LOGINLEAH’S POV Silence follows. Then the whispers begin again.“Why is she standing at the back?”“Is she trying to draw attention to herself?”“Oh, so it’s now Leah Bellmoore chooses to behave like an omega.”“Now she knows her place.”“When she was mixing concoctions into the heirs’ food, what was she thinking?”I listen quietly. There is something rather impressive about how quickly people can turn a person’s actions into an entirely different story.Apparently, making something to protect three people is now the same as deliberately trying to poison them. I wonder whether they would prefer I had allowed the three of them to die.Maybe I should have ‘considered’ that possibility before preparing the concoction.Then another voice cuts through the murmuring.“What do you mean? She made the concoction for their sake.”“She is not like Willow Rosante, who actually tried to poison our own Lycan heir.”Oh.My lips almost move. I recognise the distinction immediately.Those voices probably
LEAH’S POV I arrive at the hall, sign my name at the registration desk, and walk through the entrance.Senior students and instructors are stationed around the perimeter. They are supposed to monitor the students and prevent any unpleasant incidents.I almost laugh.The academy has guards, instructors, and all sorts of security arrangements, yet I have heard enough stories about what happens during these events to know that their presence does not guarantee anything.Some things happen because nobody notices. Others happen because the people responsible know perfectly well that nobody is going to interfere.And then there are the incidents that everyone knows about but nobody discusses.The Freshers Ball is particularly notorious for that last category.The evening itself is supposed to be harmless. A celebration. An opportunity for students to meet one another and enjoy the beginning of their academy experience.But the hours after the official festivities are another matter.An ome
LEAH’S POV The calendar is not my enemy. Unfortunately, it is a reminder of my impending doom.From my previous life, I already know what comes after the Outer Ridge Valley Trial— The Freshers Ball. It is time, and, as tradition dictates, the academy is preparing to welcome its newest students with an evening of dancing, food, drinks, and whatever other activities high-ranking young wolves consider entertaining.It is supposed to be the final introduction of the newest students into academy life.A month after the school year begins, following the Outer Ridge Valley Trial, the Freshers Ball gives everyone an opportunity to celebrate, socialise, and pretend that they are all one big, happy family.How lovely.I would rather swallow a handful of poisonous berries.Unfortunately, attendance is mandatory for every fresher, which means I cannot simply remain in my room and enjoy the rare pleasure of being left alone. I have to put on a dress, walk into a room filled with people who eith
LEAH’S POV When Asher walks through the academy, people move aside for him. And when Willow walks beside him, she benefits from that same attention. Their eyes naturally move towards the person accompanying the heir, and the respect given to him begins to extend to her. It is a simple thing, but an effective one. You cannot say Willow did not make good use of Asher. A smile threatens to form on my lips. In fact, she squeezed every benefit she could out of that relationship. I suppose I should give her credit for knowing how to position herself. My thoughts drift as I continue down the hallway. I keep a reasonable distance from Uriel, not because I am particularly afraid of being seen near him, but because I have no intention of drawing any more attention to myself than necessary. The students ahead of me are still moving aside. I watch them for a moment, then glance towards the other side of the corridor. A group of betas and gammas are gathered near the lockers. They appear
LEAH’S POV For a moment, I am genuinely confused. I have expected many accusations from him, but this is not one of them. “What exactly are you talking about, Lord Thorne?” His eyes narrow slightly. I am not sure whether he finds my question amusing or whether he is simply studying my reaction. Either way, he does not answer immediately. “You are the only person who has managed to destabilize three heirs of the five great powers at the same time.” My expression remains still. “Even the most seasoned assassins have attempted something similar and failed,” he continues. “Yet you have managed to do it. You should be proud of yourself.” His tone is so even that I cannot tell whether he is mocking me. I wish he were. If my stomach could sink any further, it would probably disappear beneath the floor. Three heirs, he said. He is speaking about himself plus the other two wolves who i made sure were caught up in the events at the Outer Valley Ridge Trial. Three people whose posi
LEAH’S POV “No, Lord Thorne. I did not expect you to die.” I keep my gaze on Uriel, making sure my expression carries the right amount of sincerity. “Nor did I wish for your death or the death of any of the other heirs.” It is the truth. A carefully selected portion of it, at least. I have no intention of lying to Uriel Thorne when the truth can serve me just as well. There is no need to deny something he can easily disprove, and there is certainly no reason to volunteer information he has not asked for. I will answer his questions as honestly as possible without giving him anything he can use against me. That is the plan. Uriel watches me from across the table. His pale silver eyes remain fixed on my face, and his expression gives away nothing. He has a way of sitting that makes even an ordinary conversation feel like an interrogation. His back is straight, his shoulders relaxed, and his hands rest on the table without the slightest movement. He looks as though he has all







