The council

KAELYN

The prospects rank had a whole building to themselves. It felt like they were the kings of the school as all their equipment was up to date. Sharp spears made of iron and steel, some of their swords even had silver in tiny quantities.

Silver was dangerous to wolves but over here, it was used for practice. There were only some who silver couldn't affect in Virelia. And those two, were Alpha Alaric Vael and his son, Evren Vael.

I had noticed the handle of his sword was coated with silver too. Just a hit on my head and I'm gone. I would stay away from him, I should. Even if it was almost impossible.

“Class B.” The guide carrying us about was also a student. I didn't know him as he didn't bother to introduce himself, all he had said was ‘follow me.’

“On no account should you go to class A, the alpha prospects class if you are not summoned. Respect ad keep your distance. Don't trust anyone. Your friend today could kill you tomorrow.”

That sent a shiver down my spine as I gulped. Michael glanced at me, probably feeling the same way I did.

“Ryhthe.” Someone called from behind and I turned to look, the wrongest move on my behalf. My teeth grazed my lower lip as I tried to keep my cool and not look directly into his eyes.

It was Evren.

He threw me a glance without a word as he turned away.

Rhythe looked at us, “Settle into class.” He said and followed after Evren immediately.

“That's his beta.” Michael said behind me, even when I didn't ask. I was grateful for the information though because who would have thought that both the alpha and the beta had the same kind of character Cold, menacing, voices that sent shivers down spines. I had to be careful else Storm Academy was going to be the place of my death.

My legs carried me into the class and the students stay silent, staring at us.

Census from last year's showed that the males in Storm Academy were over 600. In this prospect class, only about fifty are here.

In the Alpha prospect, they'd be about 20-25 depending on the ages of Alphas princes cross Virelia.

“Introduce yourself.” Someone said before we could take our seat.

Micheal moved backwards to the front of the class and saluted loudly, “Micheal Hall. Promoted from fang rank to the prospects. From the Moonborn pack.”

They all cheered on for him. Then it got to my turn.

What do I say?

I saluted equally but my voice barely moved half across the roo.

“Kaelyn Altair. Promoted from Fang Rank. From the north.”

“What pack?”

I recited my mantra, “A small pabk you wouldn't know about.”

“Out of 33 packs, they'd be something we wouldn't know about?” Someone scoffed.

I got them on my bad side a little early.

“Class, settle down!” A breath escaped from my lips as a teacher cut the discussion off.

“Have your seats, new kids. Find somewhere to sit amongst the rolls.”

It wasn't a chair and a table of some sort. Instead, it is like built in layers and rolls. I climbed up, seating on the second cemented roll. All the students adjusted as the got attentive.

“Micheal and Kaelyn,” the female teacher with the narrowed eyes spoke, “welcome to prospects.”

“Thank you ma'am.” The words breezed out of my lips sharply.

Her eyes fell on me, “Kaelyn, I would say you are such an exceptional person. It's been years since someone who is not an alpha or a beta, pass through all the tests and appear at prospects on their first try.” She opened her large brownish book to some page.

I didn't say a word, instead my throat ran dry.

“Care to share how you did that?” She glanced up at me, her narrowed eyes sending shivers down my spine.

“Huh,” I tried to thicken my voice to the best of my ability. With the presencse of a female teacher, voices could easily be compared. “All I did–

“Come down to the front when answering questions, Kaelyn. Order is strictly appreciated over here.” She said flatly.

I froze for barely a second before I jumped down and walked down the stairs, standing in front of the whole class

“He's so small.” Someone threw a comment and everyone chuckled.

“Silence!”

I bit my lips, gulping nervously. My palms got sweaty so I folded my fingers tight, digging into my palms.

“Kaelyn. Please.”

“Desperation.” I muttered.

She cocked her head.

“I'm desperate to be the best.”

To get to the top.

“To be one of the successful and proud ambassadors of Storm Academy.”

I had no business doing that. All I wanted was to.find my brother and leave here before I died.

“I wanted to compete and win.”

“Wow,” she shook her head, clicking her tongue, “That's intense.”

At that moment, three students walked into the class.

One I recognized as Rhythe. The other stared at me with a raised brow, a mean scowl that looked like trouble on his face. While the last.

He had an angelic glow, like someone who fell from the stars. White long hair, like sheep wool. I blinked, getting lost in his green eyes. They were such a contrast with each other. White hair, green eyes, lean figure.

“Rhythe, Soren, Calrix, have your seats.” The teacher said and looked up at me.

“Kaelyn. I love your answer to my question.” She said.

However, I suspect a ‘but’ coming next.

“But,” she walked towards me, “You need to know that you can't win. You can only survive. Only the strongest live well in Virelia.”

I gulped.

“If you are not strong,” she shook my wrist, “you'll be dead in no time.”

I stared at her, her words unconvincing to my ears. I had not come all these ways through strength. That didn't mean I downplay it.

“Have your seat.” She said.

“Thank you…Miss…”

“Mistress…Valla. Professor of the lunar lore.” She ran her eyes through me.

“Thank you Mistress Valla.” I muttered and walked up the stairs, going back to my space. The white haired guy is seating beside me. I didn't know if he was Soren or Calrix.

“There are six members of the students council who are to be respected.” Mistress Valla started, eyes on I and Michael as the novices in the class.

“Rhythe Avenor, beta to prime alpha prince. Soren Door, son of warrior trainer of Dusk watch pack.”

Evren's major pack.

He's the guy with the scowling face.

“And Calrix Rowyn. Scribe and watchman. Keeper of the library.”

No special background like others. The white haired guy.

“The other three includes Evren Vael as the council president, Dareth Venloris, alpha prince of Moonborn pack and lastly, the vice president of the council….Kaiven Amric, alpha prince of Storm fang pack.”

Everyone went silent. Including myself.

A new realization hit me hard.

Kaiven was one of the arms of Storm Academy.

I raised my hand before I could stop myself. Mistress Valla raised a brow,

“Where's Kaiven Amric? Other people are familiar to me, except Kaiven.”

I noticed everyone staring at me. Mistress Valla flattened her lips as she moved forward, “You need not bother yourself with Kaiven. Just respect him even if he's absent. If you do not accord respect to those who command it, you won't survive in Storm.” She stared at me flatly, “Lastly, some questions should never be asked, Kaelyn.”

I blinked.

What did that mean?

I'd never find out, would I?

Not unless I take Kaiven's place in the council.