CHAPTER TWO

SAMIEN’S POV

I could say I was excited. Truly excited. The air around the Academy was cool and fresh, almost too fresh, and it gave me tiny goosebumps all over my arms. 

I stood still for seconds running minutes, my eyes darting around with reckless abandon.

My heart thumped softly inside my chest as I stepped forward, my feet making light swishing sounds on the clean tiled floor. Everything felt new. Everything felt intimidating. Everything felt thrilling too.

“You are a new student, right?” the security guard at the gate had asked when I walked in a few minutes earlier. His voice was deep and heavy. His face was hard and scary.

“Yes sir,” I had replied, trying to sound bold.

“Straight down. Do not stop until you see a grey building.”

That was all he said before turning away like I no longer mattered.

And he was right. I could already see the grey building from a distance. It stood tall. Beautiful. Clean. Magnificent was too small a word. It looked like it had been built centuries ago and was still strong.

I was staring at it, lost in my own thoughts, when a loud voice barked behind me.

“Get out of my way.”

Before I could even turn, someone shoved me to the side. My body tilted dangerously and I almost fell. My heart raced. My blood boiled.

“Are you blind?” I snapped angrily, my eyes flashing red as I watched the figure walk off.

The person did not stop. He did not even look at me. He walked ahead in long, confident strides like he owned the whole Academy. I could not see his face from the back, but something about him was striking. Something about him felt powerful. Something about him made my skin tingle.

I swallowed my anger and kept walking until another thought struck my mind so hard I almost gasped.

I had not even gone through the documents Rose gave me.

Oh my goodness. What a fool I was. How could I forget something that important?

I hurried to a quiet corner beside the building, pulled my small backpack open and brought out the documents. Seven full pages. I scanned them quickly with my eyes flying from line to line. Most of it was information I already knew, but one thing stood out boldly.

My new name— Roberts Scott.

I sighed and stuffed the papers back into my bag. My heart still beat fast as I walked to the front desk inside the grey building, the cool air from the air conditioner blowing freely against my skin.

It left me with goosebumps and for a few seconds, I feared this would reveal my real identity to anyone who sees me.

“Good evening,” I greeted as I stood in front of the large mahogany table. 

A young man sat behind the desk. He looked neat and organized. He looked quite handsome, but not in that striking and unforgettable way the guy outside looked. That guy was on a different and exceptional level.

“Good evening. How may I help you?” he asked. His face was grim, almost frowning. It made me shift uneasily.

“I am here to enroll as a new student,” the words slipped through my lips as I remained in a spot, my gaze locked on him. 

“What is your name?” he cut in sharply. His eyes remained fixed on me like he was trying to pull my thoughts out with force. He looked displeased, although I could not tell why.

“Roberts,” I said, clearing my throat. “Roberts Scott of the High moon pack.”

“Hmm.” His eyes darkened with suspicion. “I have not heard of such a pack before. But that is fine.” He paused. “I am sure you know you need a recommendation from an Alpha of high repute before you can be admitted to the Wolf’s Academy.”

“Yes. I am aware.” 

I reached into my bag quickly and pulled out the letter. “The High moon pack is affiliated with the Sky crest Noble pack.”

The moment those words left my mouth, his eyes popped open in shock. I loved that look and wished I could have recorded it. Surreal, appealing. 

“I am here with a letter of recommendation from Alpha Davis,” I said proudly, handing the document to him.

He glanced through it for a few seconds, then snorted softly and placed it on the table.

“This is great,” he said, still snorting a bit. “Kindly fill this form, then proceed to make the payments required.”

I smiled to myself as I took the form from him. My dream was coming alive before my eyes. This was real. This was happening.

I filled the form quickly and handed it back to him while I remained still and calm. 

“I must admit,” he said, scanning the paper. “Your height does not give you the fit required to be here, but your boldness makes up for it.”

“Such a compliment,” I replied, forcing a small smile. “Thank you. So what next?” I guess he could see the irritation written clearly on my face after his sweet compliment.

Slowly, he adjusted the glasses that sat pretty on his face then cleared his throat and rubbed his hands together nervously. “Now, I will take you to your hostel. That is after you complete your payment.”

I nodded and made the payment while he stared at me again, too hard, like he was looking for something unusual on my body. His eyes dragged slowly from my head down to my toes and back again. It made my skin itch. It made me nervous.

“Is there something on me?” I finally asked. I could not take the staring anymore.

He smiled and shook his head. “Please come with me.”

I followed him. My eyes moved around wildly as we walked. Everything inside the Academy was breathtaking. Marble floors. Tall glass windows. Shiny walls. Every turn we made forced my jaws to fall even lower.

Some boys walked around in black shorts and perfectly ironed shirts. Their steps were straight and disciplined. Some stared at me with curiosity, their brows raised. Others ignored me completely like I was invisible.

Then I saw one, a boy with a familiar face.

