Chapter 9

“Daniela!”

Frank caught her before she could lose her balance completely. His hands settled on her shoulders as he searched her face with obvious concern.

“Are you alright?”

He gently lifted her chin, studying her eyes.

“I think you’ve pushed your wolf too far.”

Inside her mind, Josephine sounded exhausted.

I can’t hold this form forever.

Fifteen hours. That’s my limit. If you fall asleep before then, the disguise will disappear on its own.

Daniela gave a small nod.

“I’m okay.”

She steadied herself before looking at Frank.

“Did you bring the scissors?”

He reached into his pocket and pulled them out.

“Yeah.”

“Good.”

She turned around and took a slow breath.

“Let’s do it.”

Frank gathered her long red hair carefully before making the first cut.

Soft strands drifted onto the floor of the truck one after another.

With every lock that fell, another memory surfaced.

Her mother had loved brushing her hair.

She could still remember sitting between her mother’s knees while gentle fingers worked through the bright red strands. Her mother always smiled and said Daniela had inherited that beautiful color from her grandmother.

“You’re beautiful,” she used to say.

The memory hit harder than Daniela expected.

Her eyes burned, and tears threatened to spill over.

She blinked several times until they disappeared. The last thing she wanted was for Frank to notice.

A few minutes later, he lowered the scissors and stepped back.

“There.”

He smiled faintly.

“Done.”

Daniela turned to face him.

Frank looked her over carefully before giving an approving nod.

“It suits you.”

She smiled, then closed her eyes.

Josephine, you can drop the disguise for now. Save your strength until we get closer to the academy.

The pressure beneath her skin faded as her features slowly returned to normal.

The truck continued down the long stretch of highway.

Hours passed quietly.

About seven hours into the trip, Frank had fallen asleep with his head resting against her shoulder.

Daniela glanced at him.

A small smile tugged at her lips.

She couldn’t stop looking at him.

He looked so peaceful asleep that it was hard to believe this was the same person who spent most of his time teasing her.

She eventually turned back to the passing scenery, letting the silence settle between them.

Another eight hours passed before the truck finally slowed to a stop.

Frank stretched as he climbed out.

“We’re here.”

Daniela grabbed their bags while Frank thanked the driver.

A few moments later, the old pickup disappeared down the dusty road, leaving them alone.

She looked around.

There was nothing but dry earth, scattered bushes, and an endless silence.

The place looked so deserted that she doubted anyone would ever stumble across it by accident.

She frowned.

“This is…”

Frank laughed.

“No.”

He adjusted the backpack on his shoulder.

“We took the back route. We’ve still got another thirty-minute walk.”

Sure enough, after walking for half an hour, something enormous appeared in the distance.

Daniela slowed to a stop.

Massive black walls stretched toward the sky.

They were even taller than the walls surrounding Alpha George’s estate.

These weren’t ordinary walls built for protection.

They looked like ancient fortifications designed to keep the weak out while allowing only the strongest to enter.

Just standing in front of them made her feel small.

Frank leaned closer.

“Now would be a good time to become a guy again.”

Daniela nodded.

Josephine.

Her wolf answered immediately.

Within seconds, the familiar ache spread across her face as the disguise returned.

Frank stared at her all over again.

He shook his head with a grin.

“I still can’t get used to that.”

Together they walked toward the entrance.

By the time they reached the gates, the morning sun was high overhead.

The enormous iron doors slowly opened.

The instant Daniela stepped inside Westmoor Academy, she felt it.

The air itself was different.

It felt cooler, heavier, almost alive with ancient power.

Towering oak trees lined the sprawling grounds, casting long shadows across the stone paths. Groups of young wolves moved confidently between the buildings, laughing, talking, and carrying themselves with the effortless confidence of people who had been raised to believe they belonged at the top.

Every student seemed powerful.

Strong.

Proud.

Even the way they walked reflected it.

Daniela couldn’t stop looking around.

Her eyes widened.

“Wow.”

A smile spread across her face.

“It’s even more incredible than I imagined.”

Frank groaned.

“You haven’t even seen the best parts yet.”

She ignored him completely.

“So where are we going first?”

Frank pointed toward a large building farther into the academy.

“First comes the hardest part.”

He nodded toward the bags she was carrying.

“Everything in there belongs to you. Clothes, books, supplies, and anything else you’ll need.”

Daniela nodded.

“Okay.”

Frank’s expression turned serious again.

“We’re heading to the Commandant’s Office.”

He looked her straight in the eye.

“After that, you’re on your own.”

She nodded once more.

“I know.”

The two of them had spent days preparing for this moment.

Frank had drilled her with every question the academy might ask.

She had memorized every answer until she could recite them without thinking.

He led the way across the academy grounds until they stopped in front of a massive stone building.

Two enormous oak doors stood at the entrance, their surfaces covered with deep claw marks that looked as though generations of wolves had carved them there.

Daniela reached inward.

Josephine?

A low rumble answered inside her mind.

I’m here.

Daniela glanced at Frank one last time.

He gave her a reassuring nod.

Taking one slow, steady breath, she reached out, wrapped her hand around the heavy handle, and pushed the doors open.