Academy

Korra was halfway through tying her hair when a knock came at the door. Mara, already dressed, looked up from her bed. “Come in!”

“For Miss Korra,” he said, holding out a sealed envelope stamped with the silver insignia of Moonhowl Academy.

Korra frowned and took it with trembling fingers. The wax bore the mark of the Alpha’s seal. The courier left without another word.

Mara’s eyes widened. “That’s from the Academy!”

Korra stared at her. “The… what?”

“Moonhowl Academy,” Mara explained eagerly, scooting closer. “It’s the main school for pack education, everything from strategy to history to fieldwork. It’s where most pack youths go to learn and earn their marks.”

Korra hesitated, her thumb brushing over the smooth seal. “Why would they send something to me?”

Mara’s smile softened. “Open it and find out.”

With cautious fingers, Korra broke the seal and unfolded the parchment. The handwriting was neat and formal;

By the order of the Alpha Heir and Council, you, Korra of the Moonhowl Pack, are hereby invited to attend Moonhowl Academy. Your full tuition and expenses will be covered by the pack. Attendance begins next Monday.

For a long moment, Korra could only stare. Her throat tightened. “This must be a mistake.”

Mara shook her head. “No mistake. They don’t just hand out invitations like that. Someone…” she caught herself, glancing at Korra carefully, “Someone must have noticed how hard you have been trying.”

Korra’s pulse stuttered. She thought of Kael for a fleeting second, the way he had looked at her last night under the moonlight, his words to her; You already belong.

Her chest tightened. “I don’t know if I can do this.”

“Why not?” Mara said gently.

Korra looked down again, her throat tight. “I haven’t been to a school in years. I can barely write properly. What am I supposed to do there?”

“Learn,” Mara said simply, stepping closer. “Grow, live your life.”

Korra let out a shaky breath. “But”

“No ‘buts’,” Mara cut in gently. “You deserve this, Korra. Don’t talk yourself out of something good just because you have been hurt.”

The kindness in her voice undid her a little.

Korra looked away, blinking rapidly. “I used to dream about studying,” she said quietly. “Before the rogues. Before everything, but we couldn’t afford it. I thought that part of my life was over.”

Mara smiled and squeezed her hand. “Then think of this as life giving you a second chance.”

A laugh escaped Korra, half in disbelief, half in wonder. “I don’t even have proper shoes for an academy.”

“Then we will find you some,” Mara said with a grin. “Don’t worry, I will be there too.”

Korra blinked. “You… you are at the academy?”

Mara’s grin widened. “Top of my class, don’t look so shocked.”

A rush of warmth filled Korra’s chest, relief, gratitude, something fragile and light. “You will really be there?”

“I will even walk you in,” Mara promised. “No one’s going to mess with my friend.”

The word friend made Korra’s throat tighten again. She nodded, smiling faintly.

“Alright,” she murmured. “I will go.”

***************

The day of her first class arrived quicker than she expected. Mara helped her braid her hair and adjust the uniform sent for her, a crisp white shirt, dark skirt, and a light gray vest embroidered with the moonhowl sigil. It felt strange wearing something clean and new. The fabric clung differently, softer, almost foreign.

“You look perfect,” Mara said proudly, handing her a backpack filled with basic supplies. “I will walk you there before training.”

The Academy stood near the eastern courtyard, a graceful building of pale stone and glass archways. students of all ages milled about, some chatting easily, others rushing through the gates with writing materials. It reminded Korra of everything she had once dreamed of but never believed she could have.

Her steps slowed as they approached the entrance. “Mara, maybe this was a bad idea…”

Mara shook her head firmly. “No backing out now. You faced hunters, storms, and Alpha Rhykers’s temper you can face a few books.”

Korra almost laughed. 

When they reached the registration desk, the steward handed Korra her class schedule and a silver pin marked with the Academy’s emblem. “Wear it visibly at all times,” the steward said briskly.

Korra nodded, pinning it to her vest.

Mara gave her a quick hug. “I will meet you after classes. You will do great.”

Korra watched her disappear into the crowd, suddenly feeling very small. The hallway stretched ahead, lined with portraits of past Alphas and scholars, their eyes seeming to follow her every step

************

Her first class was Pack History. She slipped quietly into a seat near the back, trying not to draw attention. But murmuring started the moment she entered.