I was not sure where I had seen him before, but I knew it. I knew I had seen him somewhere.

The thought of his face clamped nonstop at me like a parasite. 

“Here is your room,” the man said after a few more minutes. We stood before a long hall. At the end of the hall was a door with the words:

Room Number 110

“Thank you sir,” I said politely, a smile forming on the corners of my brows. 

He turned away and left, his ass swaying from left to right with every step he took. I wasn’t sure he even knew about this, but it was funny and I almost couldn’t hold back the laughter in me.

 Slowly, I grabbed the doorknob, twisted it under my weight and stepped into the room. The door gently behind me, accompanied by a thick wave of silence.

I let out a deep breath, my feet dragging slowly against the tiled floor until I reached the bed. I sat down and stared around the room.

This was it. My new secret life. My dangerous life.

The room had two beds pushed to opposite sides, but the other one was empty. No bag. No slippers. No clothes. It meant I had arrived before my roommate, or perhaps, there would be no roommate to arrive. 

Good. That was good. That gave me time to prepare myself.

I reached into my bag and brought out one of the shirts Rosee packed. I unfolded it and held it against my chest. It smelled like new fabric. It reminded me of home. It reminded me of her.

I was drained. My body felt heavy and tired, and all I wanted was to lie down and forget the world for a while. 

The small clock on the wall struck seven with a soft chime. Not a bad time to sleep, I thought. My eyes closed almost immediately, the quiet darkness pulled me in.

Morning came too fast.

The soft light from the window brushed across my face and forced my eyes open. A strange feeling rushed through me. It was warm, gentle, and almost like excitement. It took me several seconds to remember where I was and why my chest felt so light and new.

I was now a student of the Wolves Academy.

The Wolves Academy. The most powerful and respected training ground in all the packs. The place every boy dreamt of attending. The place no girl was ever allowed to enter.

And yet, here I was, lying in a narrow bed with a thin blanket, staring up at a plain ceiling, feeling like I was living inside a dream I didn’t even dare dream before.

I still couldn’t understand how Rose managed to pull everything off. The fake recommendation letter, the disguise, the perfect timing. She truly thought of everything. Sometimes I wondered if she had been preparing this plan for months without telling me.

A loud yawn escaped my lips as I stretched my hands above my head. My body felt lighter, more awake, as if courage itself was warming my blood. But at the same time, a thought crawled into my mind like a cold shadow.

My father.

For a moment, I lay still, staring at the ceiling again. Was he angry? Was he furious? Was he even worried? Or did he simply shrug and continue with his day? 

My heart sank at the thought of him finding out that Rose and I falsified his signature. He would explode with rage. I could already imagine the way his face would twist and the way his voice would boom through the pack house. But by the time he finds out, I thought, I’ll be strong enough. Strong enough that he won’t have much to say.

A sharp knock hit the door and jolted me out of my thoughts.

I sat up immediately, fear rushing through me. It was too early for anyone to be knocking. My eyes flickered toward the door, and my breath caught in my chest.

“Hello. Roberts Scott, right?” The voice boomed as I pulled the door opened seconds later.

A tall man stood still, his face fixed in a deep, uninterested frown. His eyes were cold and bored, like he didn’t even want to be talking to me. Well, the feeling was mutual. 

“Yes, I am,” I answered, forcing my voice to stay steady. I could bet my face had been wrapped firmly in fear despite appearing so timely and coordinated.

Without a word, he pushed a wooden box into my hands.

“Those are your clothes,” he said in a flat voice. “The black shirt and blue trousers must be worn this morning. Make sure you’re at the hall before eight.”

He didn’t wait for a reply. He just turned around and walked away with firm, impatient steps.

I closed the door and let out a long breath.

So this was really happening.

I opened the box, touched the clothes, and quickly dressed up. The shirt felt a little stiff, but it fitted perfectly. Rose knew my size too well.

I stepped out of the room and followed a few boys who were walking down the long corridor. They looked comfortable, familiar with the place. I kept my head down and walked behind them, doing everything possible not to look suspicious.

Finally, the large hall came into view.

My heart thumped loudly as I walked in. The hall was huge, with long rows of chairs and wide windows that allowed sunlight to fill the place. But all I saw were the faces.

The sharp gazes of boys already seated.

They stared like I was a target. Their eyes followed me, slow and piercing. 

My throat tightened, and I swallowed, feeling saliva gather at the corners of my mouth. I hated attention. I hated being watched. Especially now, when a single mistake could expose everything.

I rushed toward an empty seat and sat down quickly. Well, I felt much better now that I couldn’t see them gawking at me. I took a long drag of air, soft prayers trailing from my lips.

“Hi,” someone beside me said. “I’m Ryker. What’s your name?”

I turned to him slowly. He had soft brown eyes and a calm smile that eased some of the pressure in my chest.

