her. MMC, Nora, and Lucas run towards Ezra and FMC and MMC continues to run until he’s close enough to grab her by her arms. MMC with a worried look tells her that Nora said she felt something magically dangerous. Lucas asks Ezra if he’ll be wanting a payment for his good deed and tells him not to burden FMC since Lucas can find enough gold to pay him. Ezra teases Lucas about his “nice” doublet which close enough starts a heated moment until Nora breaks it off and reminds them that there are other things to worry about. Nora asks Ezra if he saved FMC from the so-called “fairy lights” and FMC answers Nora instead and tells her he did and he saved her from walking into the ocean. By this, Nora gives Lucas a pointed look and tells him if Ezra never saved FMC she would have been lost forever which makes MMC hug FMC tight. FMC reminds him that she’s alright that only her shoes and socks are wet. Lucas turns back to Ezra and apologizes for which surprises him and tells Lucas he never expected that from a prince. MMC reminds FMC to text Arin since they may be worried since FMC never showed up to the late-night tutoring. FMC tells MMC that she needs to hurry and maybe get as little tutoring as possible. MMC tries to convince FMC to return home but Nora and Lucas tell MMC that Ezra can safely escort her back to the university while Nora, Lucas, and MMC return to the lighthouse. MMC tries to protest but Lucas and Nora convince him to come with them as FMC tells him she'll text him once she heads back to the lighthouse once she is done. Once Ezra and FMC are alone again, Ezra tells her that they should walk along the shore but FMC tells him that it’s a long way. Ezra explains that it’s safer since whoever set the fairy light trap will probably be expecting her on the road. FMC continues to protest until Ezra makes a deal with FMC since she’s curious about his world that he’ll tell her all about the creatures such as Fire Wind, the Unseelie, and Murder Birds as long as she walks the long way with him.

***Heart Scene - Give into your curiosity and walk with Ezra!***

*FMC hurries to catch up to Ezra and tells him that next time she’ll be walking with Nora and not with him. Ezra replies by saying that Nora knows a lot but that doesn’t make her a fighter. FMC starts to think of the night she met her on how Nora sprang into action to save Lucas from turning into a tree. FMC tells Ezra that he’s underestimating her but Ezra shrugs in a polite way like a silent admittance that FMC is probably right. Once FMC catches up, Ezra and FMC walk in silence. FMC breaks the silence by asking what Ezra was doing at the beach in the first place and if he was searching for his contact. Ezra grunts and FMC takes that as a yes. FMC asks if he’s searching for an item but Ezra tells her he doesn’t know. FMC with a displeased look tells him that he’s being a jerk on purpose. Ezra explains that he isn’t and that he doesn’t know what it is since his contact was supposed to deliver it to him and he was supposed to take it back to his world and that was all the information he got. FMC falls silent again, making her feel as lost as Ezra. FMC attempts to ask another question but Ezra interrupts and questions if she can go a little while without talking. MC asks Ezra if there are any laws against talking where he comes from and Ezra mutters that there should be as he turns away. FMC leans over and grins and tells him that there aren’t any law in her world so she asks what are Murder Birds. Ezra replies that they are birds that murder and something he didn’t makeup and that even if he did FMC won’t be able to find out since they don’t exist in her world. As the wind kicks up, FMC’s hair blows a ton into her mouth and sand rasps against her skin as she pulls away. FMC starts to feel a bit of pain once she gets sand on her eye and explains to Ezra the reason why she didn’t want to walk the long way. While FMC tries to get herself together once the wind stops and she feels some warmth. She looks up, sees Ezra shrugs off his jacket and drapes it on one arm, and raises over FMC to block the wind. FMC blinks and brushes her hair out of her face but Ezra tells her she missed a piece of sand. FMC doesn't pull back and Ezra doesn't hesitate as he slowly reaches out and grazes one fingertip against her skin to catch a lock of her hair as he tucks it behind her ear while soothing the shell before he draws back. Ezra’s eyes have gone sad which reminds her of the night she met him. Ezra tells her he didn’t ask her if she was okay since he just assumed because of her fire. Ezra steps back and puts his jacket back on and they walk together without feeling a bit awkward.*

After Ezra walks FMC safely to the university and he disappears without saying goodbye. FMC, MMC, Nora, and Lucas walk towards the quad the next day and MMC tells Lucas he needs to leave his sword back at home since people will start asking questions. Lucas explains that it’s for his protection and the defense of others but Nora irritatedly tells him that if she can give up her broom then he can give up his sword. FMC suggests that Lucas should sign up for the fencing team and say that his sword is for that but also for a show. But Lucas looks insulted by that idea and tells her that it’s not some “play-acting” sword. Omar joins the group and asks what they are talking about the fencing team since he wants to join but thinks he might get hurt. Omar notices Nora and Lucas for the first time and asks FMC who are her new friends for which FMC introduces them to Omar and explains to him that they are exchange students just like him. Omar happily offers his hand to Nora to shake but Nora doesn’t seem to know what to do with it but Lucas claps his arm enthusiastically. FMC notices that Omar knows it is a little weird but he is too nice to even mind. Omar tells Nora and Lucas that if they need help settling in that they should just let him know. For which Nora and Omar notice that they have the same class together making Nora a bit excited. Until a familiar pair of pumps marches into the view and Darla walks towards MC looking irritated. Darla asks where FMC was yesterday since their group project for the Shakespeare class was due. FMC apologies and explains that she got assigned to be the guide to the new exchange students. Omar looking between FMC and Darla with mischief sparkling behind his glasses he steps up to support FMC’s statement that he was the one to recommend her. FMC introduces Darla to Lucas and Nora and Darla greets them but tells them a word of advice that their university is competitive and that if they want to thrive you should find friends who are more committed. FMC who hears a gruff voice in her ear who turns out to be Ezra tells FMC that he needs to talk to her. Darla, looking a bit insulted, tells Ezra she wasn’t done talking but Ezra steps in front of FMC and glares at her and one step eats all the space between him and Darla. Darla whose eyes widen and is afraid that Ezra will grow fangs and bite. Ezra tells her “boo” which makes Darla squeak and runs away towards the nearest group of students. The rest of the group laugh and Lucas asks if Darla is a princess since she asks like one. Nora also asks if she was cursed to be cruel and if so she has a tea that can clear that up. MMC smiles and tells them that she isn’t but she might as well be the Whitethorn’s Princess. Ezra coughs in order to get FMC attention but FMC tells him if he wants to talk to her he needs to use his words. Instead, Ezra grabs FMC by the wrist and pulls her aside to have a space to talk privately. Ezra tells her that he’s been looking for her all morning since he thinks he has figured out why he is missing his contact. FMC asks why since Ezra already told her that he wanted her to stay away from him and his mission. Ezra says that he did at first but FMC keeps showing up everywhere. Therefore Ezra thinks his contact is FMC.

### Episode 4

Ezra explains that he is the world’s best mercenary and tracker. The Snow Queen herself went through a lot of trouble to find Ezra and send him into FMC’s world to go search for an item that needs to be returned. The only thing that Ezra was informed was that he was supposed to meet someone at the secret library and tell him what the item is and go after it. Without knowing what the item is, the less he knows the better. Therefore, Ezra believes that FMC has the object and all she needs to do is give it to him since she was the one who was at the library when Ezra entered her world. Ezra decides that he and FMC need to work together and find this item that FMC needs to give to him and more importantly stay close to her since he thinks she might be endangered after the fairy lights incident. FMC amusingly folds her arms and asks if Ezra is feeling protective and wants to look after her. FMC who expects him to bristle and snipe something back instead sees him blush for the very first time. She ends up laughing and asks if he’s one of those guys who wants someone to throw his cloak over a puddle. Ezra pauses and then he closes the space between them with a curious and wicked smile and asks FMC if she wants to go down this road with him and if she knows what all the stories about him have in common. FMC blushes and shivers as she feels Ezra’s breath on her lips now but Ezra backs off and his eyes are flinty again. Back to business, Ezra thinks that FMC’s family built the university as a portal between Ezra and FMC’s worlds and possibly a safe way station for travelers going between them. And by this, Ezra assumes that he’s supposed to look for an item that belonged to her ancestors and with a great deal of magic. As soon as Ezra says that FMC sinks her hand into her pocket and rubs her amber charm as she thinks of how it always has felt special and probably be the item that Ezra is talking about. FMC blinks as both of her hands are out of her pockets and she struggles to remember what she was doing seconds ago. FMC suggests to start looking for the item back at her place.

Ezra and FMC have checked everywhere, the basement, the attic, the closets, and yet there is nothing. Ezra looks a bit impatient as he picks up a vase and tosses it over his shoulder and moves on but MMC catches it before it falls and breaks. FMC asks Ezra why he needs to touch everything with his gloved claws, Ezra explains that if the item is magical his claw will react to it. Nora asks Ezra if she can help him since she knows a spell but Ezra rejects it by saying it’s his quest and his responsibility. Lucas adds in if it’s because he doesn’t want to share the reward as Ezra finds and tosses a bowl of seashells and luckily MMC catches it. Lucas tells everyone that he is bored and asks MMC if he can show him around town but MMC worriedly tells him that somebody has to protect their stuff from the house. FMC sees Ezra toss a puzzle and with a twist of his lips, she believes he's doing it on purpose now. FMC smiles and tells MMC not to worry since she bets that Nora can fix anything that breaks for which Nora replies that she can. FMC also tells MMC that Ezra and her are in this together for which MMC replies that he doesn't like the sound of that as he narrows his eyes at Ezra’s back. FMC rolls her eyes and tells him that she doesn’t like him like that and Ezra who overhears and adds that the feeling is “mutual”. Ezra ends up finding a picture frame and tosses it but only this time Lucas catches it before shatters. Ezra’s eyes narrow at FMC and tells her that there is one place left to look which is FMC’s room and right away she rejects that idea. Ezra stalks for the last untouched room but FMC sprints ahead and presses her back behind her bedroom door, worried about her embarrassing childhood decorations that she’ll like to take down. Ezra puts his hands gently on FMC’s waist and lifts her up and sets her away from the door and enters.

