Chapter Three
Elora's POV
The weight of every gaze pressed down on me the moment she spoke. Students gathered quickly, circling us like they had been waiting for a show. This wasn't the way I planned my first day to go.
My throat tightened as whispers cut through the silence.
"I'm so sorry," I muttered quickly, bowing my head. My voice was small, shaky, and I hated myself for it. I expected anger, punishment, maybe even humiliation—but she didn't reply.
Slowly, I raised my head.
"Human girl," she said, the words low but sharp enough to pierce the air.
My stomach dropped. How could she tell that easily? I could sense she was a werewolf too, majority of those in this school are werewolves, only a few were different.
I heard people from different lack were also present in this school.
"It was my fault," Tracy's voice cut in as she hurried to stand in front of me. "She bumped into you because of me."
I blinked at her. Was she actually trying to protect me—or was this just her way of forcing a friendship later?
She wasn't wrong though. If she hadn't been blocking my path, I wouldn't have walked into this lady at all. She could take the blame for this one.
I wasn't sure if the lady knew who Tracy was.
The ranked lady stretched out her hand, and immediately someone at her side rushed forward with a small silver jar.
He poured liquid into her palm. She rubbed it slowly across her skin, as if my touch had tainted her.
My posture straightened, heat rushing to my cheeks. It wasn't like she was cleaner than anyone else here.
"Step aside," she said flatly, her eyes never leaving mine.
Tracy obeyed instantly, moving out of the way. My breath hitched as the lady stepped closer. Her presence filled the corridor. The air itself seemed to obey her. Was she one of the six highest-ranked? If she was… then maybe she knew more than she let on. Maybe she already guessed who I really was.
I bit my lip hard, refusing to show fear.
"Even though you are human, your aura feels… different." Her words were slow, almost curious.
Her scent reached me then, rich and sharp, a strange mix of fruits and something metallic underneath. I could feel it wrap around me like invisible chains. She lifted her hand, tilting my chin up with one finger until my eyes were forced to meet hers.
"Even though you are a human, the aura around you feels different," she repeated, her voice lower this time, like she was speaking only to me.
My heart pounded in my chest. I hadn't even been here two full days, and already someone was close to unraveling my secret.
"It's not what you think—" I started, but her finger pressed gently to my lips, silencing me.
Don't speak. That's what her eyes told me.
Then, just as suddenly, she stepped back. Without another word, she turned and walked past me. The students that had gathered began to scatter, disappointed the show had ended.
"Thank goodness she's in a good mood today," Tracy whispered, smiling nervously.
Anger bubbled inside me. I rounded on her. "If you hadn't been trailing me everywhere, I wouldn't have bumped into her. This is your fault."
She only shrugged. "I told you earlier, you should have listened."
I brushed past her, refusing to let her see how much my hands shook.
---
The rest of the day blurred.
I didn't understand anything the lecturer said in class. Every word sounded strange, every spell and rune drawn on the board looked foreign to me. The students around me took notes, some whispering to their familiars, others practicing with glowing pens that wrote on their own. I sat there, clutching my empty parchment, feeling more out of place with each passing minute.
By the time class ended, Tracy was already at my side again, waiting with that same smile. I ignored her, walking toward the exit, but before I could leave the academy grounds, a tall figure blocked my path.
My caretaker.
His presence alone was enough to silence me. He never spoke more than necessary, and every time I saw him, I knew it meant orders from the Alpha.
"Seems like you have something important to do," Tracy said lightly, giving me a quick wave before she slipped away.
"I'd like you to come with me," he said, his voice even.
"To the Alpha?" I asked before I could stop myself.
His eyes narrowed slightly. He gave one short nod. That was enough warning not to question further.
I followed him quietly.
---
The carriage ride was long and silent. My nerves twisted with every turn of the road. The academy disappeared behind us, replaced by thick woods and winding paths. At last, we stopped before a large house unlike anything I had seen in this place.
It wasn't made of the same black stone as the academy. Instead, pale stone walls gleamed under the moonlight, tall windows catching the glow. The roof sloped steeply, carved with strange markings, and the gates bore a crest I didn't recognize. It felt powerful—too powerful.
"This is where you wait," my caretaker said. "The masters will return soon. Until then, enter and wait inside."
"The masters?" My voice trembled slightly.
"They are not here yet," he said, and that was all.
I nodded quickly, pushing the heavy door open.
---
The interior took my breath away.
The hall opened wide, with tall ceilings painted in deep shades of blue and gold, constellations drawn across them as though the stars themselves had been trapped inside. A faint glow clung to the walls, not from candles but from enchanted stones fixed into golden holders. The air smelled faintly of smoke and herbs, ancient and sharp.
I stepped forward slowly, dragging my fingers across the smooth railing. Art lined the walls—portraits of men and women who looked untouchable, their eyes sharp, their bodies clothed in heavy robes. They stared down at me like they were judging me.
My feet carried me further in, to a wide sitting room. The rugs were thick and soft under my boots, dyed in deep crimson. Tapestries hung at either side, scenes of battles and victories I couldn't name. Every inch of the room whispered of power and bloodlines older than I could imagine.
My gaze landed on a vase perched on a pedestal near the center of the room. It was dark blue, painted with silver swirls that glowed faintly, like real moonlight rested inside the glass. Without thinking, I reached out.
The moment my hand brushed it, a creak echoed from behind me.
The sound startled me so badly I gasped. My elbow knocked the vase hard. It wobbled, tipped, and before I could steady it, it fell.
It shattered on the ground.
My heart leapt into my throat.
I spun, already stumbling back, and froze when my eyes locked with a piercing blue gaze.
He stood in the doorway, tall and broad-shouldered, his aura filling the room instantly. His surprise was obvious—like he hadn't expected to find anyone here, least of all me.
"What's in there? Why aren't you moving?" another voice came from behind him.
Two more figures stepped into the room, their presence heavier, sharper. My knees weakened as the truth crashed over me.
The air shifted. My breath caught.
My mates.
The triplets.