“Sa—Roberts,” I almost slipped, but caught myself. My Heart pounded against my chest even as I mentioned eye contact with him.

“Roberts,” he repeated, still smiling. “Nice. I’m sure we’ll get along.”

I nodded, but before I could say anything else, a large figure entered the hall. The air changed immediately.

A tall, broad man stepped inside with a sharp, heavy aura that swallowed the entire room. He wore the same black shirt and blue trousers as us, but there was no way anyone would mistake him for a student.

The boys strolling around scurried towards a chair, and immediatly, silence descended upon the hall. I sat still, my lips pressed grimly against my chest. 

His eyes were cold. His face was unreadable. His steps were slow but powerful.

He turned suddenly, his sharp gaze landing directly on me.

I froze.

“Scott, right?” His voice was deep and intimidating even as he towered beside me, his chest wide and broad. 

“Yes sir...” I answered quickly, my palms rubbing against each other without my control.

He stared at me harder. Then, with a tone filled with irritation, he snapped at me.

“When I speak to you, you stand. Who the hell do you think you are? I don’t care if you plan to become an Alpha or not.”

I jumped to my feet at once, heat rushing to my face. Soft snickers rose from behind me. My stomach twisted in embarrassment.

“Silence!” he barked.

The hall went dead quiet, so silent, the sound of a pin drop wouldn’t have gone unnoticed.

“I am Dane,” he said, his voice cutting through the air. “Head of training in Wolves Academy. You will address me as Sir Dane. Is that clear?”

“Yes sir...” I replied, nodding quickly.

“You have a very small body,” he said, looking directly at my face. “But that doesn’t mean I’ll go soft on you. No special treatment here.”

“Of course, sir. I don’t expect any,” I responded firmly, slowly getting the hack of this place, or so I thought.

He smirked, almost amused.

“Sit.”

I sat down instantly, releasing the breath I didn’t know I was holding.

His eyes moved around the hall again, sharp like he was searching for something specific.

Then he growled, “Where’s Mark?”

No one answered.

“Will no one speak?” he roared, pulling out a weapon from under his sleeve. I shivered immediately. My heart pounded. His anger filled the whole hall like fire.

“You shouldn’t take it out on them.”

A voice echoed from the entrance.

It sounded so deep, calm and confident.

My head snapped to the door, and there he was. 

Tall. Broad. Striking. Almost unnaturally handsome in a rough and dangerous way. His aura filled the doorway and rolled into the room like a strong wind.

My heart jumped painfully in my chest.

It was him.

The same man who had bumped into me the day before. He walked in with slow, steady steps. His eyes were dark and unreadable. His presence was overwhelming. Even Sir Dane looked threatened.

“What time do you call this, Mark?” Sir Dane growled. “You test my patience every single day.”

Mark chuckled softly. “Relax, sir.”

Then he winked.

Actually winked.

The hall gasped, and no more. His audacity was one I never would have thought of having towards this tutor or anyone else here at the academy.

Sir Dane clenched his jaw but said nothing. Mark walked confidently to his seat as if the entire room belonged to him.

My eyes followed him without meaning to.

Something about him was unsettling. Too confident. Too striking. Too intimidating. But also too… captivating.

I didn’t like how my heartbeat changed just by looking at him.

Then I felt a heavy stare on me.

“And is something wrong, Roberts?” Sir Dane asked.

My heart dropped as a cold shiver ran quickly down my spine.

“Sir?” I stood up quickly.

“Why do you stare at him like a girl stares at the boy she likes?”

My entire world froze, and yes, my jaws dropped in disbelief. 

The boys roared with laughter. Heat rushed to my face. My heart felt like it had jumped out of my chest and rolled on the floor.

“No, that’s not—sir, it’s not true,” I stuttered. Colors drained from my lips as I tried to remain calm. I was sweating profusely already despite the air conditioners that blew from every angle of the hall.

Mark smirked from his seat and said, “Maybe he likes me. Who knows?”

The boys laughed even louder, and I wanted to disappear. I wanted to fade into the air.

Sir Dane walked up to me. His steps were slow. His stare was deep and sharp like he was peeling layers off my skin.

“You’re new,” he said. “I haven’t seen your face before.”

“Yes, sir. I am new. My name is Roberts Scotts.”

He squinted at me, studying my face.

“Roberts? Then why do you look so much like a Roberta?”

The boys laughed again. I clenched my teeth but said nothing.

He held my gaze for a long moment. Too long. Almost like he was trying to see through me, break into the mask I was wearing.

Then he smirked lightly.

“Anyway, welcome. I’m sure we’ll get along well.” He winked and walked away.

I went rigid. Cold. Nervous. Confused.

I did not like this feeling, not one bit because everything inside me knew…

Dane was going to be a problem. A very big one, and Mark? An even bigger problem.

 I wasn’t sure how long my disguise would last around men like these, but I had made my decision.

I was staying even if it killed me.