Ezra enters into her room and FMC notices Ezra looking around without judging or laughing at her childhood decorations and asks if he doesn't care. Ezra replies and says that it’s her territory and it shows who she is. Just as Ezra continues to look through her room he pauses and he sees FMC’s embroidery of the Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf. This gives FMC the time to ask what happened in that story since Ezra can’t be a villain if he ends up saving her. Wolf shakes his head and tells her that it's another story for another time but he’ll tell her a different story since he is well-traveled. FMC with doubt tells Ezra he’ll probably lie to her but Ezra disagrees by stating that he’s in her room as a guest and he won’t lie to her but he just doesn't want to talk about himself for now. FMC tells Ezra that if she agrees he at least needs to tell her at least one thing for which Ezra smiles and agrees towards the terms.

***Heart Scene - Get the truth from Ezra***

*FMC chooses “The Princess and the Pea” since it was her least favorite story as a child. She explains the story about how the Prince was looking for a Princess but some had bad manners, noses too big or they snore. For which Ezra tells her that it has nothing to do with being a princess and FMC adds in that when she was a little she thought it freaked her out since what if she liked someone and they didn’t like her back because she snored since she can’t control that which causes Ezra to fight back a smile. Once she finishes the story, Ezra tells her that it wasn't what happened and gives her his true version of the story. He explains that the woman wasn’t a princess at all and that she was reckless and she one night got caught in a storm and knocked on the castle door for aid. The royals told her they couldn’t help her unless she was a princess so the women ended up lying. In Ezra’s world, there are plenty of princesses so anyone can claim to be one so the queen didn’t want to take her chances and decided to do a test if the woman was telling the truth but if she wasn’t she'll be punished. Therefore, the queen chose a painful test which was a pearl about the size of a pea that was enchanted to cause undeniable pain to anyone with royal blood. The queen gave the women one bed (instead of 20 like the FMC’s version) and stuck one pearl. FMC with curiosity, asks how the woman was able to pass the test and Ezra tells her that the royal household had a cat that the woman was terribly allergic to and decided to rub her face in the cat’s fur and the following morning she looked awful. And once the women passed the test the queen insisted she stay longer with all the royal benefits. FMC in disbelief asks if this was a genius act or just crazy but Ezra just thinks it was just both. Ezra finishes the story by saying that the women stayed for a week while having a little dalliance with the prince but then she left right after which was nothing but smart in Ezra’s opinion. FMC tells Ezra she enjoys this story more than the one in her world and asks how he knows it. Which causes Ezra’s face to fall and his voice softens as he says he once knew her and loved her as a sister.*

FMC thinking of what Ezra’s item can be, starts to think it could be the flower amber that her father gave her just as the familiar voice comes towards her and tells her to “keep it safe...protect it… keep it safe”. Ezra snaps his fingers in front of her and she shakes her head and sees her hand empty and wonders if she was holding anything and why her hand is out in front of her. Ezra tells her that he said her name a couple of times but she didn’t respond as his face looks concerned. FMC still not remembering what she was thinking at first, decides to Ezra that they go look downstairs.

In the living room, Ezra knowing that he is running out of options, lets Nora help him find his item which excites her for which Ezra tells her that the fewer people who are involved the better since his job is dangerous. Ezra explains that the mission is to recover an item that The Ice Queen gave to a former lover a long time ago. Nora as she tugs in her hair says that it isn’t wise to deal with the Ice Queen but Ezra tells her he knows but she has certain information that he wants and is willing to do whatever it takes to get it. Nora’s eyes narrow and ask Ezra if he signed a contract for which Ezra states that he did. And Nora concludes that the reason why no one can return home to their world is because Ezra signed a contract that Ice Queen’s magic is preventing them from returning until he fulfills his mission.

### Episode 5

FMC barely sees Ezra for a few days besides a few glimpses in class, making her believe that she isn’t his contact after all. FMC turns over her shoulder and sees Ezra sitting in the back like always but today he is reading a book about the university’s history. Just as she is about to send a paper plane and send it over to him a stranger interrupts her and she turns and sees a handsome curly blonde hair and blue eye stranger asking if the seat right next to her is taken. FMC tells him it isn’t and he slides in and introduces himself as Edward who just recently transferred and is a couple weeks behind due to some troubles in his paperwork, therefore he asks if FMC wouldn't mind sharing her notes with him. Darla leans in from across the aisle and tells him he’ll want her notes instead, Edward turns his head and with a polite smile replies that he’ll take all the notes he can get but he’s still waiting for FMC’s response. Darla turns away and FMC grins and tells him she’ll be happy to help. Omar enters the classroom and greets FMC. Just as he passes Edward and tries to slide into the row besides FMC, Omar falls and trips and his pens scatter. Edward hurries out of his chair and helps Omar and brushes dust off his uniform and tells him to take his seat instead. FMC smiles and is glad Edward was nice to Omar then instead of laughing at him. Edwards asks when it will be the best time to get her notes and maybe he can buy her a coffee while they are at it. FMC thinks that Edward is asking her out and starts to realize that it’s been a while since she’s been busy with classes nowadays. Suddenly she feels a pair of eyes behind her back and turns to see Ezra who is no longer reading but glaring at Edward.

When class ends, Edward walks the hall with FMC and asks her that he has bio class next and is wondering if she would point her to the right direction. Just as FMC is about to answer Ezra comes out of nowhere and steps in front of her and grabs Edward by the collar and tells him that he saw him trip Omar. Ezra has Edward in such tight grip that Edward sputters and is lifted onto his toes. FMC grabs Ezra by the arm and tells him to stop but Ezra won't let go. Edward smiles and tells Ezra to listen to her and that they are in public and there are laws. Ezra glares and finally drops him and shoots FMC a look that she can’t read and leaves. Edward straightens his tie and asks if he is a friend of hers and she answers that he sorta is. FMC questions Edward if he truly tripped Omar and Edward replies that it was an accident since his foot was in the aisle as he pushes his hair back guiltily.

That night, Nora and FMC are in the secret library and Nora excitedly tells FMC her lesson on solar panels and how it’s a fascinating concept. MMC and Lucas arrive in the room with boxes of donuts. Lucas excitedly ends up sharing about his class in history about the Romanovs and how the queen hired a wizard and he believes all good things will soon happen. Just as FMC and MMC are about to explain the bad tragically, Ezra barges in the room and tells everyone that they got a problem. Everyone’s attention is on Ezra as he asks if anyone who comes from the books can get stuck here. Which Nora answers and tells him that it’s a possibility since someone will have to pull them out just like FMC and MMC did. FMC ends up remembering and tells Nora that not everyone was pulled out of the books because Ezra was already in the library by the time FMC found the place but his book was destroyed. Everyone exchanges nervous looks and Ezra explains that the reason he is asking is because the new student Edward might be from their world. FMC irritably tells everyone that Ezra attacked Edward and accused him of tripping Omar. But Ezra explains that he didn’t just trip him but he pickpocket him which brings FMC towards a surprise. Lucas and Nora tell Ezra that they’ll keep an eye on him while Ezra should focus on finding his contact.

After the others leave, FMC decides to stay longer and study but still can’t focus. Arin appears in the library doorway while leaning against the post and asks what she's doing in the library since it’s already closed. FMC asks if Arin wants to know a secret and they agree and FMC explains that when she and MMC were little, they used to sneak into the library at night. And they would read books and look for ghosts and pretend it was a magic world only to feel as of today like home and find it comforting. Arin asks how her classwork is coming along and with a frown FMC says it’s not going so great but that she really is trying. Arin tells her that they are always here to help and that she knows where their office is at but right now she should get back home and rest. FMC thanks them and once she is outside of the library Arin ends up closing the door in front of her. Making FMC question if Arin isn’t going home. FMC heads down the hall and hears the same nasty and violent growl the night she founded the secret library for the first time. Until she spots Ezra and tells her it’s getting late and that causes the growling stop. She rushes towards him in relief but realizing that he waited for her and that whatever the monster was lurking in the night, Ezra scared it away. Ezra smirks and asks to walk her home and FMC agrees and Ezra suspiciously looks at her and tells her if she’s ill since she usually argues or insists on not wanting him around. Until he adds that he heard the growling too and FMC asks if he has any new ideas about who his contact might be. Ezra says he has a couple but he believes it might be Arin since they are around the library often but if they are then he doesn’t know why they haven’t said anything to him yet. But Ezra also believes that something bad must've happened to his contact and it must be whoever is growling during the nights. Making FMC nervously think if there is a murder around.

Just as they arrive at FMC’s house, she asks if he isn’t coming in since they have to tell everyone about what she heard and she also appreciates Ezra for walking her home and maybe they can have some popcorn and watch a movie. Ezra shakes his head and tells her he shouldn’t and that he’ll see her soon just as he turns and disappears into the night.

### Episode 6

The next day, FMC and Omar are at the café studying when suddenly Edward walks in with an unpleasant look. But once he catches FMC’s eye he smiles and sits across the room and pulls out a book. FMC returns to focus on studying but notices the next time she looks up she sees Edward already looking at her with a shy smile. Omar asks what he thinks of the new student and she replies by saying she has only known him for a day but that he seems nice. FMC stops glancing at Edward and she asks Omar if Edward tripped him yesterday, Omar winces and says that he doesn’t know since he’s pretty clumsy so he must have tripped on himself. But FMC in surprise asks him if he’s in the gymnastics team which causes him to smile and tells her that he only mentioned it once and he didn’t think anyone was paying attention. FMC smiles and tells him that he’s super nice and that he should hang out with them sometime. But Omar replies by saying that he doesn't know since FMC seems to be in a pretty cool crowd and he’ll only embarrass himself. But before she says anything further she sees Lucas run towards her pleading to hide him from Darla who is about to introduce him to her friends and believes she’s trying to create a love match but he’s not interested. Darla hurries into the café, Omar wishes that there was an invisibility cloak that will only hide you from Darla and no one else and Lucas says that he’ll take such a perilous quest for such a blessed artifact. Omar who looks confused but doesn't ask questions just as Darla passes by them but only acknowledging Omar and FMC but not Lucas. Lucas stares in confusion but in relief and FMC says that she’s just ignoring him which is one of her favorite forms of punishment. The café doors open and Ezra and Nora walk in but glaring at each other as they argue. Ezra ends up saying a “magical” but when he sees Omar he cuts off his sentence and lastly says “nap”. There is tense silence and that causes Omar to gather his books and leave. FMC glares and tells everyone that they made things awkward, that it made Omar self-conscious and leave just as he told her that he thinks their group is too cool for him. Nora smile brightens and tells her she likes the word “cool” since it shows something good, interesting and of value which causes FMC to laugh but she gets straight to business by asking what she and Ezra were arguing about. Which Nora smiles and replies that she thinks she knows who Ezra's contact is.

