Chapter 3

Elara's POV

"Everyone put your phones down. NOW!"

Professor Caius's voice thundered through the arena with an authority that froze every student mid-motion. His eyes, cold and piercing, swept across the room, demanding immediate compliance.

I stood paralyzed, staring at the photo on Violet's phone.

Students glanced between their phones and us, whispers spreading like wildfire. Heat crept up my neck as judgmental eyes darted in my direction.

"Is this what passes for education at Lunastride?" Isolde's voice cut through the silence, her tone dripping with venom. "Seducing professors for better grades?"

Professor Caius stalked toward us, his movements predatory and purposeful. Without a word, he snatched Violet's phone and examined the image, his jaw clenched tight.

"This," he announced, his voice dangerously low, "is clearly fabricated." He held up the phone. "Look at the poor editing around Ms. Thorn's outline. Whoever created this should be ashamed of their subpar skills."

His eyes found Isolde in the crowd. "And whoever distributed it has violated academy policy."

"With all due respect, Professor," Isolde challenged, stepping forward with false confidence, "how can you be so certain it's fake?"

Professor Caius's expression hardened. "Are you questioning my judgment?"

"No, sir," she replied, faltering slightly under his intense stare. "But the photo looks quite convincing—"

"Then your observational skills need significant improvement," he cut her off sharply. "Perhaps you should focus more on your combat training and less on spreading malicious gossip."

He turned to address the entire class. "Anyone continuing to circulate this image will face disciplinary action. This conversation is over."

Students hurriedly pocketed their phones, murmurs of apology and agreement rippling through the arena.

"But sir," one brave soul ventured, "the time stamp shows it was taken today—"

"Do I look like someone who engages in inappropriate behavior with students?" Professor Caius snapped, his voice like ice.

The student seemed to shrink under his gaze. "No, sir."

Professor Caius turned his attention back to Isolde. "Since you seem so invested in this matter, you can demonstrate proper combat techniques with me."

Isolde paled visibly. "I—I don't think—"

"That wasn't a request." His tone left no room for argument.

As Isolde reluctantly made her way to the front, Professor Caius handed Violet's phone back to her. His eyes briefly met mine, the slightest softening in his otherwise stern expression.

Violet leaned close to me as Professor Caius walked away. "He's terrifying when he's angry, but I've never seen him defend a student like that before."

"He wasn't defending me," I whispered back. "He was defending himself."

"Are you sure?" Violet raised an eyebrow. "Because he's never cared about rumors before. Trust me, students have said worse."

I watched as Professor Caius positioned himself opposite Isolde. His movements were controlled, precise.

"Attack me," he commanded Isolde.

She hesitated, then launched a half-hearted attack. With barely any effort, Professor Caius sidestepped and swept her legs from under her, sending her crashing to the mat.

"Your focus is divided," he stated coldly as she scrambled to her feet. "Your mind is on gossip rather than combat. This is why you fail."

The demonstration continued for several excruciating minutes, with Isolde growing increasingly frustrated and humiliated with each failed attempt to land a blow.

"Class dismissed," Professor Caius finally announced. "Ms. Thorn, a word."

My heart raced as students filed out, some casting curious glances in my direction. Violet squeezed my arm supportively before leaving me alone with Professor Caius.

"Sir?" I approached cautiously once the arena had emptied.

He was gathering equipment, his back to me. "You handled yourself well today."

I blinked in surprise. "I didn't do anything."

"Exactly." He turned to face me, his expression unreadable. "You didn't engage with the provocation. That shows discipline."

"Thank you for..." I struggled to find the right words. "For what you did."

"I didn't do it for you." His response was swift, almost defensive. "That kind of disruption has no place in my classroom."

"Of course." I nodded.

Professor Caius sighed, running a hand through his hair. "However, I apologize that you were targeted. It was clearly aimed at undermining your position here."

"It's not the first time Isolde has tried to humiliate me," I admitted.

"She comes from privilege," he observed, his tone neutral. "Those born into power often fear those who earn it."

