Chapter 4

~ Marina's POV ~

Conrad was walking too fast. My short legs couldn't keep up with his long legs, and worse, my bag was dragging me back.

But still, I followed him, making sure I didn't make any sound.

He suddenly stopped, so abruptly that my breath caught in my throat. It was almost as if he sensed me, like predators do.

Before he could turn, I darted behind a nearby tree, pressing my back against its rough bark. Thankfully, it was broad enough to cover my body. I squeezed myself against it, barely breathing. My eyes shifted sideways, praying hard he didn't notice me.

I just wanted him to unknowingly lead me to the academy without knowing I was following him. Moreover, I needed to avoid him, just like the hefty werewolf at the gate warned me.

The silence stretched.

Long.

Thick.

Unsettling.

When it became unbearable, I slowly peeked my head out from behind the tree...

I nearly died.

He was standing right in front of me.

A scream tore out of my throat as I stumbled backward, falling hard onto the ground. My heart slammed violently against my ribs.

He had been behind the tree the whole time. How did I not sense him?

I could feel his cold eyes on me — sharp, dissecting and merciless. But I didn’t dare to look up.

If I meet his gaze, I am certain he’d fling me like he had done to those poor innocent tables earlier.

"Why are you following me?" he asked. His baritone voice was low and dangerous.

"F-Follow you? I'm not following you," I stammered, shaking my head quickly, keeping my eyes glued to the ground.

In one swift motion, he grabbed me by the collar and yanked me up effortlessly, slamming my back against the tree.

The impact stung.

The bark scratched into my skin.

Pain shot through me, but I swallowed it. I couldn’t make a sound. If I yelped, he might realize I wasn’t a boy.

"You dare lie to me when you’ve been trailing me from the tavern?" he snarled, his face inches from mine.

He knew I was following him?

My eyes widened as I finally forced myself to look at him.

I was finally able to see his face, and I could swear on my father's dying bed that he was the most handsome boy I'd ever seen.

His eyebrows were thick and perfectly shaped. His hazel eyes were striking — beautiful even though they held nothing but coldness. His honey-brown hair framed his light skin effortlessly, giving him a dangerous kind of beauty.

He... he looked familiar, but I didn't know where I had seen him before. Or maybe I was just imagining things.

He pressed me harder against the tree. The rough trunk scraped my back again, sending another wave of pain through me, but I held the pain in.

"Why are you following me?" he repeated, his voice colder now. "If I have to ask again, I swear I’ll gouge those doe eyes out."

Fear crawled down my spine at his words. But I refused to let him see it. Even if he looked like a mountain towering over me, I needed to act tough.

Yes, I was a weak wolf... but I had made it into Dravenmoor.

With every ounce of strength I had, I shoved him back. It barely moved him, but it was enough to free me from the tree.

"Who said I was following you?" I cleared my throat, standing akimbo like a boy would. "I'm heading to Moonreign Academy. You just happen to be going in my direction."

"You’re… part of the academy?" he scanned me from head to toe, disbelief evident in his eyes. "You? Part of the academy?"

"Yes." I blew air from my mouth and shoved my hands into my trouser pockets. "Haven’t you seen a small, cute future Alpha before? Not everyone is meant to be heavily built like you."

He stared at me.

Long.

Unblinking.

I couldn’t read his expression, and that unsettled me more than his anger.

Finally, he stepped back.

"I don’t care if you’re part of the academy," he said coldly. "Stay out of my way. I won’t hesitate to crush you if you don’t."

I scoffed internally. Who does he think he is? Just because he’s handsome doesn’t make him a god.

Does he really think I’d waste my time following him around when I have a mission?

I hissed under my breath, only to realize he was already walking away.

If he wasn’t a pack wolf, I would’ve sworn he was a ghost.

How does someone that tall move without making a sound?

Nevertheless, I grabbed my bag quickly and rushed after him. He turned sharply, shooting me a scolding glare.

"I told you, I’m not following you," I forced a smile. "I’m going to the academy."

He looked at me with irritation before turning away again. I was tempted to hit him. But he was too tall. My hands wouldn’t even reach if I tried.

