POV: Aria Blackthorn
The alarm had been a false trigger—some first-year student's magic gone wrong.
But the terror I'd felt through the bonds was real. My three Alphas had genuinely believed I was in danger, had been ready to tear down walls to reach me.
Now, morning light streamed through my barred window, and I had to face my first day of actual classes at Silvercrest Academy.
Classes designed to reinforce one simple truth: I didn't belong here.
I walked into Pack Politics and every conversation stopped.
Professor Aldric stood at the front, silver-haired and sharp-eyed. He looked at me like I was something unpleasant he'd stepped in.
Miss Blackthorn. How... unexpected that you survived the night. His smile was cold. Take a seat. Preferably in the back where you won't distract the actual students.
The class was divided by rank. Alphas sat in the front—luxury chairs, perfect view. Betas in the middle. Omegas in cramped seats at the back.
There was one desk even further back, isolated in the corner.
Mine.
I walked past rows of hostile stares and sat down, spine straight, refusing to show weakness.
That's when she walked in.
Seraphina Vex moved like she owned the world. Beautiful in the way predators are beautiful—all sharp edges and cruel grace. Daughter of the Council's second-in-command, future Luna of the Nightshade pack if she had her way.
Her eyes found mine immediately. She smiled.
It wasn't friendly.
Class, Professor Aldric began, today we discuss the sacred hierarchy. Alphas lead. Betas support. Omegas serve. And humans... He looked directly at me. Humans don't belong in our world at all.
Several students laughed.
I kept my face blank and took notes like he was discussing the weather.
Miss Blackthorn. Aldric's voice was sharp. Perhaps you'd like to explain why the hierarchy exists? Since you seem to think yourself exempt from it.
A test. He wanted me to fail, to prove I was ignorant.
I stood slowly. The hierarchy exists because wolves are pack animals. They need structure to function. Alphas provide direction, Betas provide stability, Omegas provide foundation. Each role is essential to pack survival.
Aldric's eyes narrowed. And where do humans fit in this structure?
We don't. Because we're not pack animals. We don't need to follow—we choose to lead ourselves.
The class erupted in angry mutters. Seraphina's smile widened.
But Aldric looked almost... impressed. Sit down, Miss Blackthorn. Perhaps you're not completely hopeless.
Small victory. But I'd take it.
Wolf History was worse.
The instructor paired students for a project on famous pack alliances. Everyone scrambled to partner with friends, rivals, anyone useful.
I sat alone.
Until Raven Cross slid into the seat beside me. Looks like we're both social pariahs. Want to be outcast partners?
I looked at the witch—dark hair, sharp eyes, fingers that occasionally sparked with purple magic. Why help me?
Because queen bee over there— she nodded toward Seraphina, who was whispering to her friends and glaring at us, —made my first year hell. Enemy of my enemy and all that.
I smiled genuinely for the first time in days. Deal.
Good. Because Seraphina's planning something. I heard her in the bathroom. She wants you gone before you 'infect the academy with your human weakness.'
Let her try.
Raven's grin was wicked. I like you. We're going to be great friends or get each other killed. Maybe both.
At lunch, the social warfare began in earnest.
I carried my tray toward an empty table when my foot caught on something. I went down hard, food flying everywhere. Laughter exploded around me.
Seraphina stood nearby, looking innocent. Oh dear. Humans are so clumsy.
I got up slowly, covered in soup and humiliation. Refused to react. Refused to give them the satisfaction.
Raven helped me clean up. That's the third 'accident' today. Your chair collapsed in Magical Theory. Your books 'fell' in the library. Now this.
She's testing me. Seeing if I'll break.
Will you?
Not a chance.
That's when Lyanna walked into the cafeteria.
The entire room went silent. My sister—beautiful, perfect, radiating power from her Silver Luna wolf—surveyed the space like a queen inspecting her kingdom.
Her eyes found mine. She rushed over, tears already forming.
Aria! She threw her arms around me. Oh, sister, I've been so worried! Father said you were here and I just had to see you, to make sure you were okay—
I stood frozen, not returning the hug. Every instinct screamed that this was performance, not affection.
