Chapter 5

I surface, coughing with the piercing eyes surrounding me, cameras pointed. Laughter. Their gazes. Their mockery. Like I had to endure in Winterhowl, but worse.

And Ballard, his eyes slice away from mine. Remorseless.

He walks away without looking back. I'm in the cold fountain, humiliated on the first day of a new elite school, but I can't bring myself to blame him. It's my fault for believing there's ever a good in people like these.

Heaving in the cold air, I drag my soaked body towards the edge of the fountain, struggling to climb through the slippery algae habitat of a wall.

The fabric is clinging to my skin, exposing my insecurities of a body. And suddenly, I'm no longer a pretend wolf in the Wolfspire Empire but the timid heir in Winterhowl, being mocked and laughed at.

I can see their piercing gazes, assessing. Closing in on me like a fox to a rabbit.

"Is he?" Mute hushes ring from around me. I lift my head to see the boy from earlier, but this time he's not only staring at me.

He's walking towards me, his face void of any emotions I can form.

The whispers continue. "What's Nathan doing?"

Nathan.

Everyone who had been laughing is now quiet, their eyes following him, palms over their mouths as they hide their shocked gasps.

He's now towering over me in the fountain. His gaze unmoving.

He stretches his arm, palm open.

Gasps erupt. "Is Nathan going to touch her?"

"It can't be."

Their whispers continue with awe on their faces. But I've been here before.

I once took the hand of a boy whom I thought had genuine interest in me, only for him to lead me into a den of wolves.

"Get lost," I roar, anger coursing through me.

The gasps around me grow louder, their stares and murmurs intensifying.

Why can't he just ignore me? Does it thrill them to spit on my already shitty life?

Nathan's expression doesn't change. He's still standing in front of the fountain, arms stretched without a word leaving his lips.

He's not going to go away, so I ignore him.

I'm gathering my stamina on the slimy floors to climb out myself when warmth presses against the fabric around my waist, and with a sudden loud swoosh, I'm lifted out of the fountain.

Gasping for air, my widened gaze presses against the warm, hardened chest of the boy before me. His hand is still on my waist, holding tight until I regain my footing on the ground.

Then he releases his grip.

I pull back in an instant, flushed. His brown eyes are burrowing into mine, as if searching for something, and then his expression changes. Only slightly.

His rested brows frown a bit, pupils dilating like he is seeing through the facade I've been putting up, and I find myself staring deep. Lost.

Heaving, I lean back. My pulse thunders beneath my skin, yet a strange sweetness tingles in my nerves.

I pull away, even further.

"I…" I regain my voice, but before I can say a word, he turns to walk away. Mute.

Nathan strides carefully as the gazes of the crowd slice between the two of us until he's standing right next to a few more students.

Three boys and two girls. They're staring at me with curiosity, but it doesn't last.

The overexcited students begin screaming again, forgetting whatever had just happened as they flock behind Nathan and the other four. Clamouring for their attention.

What's the deal with them?

Every single wolf in Quill is of noble descent. Fucking rich with wealth I never witnessed back in Winterhowl Pack. Why would they clamor over the five?

Are they some celebrities?

Shaking my head, I look away.

Now isn't the time to be distracted. It's only a matter of time before my secret as a false noble is revealed. Or worse, my blue eyes.

It's easier to hide them when I'm locked up between the walls of an estate. But now? Standing amidst these predators that will smell out the slightest abnormality? My time is limited.

I have to find him before they get me.

I have to ruin him.

"Miss Mortimer."

I exhale, snapping back to reality as a sharp pain stings my fingertips. I wipe the tiny bead of blood against my soaked arm.

"Miss Mortimer." The soft voice calls, turning my attention from the stinging, bleeding pain to the lady standing in front of me.

Her head is in a bow, almost reaching her knees. She's wearing a different color scheme, unlike the usual purple uniform. Green.

Its material is lighter. Cheaper. She's young, but not young enough to be a student.

"I am your handmaiden." She speaks. "Please, let me help freshen you up in the lady's lounge."

"Sure," I say, but she doesn't move.

Her head remains bowed, causing my brows to furrow.

A wave of cold air passes through my skin as I shiver. "Why aren't you moving?"

"You're yet to release me, Miss Mortimer."

"What?"

"I can only stand straight if you command it."

I'm confused. My brows are furrowing somewhat in disgust. Ever since I woke up at the Mortimers' estate, everything has been different.

Strangeness that I can't seem to comprehend. Eerie.

I don't want to play along, but I have no choice.

"What's your name?"

"Whatever you please, Miss Mortimer."

Unease seeps into my bones, but I shrug it off. "Lola," I say. "Stand up, Lola."

She stands to her feet, her face finally coming into view.

She's beautiful. Her brown eyes glitter underneath the shadows of her brown hair, and a soft smile plasters on her face.

She's a wolf.

I can feel her energy. She's powerful, yet has been made a handmaiden with the brain of a zombie.

Her arms stretch into a gesture. "Shall we?"

"Yeah, sure."

I turn to follow her lead but am immediately stopped by two girls standing right in front of me. One blonde and one brunette.

"Who are you?" Blondie asks.

I sigh, rolling my eyes internally.

I know their types. They're the kind of people I should want absolutely nothing to do with. Pompous, spoiled and egoistic brats who think the world revolves around them.

Probably sharing the same brain cells.

"None of your concern," I say, walking past them. "Let's go, Lola."

"Maid, stay!" Brunette commands, and Lola freezes on the spot. "Clean my shoes."

I watch Lola bend to her knees, eyes leveled with Brunette's now extended long legs as she carefully wipes the leather shoe.

"Lola, stand up." My teeth grit, but her eyes don't turn to me.

Her attention remains on Brunette's shoes, cleaning the same spot over and over again with nothing but her fingers.

"Don't sweat it, love. She's not going anywhere with you, and you know why?" Blondie smirks. "Because we're a rank above your hierarchy."

Hierarchy?

She moves closer with her arms folded over her chest. "Let's start all over again." A sinister grin forms on her face. "Who are you?"