I continued trailing behind him — slowly, cautiously — until the academy finally came into view.

My mouth fell open.

It was breathtaking.

The grand white building stood proudly, surrounded by blooming flowers and towering trees. "Moonreign All-Boys Alpha Academy" was boldly written on the gate.

Was the Mountain Of Blossom close to the academy? Before I could process it, the gate began to close after Conrad entered.

I quickly followed him, sliding my way through before it closed. A wide grin spread across my face as I took in the surroundings.

It was mesmerizing.

It had beautiful trees and a waterfall. The pack wolves were dressed in their beautiful uniforms. Some were chatting, some were practicing, and some were practically doing nothing but watching.

The view was so satisfying to watch. I got carried away by its beauty, turning around like a fool until I accidentally bumped into someone.

"I'm sorry," I apologized immediately.

"It's okay," he replied.

He didn't sound rude or frightening like Conrad, and when I lifted my head to him, he flashed a smile at me.

He wasn't as broad as Conrad, nor was he tall like him. He was average and still taller than me.

"Are you just joining the academy now?" he asked, glancing at my clothes.

I nodded with a smile.

"Welcome to Moonreign Academy. My name is Dylan of the Stormfang Pack, and you're..." he asked cheerfully.

This was it.

Time to become Louis.

I swallowed my nerves and forced a confident smile.

"Louis Crennar of the Night-Claw Pack."

Dylan gasped and immediately fell to his knees, bowing his head to me. "Greetings, Lord Louis."

My eyebrows twisted in confusion. Why was he showing me so much respect?

"It's an honor to finally meet the son of the Supreme Alpha," he added.

I almost let out a shocked gasp, but I tried to control myself.

Louis is the son of the Supreme Alpha? The Supreme Alpha who governed all other packs in Dravenmoor? If that was the case, why was he a weak wolf?

How on earth would I get these answers from Dylan's mouth? To him, I'm Louis, which means I know myself better than anyone.

"You know my father?" I managed to find the right words to get him to talk.

"Yes, I do. Everyone in Dravenmoor knows the Supreme Alpha. He governs the whole territory. But nobody knows what you look like, and that's because your father locked you away from the eyes of everyone," Dylan said.

I pressed my lips together. It's a good thing only Louis's family knows what he looks like. I can stay in this academy, get stronger, and have my revenge.

"When rumors spread that the son of the Supreme Alpha would be joining the academy, no one believed it... but here you are, joining the academy. Rumors also spread that you're really weak and don’t have your wolf, is that true?"

I nodded, acting like I was embarrassed. That's how Louis would probably act if he were here.

"I don't care if you're weak. I'm overwhelmed to finally meet the son of the Supreme Alpha. You... you don't mind being friends with me, right?" he asked, smiling.

To be able to survive in this academy and go through with my revenge, I would really need a friend.

"Of course you can be my friend. Rise to your feet," I said, giving him a warm smile.

Dylan rose to his feet, grinning at me. "I'll take you to the principal's office so you can be registered and get your uniforms. Uniforms are worn three times a week."

Okay... he talks too much. But his talking habit will be the key to what I want.

Dylan began leading me toward the stairs, but he stopped and faced me.

"Before I forget, you should avoid Conrad Frost of the Frost-Moon Pack."

Conrad again?

"Why should I avoid him?" I found myself asking.

"Have you forgotten?" Dylan stared at me in shock.

"Forgotten about what?" I asked, confused.

"Conrad doesn't like you. Even without knowing your face, he hates you so much," Dylan said.

"Why?" I asked, already shaking. It was Louis he hated, and since I'm pretending to be Louis, it made me scared.

"No reason in particular. He hates you for being weak and yet the son of the Supreme Alpha. Rumors spread through Dravenmoor that he sent a scorpion as a gift for your birthday. Have you forgotten about it?" he asked.

How can I know about it when I'm not Louis?

And Conrad... how can he simply hate Louis because he's weak?

Staying in this academy will be harder than I thought.

Conrad might be a hindrance to all my plans.

Gosh! I hate him already.