Evaline:
After breakfast, the three of us wandered through the clearing, enjoying the morning air while continuing our conversation.
The more time I was spending with Mallory and Kyros, the more I found myself learning about them, and about Silver Moon Academy itself.
"So, you are from the Blood Moon Pack?" I asked, glancing at Kyros as we walked along a dirt path leading toward a clearing.
He nodded, adjusting his glasses. "My father is the beta."
That explained his strict and disciplined demeanor. The Blood Moon Pack was one of the strongest packs in the region, known for their rigid hierarchy and elite warriors. If Kyros was the son of their beta, that meant he had been raised with high expectations.
"And you?" I turned to Mallory.
"Nightshade Pack," she said proudly. "Not as big as Blood Moon, but we are still a well-known pack."
I hummed in acknowledgment. Nightshade wasn’t as famous, but I had heard of them in passing.
"You guys are both eighteen, right?" I asked.
"Yup," Mallory confirmed. "What about you?"
"Same," I replied.
Kyros shot me a glance. "And your pack?"
I had been expecting this question sooner or later. And despite that, U found myself hesitating for a brief moment. I carefully chose my words before responding.
"I don’t really remember much about my original pack," I admitted while lowering my gaze slightly to sell the act. "I have been a rogue for most of my life."
Mallory’s expression softened and she pulled me into a side hug. "Oh... that must have been tough."
I gave a small shrug. "You get used to it."
On the other hand, Kyros didn’t say anything. But I found his sharp gaze studying me as if trying to read between the lines. I kept my expression neutral. I couldn’t afford to let anyone see through my lies, at least not yet.
To change the topic, I gestured around us. "So, tell me more about the academy."
That got Mallory excited. "It was founded by the Rogue Alpha brothers five years ago. Crazy, right? In such a short time, it has became the most prestigious shifter academy in the world!"
Kyros nodded. "The Academy started as an independent institution, but now even high-ranking packs send their best candidates here. If you graduate from Silver Moon, you are guaranteed a place among the strongest."
I already knew this part, and it did explain why people were so desperate to get in.
I took it all in as we reached the end of the clearing. We found a spot under the shade of a large tree and settled down on the grass, letting the warmth of the sun balance out the cool breeze.
Mallory flopped onto her back with a sigh before speaking, "I could stay like this forever."
I too leaned against the trunk and stretched my legs out before admitting. "Feels nice."
Kyros settled down cross-legged before he pulled out his book again and got absorbed in it.
A few minutes of pure silence must have passed before Mallory shifted the conversation back to me.
"So, what made you want to join the Academy?" She asked.
I exhaled, searching for right words. "Survival, I guess. Being a rogue doesn’t offer much security. I figured if I made it in here, I would have a shot at something better."
That wasn’t entirely a lie.
Kyros hummed softly. "Makes sense."
Mallory also nodded. "Well, you are here now. And as long as we stick together, we’ll all get through it!"
I didn’t respond, but I appreciated the sentiment.
After a while, we got up and headed toward the dining hall for lunch. The meal was just as good as breakfast, and I found myself enjoying their company more than I expected.
But eventually, exhaustion caught up to me.
"I think I’ll head back to my cottage," I told them after we finished eating.
Mallory pouted. "Aww, already?"
"I barely slept last night," I admitted.
Kyros adjusted his glasses. "You should rest. Tomorrow is important."
I nodded and bid them goodbye before making my way back to my cottage.
- - -
The place was quiet when I arrived. There were seven other students assigned here besides me, but I had yet to meet them all.
As I stepped into the common room, I finally spotted three of them.
There was a tall, dark-skinned girl with short curly hair lounging on the couch while flipping through a book. Two guys were sitting nearby, one was blond with a lean build, while the other had shaggy brown hair and a mischievous grin.
They all looked up as I entered.
"New girl?" the blond asked.
I nodded in response. "Eva."
"Jace," he introduced himself. "That’s Naomi, and the idiot next to me is Felix."
Felix smiled softly as he spoke. "Nice to meet you, roomie."
I gave a small nod. "Likewise."
There was a brief silence before Naomi spoke. "Your roommate hasn’t shown up yet."
That made me glance toward my bedroom door and I replied, "Yeah, I noticed."
"I saw him briefly yesterday morning when he arrived. But he has been gone ever since then." Jace shared.
I hummed in acknowledgment before excusing myself and heading into my room.
The bed opposite mine was still untouched, making it known that my roommate hadn’t set his food inside ever since I arrived.
With a sigh, I changed into something comfortable and climbed into my bed, finally allowing myself to rest.
Sleep came almost instantly, pulling me into a dreamers slumber.
- - -
When I woke up, the sun had already set.
I groggily checked the time. Five hours. It was longer than I intended, but I still felt a bit tired.
Deciding to shake off the sluggishness, I did some light cardio and stretching in my room before heading to the shower. The cool water helped wake me up, and by the time I changed into fresh clothes, I felt much better.
Since my stomach was calling for food, I made my way back to the dining hall. And as expected, Mallory and Kyros were already there.
"Took you long enough," Mallory teased as I sat down.
"Needed sleep," I muttered as I focused on my food.
Dinner was relaxed, and after we finished eating, we took a slow walk around the clearing. By the time we headed back to our cottages, I felt a sense of ease.
And despite the sleep I caught earlier, I still ended up falling asleep almost immediately. What I didn’t expect was to wake up a few hours later...