“That’s her,” someone murmured.

“The rogue girl?” another replied, not bothering to lower their voice.

Korra’s shoulders tensed. She kept her gaze fixed on the open book before her.

The teacher, a tall man with kind eyes, began lecturing about the founding of the Moonhowl territory. Korra tried to focus, scribbling notes she barely understood. Her handwriting was clumsy; the pen felt wrong in her fingers.

When class ended, she exhaled shakily, thinking she had survived her first hour unnoticed. But as she stepped into the hall, a group of students blocked her path.

“Well, well,” drawled a girl with glossy black hair and a too-sweet smile. “The famous stray.”

Korra blinked, confused. “Excuse me?”

“You don’t belong here,” the girl said coolly. “This Academy is for pack-born wolves. You should go back to the laundry hall or wherever they picked you from.”

The laughter that followed was sharp and cruel. Korra clenched her jaw. “I was invited.”

“Oh?” The girl’s smile turned mocking. “By who? The kitchen staff?”

The others snickered.

Korra didn’t answer. She tried to sidestep them, but one of the boys moved to block her. “You should know your place, rogue,” he said softly.

Something inside her twitched, the still instinct that had kept her alive on the outskirts. She met his gaze, steady and unflinching. “I do,” she said evenly. “Do you?”

The boy’s smirk faltered, just for a second.

Then someone behind them laughed. “Let her go. If she causes trouble, the council will deal with her.”

They stepped aside, though not without a few muttered insults. Korra walked past them, her heart hammering, her hands trembling. But she didn’t let them see it.

When she reached the courtyard, she exhaled hard, leaning against the stone railing. The sunlight felt too bright.

“Hey.”

She turned to see a young boy about her age holding out her dropped notebook. “You dropped this.”

“Thanks,” she said softly, taking it.

He shrugged. “Don’t mind them. They think bloodlines mean everything. My father’s a stable hand, and I have been hearing the same since I got here.”

Korra gave him a faint smile. “Does it ever stop?”

He grinned crookedly. “Only if you stop caring.”

She almost smiled back, but her gaze caught movement across the courtyard.

Standing under the tall willow tree near the fountain was a young lady, she was poised, beautiful, and watching her. Her hair was a silvery gold, her posture elegant in the Academy’s upper-year uniform. A faint smile curved her lips, but it wasn’t kind.

Even from this distance, Korra recognized her. She had heard her name mentioned before-Kael’s ex, the daughter of a high-ranking family, known for her charm and her temper.

Their eyes met, and for a heartbeat, something cold passed between them. Liora’s smile deepened, like someone who had just found an interesting secret to play with.

Korra’s stomach twisted.

The boy beside her followed her gaze and paled slightly. “You should be careful around her,” he muttered. “She… doesn’t like competition.”

Korra frowned. “Competition?”

He hesitated. “Let’s just say she doesn’t like anyone catching Kael’s attention.”

Korra froze. The world seemed to tilt slightly. “Kael?”

The boy nodded quickly, then hurried off before she could ask more.

Korra stood still, the sound of laughter and chatter blurring around her. Liora was still watching her, that smile never faltering. It was a look that promised trouble, not immediately, but certainly.

Korra swallowed hard, forcing herself to turn away. She would not give anyone the satisfaction of seeing her afraid.

Still, as she walked toward her next class, she could feel the weight of that gaze following her- sharp, knowing, and dangerous.

**********

When classes finally ended, Korra found Mara waiting by the gate, waving excitedly. “How was it? Tell me everything!”

Korra hesitated, managing a small smile. “It was… fine.”

“Fine?” Mara arched an eyebrow. “That’s the voice of someone who survived something.”

Korra exhaled slowly. “Let’s just say… not everyone likes new faces.”

Mara sighed, linking arms with her as they walked back to the pack house. “They will get over it. They always do. Besides, you are stronger than you think.”

Korra looked down at her hands, it was still slightly trembling but steady enough to hold onto something real. “Maybe,” she whispered.

Mara smiled. “No, maybe. You are.”