At night, outside in front of the lighthouse, Nora believes that Ezra’s contact is the university’s head librarian. Ezra explains that the semester just started and he disguised himself as a student, but if the head librarian is still looking for him then he’s blending in too well. MMC believes that it all checks out since FMC and him lived in the lighthouse for their whole lives and spent tons of time in the library but they never have met them before. Ezra plans to go check once the campus empties out but Lucas suggests that they come with him but Ezra rejects the idea. Nora tries to explain to Ezra that the Ice Queen can double-cross him and someone sets a trap for him but Ezra rejects further and tells them that it gives him more reasons why he should go alone since it could be dangerous but the laugh’s on them since he can take care of himself. Nora opens her mouth to argue but Lucas takes her arm gently to stop her. They all head inside while MMC follows but glances at his shoulder at Ezra with a worried look. FMC tells Ezra he doesn’t have to do it alone but Ezra yells and says that it was never his plan to do it with anyone. FMC notices Ezra’s eyes aren’t with anger as Ezra tries to explain that Nora and Lucas are stuck away from their homes, families and their lives all because of him. Therefore, he rather not put them in any more danger than he already has since he’s responsible for them. FMC finally doesn’t argue further but asks him if he does find his contact what will happen and if he really thinks that he’ll have the item once he knows what it is. Ezra shrugs and tells her that he isn’t too sure but that the place has many secrets and probably even Omar has a secret too which causes them to both laugh. FMC rubs her arm and asks Ezra if this is goodbye. Ezra speaks up quietly and asks how her and her brother come to live in a lighthouse if they aren’t lightkeepers. FMC gives Ezra a shaky laugh and tells him that they are lightkeepers but in this world all of that runs on computers for which she asks if he was to go check out the tower and Ezra smiles and she takes that as a yes.

Up in the lighthouse tower they both look over the sea and Ezra takes a huge bracing breath and tells her that she’s lucky to have a place of hers no matter what. FMC notices how he looks more at home than she’s ever seen him before and she smiles and replies that it’s actually her favorite place. Suddenly, Ezra leaps onto the edge of the railing and stretches his arms wide which makes her yell at him to come down. Ezra tells her no and he howls at the sky which gives her goosebumps and she asks if he was raised by wolves. And Ezra, deadpanned, says that a “she-wolf” took him when he was a baby with her pack which became his family. FMC asks what about his parents but Ezra tells her he doesn’t know them but his real mother is the one who raised him as a mother’s love for her son. Ezra explains that when his voice began to “change”, she encouraged him to leave the forest and learn the ways of humans. Ezra smiths and tells her that before then he learned the ways of the wolves and he can teach her if she wants. But FMC tells him that it’s too dangerous which Ezra tells her as he takes off one glove and reaches out his hand that he’ll never put her in danger and he’ll keep her safe,

***Heart Scene - Howl at the moon with Ezra!***

*FMC puts her hand in Ezra’s and climbs on top of the railing with him. And she expresses towards Ezra on how freer she feels. And with a smile of expectantly, he asks her to howl like it is a normal thing to do. She tilts the back of her head and she shouts which she cuts off the sound and is immediately embarrassed. And recognizes how her voice sounds so small and frails compared to Ezra’s but he doesn't laugh at her. Ezra demonstrates by his bare hand as he tips her head back until she can see the sky. Ezra explains that it has to come from the very bottom of you and to take the deepest breath you can. FMC steadies herself and she ends up yelling at the sky instead. The sound is fuller and louder this time, but nothing close to the haunting beauty of Ezra’s. Ezra tells her that her pack would never hear her like that but FMC tells him that it is how loud she can be. But he tells her it’s not as he takes her hand and presses it to his heart and is able to feel the beats steady, despite the wind and the cold and the dizzyingly height. Ezra tells her that humans shout from the throat but howl has to come from the chest and with everything you are. FMC asks what a howl says in it’s meanings and he replies by saying it could mean many things such as reporting your location, warning an enemy way or asking for company but that deep down the soul of every soul is the same and that you're here. And that you're a whole and well and full of life. But also, you're telling everything that you can hear about yours and how happy you are. FMC asks if he’s happy and with a long look Ezra answers by howling that echoes off the waves and sky, sending a powerful shiver through her whole body. Feeling like it is right to howl again, she tips her head back and looking at the moon she howls louder than she has ever been in her life. And her and Ezra’s voices tangle in a strange new harmony and they both break off into laughter. FMC laughs so hard that she almost slips but he steadies her with his arm around her waist and they both step back down onto the landing and for a long minute Ezra doesn't pull away. Ezra thanks FMC for showing her the lighthouse tower just as he turns away and hurries down the spiral stairs without another word.*

Everyone regroups in the living room as Ezra tells them that they should figure out a way for him to let them know if he was successful or not but at least hopes that if he doesn't come back it would mean he has returned into their world but there's a chance he didn’t return because something went wrong. Nora comes up with an idea as she pulls a piece of periwinkle-colored chalk out of her robes and snaps it in half and gives the other half to Ezra. She explains that if he can get home, he should draw a moon on the library floor before he goes. But if he doesn’t then they assume that something has happened. Ezra tells everyone that if it does that everyone should promise him that they won’t fo and try to rescue him and just focus on finding another way home. Everyone argues with him and Ezra tells them to at least wait till dawn at least. He says goodbye and he leaves and once he’s gone FMC asks if they are going to follow him and Nora with a smirk shows her the half of the chalk hovers, twitching slightly in the air like a compass needle and explains it’s searching for its other half. And that as long as Ezra has the other half they’ll be able to find him.

They all make it to campus before midnight as they sneak quietly through the hallways. FMC who has been at night around the hallways feels the atmosphere intense until everyone hears a loud crash. Giving up on being quiet they run towards the sound and FMC finds herself around the corner where Ezra is standing in front of the head librarian's office. Ezra looks fine but his hair whips in a magical wind as a deep red smoke pours from the office door. FMC attempts to run to him but he throws an arm and tells her not to get closer but she does so anyways and he looks at her over his shoulder with a glare and tells her that they are too late.

### Episode 7

Through the red mist of the curse, FMC barely makes it out of the plaque by the office door. Once Ezra steps out of the office room with his claws carefully closed around something and gives it to FMC that wiggles. She opens her hands and finds a frog looking up at her with oddly intelligent eyes and Ezra introduces Dr. Tutorea as his mysterious contact. FMC would have whacked Ezra on the shoulder if she weren't holding Dr. Tutorea. She glares and tells Ezra that he made it sound like he was dead. Nora sighs as she flicks the lights of the hallways and says that there is no need to be quiet anymore since there is no danger left. As everyone is surprised by the recent event, Nora believes that the curse was triggered when Ezra opened the office door, making it as some kind of tripwire if anyone entered the office, it would curse the head librarian. Ezra narrows his eyes and says that whoever set the trap is a couple steps ahead of him and they want him to fail his mission. Ezra turns towards Nora and asks if she can break the curse for which Nora replies that she thinks she could but it would take time since curses like the one Dr. Tutorea has are usually the ones that have specific rules like untying a complex knot. But FMC surprisingly asks if she can just break the curse by kissing him which everyone stares at her startled. Lucas asks why she would want to do that just as Dr. Tutorea rears back in disgust. FMC asks if anyone knows the story where the prince gets cursed into a frog and only a kiss can turn him back only making them more confused and confirming that they never have heard about it before. Ezra tries not to laugh as FMC tells them to forget what she said. MMC asks if she still has that old terrarium in her room so they can use it for Dr. Tutorea which only makes Ezra tease FMC by saying if she wants to keep him close to her heart as he also calls her “frog-kisser”. Which only makes FMC irritated and they all walk out of the campus.

A couple days later, FMC is in the library looking for books on how to take care of frogs just as she is waiting for Edward to meet with her for her notes. She also notices Ezra a few rows over her and can feel that he’s here to keep an eye on Edward but also to protect her. Which makes her feel safe and lonely at the same time. Someone approaches her and expects Edward but instead it’s Arin looking at the stack of her books asking her if she’s picking another new class when they already told her to focus on her current classes. FMC denies and Arin curiously asks if she has finished her Shakespeare project which she replies by saying that she has forgotten which only makes Arin concerned, not frustrated or disappointed. Arin suggests that she drops out of that class but FMC rejects that idea, thinking of still trying to find her sense of purpose. FMC changes the topic by asking them if they wanted to talk to her about something for which Arin tells her that they did and they wanted to let her know that they won’t be able to tutor her anymore since the campus asked them to take over as the head librarian since Dr. Tutorea had a sudden leave of absence. By this, Arin explains that they will have new responsibilities since they have to plan a library fundraiser and that makes FMC teases Arin by saying who’s now taking too much work but Arin smiles and says that at least books are their passion. Which makes FMC wish she had that same passion as them.

