LOGINThe heavy oak door of Principal Elena Rossi’s office clicked shut behind Angela with a soft, final thud, sealing the terrifying truth in the cool, silent air of the administrative corridor. She clutched the cold metal student badge tightly in her palm, her fingers whitening around the edges as if holding onto a lifeline. Her chest ached sharply under the unyielding pressure of the medical bandages, a constant, stinging reminder of the fragile lie keeping her ali
The heavy oak door of Principal Elena Rossi’s office clicked shut behind Angela with a soft, final thud, sealing the terrifying truth in the cool, silent air of the administrative corridor. She clutched the cold metal student badge tightly in her palm, her fingers whitening around the edges as if holding onto a lifeline. Her chest ached sharply under the unyielding pressure of the medical bandages, a constant, stinging reminder of the fragile lie keeping her alive. Turning away from the Directorate, she began retracing her steps back toward the Gold House dormitories.The long walk through the silent, gothic halls felt less like a return to a room and more like a slow march to the gallows. Every shadow stretching along the towering stone walls seemed to whisper warnings, reminding her that her disguise was hanging by a dangerously frayed thread. The overhead wall sconces flickered erratically, casting long, jagged shado
The heavy iron gates of Accademia Alpha groaned shut behind Angela with a final, echoing crash that vibrated straight through the soles of her combat boots. She stood frozen for a fraction of a second, her heart hammering against the rigid cage of her chest bindings like a trapped bird, before she forced her boots to move forward. Marco was already strolling ahead, his hands shoved casually into the pockets of his jacket, whistling a low, mocking tune that grated against her frayed nerves."Keep up, Angelo," Marco called back over his shoulder, flashing a bright, predatory grin that caught the pale wash of the security lights. "If you fall behind, the perimeter guards might mistake you for a stray rabbit and use you for ta
The metallic shriek of the emergency brakes echoed through the pitch-black carriage, the final, violent jolt sending Angela sprawling across the worn carpet of the aisle. Her breath hitched painfully in her throat, the tight medical bandages around her ribs digging sharply into her flesh with every frantic movement. Scrambling to her feet, she clutched her bruised side and checked the dark windows. The train had ground to a halt in the middle of a dense, suffocating forest just outside Florence, where ancient pine trees loomed like silent watchers against the pale wash of the moonlight. The giant silver wolf and its shadow pack had vanished back into the mist as quickly as they had appeared, leaving behind an eerie, heavy silence that pressed ag
The distant whistle of the incoming train echoed loudly through the empty station platform. The evening air was cool and crisp, but Angela's hands were sweating profusely inside her pockets. Standing there under the flickering yellow lights of the desolate Napoli station, she felt like a ghost walking through her own life. The platform was completely deserted save for a few stray shadows and the biting wind that whipped through the rusted iron beams overhead, carrying with it the bitter scent of coal smoke, damp concrete, and total isolation.Her chest ached under the punishing constrictions of the medical bandages, a sharp, physical reminder of the heavy armor she now wore just to stay alive. She pulled her oversized thrift-s
The morning light struggled to pierce through the cracked, grime-stained windowpane, casting a pale, weak glow over the cramped room. Angela stared down at the small roll of white medical bandages clutched tightly in her hands. This was her final weapon, the only fragile barrier that could transform her from a defenseless, cornered girl into a disguise so convincing it would either save her life or lead her straight to execution.She had stripped off all her clothes moments ago, standing shivering and completely exposed in the biting, unheated air of dawn. The cold gnawed relentlessly at her skin, but the internal terror swirling deep within her chest was far more paralyzing. Every inch of her body still felt haunted by the stinging insults, the cruel jeers, and the merciless labels she had endured year after year in this crumbling town. But those voices were about to be left behind. Today, she either survived this desperate gamble, or she would be swallowed whole by the brutal, unfor
The heavy iron gates of Accademia Alpha loomed over me like a giant black cage. The school was completely isolated, tucked deep into the dark, rolling hills right outside Florence. Tall pine trees surrounded the massive stone walls, blocking out the rest of the world.I stood frozen at the entrance, gripping the straps of my cheap duffel bag. My chest hurt under the tight medical bandages, and the cold mountain wind bit into my oversized jacket. I stared at the long, empty road stretching back toward the city. I could turn back right now. I could run away, hide in the dirty alleys of Naples, and figure something else out.But then I remembered my mother’s cold eyes. I remembered Uncle Tonio’s gravelly voice talking about four hundred euros. I had absolutely no real alternative. If I ran back, they would grab me and sell me off to the Branco Ovest pack."Hey! Are you lost, little guy?"I jumped, spinning around. A massive, black Jeep had pulled up silently beside me. The driver leaned







