Evaline:
My heart was racing as the question paper landed in my hand. I immediately flipped it over and scanned the questions.
1. Describe the history of the shifter world and how the current governing system came into power.
2. Explain the hierarchy of packs and their political structure.
3. What is the significance of Silver Moon Academy, and why was it established?
4. How do rogue communities operate, and what are the challenges they face?
5. Why do you want to join Silver Moon Academy?
I blinked and quickly reread the questions. These... weren’t difficult at all.
The first four questions covered topics I had already learned previously. Even though I had spent almost my entire life being tortured by my stepmother and her children, I was still treated like a proper Alpha’s daughter up until my sixteenth birthday.
I had best tutors giving me private lessons on academics and combat. I went to one of the best schools and was always at the top of my class because I wanted to impress my father.
And even though I lost all these privileges when I turned out to be wolfess on my sixteenth birthday, that didn’t take away the years of knowledge and skills I had already garnered.
That’s why the first four questions made me feel relived. I knew I could answer them, at least good enough to pass the test.
As for the last question? That was just a personal statement, but one that demanded probably the most attention as it was the question with most points.
I picked up my pen and began writing.
For the first question, I detailed the rise of the shifter governing system, how the powerful Alpha council had formed over the centuries, creating laws to maintain order among packs.
The second question was just as easy. The hierarchy of packs was something I had grown up not only learning but also witnessing firsthand. I wrote about the structure - Alphas, Betas, and Gammas, followed by warriors and ranked members. And then continued with the ranks of packs around the world.
For the third, I explained how Silver Moon Academy had been founded by the Rogue Alpha brothers and had risen to be one of the most prestigious training institutions in the world for various reason.
I made sure to only write the answers to the point and not to exaggerate.
The fourth question made me pause for a moment. Then I carefully wrote about how rogue communities often struggled without a pack structure, facing dangers from both within and outside their groups. They lacked resources, protection, and stability, making survival incredibly difficult... until the Rogue Alphas took over and changed everything.
It took me a while to wrap up the fourth question. And then, I was left with the last one, and it made me hesitate.
Why did I want to join Silver Moon Academy?
I couldn’t write the truth, that I was here to find protection from the brothers. That I wanted to grow stronger, to become powerful enough to keep myself and my unborn child safe.
The thought had me inhaling deeply. I hadn’t realized that over time, I was slowly accepting the fact that I was carrying a child.
Even though I still hadn’t done a pregnancy test, all the signs were there. My period was more than three weeks late and I was experiencing all the symptoms of an early pregnancy.
I inhaled deeply once again and decided to craft a response that was believable.
"As a rogue, I have spent my life on the fringes of the shifter world, always on the outside looking in. Silver Moon Academy represents an opportunity for me to belong, to learn, to grow, and to become stronger. I seek a place where I can sharpen my skills, gain knowledge, and forge my own future. This academy is not just a school, but a chance for me to prove myself."
I set my pen down and started reading over my words. My answer was nothing special, but at least it sounded honest enough.
With a final glance at my paper, I leaned back in my chair.
I had answered all five questions, and I was confident about passing the test.
As soon as the supervisors called for the test papers to be collected, I pushed my chair back and stood, handing mine to the tall senior with icy-blue eyes who barely even looked at me.
A moment later, I spotted Mallory waving from the other side of the room before she hurried toward me with Kyros calmly walking beside her.
"Eva!" she hissed in a whisper-shout as she reached me. "How did you do?"
I offered her a small smile before answering, "I think I did okay."
Mallory groaned dramatically. "Okay? I only managed four questions, and I totally butchered the politics one."
Kyros gave her a sidelong glance. "You spelled the Alpha Regent’s name wrong."
This earned us a loud gasp from Mallory who was staring at Kyros with wide eyes. "You saw my paper?"
"I was sitting right beside you," Kyros replied blandly as he pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "Your penmanship is hard to miss."
She rolled her eyes before announcing. "I’m not talking to you anymore."
I chuckled softly. I was thankful for their presence. The tension from earlier was already beginning to fade.
We walked outside together into the warm noon air. The clearing was buzzing with murmured conversations as more students trickled out of the building.
"Honestly," Kyros said, looking thoughtful, "they made this test less about book knowledge and more about understanding the current and historical state of our world. It’s smart. They want people who are aware, not just well-read."
"Agreed," I said quietly as I glanced around at the unfamiliar faces. "Still... I didn’t expect to know all the answers."
Mallory looped her arm through mine and pulled me closer. "Well, that’s because you are secretly a genius rogue."
I smiled at her joke but stayed quiet. My mind was already buzzing with the tension for next round.
What it’s going to be?