Edward finally arrives and he claims the table with his book and smiles at FMC as he asks her if she’s ready. Arin leaves for their next class and FMC pulls out her notes to give to Edward but can feel Ezra’s eyes on them. Edward thanks her for helping him since he felt like he was drowning when he first got to the university late. Just as they continue to go over FMC’s notes, Edward fiddles with his pencil and asks if he can ask her a personal question which is if there is something going on between Ezra and her even though he already asked her out for coffee. FMC admits to Edward that they are both not going out and she asks why out of curiosity. Edward frowns and he tells FMC that Ezra has been staring at the same page the entire time and Edward’s guess is that he’s paying more attention to her than his book that he was currently reading. FMC glances at Ezra who is staring at his book but doesn’t seem to be reading like Edward has said, therefore FMC thinks Ezra is trying to listen in towards her and Edward’s conversation. Edward tells FMC that Ezra was harsh towards him on his first day in the university and suggests towards her that if she were him she should keep an eye on him, since Ezra looks like he is a little obsessive towards her. FMC sighs, and looks at Edward and tells him that she doesn't know him very well but based on everything she has seen, Ezra seems like a good guy. This makes Edward lean in to make sure no one listens in and he whispers to her that if she feels unsafe around Ezra that she only needs to say so and that Edward will do whatever it takes to look out for her. FMC doesn’t manage to give him a response but Edward doesn't seem to need one as he picks up his book and smiles and leaves the library. FMC turns her head to look for Ezra but he is gone as well.

FMC enters in the café to get some coffee to clear her head and is pleased to find Nora studying there. FMC sits beside Nora with a sigh and explains that Arin can’t tutor her anymore since the now head librarian is a frog now. FMC asks how the progress is going on undoing the curse. Nora uncertainty says that it’s not going as great since the curse is difficult and “multi-layered” magic but at the same time she thinks it’s cruel that someone will do that to Dr. Tutorea. Nora tells MC that she thinks that whoever cast that curse meant to send a message to Ezra rather than Dr. Tutorea. Therefore, it seems like someone has something personal against Ezra. Nora reminds FMC that Ezra is a wanted man with many enemies so it doesn’t narrow down on who put the curse in the first place. FMC fiddles with the edge of the table, picking at a splintered bit of wood and asks what Ezra did to earn a prize over his head. Nora says that she doesn't know but has heard tales of betrayal and murder. Nora studies FMC and tells her that she is not sure she believes them herself since the truth is always more complicated than a tale but does know that Ezra was captured by some ruthless people, and even the Hunters couldn’t catch him after they threw him out. The Hunters have said that Ezra could talk his way out of almost anything, but regardless what happened, Nora tells FMC that Ezra is dangerous and possibly even more than the stories have made him seem. A shadow falls over the table and Nora and FMC glance to see Arin who is usually tired but this time is tight with fuming and asks Nora and FMC if they know Ezra. FMC answers and says yes but why and Arin explains that Ezra told Arin that they could explain what he was doing when Arin caught him going through the student records. Which includes names, addresses, tuitions and all information that is confidential as Arin folds their arms and reminds them that they don’t have to tell them that it’s illegal.

### Episode 8

FMC and Ezra waiting outside of the dean’s office, FMC with a glare questions what Ezra was exactly doing and why he had to drag her in it. Ezra shrugs and explains that he was looking for the person who turned Dr. Tutorea into a frog. FMC asks if he at least found something, which causes Ezra to glare and tells her that is the problem, the problem is that Edward isn’t listed in the student records. FMC defends Edward by saying that just because he showed up at the same time as Ezra does not give proof that Edward did something wrong. The moment becomes heated as Ezra also explains that the reason he dragged FMC in the first place was because he knew she could come up with a better excuse than he could since she knows the campus better. The dean’s door opens but only for Arin is the one who steps outside instead. Once they shut the door carefully behind them and with a flash of smile Arin tells them that they are both excused. FMC becomes surprised as Arin explains that they told the dean that Ezra was helping Arin with a project and Ezra just hadn’t gotten the proper clearances yet. Ezra narrows his eyes, trying to figure out what Arin’s game is. Arin still tells them that the administration is still upset but they agreed to let Arin handle it. Ezra questions Arin on why they would lie for him and Arin replies by saying that they don’t think Ezra was doing anything malicious and that it was all an honest mistake. But Ezra just keeps eyeballing them and finally folds his arms and asks what he owes them in return. Arin smiles and tells FMC and Ezra to assist with the upcoming Shakespeare’s play called “The Tempest” since Ezra owes Arin and FMC needs extra credit for her Shakespeare class. Arin also tells them that they will rehearse tomorrow and that their director is Darla. Darla comes down the hallway like she was summoned and Arin tells Darla that Ezra and FMC are the actors she’ll be working with. Darla who looks uncertain says since in desperate time calls for desperate measures, therefore she agrees. Ezra glares at Arin and tells them that he wants a different favor but Arin rejects and tells them to have fun.

In a different classroom while Darla is yelling at Ezra and MC that they are doing it all wrong and to do it again. FMC tries to tell Darla that it would be easier if she just told them what she wanted but Darla tells them both that they are acting like their characters are just strangers. But Ezra glares and tells Darla they are strangers and FMC adds that “Ferdinand” (Ezra’s character) doesn’t even know “Miranda’s”( FMC’s character) name yet. Darla yells at Ezra and FMC that the both characters are already in love so they both need to act like it just as Darla jabs a finger in Ezra’s face. Ezra smirks and teases FMC that she heard Darla and to show her that she loves him. Darla irritably tells Ezra that she didn’t ask him to be an eight-year-old. FMC smiles and tries to read her script again only for Ezra to go out of line making Darla more furious that she makes them take five while she goes to speak to Arin again. Right when Darla leaves Ezra asks why can’t Darla be the one to do the play, if she herself got many opinions on it just as Ezra puts his hands on his hips and tosses his hair back, trying to be best in Darla’s expression. FMC snorts and tells Ezra that he’ll make a better Darla than Darla herself. As she flips through her script she tells Ezra that they probably should try to get through this for real while Darla is gone but also wants to do well for the extra credit so she doesn’t let Arin down. They try to practice while Darla is gone and FMC notices how good Ezra is in acting and asks where he was hiding these acting skills. Ezra flicks his eyes away, scowling over the hint of red on his cheek and tells FMC that it’s not a skill since the words sound good so it’s easy to say them. While Ezra keeps avoiding eye contact as he looks through his lines, he says that it’s easy to be Ferdinand since he’s been all over but suddenly meeting Miranda makes him feel brand new and that he’ll do anything for her because that’s who he is.When he turns the last page and Ezra gives a small smile and says that none of it would feel hard or unfair, not if it’s for her and that’s why he believes that Darla putting a kiss at the end of the play is just wrong since Ferdinand has kissed many women before and he probably wants it to be special for Miranda. FMC tells Ezra that Ferndinand won’t waste his time since Miranda is really special to him, so he'll get carried away with all the joy and the passion and sweep her up and plant a kiss on her. But Ezra responds to her by saying that she only thinks that because she’s never been kissed before. FMC glares and tells Ezra she has been kissed before and Ezra laughs and tells her she just wasn’t kissed properly. FMC replies by saying he doesn’t know that but that makes Ezra leans in close while smirking and he tells her to tell him all the incredible kisses she had in the past but FMC tells Ezra he also has to share his past kisses as well.

***Heart Scene - Make Ezra tell you about good kisses***

*FMC who also wants to hear about Ezra’s past kisses, Ezra settles it by working his way up towards the bad kisses until the best kisses last. Ezra leans back against the desk with a sharp smile. Ezra decides to share his first story about his first kiss with a shepherd girl who was watching her flock on a hill outside the forest. FMC who starts to believe the story is coming out into a sweet story is later ruined once Ezra tells her he kissed the shepherd girl as a distraction so his pack can steal one of her sheep while her eyes are closed. Which FMC claims that it must be terrible but Ezra tells her that wolves need to eat too. Ezra grins at FMC and tells her that the shepherd girl enjoyed it since she told him so, making him believe it wasn’t bad for having no idea on what he was doing. And now it’s FMC’s turn to share, FMC tells him that her first kiss wasn’t great as she laughs as just the memory of it. She tells him that once a guy tried to French kiss her but he kept flicking his tongue like a lizard and she found it gross. Teasingly Ezra tells her that says the girl who’s dating a frog and FMC tells him to leave Dr. Tutorea out of it. Ezra laughs and says he has a much worse one, he and a woman hit it off in a tavern but it ended badly when he found out the hard way that she was a shapeshifter. Earlier that night she was in her cat form that she forgot to change her mouth back and asked FMC if she knows what a cat’s tongue feels like as he shudders so hard that FMC laughs. FMC then tells Ezra that one time her first girlfriend and her were making out until MMC walked in on them and they both wished they could die. Ezra smirks and tells her that he must be right then since it sounds like none of her kisses have been any good at all. But FMC states that Ezra’s past kisses also don’t seem to have any good ones as well so she asks Ezra to finally tell her the best one already which Ezra replies that he can’t. As he rocks forward and swings his weight off the desk and closes the distance between them he tells her in a grin that it’s because it hasn’t happened yet. Just as Ezra’s voice is in a soft and more of a purr than a growl, tells FMC that he has had kisses that lasted for hours and ones that stole their breath immediately but he claims to himself that he is more of an animal than a man. And that he’ll pin, growl and bite and he’ll ask for more which makes FMC blush and take a shaky breath. Except Ezra states that none of those were the best kisses, that they were language but not poetry. He tilts his head and dips lower making FMC think he’s going to kiss her but instead whispers against her ear that is so close that she can feel the ghosting touch of his lips. And Ezra whispers and says that’s why Ferdinand won’t kiss Miranda yet, because the best kiss is worth thinking about first and worth waiting for. He then pulls away with a smirk and heads for the door without saying another word and FMC watches making her legs turn into something more like marshmallow fluff. FMC confusedly asks herself if Ezra was teasing her or he really meant it and what is the best kiss for a man like Ezra Wolf. FMC blushes and braces her back against the desk and slides to the floor until Ezra pokes his head from the door which startles her and Ezra tells her to hurry up so they can leave before Darla comes back.*

