Chapter 4

The academy was even more overwhelming up close than it had appeared from the carriage. Towering buildings of gleaming white stone stretched toward the sky, connected by wide stone pathways lined with ancient trees. Massive training arenas could be seen in the distance, and students from every kingdom moved through the grounds in excited clusters. The air hummed with power wolf auras of varying strengths mingling together in a way that made my skin prickle.

I had barely taken three steps past the main gates when a senior student shoved me roughly aside.

“Out of the way, newbie,” he snapped.

My worn suitcase burst open on impact, spilling everything across the stone pathway. Clothes, a few precious books, and the wrapped pastries Elena had secretly packed scattered everywhere. Heat flooded my face as dozens of students stopped to stare. Laughter rippled through the crowd.

“Look at her. Breathtaking on the outside, but probably too weak to survive here.”

“Another noble who thinks beauty is enough? Pathetic.”

Embarrassment burned through me, but I refused to cry but ot in front of all these strangers. I knelt down and began gathering my belongings alone, biting the inside of my cheek to keep my hands steady. Just as I reached for the last fallen book, another hand picked it up first. I looked up slowly and found myself staring into piercing emerald green eyes. Kael Draven. The Crown Prince of the Shadow Kingdom stood there, tall and intimidating, his jet-black hair framing a face carved from ice.

He said nothing as he handed the book back to me. His gaze lingered far longer than necessary, studying me with an intensity that made my pulse quicken.

Before I could even manage a thank you, another figure sauntered over. Adrian Valerius plucked one of the pastries from the fallen basket, took a big bite, and grinned brightly.

“These are surprisingly delicious,” he declared, sapphire eyes sparkling with mischief. Golden blond hair caught the sunlight.

I glared at him and snatched the basket away. “Arrogant thief,” I muttered before I could stop myself.

Rowan Ashford arrived moments later, moving with calm precision. His dark brown eyes observed the scene quietly. “Stealing from strangers isn’t exactly proper royal behavior, Adrian,” he said, though the faint amusement in his voice betrayed him.

The entire courtyard fell into stunned silence. Never before had the three Alpha heirs been seen standing together around the same girl especially one who had just openly scolded one of them. Female students nearby glared at me with open hostility. Boys watched in disbelief, murmuring among themselves.

Adrian laughed, clearly delighted by my reaction. “I like her fire. I’m Adrian Valerius, by the way.”

“I already know who you are,” I interrupted, brushing dirt off one of my books. “The entire academy won’t stop talking about the three of you. I don’t understand why everyone acts as though you’re gods. You’re just three overly serious princes with oversized egos.”

Adrian burst into loud laughter. Rowan hid a smile behind a polite cough. Even Kael raised a single dark eyebrow, his expression otherwise unreadable. Without another word, he turned and walked away. The other two followed after a moment, leaving me standing there with my heart racing and the weight of hundreds of stares on my back. The gossip had already begun.

Later that afternoon, the grand entrance ceremony took place in the massive central hall. The Headmaster, an imposing older Alpha with silver-streaked hair, welcomed us all.

“Here at the Royal Werewolf Academy,” he boomed, “we value strength above status. Every student will undergo a wolf aura assessment before being assigned to dormitories and training classes.”

One by one, students stepped onto the raised platform and placed their hands on a large glowing crystal. Bright lights and powerful auras erupted from most of them, earning thunderous applause. Isabella went early, her transformation flawless and dazzling. She shot me a smug look as she stepped down to cheers. When my name was finally called, the hall grew quieter. I walked up to the platform on unsteady legs and placed my trembling hand on the crystal. Nothing happened. The stone remained completely dark and lifeless.

Laughter erupted immediately. Whispers of “wolfless” spread like wildfire through the hall. Isabella smirked from the front row, clearly delighted that I had humiliated myself before the entire academy on day one.

I kept my head high as I stepped down from the platform, but someone deliberately stuck out a foot in my path. I stumbled forward, the ground rushing up to meet me.

A strong arm caught me around the waist just before I hit the floor. For one breathless second, I was pulled against a solid chest, inches away from Kael Draven’s unreadable face. His emerald eyes locked onto mine. An unfamiliar warmth raced through both of us like moonlight meeting shadow. Then he released me as quickly as he had caught me, stepping back as though nothing had happened.

Flustered, I brushed myself off. “Thank you,” I said quietly. Then, under my breath, I added, “You could at least smile once in your life.”

Kael heard every word. His expression didn’t change, but Adrian, standing nearby, struggled to suppress his laughter. Rowan watched the entire interaction with growing curiosity, his dark eyes thoughtful. I hurried away from the hall as quickly as possible, cheeks burning. That evening, I finally settled into my assigned dormitory room. It was simple but clean a far cry from the maid quarters back home. I sank onto the edge of the bed, relieved that the exhausting first day was finally over. As I began unpacking my few belongings, the silver pendant Elder Rosalind had given me slipped out from beneath my shirt. For a brief moment, it glowed with a soft, inner light before returning to normal.

I stared at it, fingers tracing the moon phases. What secrets were you trying to tell me, Grandmother?.I didn’t have answers yet, but for the first time since arriving, a small smile tugged at my lips. Tomorrow would bring new challenges. Three infuriating princes. Jealous students. And whatever mysterious force had stirred inside me during training back home. But I was here and I had made it. And I wasn’t going to let anyone prince or bully take that away from me.