Kieran walked off without another word, his presence vanishing down the hallway like a ghost. I stayed there for a second, my body screaming in pain, my ribs aching with every breath. My legs trembled as I forced myself upright, pressing a hand against my bruised throat.
Then..... hurried footsteps.
"Lorraine!" Elise's voice rang out as she rushed toward me, her sharp green eyes widening in shock the moment she saw me. "What the hell happened to you?"
She didn't wait for an answer. Slipping her arm under mine, she hoisted me up, supporting me as we started walking. I winced, the movement sending a fresh wave of pain through my torso.
Elise looked pissed. "I've been looking for you everywhere. You just vanished after classes. And now I find you looking like a wreck?"
I let out a humorless chuckle. "You'll love this story."
As we walked toward the feral dorm, I filled her in on everything, how I was cornered at the lockers, how Selene Ashthorne had nearly choked the life out of me, and how she'd promised to kill me before the week was over.
By the time I finished, Elise was fuming. "Oh, perfect. Fantastic. So not only have you gotten on an elite's bad side, but it had to be the Ashthornes." She shot me a sharp look. "Do you know how completely screwed we are now?"
I gave a dry laugh. "I think the term you're looking for is 'dead.'"
She groaned, rubbing her temple. "And you had to run your mouth at them too, huh?"
I shrugged. "If I'm going to die anyway, might as well go out with style."
Elise muttered something under her breath, then sighed. "You just successfully made an enemy of the most powerful faction of elites in this damn academy. Impressive, really."
I smirked, but my ribs ached from the motion, and I ended up grimacing instead.
Then Elise's expression turned serious. "And what's up with Adrian Vale?"
I frowned. "What do you mean?"
Elise gave me a knowing look. "Come on, Lorraine. A noble standing up for a feral? That doesn't happen. That never happens."
I exhaled. She wasn't wrong.
Adrian had intervened twice already, first with the nobles, then with Alistair Ashthorne. But why?
I shook my head. "I don't know what his deal is."
Elise snorted. "Yeah, well, I'd keep an eye on him if I were you. Nobles don't help ferals. Not unless they want something."
I didn't have the energy to argue. "Noted."
But then I mentioned Kieran, and Elise froze.
I stopped too, looking at her in confusion. "What?"
She turned to me, her face a mix of shock and exasperation. "Lorraine. You must really have a quick death wish."
I frowned. "What are you talking about?"
Elise threw her hands up. "Are you serious?! On your first day, you've gotten the attention of the most powerful elites, you've pissed off a whole faction, and now..... now..... you're telling me that the Lycan Prince has taken notice of you?"
I rolled my eyes. "It's not like I asked for him to notice me."
Elise shook her head in disbelief. "You're actually insane."
I ignored her dramatic reaction as we finally reached the feral dorms.
The moment we stepped inside, I felt a heavy weight settle in my chest.
The common area was eerily quiet, but the atmosphere was thick with something unspoken. A sense of defeat.
I scanned the room, and my stomach twisted.
More than half of the ferals had visible bruises, cuts, scrapes, swollen lips, dark circles around their eyes. Some were slumped on the couches, others leaning against the walls, lost in thought.
Callum sat on one of the armrests, his face still bearing the same bruises I had seen earlier. Felix was nearby, stretching his arms, but even he had a split lip and a faint limp.
They had all been bullied.
Every single one of them.
The realization settled like a stone in my gut.
We didn't belong here. And this school was making damn sure we knew it.
...
Morning came too soon, and with it, the brutal reality of my situation.
I woke up feeling like I'd been trampled by a herd of wild wolves, probably because I had been. My ribs ached with every breath, my body sore from yesterday's beating. But there was no room for weakness. If I skipped class, I'd cost the feral dorm more points, and we couldn't afford to make things worse for ourselves.
So, I sucked it up.
Elise, Callum, Felix, and I walked together for a bit before splitting off toward our separate classes.
I had barely taken a few steps alone when a voice cut through the morning silence.
"Good morning, sunshine."
I closed my eyes, exhaling through my nose.
Not this guy again.
Adrian Vale fell into step beside me, his hands casually tucked in his pockets, an infuriatingly easy grin plastered across his face.
"Exciting day, huh?" he mused, completely ignoring the fact that I was very clearly not interested in talking. "I mean, I knew ferals had it rough, but damn, you're really making history here. First, you pick a fight with elites. Then, you get the Lycan Prince himself to notice you. If I didn't know better, I'd say you're trying to speedrun your own death."
I didn't acknowledge him. I didn't even glance his way. I just kept walking.
Adrian didn't seem to care. If anything, my silence only seemed to amuse him.
"You know, you're not the easiest person to befriend, Lorraine Anderson" he continued, his tone light.
I stopped abruptly.
He nearly walked past me before noticing.
I turned to him, arms crossed. "Are you a loner or something?"
Adrian blinked. "What?"
"Why else would a noble be talking to a lowly feral?" I tilted my head, my voice flat.
He let out a short laugh, shaking his head. "So, you actually believe that you are a lowly feral?"
I shrugged. "That's what everyone says."
Just then, my gaze flicked forward—
—and my stomach dropped.
The Ashthornes.
Selene Ashthorne, the elite girl who had nearly crushed my throat yesterday, stood in front of my classroom door, arms crossed, a smirk playing at her lips. Beside her was her younger brother, the same one I had talked back to during Combat & Strategy. And behind them? Three more elites, all standing there like a pack of wolves cornering their prey.
Shit.
I turned on my heel. "Go on without me," I muttered to Adrian, then ran.
I didn't wait to see if he followed.
And, of course, the Ashthornes saw me and they chased.
I heard the pounding of their footsteps behind me, their strides longer, faster. My body was already exhausted, I barely had the energy to keep running, and unlike them, I had no enhanced stamina, no strong wolf to aid me.
They were closing in.
I turned a sharp corner—
A door.
The first one I saw.
I didn't hesitate. I shoved it open, rushed inside, and bolted the door behind me.
Panting, I leaned against it, pressing my palms flat against the wood as I listened.
No footsteps. No voices.
Had I lost them?
I exhaled, my heart pounding.
Then...
A scent.
Familiar. Distinct.
It was stronger than anything else in the room, dominating the air like a presence all on its own.
Slowly, I turned around.
My breath hitched.
The room was a luxurious study, bathed in soft golden light from the massive windows. Dark mahogany shelves lined the walls, filled with towering books. A fireplace flickered quietly in the corner, casting warm shadows across the elegant furniture.
And there, seaated behind a large, ornate desk, hands steepled together—
Kieran Valerius Hunter.
The Lycan Prince.
His golden eyes locked onto mine, sharp and unreadable. He didn't look surprised. If anything, he looked like he had been expecting me.
A slow, smug smile curled his lips.
"Well," he drawled, his deep voice rich with amusement. "This is interesting."