FMC who expects Ezra to be usually quiet instead has a lot of questions. Ezra asks if Shakespeare is very famous in her world and FMC answers by saying that he lived about 400 years ago and that he’s still famous for it since they are still reading his stuff. FMC asks if Ezra likes the play and Ezra replies that he has always liked poetry and FMC without helping herself ends up laughing. Ezra shrugs as they continue to walk home to the lighthouse but he doesn’t show embarrassment. He explains that he always liked words since wolves don’t really speak since they do howling but also scent and body language. When Ezra started living with other people and started discovering songs, plays and poetry he felt like it was a treat. Something special that only humans do and Ezra who is human as well. FMC finds it cool that Ezra is into language but Ezra says that he can’t say it was a pure-hearted interest. He smiles at FMC slyly with the sharp hint of teeth, and tells her that he has a reputation for being more than big and bad but also tales of his silver tongue as well that have been good for getting him out of trouble. By this, FMC states that Nora told her something familiar towards it on how he talked his way out of anything. This causes Ezra to stop in his tracks with an anxious line appearing between his eyebrows. Ezra asks her what were her and Nora talking about, the things people say about him and the crimes he has committed. FMC noticing how it came out wrong, tells Ezra that she only wanted to know him better. With a glare, Ezra tells her that she went behind his back and asks if Nora is the Big Bad Wolf since nobody knows about his life but him. FMC attempts to apologize but Ezra interrupts her by saying if she were that curious why didn’t she just come to him instead. FMC yells by saying that it’s because he hasn’t been open about the questions she has about him since he’s always hiding something. Ezra yells in return and says that he has never lied to her and he never would and he’ll tell her what he can and can’t tell and that’s all she needs to know. The heat in Ezra’s voice fades and he asks what Nora told FMC and she answers by saying that the only thing she told her was what Ezra himself told her as well when they first met and that he is dangerous. Ezra admits that Nora is correct, that he is dangerous just as the heat in his voice returns and he takes a step forward but FMC takes a step back. Ezra tells her that in the bottom line he is the villain and that it doesn't matter what he does because that’s never going to change even if he thought he could be something else for just a second. Ezra cuts off his sentence and faces FMC away and she calls him by his name but he tells her not to call her that, since they aren’t friends. FMC tells him that it’s not fair but Ezra in return tells her that if she could have at least trusted him and came to him instead of repairing rumors behind his back. Noticing that Ezra isn’t mad at her but realizes that he just thinks it’s his fault, she steps closer to him and reaches out to touch his claws that he slipped on the second they left the campus, her apology rising through FMC’s throat.

### Episode 9

Ezra opens his mouth like he has something to say just as FMC is struggling with her words but the moment will have to be for another time just as Lucas comes running towards them. He tells them breathlessly that they need to hurry since a storm is coming, something he has never seen before but more importantly, the lighthouse’s light is broken. Ezra and FMC run and follow Lucas back to the lighthouse.

Back inside the lighthouse, MMC tells FMC that the lights aren’t turning and there's a big storm coming and if anybody is sailing out there they’ll need them. MMC tries to tell FMC that he has checked the computers but she interrupts him saying that it has nothing to do with that, that it’s probably the motor for the rotator. FMC asks why didn’t he ever pay attention when their dad tried to teach them how to work the lighthouse but MMC tells her that they can have the fight later for which FMC agrees even though she’s winning the argument. FMC orders him to turn off the motor and check it over while she goes up to the lamp and cleans out the gears and shaft.

They hurry outside and slightly surprised to have Ezra follow them. Ezra doesn’t say a word as they climb up the top, not even when MMC ducks in the watch room for the motor. FMC tosses Ezra an old rag and tells him that they need to start cleaning out the gears. Ezra moves wordlessly and follows her to the machinery beneath the lantern room and gets straight to work. Ezra asks why can’t her brother fix the motor and FMC frowns and asks if he thinks she can’t do it instead but Ezra swipes the gears more vigorously as tells her that it’s not what he said it was that there was tension between her and MMC. Noticing how Ezra is being defensive again, FMC sees it as if he’s sure that she’s thinking the worst of him for which she apologizes. FMC asks if he can change the lightbulbs and Ezra is already on it as he gives it to her and their fingers brush as he passes it over just as the touch lingers between them. FMC explains while she’s cleaning that her brother didn’t pay a ton of attention to the lighthouse because he thought their dad would be with them longer but instead their dad got tired of teaching at the university. Her mom and dad wanted to explore the world and write their own books, by that time MMC was already away from a different college since he didn’t want to study at Whitethorn. As she explains, she remembers the determination on MMC’ face when he told their parents how he wanted to earn his own way in. Therefore, FMC tells Ezra that taking care of the lighthouse was up to her by then. Ezra pauses and looks at her in surprise and asks her if she lived in the lighthouse alone with no friends and family nearby and for how long. FMC answers that she lived by herself for a couple of years which causes Ezra to wrench his eyes away from her and tells her that it shouldn’t have happened since people are like wolves since they can’t make it alone. MMC shouts and asks how it is going and FMC shouts back and tells him to try the motor agan. There’s a soft rumble before the lamps lights and the Fresnel lenses start rotating around them again, officially working again. Ezra in surprise asks her if that was it and FMC tells him that it was a just maintenance issue since she was supposed to clean and replace it weeks ago but she was busy. Ezra shoves his hands into his pockets and asks her if it was all because of the recent event and him. FMC tells him she wishes but she was overloading classes and pulling all-nighter way before she found the magic library. Ezra tells her that she maybe needs to take a break but she rejects and tells him that she’s fine. Ezra looks at her and tells her that he really doesn't think she is but with a frown FMC tells him she doesn’t feel like arguing anymore right now. Ezra sighs and tells her he wanted to apologize earlier on their walk towards the lighthouse and that he’ll like to make her some tea and explain a few things.

***Heart Scene - Listen to Ezra’s apology***

*Ezra leads her towards the kitchen and starts rummaging around in the cupboards and tells her to sit while he makes it. FMC asks if he even knows how to use a stove but Ezra who tries to impress her shows her how he fills the kettle with water and sets it on the top stovetop and turns the burner. With a smile he tells her it’s like magic which FMC claps and tells him that he did it  with real world technology. But Ezra tells her that his world is perfectly real. FMC asks Ezra how he learned and Ezra replies that Nora showed him a little while ago so he guesses that MMC showed her. FMC smiles and tells him that it makes sense since MMC is always better in the kitchen which makes her facial expression change as she frowns on that thought. She misses MMC’s cooking when he was away and now she misses her mom’s cooking as of now. Ezra notices and his eyebrows slope upward and offers her to show her how it works if she wants too also even if the microwave seems complicated but if he can learn how to but FMC interrupts and tells him she knows how it works. Ezra’s offer surprises a laugh out of FMC and she tells him that it’s just the flavors she’s bad at and trying not to burn things but she thanks him for offering his help. He nods and starts pulling down mugs and tea bags which takes him a few seconds and when it’s over he leans against the counter and he apologizes about earlier. His voice is quiet but he looks right at FMC as he speaks, he tells her that he knows he hasn’t made things easier for her lately since he just appeared in her life and changed everything at a time when she already had a lot on her plate. Therefore, he understands that he has been a burden to her. FMC in surprise tells him that she hasn’t thought of it that way. FMC starts to think of the play “The Tempest” on how the characters Ferdinand and Miranda argue over carrying loads, making her know that it’s never a burden if it’s for somebody you care about. Ezra also tells her that he bit her head off on the road earlier as he interrupts the train of thought, Ezra explains that it was the part he was really sorry for and that the thing is people who usually ask questions about him and learn too much can be dangerous. As he realises a heavy breath, he explains that if someone pokes into his past, it’s always a sign that something’s about to go wrong for him. So in conclusion, he really isn’t used to people anymore. Which he’s been along for a long time which he knows that FMC can tell by now. FMC stays quiet, afraid to interrupt him too soon. Ezra continues to explain that the other side of the coin is that if somebody doesn't care about his past and just wants to get to know him, that just puts them in danger and he can’t be alright with that. He expresses that it’s an exhausting life being the prey and that he never thought about it until he had to live it for himself. FMC asks if they are okay with a little danger and that makes Ezra smile a bit slightly that makes her enough to smile too. Ezra gives her the handle of the mug carefully, making sure she doesn’t scald her fingers on the hot sides. She breathes in the warmth of the tea while Ezra sits besides her, FMC thinks if he’ll stay longer this time but Ezra interprets her thoughts and tells her he has to go as his voice is soft again but this time he’s not looking at her anymore. He tells her that she looks tired and FMC tells him that it’s a rude thing to say to someone in her world and Ezra also tells her that it's the same in his world too but he actually means it. He flashes a little smile to show that he doesn’t mean any harm and explains that she should get some rest since today has been chaotic. She nods in agreement as a wisp of hair falling over her shoulder but Ezra catches it before it lands on her tea and then pauses by just staring at it that follows up to her face.*

Nora finds Ezra and FMC at the kitchen and tells them that she has something important to tell everyone and that the storm is magical and that someone is calling a great deal of magic to a central location. The pull is so strong that it’s even dragging in the clouds that were out at the sea and FMC adds in that it’s basically creating a superstorm. Ezra says that he is going to follow the pull of the magic and he’ll find out who’s doing this. And if they’re risking on casting a spell with this many effects, that means they're getting desperate. FMC asks if that’s a good thing since it’ll be easier to catch them but Ezra tells her that desperate prey is the most dangerous since it means that they don’t have any time to waste. Ezra asks Nora if the storm can be stopped and she replies that it’s possible but that she can’t reverse the magic pull but she can try to be able to restrain the clouds at least. Ezra makes a plan by making Nora stay in the lighthouse and work on restraining it, Lucas will stay with Nora to protect her since she’ll be busy concentrating and Ezra turns towards MMC and tells him to stay too. He notices how Lucas exhales in relief and he smiles and easily explains to MMC that somebody has to watch out for his sister's boyfriend Dr. Tutorea. FMC asks what she needs to do and he tells her that she’s coming with him on the hunt which makes her excited. Ezra explains that since Lucas will be busy protecting Nora and MMC, Ezra will at least have her stick close to him in order for her to be safe while he keeps an eye on her.

