CHAPTER 5: Misunderstood

Muriel’s smile was all warmth on the surface, but my thoughts were anything but calm. It wouldn’t be surprising if Soren eventually found out about my marriage to the Blackwoods. 

“I’ve heard quite a bit about you from Soren’s friends,” she said pleasantly. 

“I just hope they’re good things,” I replied. 

She smiled again, but there was something calculating in her eyes that made my chest tighten. 

Soren’s phone rang, cutting through the tension. He pulled it from his pocket and glanced at the screen. “It’s Dad from the pack. Give me a second.” 

The moment he turned away, something shifted in the air between us. I was already moving to leave when Muriel stepped forward and shoved me hard in the chest. 

“I know why you’re here at the Lycan Academy,” she said coldly. “But just like the others drooling over Soren, you don’t stand a chance. So, I’ll give you a choice to leave!” 

I barely had time to process her words, let alone respond, when she suddenly stumbled back and fell. 

“Muriel!” Soren rushed back and helped her to her feet. 

She looked up at him with wide, frightened eyes, the same orbs that had been cold and calculating just seconds ago. 

“As much as I wanted to fight your friend, I don’t want the school to think I’m a bully just because I’m Alpha Derrick’s daughter,” she muttered. 

Soren frowned, clearly confused. “What’s going on?” 

Before I could say a word, she spoke again. “She accused me of stealing you from her.” 

I exhaled slowly, the words catching in my chest like something lodged wrong. 

Annoyance flickered across Soren’s face as he turned to me. “Gwen, apologize to Muriel. We already talked about this, you shouldn’t have hurt her!” 

“No, it’s fine,” Muriel cut in gently. “Let’s just forget it. She’s new here, and something like this won’t look good on her record. Besides, I don’t want others think I let her hurt me. My dad told me to keep a low profile.” 

Soren’s jaw tightened. “That’s not the point! This is the Lycan Academy, and violence isn’t tolerated here. Gwen needs to understand that!” 

“But I didn’t do anything!” I exclaimed. 

“Gwyneth!” Soren’s tone dropped into something cold and authoritative. “Do you want me to inform Alpha Conrad that you caused an incident here at school on your very first day?” 

The mention of my father’s name hit like a hand around my throat. My fists tightened, and I pressed my lips together. He knew me well. 

Every misunderstanding, every incident that got out of hand in the pack, had chipped away at whatever trust between Dad and me. It always felt like it was me, always me causing trouble, always the reason Luna Rosalia sometimes didn’t trust him. 

“Muriel, slap Gwen!” I heard Soren command. 

“What?” I muttered, stunned. 

“If you refuse to apologize, let Muriel return the pain you caused her,” he added. 

“Soren, let’s just forget this. Gwen didn’t mean it…” Muriel tried to intervene. However, I noticed her lips curl, as if she were enjoying the cruel little drama unfolding between us. 

“No! I am soon to be the Alpha of the Ravencrest Pack, and I already know what must be done. Gwen made a mistake, so she must be punished! It’s just a slap, nothing more. No blood will be shed,” Soren insisted. 

A pang of hurt shot through me. I barely recognized the man I had devoted so much of my heart to. 

Muriel’s hand swung toward my cheek, but I moved just in time, blocking it instinctively. 

“What is going on here?!” A deep voice barked. 

Soren straightened immediately, and even Muriel seemed to shrink slightly. The man striding toward us was broad-shouldered and calm, carrying authority the way some people carry height effortlessly.  

“Physical incidents are forbidden on school grounds. Do you want to get expelled?” His voice rang familiar; I realized he was the man from last night at the training grounds. 

“Sorry, High Chancellor,” Soren said. “My friend just arrived yesterday. She doesn’t know the rules yet. But she hurt my mate!” 

So, the man was part of the academy council; no wonder they both went rigid around him. The man’s gaze shifted to me; he looked to be in his thirties. 

“I want to be very clear; I didn’t touch her!” I protested, frustration rising in my chest.  

“Gwen, can you just admit it? We’re only asking for a simple apology. Why are you being so stubborn?” 

The High Chancellor’s eyes shifted to Soren, and suddenly the man seemed almost entertained. “Have you actually seen her hurt your mate?” 

Soren’s certainty didn’t waver. “No. But I know Gwen. She’s been in love with me for years, and this news wouldn’t sit well with her. That’s why she hurt Muriel!” 

That was what broke something open in me, how deeply he trusted Muriel. 

“Interesting…” The Chancellor’s tone stayed calm, but it cut through the tension. “And what if I told you I’ve been watching all along… and I never saw her hurt your mate? What would you do then?” 

Soren swallowed hard, and I could see the doubt flicker in his eyes. 

I straightened, my voice firm. “And for the record, I’m not even a member of your pack! Even if you’re the King of the world, or whoever of the Ravencrest, you don’t have the right to discipline me!”  

I turned and walked away before he could find an answer to that. 

Behind me, Muriel’s voice floated after me, soft and defensive. “I’m really sorry, Soren. Maybe I just tripped; it was clumsy of me. That’s why I thought we should just let it go.” 

‘This woman was extraordinary!’ 

From the window above, I hadn’t seen him, the man in black, silent and completely invisible from the grounds. 

He had been watching everything…