Chapter 5 5
CHAPTER FIVE
NANCY
My heart was beating so hard against my ribs I was terrified I might be sick. That would be a fantastic way to introduce myself to the pack's upper-tier offspring.
Vomiting all over myself, or worse, on one of them.
I had dreaded this day all summer. The day I would have to enter a new academy without knowing a single soul.
But this was so much worse than I had ever imagined. I never thought I would end up here.
The Silver Fang Academy was where the elite, noble wolves went. The children of high commanders, wealthy elders, and powerful warriors. In my old life, I would have imagined myself joining a rogue territory before ever stepping foot on these sacred grounds. This world was completely out of reach for a poor wolf like me.
No—not anymore.
At least, not according to my mother. She had insisted her powerful new mate use his rank to force the elders into registering me at the last minute.
“And he did it because he wants us to have the best of everything!” Mother had squealed back at the lodge, her eyes wide and glassy. “Finally, we are going to have exactly what we deserve! Just wait until you see the grand fortress we will be moving into.”
Right. I just hoped she wasn't building her hopes up too high. This was further than she had ever gotten with any of her temporary males. Alpha Ashthorn had even given her a massive silver mating cuff—so heavy with precious stones I was surprised her wrist didn't snap. But plans in the wolf world could change in a second. She had better hope he carried out the full union ritual quickly, before he realized just how broken and unstable she really was.
It was almost a shame, because Alpha Ashthorn seemed like a decent male. He was firm, powerful, and remarkably quiet. Handsome for an older Alpha, too—tall, dark-furred, with a jaw carved nicely.
Mother barely let him say a word to me or five-year-old Lucy and Lily when he came to our lodge, but he always tried to be polite. He had even brought a small gift for the twins last night—a soft, carved wooden rabbit.
“I am not entirely sure what five-year-old wolf pups like these days,” he had admitted with a low, rumble of a laugh.
“You shouldn’t be giving them anything! You are far too generous,” Mother had chimed in quickly, kissing his cheek.
But I had heard the sharp edge hidden under her words. Jealousy. She couldn't stand it when even her five-year-old twins received a second of attention. In her mind, every eye in the room had to be on her. She needed to seal the mate-bond fast before her toxic personality ruined everything.
Though right now, looking up at the high stone walls of the academy from the edge of the royal carriage path, I wished all of this could have waited.
Getting used to a new territory would be hard enough. But this place was terrifying. Every student walking across the courtyard looked like a trained killer or a spoiled noble. Their leather armor was polished, their weapons were tipped with real silver, and the massive war-horses and sleek supply wagons lined up near the stables looked like they belonged to a king’s army.
Meanwhile, I was standing there in my worn boots and a faded tunic that didn't even fit me right.
“Are you alright, little wolf?” the elderly driver asked, looking back at me with pity.
“I am fine. Thank you,” I whispered.
I forced my legs to move forward. I didn't belong here. My clothes weren't fine enough, even if I was wearing my absolute best trousers and a freshly washed linen shirt. I didn't have scent-oils in my hair, and I didn't look like I had spent two hours braiding my locks this morning—even though I had. I had done my best with the few tools we had in our room. I guess my soon-to-be stepfather’s generosity didn't extend to getting me fine clothes or noble oils, though it wasn't like I wanted his pity anyway. It felt wrong to accept anything from a male I barely knew. Not that it stopped my mother from taking everything she could get.
Before coming here, I had studied the map carved into the central territory border. Most of the elite training took place in the grand fortress at the center. It looked massive, stretching out like an impenetrable castle. To the left and right were two heavy towers where they held combat practice, the war strategy halls, and the tracking arenas. I was already wondering how any weak wolf could run from one side to the other in the few minutes between training sessions.
“Look out!” someone roared from the tree line.
I barely had time to react before the sharp scent of burnt pine filled the air.
I scrambled backward onto the grass, along with three other students, barely dodging an armored chariot pulled by two massive, dark shadow-beasts. The beast-rider drove the sharp spikes of the wheels right across the sacred lawn, tearing up deep chunks of mud and dirt in every direction.
A second later, and I would have been crushed beneath the iron wheels.
The chariot screeched to a sudden halt near the main doors. Three high-ranking young warriors jumped out, laughing loudly. They didn't care that they had just destroyed the sacred grass any more than the driver did. The driver whipped the shadow-beasts, tearing off toward the upper stables.
What was the point of that reckless display? To show off their power?
“Always trying to act like Alpha blood!” a noble female yelled from the steps.
One of the guys spun around, baring his sharp fangs at her with a loud laugh. She tossed her long hair back and laughed right along with her friends, teasing the males.
“Don't need to act when it's in the blood!” he barked back. The group joined together, marching up the grand stairs toward the heavy oak doors.
A cold rock settled deep in my stomach.
I can’t do this.
My inner wolf wanted to turn around and run back to the woods. But I couldn't. I couldn't leave my little sisters behind with my mother. Besides, it was only for one year. One final year of academy training, and then I would be a full adult. I could take Lucy and Lily and leave this territory forever.
I could keep my head down for one year if I had to. I knew I would never fit in with any of these dangerous, wealthy wolves, so I wasn't even going to bother trying.
I swallowed hard, taking my first step up the stone stairs.
And that was when I saw it.
Nailed to the door of the academy was a fresh, crisp piece of parchment. It wasn't an official council notice. It was written in dark, jagged red ink.
A small crowd of students was gathering around it, whispering in hushed, terrified voices.
As I pushed my way closer, my eyes locked onto the bold words at the top:
MAYA IS MISSING.
THE BRIDGE TOOK HER.
WHO IS NEXT?
