Chapter 5
*Aria*
"I don't need to prove anything to you." I said calmly.
Her eyes flashed, literally. A quick spark of blue-white lightning crackled near her fingertips. "Wrong answer."
"Lisa," the girl warned.
"What?" Lisa shot back without looking at her. "If she has a wolf, she shifts. If she doesn't, we stop wasting time."
I swallowed. If I were to tell the truth, it would spread through the academy faster than wildfire once it left this room.
"I'm not shifting just because you're bored."
Lisa leaned closer, invading my space again. "You're either arrogant or stupid. I haven't decided which."
"Or neither," the girl interjected, stepping between us. Her voice was still polite, but there was hardness underneath now. "Back off."
Lisa clicked her tongue. "Why do you care?"
"Because this isn't a sparring ring. And because you're acting like a lunatic five minutes into the semester."
For a moment, I thought lightning would explode across the room.
Instead, Lisa smirked. "…Fine." She stepped back, raising her hands mockingly. The tension eased, but only slightly.
The girl turned to me again. "Look, you really don't have to explain anything. I just wanted to make sure you were okay."
"I said I'm fine."
She nodded slowly, clearly unconvinced. "Right. Well… welcome to the floor, I guess. I'm Mira."
"Aria."
Lisa flopped back onto the bed with exaggerated boredom. "Touching introductions. Can we move on now?"
Mira rolled her eyes. "Ignore her. She's allergic to basic human behavior. By the way,"
"I heard that." Lisa yelled back.
Despite everything, a tiny breath of relief slipped through me. Mira didn't seem like the gossiping type. But Lisa…
Lisa was watching me like I'd just become her favorite new obsession.
"All Cadets have been asked to gather in the hall by the way. You'll find your uniform in the wardrobe. I'll be waiting." Mira said, gesturing to the wardrobe.
The wardrobe stood against the far wall, fancy and polished. Inside, everything was arranged in order, uniform, boots, belt and an insignia. A thin metal tag rested on the folded jacket with my name written on it, ARIA VALE.
My eyes widened briefly. They worked fast. It was like they had prepared for my arrival before I even came.
"Problem?" Lisa asked.
I shut the door halfway, blocking her view. "No."
Mira caught the hesitation though.
I pulled the jacket free. It was heavier than it looked. The fabric had that new, untouched feel. And then the he boots, were matted black, solid and intimidating.
Lisa whistled softly. "Look at that. Fresh meat really is fresh."
I shot her a look.
She grinned. "What? I'm being welcoming."
Mira sighed. "Lisa."
"Fine, fine." Lisa waved a hand. "Go get dressed before Commander Ice-For-Blood decides to personally drag you to the hall."
My heart skipped a bit at the mention of him. I turned away before either of them could read my face and stepped into the narrow changing partition beside the wardrobe, shutting the door after.
For the first time since entering the room, I could breathe without feeling dissected. I changed quickly.
The dress clung comfortably once it warmed against my skin. The boots fit perfectly, which somehow unsettled me more than if they hadn't. Even the jacket settled onto my shoulders like it had been tailored months ago.
I stared at my reflection in the slim mirror.
Dark blue, black belt, Sharp lines, high collar. Silver threading along the cuffs. The uniform was incredible.
"…Damn."
Lisa's voice cut through the partition.
I stepped out.
Her brows were raised, boredom momentarily gone. "Okay. That's actually annoying."
Mira smiled faintly. "You look good."
I forced a smile, my mind not exactly in this room. I couldn't help but wonder how I could cope here without having a wolf. And if anyone was to find out who my father was, my peaceful days would be done for. I knew that much.
Lisa sat up, resting her elbows on her knees as she studied me with renewed interest. Not mocking this time.
"Well," she said slowly, "at least you won't embarrass the floor."
"Your standards are inspiring," I replied.
She laughed. "Oh, I like her."
Mira pushed off the desk. "Come on. We're already late."
We stepped into the corridor.
Voices echoed from every direction. Cadets streamed toward the main hall in clusters, laughing, arguing, comparing uniforms, flashing insignias like trophies.
Excited energy buzzed through the air.
I kept my head forward, but my senses stretched instinctively. Too many heartbeats. Too many scents. Too many unknown variables packed into one place.
Lisa walked beside me, hands tucked casually into her pockets. Mira moved on my other side, matching my pace without crowding.
"You'll want to pay attention in the hall," Mira said quietly.
"I always do."
Lisa snorted. "No, you don't understand. First assembly sets the tone. Rankings, evaluations, squad assignments. Who matters and who doesn't."
Mira added, "And who survives the semester without becoming a cautionary tale."
As we approached the hall, the noise thickened into a restless roar. The massive doors stood open, revealing rows upon rows of cadets already gathered. I instinctively reached to touch the necklace on my neck, I usually did whenever I felt nervous
But I froze when I didn't feel it around my neck. That necklace was my mother's. Did I lose it? God, that was the only thing I had left of her. My heart raced as I turned around immediately, rushing back to the dorm..
"Where are you going?" Lisa yelled, eyes wide with disbelief.
"I'll be right back." I replied without looking back. I hadn't made it far when I bumped into something hard, someone's hard chest muscles. I winced in pain, rubbing my forehead as I looked up.
My breath hitched, not from the impact, but from him. For a split second, my brain failed to function. The face above me was… unfair. Perfectly structured, sharp jawline, icy blue eyes, this being was dangerously handsome, the kind of looks that didn't belong on a real person.
Then I met his gaze, they were cold, completely void of warmth or emotions. A chill prickled across my skin. My gaze shifted and caught a scar slicing through his left brow, a short jagged claw mark.
I straightened quickly, my words catching in my throat. But something else drew my attention, his waist belt, gold-lined, stamped with a crest.
My stomach sank. No. My eyes darkened. The royal family insignia. He was royal.