By the time they get to the campus, FMC nearly bowls over by the gust of wind but Ezra catches her with his arm around her shoulders and tucks her against his side and doesn’t let go even once they make it into the hallways. FMC reminds him that they are finally inside which he releases her and she immediately regrets it by missing his warmth. They head deeper down the hallway and they notice the storm is gathering right above the campus and FMC asks if they should pull the fire alarm so they can empty the building since everyone is maybe in danger. But as soon as her words leave her mouth she knows that they can’t do that since sending people out into the storm will only get them hurt. Suddenly they both spot Omar as he glances around nervously and then tiptoes into the library alone. Ezra glares and tells her that they need to follow him.

They follow Omar into the library and Ezra cautiously tells her to stay behind him since Omar might be dangerous. FMC tries to tell him that there's no way he can be but Ezra holds a finger to his lips to quiet her. They see Omar head towards the secret library and Ezra and her duck around another bookcase just as Omar looks anxiously over his shoulder again. The dust in the empty section makes FMC’s nose tickle that she tries to not sneeze by pressing her hands over her face but it’s too late as she swallows most of her sneeze but the end of the sound comes anyways. This causes Omar to freeze and then takes a step closer towards their direction. Ezra grabs her chin and presses her body against his and is enough for their fabric of shirts to brush. His slack of grip on her wrist and only braced by his thumb while his other finger splay, keeping her free. FMC notices how his hands are gentle but he wants to look like he’s clutching her like he’s claiming her while hiding them in the darkness and he finally tells her to kiss him.

### Episode 10

FMC closes her eyes and waits to feel his mouth to meet hers, but it doesn’t happen. She opens her eyes again when she hears another set of footsteps, feeling Ezra being tense around her as she peers through a gap in the books beside her head. FMC turns in Ezra’s arms, feeling him also as solid as a wall behind her back as she sees another figure step into the view to reveal Edward. Just as Edward asks Omar where he is going, Omar whirls and eyes, Edward, like a cornered rabbit. Omar replies to him that he isn’t going anywhere but Edward who is still glaring at Omar tells him not to be coy. Edward walks over to Omar and tells him that he has tracked him all the way from Al-Zabir and that he admits that when he first arrived at the university he was thrown off by FMC. He says FMC’s name like it's unfamiliar work but curious about what it means. Edward tells Omar that it was a clever trick to throw his magic over to FMC in order to make him believe she was from their world even though it was a good thing she avoided the fairy lights since it would have looked bad for Edward if he took her back instead of Omar. Glaring harder, Edward tells Omar now that he has found him, the time for games is over but Omar who’s slightly confused tells him that he doesn't know what he’s talking about and that he’ll never put any spell on FMC since she’s his friend. Edward pauses in confusion just for a minute but his lips curl into a smile and tells Omar that FMC will maybe be price after all but it’s for another job for another day but that tonight he’ll do what he came for. With a demanding hand, Edward tells the so-called “Aladdin'' to give him the lamp. Omar yells to leave him alone as Edward surges and shoves Omar back against a shelf to keep him pinned with a hand over his heart, and Omar cries in pain. Ezra reveals himself and wrenches his gloves out of his jacket and tells FMC to stay hidden. Edward drops Omar and faces Ezra with a wide feral smile and tells him that there was something about him and that he must be another fellow mercenary from their world. He tells Ezra that Omar is his and he’ll be the one collecting the bounty on his lamp and to find himself another hunt. FMC reveals herself from the dark and yells at Edward that he’ll not be doing anything to Omar as she pushes up her sleeves to be ready as a backup for Ezra. Omar gapes and she offers him a little wave but Ezra growls and glares at her from over his shoulder and tells her that he told her to stay hidden. Edward’s teeth dig into his lip, trying to stop another smile as the storm gets stronger as it shakes the building which makes FMC notice that whatever Nora is doing isn’t stopping the storm since it’s too powerful. Omar tells everyone that he casted the spell through his wish that he made to the lamp and for the first time, FMC sees uncertainty cross Edwards’s face. Ezra narrows his eyes and orders everyone to go to the secret library, Edward attempts to argue but Ezra interrupts by saying that they can’t settle it where innocents can get involved. The command in Ezra’s voice gets Edward to obey him but seizes Omar by the arm as he tells Ezra that the bounty on the lamp is still his but Ezra tells him that he won’t claim a prize if he’s dead. They all go to the secret library at the lightning flashes outside the windows.

Once inside the secret library, Ezra asks Edward if he’s only here for the lamp and nothing else. Edwards’s gaze flicks toward FMC as he traces her face in a way that makes her nervous but Ezra steps in front of her to shield her from Edward's eyes. Edward glares at Ezra and tells him if they aren’t after the same thing then he should leave him since the lamp is his and Ezra has no business with it. Omar angrily has had enough that he wrenches his arm away from Edward and tells him that nobody is taking the lamp since he found it and he’s going to keep it. Even from the underground, FMC can feel the storm roiling above them as Omar turns to Edward and sticks his finger in his face. Omar tells Edward that he came here to be safe and happy and to take class, get a normal job, and never see Al-Zabir again. And yelled as he asks Edward what's wrong with having that and why is he trying to take all that away from him. Feeling the winds enter into the library, Ezra tells Omar to keep calm but doesn't hear him as he continues to yell at Edward by telling him that he knew he was following him and he knew that he was from their world. As he continues to shout at him he also tells him that he tried to hide and tried to be nice but nothing worked but now he made a wish and he’s letting the lamp take care of it however it thinks its and which it’s pulling magic from everywhere and maybe enough magic to get Edward away from him, this causes Edward to freeze and Ezra and FMC to share a glance. Edward worriedly tells Omar that it’s more dangerous than he imagined but Omar yells that he’s more dangerous than Edward imagined. Edward narrows his eyes and tells Omar that the magic is too much for him and to look at the chaos he’s causing as he holds out his hand again. Edward tells him that the “vizier” doesn’t need to know that he’s alive but he’ll bring the lamp back and he can stay here forever but he just needs Omar to give him the lamp. Omar tells him to stop asking since he already said no. FMC yells at everyone to stop and the wind in the library pauses. FMC tells Edward that he can’t go back to his world even if he gets the lamp since everyone here is stuck due to Ezra’s contract saying the doors to the other world won’t open until he gets the item he came for. Edward tells her that she’s lying but Ezra tells him that she’s not and that if he didn’t turn his contact into a frog then he’ll probably be a lot closer towards finishing his job. But Edward tells him he doesn’t know what he’s talking about and which means it wasn’t Edward who set the trap. Edward looks for a certain book and once he finds it and drops it to the ground and steps on it, nothing happens. He continues to stomp harder and then jumps up and down like a little kid but nothing happens still. He kicks the book away from himself and with a glare, he turns towards Omar and tells him that he can keep his lamp for now. He then turns towards Ezra and tells him what kind of employer and contract did he sign that caused all doors to close unless he succeeded. He then asks why didn’t the Hunters protect him for which Ezra doesn’t answer and then makes Edward realize that he’s the Big Bad Wolf. Omar and FMC who are still confused by many chaotic events in one night makes Edward finally introduce himself as he bows at the waist like he’s at a ballroom instead of a library as he also gestures at the book that he kicked. The title of the book says “The Beast” and Ezra curses through his gritted teeth but Edward smiles as he rises from his bow. Ezra explains towards a confused FMC that Edward is a dethroned prince who now plays as a mercenary. Edward adds that it’s not fair since he’s only away from the throne because he’s been cursed so he can return to it when he finds his true love. As the words leave out of Edward’s mouth with sarcastic venom he lazily smiles as he turns towards FMC and asks if she doesn't supposedly want to love him but FMC rejects him and Edward without a surprise isn’t hurt.Edward towards Ezra again and tells him that normally he’ll say it’s an honor to meet him but his name doesn't come with honor anymore. As his eyes and smiles sharpen, he asks how Red Riding Hood is doing these days for which Ezra lunges with a roar as he slams Edward viciously against the bookshelf. Ezra and Edward get into a physical fight until Ezra hurls Edward to the ground and threatens him to stay away from Omar and FMC or else he’ll show him what real cruelty is. Edward stands as he dusts himself and tells Ezra he has no reason to hurt them now since he just wants the lamp but there's no point if he can’t go anywhere, therefore he’ll wait for Ezra to let him know when his contract is finished. He turns to go but glances at Omar over his shoulder and tells him he’ll be back for the lamp once his protector is gone and to think over his offer but also his reputation. He spares a glance at FMC and immediately hides his cruelty under his mask of charm and tells her that he’ll see her in class. After a long silence when Edward leaves, FMC turns to face Omar and tells him that she has many questions but asks him that he has a magic lamp to take him anywhere but why here. Omar looks confused but genuine replies with a question that he likes books and that makes FMC pull him into a hug. FMC smiles and tells him she knew he was one of the cool kids.

