Chapter 5

Olivia's Point of View

Kael and I step back out into the open air, leaving the thrum of the indoor training center behind. The sun has climbed higher, bathing the campus in golden light, and a soft breeze brushes against my skin. The hum of activity is everywhere, trainees jogging, instructors shouting encouragement, the rhythmic pounding of fists and feet echoing from different directions.

“This place is insane,” I murmur, falling into step beside Kael as we head down a stone pathway lined with low hedges and lantern posts.

Kael flashes me a grin. “Told you. Come on, this is just the beginning.”

We round a corner and step into the wide expanse of the outdoor training fields. It is like stepping into a battlefield in progress. There are sparring rings carved into the earth, climbing walls, obstacle courses, and even a sand pit where two massive wolves are circling each other in combat training.

I pause for a second, watching them. Their movements are precise, full of instinct and power. A thrill of anticipation runs through me. This is where I will learn to sharpen my instincts, hone my strength, and become the Alpha I was born to be.

Kael nudges my arm. “Wait till you see the rest.”

We continue towards a cluster of buildings, sleek and modern, but still surrounded by dense trees and natural rock. Inside one of the buildings, we find the lecture halls, spacious and fitted with long curved desks and holographic projection screens at the front.

“They run courses on everything,” Kael says. “Pack law, inter pack diplomacy, ancient history, strategy, combat psychology... even supernatural ethics.”

I raise an eyebrow. “And you did not think to mention that before?”

He laughs. “I did not want to scare you off.”

Next, we make our way to the library, tucked between two wings of the administrative building. The moment we step inside, it feels like another world. Quiet. Cool. The scent of old paper and leather wraps around me like a blanket. Shelves stretch tall and full, some with modern books, others with ancient tomes that practically radiate power. A few students sit at tables, reading in silence or scribbling notes in thick journals.

“I could spend days in here,” I whisper, running my fingers along a row of leather bound books.

“I will remind you of that when you are whining about your fifth essay in a week,” Kael teases.

I bump my shoulder against him as we leave the cozy space of the library, both of us grinning.

From there, we pass the cafeteria, a massive lodge style building with long wooden tables and wide windows and then we loop by the dorms again, where a few other students are hanging out on the lawns, playing music or tossing a football around.

We finish at a wide council courtyard, where five large stone crests are carved into the surrounding wall, each one representing one of the allied packs. There is a open space where the sixth should have gone, but now it just remains blank.

Nightveil.

A chill settles in my stomach as I stare at it.

Kael’s voice is quiet beside me. “They left more than just a blank space on the alliance, they left a scar.”

I nod my head, suddenly feeling sobered. “And they are not done yet.”

We linger in silence for a moment, both of us just staring at that blank space. Then Kael clears his throat, his easy grin returning.

“Alright, that’s the grand tour."

Kael stretches beside me as we turn and walk away from the crests. His arms stretch overhead, and his stomach gives a loud growl. I raise an eyebrow at him.

He grins sheepishly. “Alright, I take that as my cue. You ready for some lunch?”

At the mention of food, I realize just how empty my own stomach feels. I have been so caught up in the tour and taking everything in, I have completely forgotten I have not eaten anything today. Over sleeping probably did not help much either.

“Starving,” I admit with a laugh, placing a hand on my stomach.

“Come on, the cafeteria’s back this way. You are gonna want to eat now before the schools round of orientation madness starts.”

We cut across the quad, weaving between groups of students lounging in the sun or making their way towards various buildings. When we reach the cafeteria, the scent of roasted meat, fresh bread, and something spiced hits me instantly, making my mouth water.

Inside, the room is loud but warm, the kind of atmosphere that is always buzzing. Long wooden tables are arranged in rows, already packed with students in various stages of eating, talking, or laughing. I grab a tray, and Kael falls in line beside me.

The servers behind the counter move quickly. I pile on some grilled chicken, roasted potatoes, and a few vegetables, then spot a gleaming bowl of apples at the end of the counter and swipe one before following Kael through the crowd.

He leads us to a half filled table near the back where a group of his friends are already seated, most of their faces I recognize from pack events over the years. No need for introductions. They grin and nod at me in welcome, sliding over to make space.

I slide into the bench across from Kael, setting my tray down and biting into the apple first. It’s crisp and sweet, the flavor bursting on my tongue. Pure heaven after hours of running around.

Just as Kael starts cracking a joke about my dorm room neighbors, the cafeteria doors swing open.

The shift in the room is subtle, but I feel it. Heads turn, conversations pause for half a second.

I glance towards the entrance, and there he is.

Ripley Parker.

He saunters into the room like he owns it, tall and unapologetically confident. His blond hair is tousled like he just stepped out of a fight, or a magazine and his white T-shirt clings to his body in all the right places. The tattoos from earlier peek out from beneath his sleeves, wrapping around his biceps like secrets.

He does not look around for a seat. He knows wherever he sits will become the center of the room.

I look back down at my plate not wanting our eyes to meet again. But I keep feeling compelled to look at him again. I force myself to focus on my lunch, I stab a piece of chicken harder than necessary.

“Something wrong?” Kael asks casually, between bites.

“No,” I lie, giving him a small smile. “Just thinking.”

I try and casually glance at Ripley again only to find his eyes already on me.