CHAPTER 9

Alexis's Point of View

"Alright, since you already know I'm a lantern, I really don't understand why my life with humans is considered such a big deal. I'll wait for you to introduce yourselves, but your Alpha is coming today. If I don't return to my class in the next five minutes, I'll be suspended, and my entire year will be wasted. Of course, I don't want that to happen. It would be very detrimental."

I told Blake, who I thought looked the best among them all. He was the only one who didn't stare at me as if I were a criminal.

"Sure. See you later, Alexis," Blake said.

I nodded briefly at him, then turned and headed back to my class. I didn't know if it was just my imagination, but I was almost certain I saw a faint, almost flirtatious smile on his face.

I shook my head slowly, trying to get that image out of my head. I sighed deeply, not knowing if it was all just my paranoia or if something really was wrong.

"So, we've been found out," I muttered to myself. "Now what? Do we have to go to the next place?"

I spoke to Ariana, my fake female wolf, because I knew she would have her own opinion about all this.

Honestly, I didn't know what to think. This situation felt suspicious. Were they really going to let me go just like that? I was sure they had come here to capture and punish me. I had seen the look in the Alpha’s men’s eyes myself. A look that seemed to want to skin me alive if they had the chance.

What confused me the most was the change in their attitude. In a matter of seconds, the look of hatred had turned into something calmer. Too fast. Too strange. It made me wonder.

“Blake also feels strange,” Ariana finally said. “He’s strong enough to be considered an Alpha, isn’t he? And most importantly, why did they just let us go? They must be planning something.”

For the first time, I didn’t argue. I agreed with her opinion.

When I glanced at them again, I could still see their half-closed eyes filled with alertness. However, shortly after, the gaze softened again.

"Maybe it's because I told them I'm a lantern," I muttered. "They know lanterns don't have wolves and are considered harmless, so they chose to leave me. It could be like that, right?"

"Who said you don't have wolves?" Ariana snorted. "Since when did you start ignoring me? Am I going to be nothing but your stupid conscience forever? Because that's clearly not me."

I rolled my eyes.

"Can you focus?" I whispered irritably. "This is a matter of life and death. If I'm found out, you're done for too. You understand, right?"

Ariana was silent for a moment.

“Maybe they feel sorry for me,” I continued. “Didn’t you see Blake’s expression when I said I live alone? If that’s the reason, honestly, I don’t mind being a lone lantern in this world. I was never happy in my old group anyway.”

Ariana just hummed softly, not responding further.

“Alexis! Over here!”

Matt’s voice echoed from the corner of the room. Everyone turned to look at me, and I couldn’t help but chuckle at his excessive enthusiasm.

“Bro, can you stop yelling?” I said as I walked closer. “I know where you are. I can even smell you.”

As soon as the words left my mouth, my eyes widened.

“Come on,” Matt laughed. “I didn’t use that strong of deodorant just to get a comment like that. Just a few sprays, I swear.”

Thankfully, he didn’t suspect a thing.

It had only been one day under the pressure of possibly meeting the Alpha, and I was already losing control.

Oh my God, this was really not good.

Honestly, at that moment, I wanted to climb the highest cliff and scream as loud as I could to feel better. All of this was too exhausting. And worst of all, I hadn't even met the Alpha yet.

"When will my life stop being filled with Alpha surprises and endless escapes?" I thought irritably.

I like traveling. I still do. But traveling is fun when it's for freedom, not to escape from Alphas and packs that will kill you once they find out who you really are.

“If only you had listened to me earlier and brought more money from the start,” Ariana’s voice resounded again, “you wouldn’t have to live like a nomad, stealing food, and killing outsiders. You’re not just risking your life, but also my cover.”

I clenched my fist.

"Be quiet," I whispered. "I need to focus on my studies. I need good grades to improve my GPA after a year of hiding."

Strangely, this time Ariana was completely silent.

It felt... unusual.

"All right, everyone," the dean's voice rang out from the front of the classroom, "allow me to introduce the founding members of the university."

At that moment, I understood why Ariana had stopped talking.

Them.

The boys stood at the front of the room. Their gazes were fixed directly on me, piercing, sending a chill down my spine.

It was very uncomfortable.

"What the hell is this? What kind of stares are those?" I muttered to myself. "I may be a fugitive to your world, but I'm still a girl."

"To humans, yes," Ariana replied coldly. "To them, you are a fugitive lantern who broke the rules."

I sighed deeply, almost laughing at my own sanity.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Matt whispered, his hand touching mine.

I looked at him and forced a small smile.

"Nothing's wrong, Matt."

My gaze returned to the front. I just hoped... they wouldn't take me away today.