### Episode 11

In the middle of the living room at the lighthouse, Omar explains his story on how he got the lamp as Nora, Lucas, and MMC listen in half-disbelief. He was poorer than poor in Al-Zabir that he would have done anything to get away since he didn’t believe he would get a good job or life since he couldn’t afford to go school where he came from. Nora tells Omar that she has heard that the lamp of Al-Zabir went missing but finds it interesting that it’s with him all this time as she also calls him Aladdin. Omar tells her to call him Omar since many were named Aladdin where he came from, therefore he chose a new name to start a new life. Omar tells everyone that he doesn’t plan to give the lamp up since it feels like a friend to him and Nora replies that the lamp likes being with him while Lucas also states that perhaps it even chose him to be its true keeper. MMC sits back and asks how many people are magical and that Omar was the last person he expected but also apologizes for not knowing. But Omar happily states that it was what he was aiming for since he wanted to blend in. He tells the rest that if they all find a way back home then great, but he plans on staying here. Ezra folds his arms while the rest of them sit and with a glare tells Omar that once they all leave, Edward will come back for the lamp again. Omar smiles and tells him that if he has learned anything today is that the lamp doesn’t want Edward therefore he’ll do whatever it takes to make the lamp stay with him and that also means he’ll be okay but Ezra doesn’t need to worry about protecting him. Ezra smiles but tells him he doesn’t trust Edward and Lucas himself also agrees since he knows him as being cruel. Lucas explains that an elderly witch asked to take shelter in Edward’s castle during a storm but he refused her so she ended up cursing him with banishment. Now Edward can never return to his kingdom unless he is loved by someone and he learns to love in return. Lucas frowns and states that Edward will die as an old man before anyone loves him since he’s only gotten worse since the curse but also not amending his behavior. MMC asks if Edward can turn Dr. Tutorea back into a person but Ezra tells him Edward didn’t do it and that it was someone else. Ezra tells the rest that they need to keep an eye on Edward and Lucas also adds that they also need to welcome their new friend Omar. Omar, who is excited, spreads his arms wide like he’s expecting a hug and asks if they can have a movie night but FMC tells him that she wishes she can but has to be responsible since tomorrow she and Ezra have a play. Everyone groans but nobody louder than Ezra.

The next following day, FMC goes deep into the library and presses her hand on the book section where Ezra demanded a kiss from her last night. Her wanting to talk to Ezra about it but can't since they haven’t had alone time. She questions why Ezra went straight to kissing if he didn’t mean anything by it but also questions herself on why she’s disappointed. She slaps her palm against the book spines with a growl knowing that Ezra is going back to his world since she knows he doesn’t want to be here, therefore she has to stop thinking about him. Ezra appears in the aisle which makes her jump, he reminds her that the play is about to start and if she’s ready. She tells him she is but it only makes Ezra lean forward as he studies her face and tells her what’s wrong. FMC tells her she’s just nervous and that if Ezra is too but he smirks and tells her as a mercenary they have to prepare for battle and death so he can handle Shakespeare.

When they arrive at the quad, FMC notices Arin smiling in the front row with a big crowd watching the current play before theirs. FMC starts to feel nervous but more nervous about Ezra than the performance. FMC apologies to Ezra about the other day when she talked to Nora about him and that she didn’t think she ever apologized for it. Ezra tells her she doesn’t need to but FMC tells him she does since the stories were wrong about him and that he’s not the villain. Ezra in return tells her that he’s as bad as the stories tell him and that she shouldn’t doubt it. FMC says that it’s true but what Edward said last night was only to provoke him and also Ezra could’ve killed Edward for hurting Omar or at least hurt Edward but he didn’t. Ezra looks at her for a long moment and tells her that he didn’t but he does kill, has killed before, and he’ll kill again so she shouldn’t forget about him for her own sake. Right then, Arin announces the next play, and Darla ushers Ezra and FMC on the stage. As they get there, FMC doesn’t know how to start but Ezra slides into his lines that makes her own lines come easily then that the audience falls away. FMC notices how Ezra was right about how words are easier if they are beautiful. Once they get to every single scene in their play they hear Darla hissing at them to kiss. FMC’s pulse leaps as Ezra leans closer and his head dips with his eyes closed and so does she in anticipation. But instead of kissing her, he presses his forehead towards hers and whispers too softly for the audience to hear and tells her that it’s not the perfect moment. Arin then calls the end of the scene that Ezra pulls away to the loud cheers from the crowd that he walks off leaving FMC stuck to the ground as she watches him go.

At the after-party at the café, Arin finds Ezra and FMC and congratulates them on their play but also they raised a ton of money for the library and that they should be proud of themselves. Ezra shrugs, glancing over at the party like he’s already bored and tells Arin that his debt has been repaid. Arin asks Ezra if he drinks and Ezra replies that he does and Arin offers to buy him one but Ezra asks if he’ll be back on their debt just he follows them and eyes them warily but eager at the idea of alcohol. FMC is left alone with her tea to get a hold of her nerves as she thinks of what Ezra said on “not the perfect moment” and what he meant by it. Lucas, Nora, Omar, and MMC appear and congratulate her on the play. Nora curiously asks what the pigs in a blanket are for which MMC and Omar lead her over to try some but only Lucas stays behind and sits next to FMC. Lucas looks over at Ezra who is trapped in a conversation with Arin and tells FMC that she played her part well but he has to admit that he was most impressed by Ezra. FMC agrees with Lucas as he smiles at Ezra from afar. He tells her that he finds Ezra to be gruff,encouth, ill-mannered, and a bad dresser but he is honest in his own way which makes him true, that one must admire a man who always knows what he wants. FMC looks at Lucas and tells him she doesn’t know what Ezra wants but Lucas tells her that she could ask. She shakes her head and tells him that he’s only here for the Ice Queen’s item and that once he gets it he’ll collect the bounty. Making her think that Ezra won’t think about her the way she will for him when he’s gone. Lucas places a warm and reassuring hand over hers and tells her that he’s not sure about that due to the way Ezra looks at her. He suggests that she should tell him her feelings for him and FMC accidentally yells out loud about what feelings that a couple of people in the crowd stare at her. She hunches at her shoulders and lowers her voice and says that it’s ridiculous since just because Ezra is fun to argue with and seems to genuinely like looking out for people. She doesn’t finish her sentence as she snaps her mouth shut when Lucas quirks an eyebrow, proving his point. FMC tells Lucas that she just wants to know Ezra’s feelings, at first thinking that Lucas is going to back off but instead he stands up and calls out to the rest to join them. FMC tugs Lucas down as the others join their table but he doesn’t shut up. Lucas tells them that he has a game and that everyone has to play because if they don’t then they are a coward. Ezra smirks and tells Lucas that he can’t be baited but Lucas replies that he assumed he wouldn’t play since everyone knows that he’s a coward. Ezra frowns and tells him he is not and that he’s in but he just states that he can’t be baited. FMC asks what the game is about and Lucas spreads his hands like he is starting a tale and tells them that it’s a drinking game called “I Have Never”. MMC in surprise asks that in his world they have the same drinking game as theirs but Nora tells him that Lucas probably just learned the game and wanted to sound knowledgeable. Ezra turns to FMC with a lazy smile and tells her if she’s in but FMC smirks and reminds him that the game is about telling secrets and she knows he likes to keep his. Ezra explains that he’s in a good mood just as he leans close to her and tells her that if she joins she’ll probably find something she wants to know.

***Heart Scene - Play the game...and get the info on Ezra!***

*FMC asks who is getting the drinks but Omar slips a hand into his pocket and shuts his eyes. Suddenly, a bottle and glasses appear on the table, FMC looks around to make sure no one else noticed the magic but Omar winks and says that the lamp felt like partying too. Lucas is the first to begin as he slams his cup boldly on the table. He says he has never danced naked under the light of the full moon which FMC tells Lucas that’s a tough starter since she doesn’t think anyone has done it before but is soon cut off as everyone drinks, shocking her. Ezra shrugs and reminds her that he was raised by wolves, Nora says that some spells work best with the moonlight, Omar says that sometimes being in love just makes you do crazy things, and lastly MMC says he was in undergrad party but he doesn’t finish as he says that he’ll tell the story another day. Whom Lucas says he’s eager to hear it one day and that makes MMC blush. Ezra smirks at FMC’s direction and asks her why she has never done it and curiously she asks why he cares but Ezra doesn’t respond. Nora goes and says she has never summoned butterflies with a wormwood switch midair while hanging off her broom with her knees. No one drinks and Nora decides to rework her strategy as someone else goes next. Omar then goes and says he has never been skydiving which Nora asks if it counts since she's done one but only as far as a broomstick trick can go and Omar decides that it does count. Now MMC’s turn, as he raises his drink with a sly expression, he tells the group that he has never had a spell put on him. FMC and MMC new friends all groan and drink to that, Nora tells MMC that he’s targeting them on purpose which MMC says it’s not against the rules but that he’ll do another if she wants. So another turn MMC takes and he says that he has never been skinny dipping and everyone drinks and that surprises him. Lucas admits that he has seen special clothes for swimming in this world but in their world, they mostly swim naked. Finally, it’s FMC’s turn and she feels Wolf’s eyes on her with daring and she stares back. She tells the group that she had never wanted to kiss someone so badly that she made up a crazy excuse and chickened out. Nobody drinks and Nora leans in and while speaking gently she tells her the point of the game is to make another drink. She tells the rest that she’ll think of a better one and to come back to her once she gets one. Lucas decides to go next, but before he gets the chance to tell him, Ezra turns his head away from FMC and raises his cup towards his lips before Lucas can finish and drinks. She watches as he avoids eye contact and knocks back the rest of his drink, finally getting her answer she stands up, feeling a little flustered and tells the group that she’ll be back and she needs to get some air. She hurries off, leaving her drink as a promise that she’ll return soon while feeling Ezra’s eyes on her back.*

At the empty hallway, FMC questions what she should do on the complication day that she’s having. Suddenly, the light snaps off and she hears that same growling monster that is echoing all around her. Just as she attempts to return to the party a hand catches her arm and sees Edward. He smiles and tells her he finally sees her without her protector.

### Episode 12

Edward pulls FMC close as he covers her mouth with his hand. FMC struggles but can’t seem to get away from him. But what scares her is the growling rumble coming out of his chest that is so deep, she can feel it vibrate across her back making her finally realize that the growling monster was Edward all along. Edward calmly whispers at her ear that he doesn’t want to have to kill her but that he can and very easily. He demands her to start walking without making a sound. She forces her legs to move and lets him march her down the hallways and out to the quad. Edward tells her that if Ezra can’t find the item he’s after then he will be getting both of the rewards. Edward explains that FMC is involved so that’s why Ezra keeps her close so she’s going to show him around town: starting with her house first. FMC bites Edward’s hand hard as she can and he lets off with a yelp but he growls again. She suddenly remembers how Edward hurt Omar by just a touch and asks herself what Edward will do to her. Edward tells her to continue walking just as she thinks about running or yelling for help, but is from grabbing distance.

