All Chapters of The Last Howl: Chapter 1 - Chapter 5

If surviving Alpha Academy had a handbook, rule Number One would probably say this: Don't arrive carrying your adopted sister's entire wardrobe. Unfortunately... nobody had mailed me a copy.I adjusted the two suitcases digging into my shoulders and shifted the garment bag threatening to slide off my arm for what had to be the hundredth time. A backpack hung from one shoulder, a shoebox rested awkwardly against my hip, and somewhere beneath the mountain of expensive luggage, I was fairly certain there was still a person named Bellona Ashford.Vanessa, on the other hand, walked several steps ahead without carrying so much as a handbag.She looked perfectly composed in a cream-colored dress that probably cost more than my entire closet. Her blonde hair danced gently in the morning breeze as if even the wind knew better than to upset Alpha Damien Ashford's precious daughter.I, meanwhile, was one poorly balanced suitcase away from rolling down the mountain."Bellona," Vanessa called my n

The academy forest swallowed us almost immediately.Towering pine trees blocked out most of the sunlight, leaving patches of golden light dancing across the forest floor. The air smelled fresh, carrying the scent of damp earth, moss, and hundreds of excited wolves racing ahead.Everywhere I looked, students were already overtaking one another; some were unbelievably fast, while others had partially shifted.Wolf ears appeared. Golden eyes glowed. Claws extended from fingertips.Apparently... That was allowed. "...Right."I looked down at my completely ordinary human hands. "...Guess I'll be using the ancient human technique."I sighed dramatically. And that ancient human technique isn't anything extraordinary; it was just..."...Effort."*Far above the forest... hidden inside stone watchtowers built into the mountainside, dozens of professors silently observed the trial. Crystal screens floated before them, displaying different sections of the course.One professor smiled. "Alexander

The trail sloped sharply downhill before opening into a wide, grassy field. The landscape was a chaotic mess, littered with fallen logs, massive boulders, and shallow patches of thick, sucking mud.I could already see dozens of students ahead of me, their dark academy uniforms blurring against the green.Including Vanessa. And unfortunately, Susan."Please, Goddess, don't let them notie me." I muttered under my breath.Taking a deep, painful breath, I pushed my tired legs harder. Every single muscle in my body screamed in violent protest. My palms still burned like fire from climbing the stone wall, my knees ached, and even my lungs had officially filed a formal complaint.Too bad. Nobody was listening, and I sure as hell wasn't stopping. Not today. Not ever.Home wasn't waiting for me, it was trapping me. If I failed this trial, if I couldn't survive Alpha Academy, I’d be sent straight back to the Ashford estate. Back to cleaning Vanessa's room. Back to pretending I didn't exist. Bac