I'm fine, Lyanna. I pulled away. Shouldn't you be back home? Enjoying your Luna ceremony celebrations?
Her lip trembled. How can I celebrate when my sister is suffering? I convinced Father to let me enroll early. Special admission because of my wolf. She touched my hand. We can be together again. Isn't that wonderful?
Through her touch, I felt something—a flicker of her wolf's power. And beneath it, something wrong. Something that tasted like stolen magic and dark rituals.
I yanked my hand back. How generous of you.
Her mask slipped for just a second. Pure hatred flashed in her eyes before the sweet sister act returned.
I know you're angry, she said loud enough for everyone to hear. But I forgive you for what you did. Family forgives.
The entire cafeteria was watching now. Seeing Lyanna as the loving sister extending mercy to the disgraceful human.
I was the villain in her story.
Enjoy your stay, sister, I said quietly, then walked away before I did something violent.
Combat Training was my last class.
And the instructor paired me with Dante Nightshade.
Let's see if the human can fight without Nullwolf tricks, the instructor announced.
Dante stepped into the sparring ring, silver eyes cold. Try not to embarrass yourself.
We circled each other. The bond hummed between us—attraction and animosity tangled together.
He moved first—fast, brutal, using his size advantage. I dodged, barely. Countered with a strike to his kidneys that he blocked easily.
Is that all you have? he taunted.
I fought dirty—went for eyes, throat, groin. Anything to level the playing field. He laughed, actually enjoying it.
Then he got me in a submission hold, arms pinned, his body against my back.
You can't win, he whispered in my ear. Submit. Make this easier on both of us.
The bond flared hot with his proximity.
My Nullwolf power surged instinctively.
His wolf whimpered inside him. The entire class felt it—the Devil of Apex Hall's wolf submitting to a human girl.
Dante released me immediately, eyes wide with shock and fury.
The class erupted in whispers.
I'd just humiliated the most feared Alpha in the academy.
That was going to have consequences.
After classes, I returned to my cell to find it destroyed again.
Furniture shattered. Belongings torn apart. And written on the wall in what I really hoped wasn't blood:
SUBMIT OR DIE
They're getting creative, Raven said from the doorway. Next they'll probably leave severed body parts.
Comforting.
Three shadows appeared behind Raven. She yelped and jumped aside.
Dante, Kieran, and Zane filled the hallway.
We've been taking turns, Kieran said. Guarding you. Making sure no one tries anything when you're vulnerable.
I don't need guards, I protested.
Sister didn't either, Zane said quietly. Thought she was strong enough alone. Found her body three days later. Won't happen again.
The pain in his voice hit me like a physical blow. His sister. The one he couldn't save.
I saw him differently then—not just a scary enforcer, but someone carrying survivor's guilt like armor.
I can teach you to channel wolf power without shifting, Kieran offered. Control the Nullwolf abilities so they're weapons, not accidents.
And I'll teach you to fight properly, Dante added. Not just dirty tricks. Real combat skills.
They were offering help. Real, genuine help.
Even if their motives were complicated by the bonds.
Fine, I said. I accept. Both of you. But this doesn't mean
The lights went out.
All of them. Every magical light source in the entire academy dying simultaneously.
Emergency wards activated—red lights bathing everything in bloody glow.
And through the bonds, I felt something that made my blood freeze.
All three Alphas were terrified. Not for themselves.
For me.
What's happening? I whispered.
Dante's eyes glowed silver in the darkness. Someone just breached the academy's outer wards. Something powerful.
How powerful? Raven asked.
Zane drew two knives. Primordial.
The word hung in the air like a death sentence.
My mother's note flashed through my mind: The Primordials are coming. And they're hungry.
A howl echoed through the academy. Not a wolf howl.
Something older. Something wrong.
And beneath my feet, I felt the ground tremble as something massive moved through the earth toward us.
Run, Dante commanded.
But the door slammed shut on its own.
The walls began to glow with ancient symbols I'd never seen.
And a voice—ancient, inhuman, amused—whispered through the stone:
Found you, little Nullwolf. Time to come home.