The road is long and dark and empty as FMC is still being held captive by Edward. FMC reminds him that Ezra told him to leave her alone but Edward tells her that he isn’t here so he doesn’t answer to him. Edward explains that he thinks the reason why Ezra is close to her side is because she must have the item or. Just as Edward finally faces in front of her and tells her that she’s the thing that Ezra’s after. FMC sarcastically calls him a genius and asks him if that were true wouldn’t he be able to go back to his world by then. He kicks a vicious scuff into the path, sending dirt and pebbles flying. He yells at FMC that he just wants to go home since he hates the stupid university and hates the frat bros and the women simpering after him. He also includes that he hates Darla for following him around everywhere for a special clout. FMC tells him that this world is a lot bigger than New Whitethorn. In frustration, Edwards yells on how he wants to go see his kingdom again and take back his throne. Which FMC glares and tells him as anyone could ever love him. That makes him stop in his tracks and rears back like she slapped him. His voice wavers as he speaks and tells her that she doesn’t have to say it as if he doesn’t know that. As if he didn’t hear it every day of his life even before he was cursed. Just as she is about to say about the stories about him, he interrupts her and tells her that he has read all the books but they are all wrong. He clarifies that the beast isn’t his curse, that the curse is that he can’t become the beast anymore as he gestures at himself. Which is his magic in his world, that he could become a beast whenever he wanted even when he was too angry or too despairing that he could form and feel better afterward. But the curse took that away from him and now he feels the animal prowling insides of him like it’s trapped. He angrily asks her if she has any idea what it is like to be banished within your own body as he hooks his finger into his tie like he’s suffocating. FMC is finally aware that the story of the Beauty and the Beast aren’t two different people since the beast is the prince’s comfort and beauty is his curse. Edward with his raging face, orders her to empty her pockets. FMC realizes that the only thing that she has on her is her Flower Amber, but something tells her to resist which she tells Edward that her pockets are empty. Edward demands her to prove it but continues to resist until Edward reaches forward to her again but Edward jumps in between them and shoves Edward so hard that his claw tips rip into his jacket. Ezra doesn’t look back to FMC as he settles his body in front of her and gives Edward a glare. Edward attempts to lunge towards FMC but Ezra blocks him, he tells Edward that he told him to stay away from her as his voice is quiet but so angry. This causes Edward to smile towards her and tells Ezra that he’ll make her his quarry now. Ezra glances back and asks FMC if she likes the sound of that for which she yells that she doesn’t. Ezra turns back to Edward with a glare and tells him that he has just signed his death warrant as he lunges at him. They get into a physical fight and every hit makes Ezra hiss with pain but FMC notices the difference between their fight. Ezra is faster, quieter, and more sure of himself. Just as he draws Edward off the road, Edward swings at him but Ezra disappears, showing that his claws are working in the shadows again since they are close to her house where there is more magic there. Finally, Ezra pins Edward to the ground with his claws around his throat, ready to slice deep. He says to Edward that he took FMC from her family, her friends, alone in the dark, and that he should kill him for that just as his hands squeezes and Edward gasps against the pain. Immediately, FMC tells Ezra to stop and Ezra’s hand loosens. She tells Ezra that Edward isn’t worth it and that he is just desperate but also she doesn’t have what Edward wants so he can’t bother her anymore. Just when FMC thinks of showing the Flower Amber to Ezra later, she right away forgets what she was just thinking about. Ezra shoves Edward away and rises to steady her and Ezra tells him to go. Edward asks where he should go since he’s stuck here in this world, just as he laughs when he finds a trickle of blood on his neck. Edward frowns and tells Ezra that they would settle this once he gets the door to their world to open again. Ezra tears his eyes from FMC’s face to give Edward one last cold, hard look. He tells him that until then, Edward isn’t allowed to touch her again and that if he sees anywhere near her again, FMC won’t be able to stop Ezra again. Edward leaves and FMC’s knees are starting to wobble as her head also starts to ache from trying to remember what she wanted to show Ezra. The more she reaches for it, the more her head hurts so she gives up. Instead, she focuses on Ezra’s arms that are stabilizing her but carefully keeps his sharp claws away from her. Ezra worriedly looks down at her with a hard swallow, he gingerly cups her face and asks if she’s alright. She replies that she is and asks if Ezra is doing alright as well. He tells her as he still cups her face that she left and because of him, he should have followed her but he didn’t. He just didn’t want to seem like he was hunting her. He tells her that she has heard all the stories about him and she still isn’t afraid of him, that’s why he got so upset when she asked Nora to know more. He then turns to blame himself but FMC calls him an idotic that it’ll all be Edward's fault. He frowns and asks who is she calling an idiot and that she’s the one who took longer to memorize her Shakespeare lines. FMC replies that now everyone can talk fancy like everybody does in the fairy tale world. They both break into laughter as FMC rests her forehead against Ezra’s shoulder. Ezra tells her that she’s so frustrating and FMC replies that he’s the worst. When FMC looks back she sees Ezra isn’t laughing anymore. He worriedly asks if she really is doing okay and FMC tells him that she already answered that. He explains that Edward might’ve put a curse on her, or left a scratch that she’s not calm enough to feel yet so he thinks he should just check her over himself. He holds her at arm’s length and she sees the sadness in his eyes. He tells her he wants to make sure she’s not hurt and that he needs to see it for himself.

***Heart Scene - Let Ezra check you...closely.***

*FMC lets Ezra check her to see if she has any curses or at least isn’t hurt. Ezra sighs in relief as he titles her head gently. WIth careful fingertips that brush her hair away and trails over her face, jaw, and neck. He then helps her out of her sweater and watches as she moves her shoulders for signs of pain. He then takes her hands next, gingerly feeling up one arm at a time and pauses to see if she winces. FMC tells him what happened when Edward held her captive, how he caught her arm in the hallway, and covered her mouth but he didn’t hurt her. Ezra’s hands come towards her face and his thumb traces over her lips before he snatches it back again. He apologizes but he couldn’t help himself since that’s where Edward touched. She notices how he seems a lot more shaken about it then she does so she takes his hand and brings it back to her shoulder. And with a reassuring smile, she tells him that she’s okay. He glares and tells her that she's not since he grabbed her and took her away, he says it as his voice is ferocious. He then states that he should’ve killed him but FMC tells him she’s glad he didn’t. He tells her that she’s too merciful but FMC replies that she doesn't think she is since she remembers biting Edward’s hand to make him let her go. He laughs as he turns her over gently to examine her back. He tells her to never lose her fire since burning means that she’s still alive. He questions her if Edward recited spells or any words that she has never heard before. She answers that he didn’t so Ezra suggests to look for curse marks just in case. She shivers as he carefully gathers her hair off the back of her neck and sets it over one shoulder. Ezra traces the skin of her back but with her shirt still on. She asks what a curse mark looks like and Ezra replies that it depends since powerful enchanters can leave them without marks but Edward can be an amateur. He explains that if Edward decided to be crafty he’d put it somewhere you couldn't find it easily. FMC curiously asks if Ezra ever set a curse on someone before but Ezra says that he has but it’s not his specialty. Ezra confesses that he has thought of putting one on her so she doesn’t run off and get into trouble. FMC smirkingly tells him that she’ll make Nora take it off but Ezra smirks back and says he’ll continue to put one on her. He then turns her around and warns her that he’s going to feel her ribs but FMC asks why. And he replied that sometimes after things like this, people go numb without realizing. And he states that he noticed how FMC reeled earlier as he pinned Edward to the ground and she looked like she was dizzy. He tells her he isn’t taking any chances as he settles his hand against her sides and then into her waist and finally over her hips. Ezra asks one last time if anything hurts. But in her mind, what hurts is how much she wants to touch his back. Not trusting her words she just shakes her head and Ezra’s touch falls away and he takes a step back. He smiles and says that he’s finally satisfied.*

Ezra walks her to her door and she asks if Ezra has been sleeping in the woods this whole time. He replies that he has since he likes being under the stars. He looks up to the sky and she follows his gaze and sadly knows he’s going to walk away. He then asks her if she misses the stars since the lighthouse makes it hard to see them but she says she doesn’t since she lights the lighthouse light and knows that the stars are there even if she can’t see them. Once she finds a star it reminds her that she tells Ezra that he hasn’t called her by her real name other than continuing calling her “little star”. He tells her that if you name something you will get attached to it. FMC also remembers how Lucas told her to tell Ezra her feelings and she notices that Lucas is right since she can’t keep dancing around them since it’ll be more tangled. But before she gets the chance, Ezra tells her he’s been meaning to tell her something, she snaps her head to look at him and he tells her that she did very well on the play and that he had fun. FMC then tells him that she thought he was going to say something about almost kissing her at the library. Ezra smiles, somewhere between fond and pained as he tells her that it was a mistake, making her heart sink. He continues to tell her that he shouldn't have tried to use that moment to get a kiss but also he didn’t think before he acted. FMC admits that she likes having him around and that it’s a shame, but when the object appears he’ll be gone. Ezra frowns and tells her that he isn’t so sure anymore since he’s starting to wonder if maybe his mission isn’t so straightforward as he thought. Believing that someone wanted him out of the way and probably trap him into this world or at least Ezra had a competition that he didn't know about. He tells her that he hopes she isn’t worried as he takes a step closer and says that he doesn't know what will happen next, but if she needs protection he’ll be there. FMC asks who will be protecting him but he tells her that he doesn’t need anyone else but she reminds him that he once told her that people aren’t supposed to be alone since they are wolves. He then takes off his gloves and reaches out with his one finger to lift her chin and she sees the sadness in his eyes. He tells her good night along with saying her name for the very first time and he walks off until he is swallowed by the woods.

[Written by Reddit user u/VirtueAssassin]