SELENA
I still needed to be careful.
"Your classes start at eight a.m. tomorrow. Check your desk—you'll find everything you need to know about Lycanwood Academy. If I don't have time, I'll assign a student to help with the tour. Have a wonderful evening," Lilith said, her voice smooth but distant.
She turned on her heel and left, the door clicking shut behind her. A heavy silence settled in, pressing against my chest like a weight.
I exhaled slowly and turned to my suitcase, flipping it open with little energy. Nestled between my neatly folded clothes was a small lunch bag. A note peeked out from under it.
I know you'll be very tired on your first day. Eat this to give you strength. I hope you'll be able to overcome your fear.
A small, tired smile tugged at my lips. Alpha Kingsley. He had always looked out for me. Ever since my father's death, he had protected me like I was his own. No one questioned it, and over time, I stopped questioning it, too.
I pulled out a pack of biscuits, tearing it open with trembling fingers. Hunger gnawed at my insides, but my stomach felt tight, a mix of nerves and exhaustion making every bite feel heavy. Today had been overwhelming. The endless halls, the unfamiliar faces, the whispers behind my back—I hadn't been able to eat a thing.
I barely remembered crawling into bed. My body melted into the mattress, exhaustion dragging me under within seconds.
---
The sharp clang of a bell shattered my sleep.
I shot up, heart hammering in my chest.
What the hell?
For a second, I was disoriented. The unfamiliar walls, the heavy drapes, the faint scent of lavender in the air—it all came rushing back. Lycanwood Academy.
The bell kept ringing, relentless and jarring.
I groaned, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, and glanced at the clock. Six a.m.
Seriously?
Lilith had said my class started at eight. Why the hell were they waking us up this early?
I flopped back onto my bed, but the dormitory was already coming alive. Doors creaked open, footsteps echoed in the halls, muffled voices carried through the walls.
I dragged myself up and made my bed, forcing my sluggish limbs to move. Today was my first day of classes. If I was lucky, it would be uneventful. If I wasn't… well, I didn't want to think about that.
By the time I stepped into the bathroom, time had slipped away.
7:30.
Panic surged through me.
"Shit, shit, shit."
I took the fastest shower of my life, threw on my uniform, and bolted out the door. Other students were rushing, too—some adjusting their ties, others frantically tying their shoelaces while speed-walking toward the main building.
Relief washed over me. At least I wasn't the only late one.
I had no idea where I was going. The hallway split into several directions, each leading to a different section of the academy. The scent of damp earth and crisp morning air filled my lungs as I stepped outside, the towering stone buildings casting long shadows over the courtyard.
I spotted a group of students heading toward a massive glass-walled building and followed them, hoping for the best.
The moment I stepped inside, I knew I was in trouble.
The air was thick with energy—an almost electric charge that raised the hairs on my arms. Rows of students stood in formation, their eyes locked forward, muscles taut with anticipation. The training hall.
I swallowed hard and moved toward the back, hoping to blend in.
Then she walked in.
A woman dressed in tight-fitting training gear, her dark hair pulled into a sleek ponytail. Every movement she made was calculated, exuding confidence and authority.
I felt her gaze before I saw it.
Cold. Unrelenting.
A smirk curved her lips, sharp as a blade.
Something about her made my stomach churn. I tried to look away, but it was too late.
"You there."
Her voice sliced through the air, commanding and impossible to ignore.
I stiffened.
She was pointing at me.
Heat crawled up my neck as all eyes turned in my direction. My pulse pounded against my ribs.
"Yes, you. Come here," she said, her smirk widening.
I forced my legs to move, each step feeling heavier than the last.
"So, you're new here."
It wasn't a question.
"Yes, ma'am," I replied, keeping my voice steady.
Then she said my name.
"Selena."
I sucked in a sharp breath.
How does she know my name? Only the principal and Lilith knew who I was.
My hands clenched at my sides. No. It couldn't be.
She tilted her head, watching me with amusement.
"I see recognition in your eyes," she mused. "Good. Saves me the trouble of introducing myself."
The room felt smaller. The air thinner.
"My name is Julia."
The blood drained from my face.
No. No, no, no.
I took a step back, but it was pointless.
She saw the fear in my eyes.
She thrived on it.
"It seems you already know who I am," she said, circling me like a predator toying with its prey. "Good. That makes things easier."
I didn't need to hear her name to know who she was.
Stephen's girlfriend.
The one person I never wanted to cross paths with.
She studied me, her gaze calculating. "I wonder why you left your palace."
The words were casual, but there was an edge to them, a dangerous curiosity.
My throat tightened.
Did she know the truth about me? About my wolf?
No. She couldn't. No one did.
Julia stepped closer, invading my space.
"I heard you can fight," she said, a challenge in her voice. "Show me your moves."
My breath hitched.
I shook my head. "No, ma'am."
Her smirk didn't falter. If anything, it grew sharper.
"Are you refusing your teacher?"
I swallowed hard.
"I said, fight me."
Panic clawed at my chest.
I took another step back.
If she shifted… If she forced me to shift…
I had no wolf.
And if the academy found out?
I'd be done for.