I couldn't help but smile at his assessment. "You sound like my father."

"Alpha Alaric is a wise man." A ghost of a smile touched his lips.

"You know my father?" I asked, surprised.

"He's one of the most respected Alphas in the Sovereign Realms. I've learned much from observing his leadership." His eyes studied me with newfound interest. "Your combat techniques bear his influence."

"I've trained with him my entire life," I replied, standing a little straighter. "Both my parents have been my teachers."

Recognition flickered in his eyes.

An awkward silence fell between us. I shifted my weight, suddenly aware of how alone we were in the vast arena.

"I should apologize for earlier," he said unexpectedly.

"For what?"

"For dismissing your abilities before seeing them demonstrated." His admission seemed to cost him something. "It was... premature."

"You weren't the first, and you won't be the last," I replied with a small smile.

He nodded, something unreadable passing across his features. I took a deep breath.

"Actually, I'm having my eighteenth birthday celebration this weekend in Celestria," I said before I could lose my nerve. "Many pack leaders will be attending. Since you're an Alpha and know my father, I thought... you might want to come."

His eyebrows rose slightly. "Is that an official invitation?"

"Yes," I confirmed, trying to sound casual. "All Alphas are invited, of course."

"And if I were to attend," he asked, his voice carefully neutral, "would that be as your professor or as an Alpha?"

The question caught me off guard. "Both, I suppose? I mean, you're both, aren't you?"

A fleeting smile crossed his face. "Indeed."

"So... will you come?" I pressed, suddenly eager for his answer.

He seemed to consider for a moment. "It would be disrespectful to decline an invitation from the daughter of Alpha Alaric."

"That's not a yes," I pointed out.

"Yes, Ms. Thorn, I will attend your birthday celebration," he replied, the formality in his tone at odds with the slight warmth in his eyes.

"Great," I smiled, backing toward the door. "And... thank you again."

"Ms. Thorn?" he called as I reached the exit.

I turned back. "Yes?"

"Your shifting will come," he said with unexpected gentleness. "When it does, you'll be formidable."

With those words hanging in the air between us, I hurried from the arena, my heart pounding with a rhythm I couldn't quite understand.

---

"I can't believe my baby girl is turning eighteen," my mother exclaimed, wrapping me in a tight embrace as soon as I walked through our home's door in Celestria.

My father stood behind her, his eyes warm with pride. "Any signs yet?"

"Nothing," I replied, the disappointment evident in my voice. "What if I never shift?"

"Don't say such things," my mother admonished gently, cupping my face in her hands. "Your wolf is there. She's waiting for the right moment."

"But what if—"

"Elara bean," my father interrupted, "some of the most powerful wolves emerge later than others. It's not unheard of."

I sighed, leaning into my mother's touch. "I know. I'm just impatient."

"Just like your father," my mother teased, earning a mock-offended look from him.

"I'm perfectly patient," he protested.

"Says the man who proposed three months after we met," she countered with a laugh.

"When you know, you know," my father defended himself, pulling my mother close and pressing a kiss to her temple.

I watched their easy affection with a familiar mixture of admiration and longing.

"Oh, I almost forgot," I said, shaking myself from my thoughts. "I invited my combat professor to the celebration. He's actually an Alpha—Caius of the Ash Pack."

My mother's hands stilled in the process of smoothing my hair. "Alpha Caius is your professor?"

Something in her tone made me look at her more closely. "Yes. Do you know him?"

"Your mother was born into the Ash Pack," my father reminded me gently.

"I know, but..." I looked between them, sensing there was more to the story.

My mother's eyes grew distant. "Caius is Ulric's son."

The name sent a chill down my spine. Even spoken in whispers, Ulric's reputation was legendary—and not for noble reasons.

My father added, placing a steadying hand on my shoulder. "Caius was very young when he inherited leadership."

"How young?" I asked, my mind racing with this new information.

"Nine," my mother replied softly. "Just a child, forced to become an Alpha overnight."

I tried to reconcile this information with the stern, controlled man I knew.

"That explains a lot," I murmured.