Under Scrutiny

The clink of chains echoed in the dungeon as Professor Blackthorn unlocked my restraints. My wrists throbbed where the iron had bitten into them, and every muscle in my body screamed in protest as I straightened.

“You’ll be returning to your classes,” Blackthorn said, his voice flat and devoid of sympathy. “The Headmistress and I believe it’s important to maintain normalcy.”

I nodded stiffly, my throat dry and raw. “And what’s the catch?” I rasped.

Blackthorn’s lips twitched into the faintest semblance of a smirk, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “The catch is that every step you take will be under scrutiny. You’ve drawn too much attention, and the last thing we need is for you to spiral again. Consider this... probation.”

I glanced at the enchanted markings on the walls, their faint glow reminding me of the hours I’d spent raging against them, trying to fight the wolf within. “What if it happens again?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Then it won’t be up to me or the Headmistress to decide your fate,” Blackthorn said darkly.

The weight of his words settled on me like a lead blanket, but I forced myself to nod. “I understand.”

Blackthorn hesitated, his usual stoic demeanor faltering for a fraction of a second. “Don’t make me regret this, Alex,” he said before stepping aside to let me leave.

Back to the Tower

The familiar creak of the boys’ dorm door was both a relief and a reminder of how much had changed. The common room was empty—most of the guys were already at breakfast—leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I trudged up the stairs to my room, stripping off the tattered clothes I’d been left in. The hot water from the shower hit my skin, and for a moment, it felt like I could wash away everything—the dungeon, the wolf, the fear in everyone’s eyes.

But no amount of soap or scalding heat could scrub away the memories.

I braced my hands against the tile, water dripping from my hair. The wolf was still there, lurking just beneath the surface. I could feel it, pacing, waiting. What the hell am I?

The mirror above the sink fogged as I stepped out, wrapping a towel around my waist. My reflection stared back at me—same green eyes, same dark hair—but something was off. My gaze lingered on my own eyes, searching for something.

For what?

Breakfast

The dining hall was a cacophony of voices and clattering dishes as I stepped inside. My friends sat at our usual table near the windows, their eyes snapping to me the second I appeared.

“Alex!” Sara was the first to her feet, relief flooding her face as she rushed over. She stopped just short of throwing her arms around me, like she wasn’t sure if I wanted to be touched.

“Hey,” I said, my voice rough but steady.

William and Sean stood too, their expressions a mix of relief and worry. Kira, as usual, stayed seated, her sharp gaze assessing me like she was trying to read my mind.

“Where have you been?” William demanded, his voice a little too loud. “We thought—”

“Thought what?” I interrupted, my tone sharper than I intended.

“That something happened to you,” Sara said softly.

I sighed, running a hand through my still-damp hair. “I’m fine. Blackthorn let me go this morning. They just... wanted to make sure everything was under control.”

“That’s it?” Sean raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “No punishment? No lectures?”

“Oh, there were lectures,” I said dryly, sliding into the seat beside Kira. “But nothing I didn’t already know.”

William leaned forward, lowering his voice. “Alex... what happened last night? You changed. That’s not supposed to happen yet. And the pack—”

“Can we not do this here?” I cut him off, glancing around the bustling hall. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Maybe you should,” Kira said quietly, her tone carrying an edge.

Our eyes met, and for a moment, the world seemed to still. There was something in her gaze—an understanding, maybe, or a warning. I couldn’t tell which.

Sara reached for my hand, her touch grounding me. “We just want to help, Alex.”

“I know,” I said, forcing a weak smile. “But right now, I just want to eat and pretend things are normal. Can we do that?”

They exchanged uneasy glances but eventually nodded.

History of Supernaturals

First period was history, and I was grateful for the distraction. Professor Lenora—a vampire with a penchant for dramatic storytelling—was already mid-lecture when I slid into my seat.

“Ah, Mr. Wolfe,” she said, her sharp eyes tracking me like a hawk. “How kind of you to join us.”

“Sorry,” I mumbled, keeping my head down.

“As I was saying,” she continued, turning back to the chalkboard, “the balance of power among the factions has always been delicate. Werewolves, vampires, witches, and the fae—each must coexist, but history shows us that even the slightest imbalance can lead to chaos.”

I glanced at William beside me, who was furiously scribbling notes.

“Take, for instance, the Great Rift,” Lenora went on, her voice rising with passion. “A single rogue werewolf—an anomaly, much like what some of you may have read about—caused a chain reaction that nearly destroyed the alliance between the factions.”

My stomach tightened. Anomaly. The word hung in the air like a noose.

“These individuals, though rare, possess traits or abilities far beyond their years. They are unpredictable, dangerous, and often targeted by their own kind to preserve the balance.”

The room was silent, every student hanging on her words.

“And what happens to them?” a voice from the back asked.

Lenora’s smile was sharp. “They are... dealt with.”

The pit in my stomach deepened.

“Now,” she said, clapping her hands. “Let’s move on to the treaties of 1856—”

I tuned out, my mind racing. Was that what I was? An anomaly? And if so, what would happen when the wrong people found out?

When the bell rang, I grabbed my things and bolted for the door. William called after me, but I didn’t stop.

The Weight of the Wolf

I found myself in the courtyard, away from the noise and the stares. The cool breeze helped steady my nerves, but the questions remained.

What am I? Why did the wolf take over?

My hands shook as I clenched them into fists. The wolf wasn’t just some separate entity—it was me. And it scared the hell out of me.

“Alex.”

I turned to see Kira standing a few feet away, her arms crossed.

“What do you want?” I asked, harsher than I intended.

“To talk,” she said simply, stepping closer.

I sighed, leaning against the stone wall. “I don’t even know where to start.”

“Start with what you’re feeling,” she said, her voice softer now.

I hesitated, but the words came tumbling out. “I feel like I’m losing control. Like I’m not even me anymore. And the worst part? I don’t know if I want to fight it.”

Kira studied me for a long moment. “You’re stronger than you think, Alex. But you need to figure out what’s happening before it’s too late.”

I nodded, her words settling in my chest like a challenge.

Whatever was happening to me, I couldn’t ignore it anymore. I had to face it—wolf and all.