Evaline:
After breakfast, the three of us wandered through the clearing, enjoying the morning air while continuing our conversation.
The more ti 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 deanor. 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 ant 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 humd in acknowledgnt. Nightshade wasn’t as famous, but I had heard of them in passing.
"You guys are both eighteen, right?" I asked.
"Yup," Mallory confird. "What about you?"
"Sa," I replied.
Kyros shot a glance. "And your pack?"
I had been expecting this question sooner or later. And despite that, U found myself hesitating for a brief mont. I carefully chose my words before responding.
"I don’t really rember 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 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 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 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 ti, it has beca 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 .
"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 sothing better."
That wasn’t entirely a lie.
Kyros humd 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 sentint.
After a while, we got up and headed toward the dining hall for lunch. The al was just as good as breakfast, and I found myself enjoying their company more than I expected.
But eventually, exhaustion caught up to .
"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 , but I had yet to et 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 is Felix."
Felix smiled softly as he spoke. "Nice to et 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 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 humd in acknowledgnt 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 sothing comfortable and climbed into my bed, finally allowing myself to rest.
Sleep ca almost instantly, pulling into a drears slumber.
- - -
When I woke up, the sun had already set.
I groggily checked the ti. Five hours. It was longer than I intended, but I still felt a bit tired.
Deciding to shake off the sluggishness, I did so light cardio and stretching in my room before heading to the shower. The cool water helped wake up, and by the ti 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 ti 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 imdiately. What I didn’t expect was to wake up a few hours later...
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