Shadows of suspicions

The Academy gates looked both familiar and strange as Kaine and I walked through them. After everything that happened at Gateport, coming back felt surreal, like walking into someone else's dream.

"You okay?" Kaine asked, his voice low.

I nodded, not trusting my words. The courtyard was busy with students moving between classes, but as we walked, heads turned our way. Whispers followed us like shadows.

"That's her," someone said. "The one who was at Gateport when it was attacked."

Another voice, louder: "I heard she completely messed up. No way she's going to be a Luna now."

I kept my chin up, but inside, Davina growled.

"If only they knew," my inner wolf said. "If only they knew that Kaine wanted you from the beginning."

"Ignore them," Kaine said, his hand briefly touching my shoulder. "What they think doesn't matter."