"Between the Academy’s Secrets and an Unexpected Encounter"

A month had passed since we arrived at the academy, and in that time, I had learned more than I ever imagined. But the most important thing for me wasn't just the lessons or the training—it was the fact that, for the first time in my life, I had made a real friend.

Vina became my best friend, and we attended most of our classes together. I never realized how comforting it was to have someone to talk to freely, someone I didn't have to fear would betray my trust. On the contrary, she supported me, stood by my side, and never made me feel alone.

It was a new kind of friendship, but it changed me. I was no longer that withdrawn girl, too afraid to reach out to others. Thanks to Vina, I had started breaking free from the shell I had built around myself for years.

As for that mysterious boy... the one who appeared in my dreams every night—sometimes he spoke to me, but last night, he never came. A strange unease settled in my chest. Did something happen to him? Will I never see him again?

The sudden ringing of my phone pulled me from my thoughts. I glanced at the screen—Dad.

I quickly answered, my voice filled with excitement. "Dad! I missed you so much!"

His warm voice came through the line. "I missed you too, sweetheart. How are you?"

"We're fine, Dad. What about you? How are things in the clan?"

There was a brief silence before he spoke again, his tone unreadable. "Everything is fine, don't worry. Actually… I have some news for you, but I don't know if it will make you happy or not."

A sense of unease crept over me. "What news?"

His voice remained steady. "We caught that girl. She's been eliminated. She no longer exists, and you're safe now. You can come back whenever you want."

I should have felt relief. And I did—partly. But at the same time, I had found something here at the academy, something I never had before. A purpose. A friendship. A change in myself I never expected.

I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts before I spoke firmly. "Dad… I think we should stay. So much has changed for us in this past month. What we started here, we need to see it through. I feel like I have to discover my own purpose, to finally overcome my fears… And there's something else. My mutant. I don't know if I have one or not, but I need to come to terms with that. One day, I might have to leave the clan, and I need to be ready."

My father's voice softened with understanding. "Don't say that, Lara. You're strong, and I'm sure your mutant—when the time comes—will be just as strong as you. Be patient. You'll find what you're looking for."

A small smile tugged at my lips. "I hope so, Dad."

"Alright, I have to go now. Take care."

"Okay. Bye, Dad."

As I hung up, his words echoed in my mind. I had to tell Luke.

I hurried toward the training grounds, where I knew he'd be. As expected, I found him in the middle of an intense sparring session—facing off against Jan.

I stayed on the sidelines, watching as their match unfolded. Luke was sweating, his muscles taut with exertion, but he held his ground. When the fight ended, I walked up to him, towel in hand.

"Dad called," I said, handing him the towel. "He said we can go back."

For a moment, Luke froze, his expression unreadable. Then, a flicker of disbelief crossed his face. "But… if we leave now, we'll lose everything we've gained. Everything we've learned here—we wouldn't have learned in a whole year back home."

I smiled, reassuring him. "Don't worry. I already told him how we feel, and he agreed to let us stay."

A breath of relief escaped him. He ran a hand through his damp hair before muttering, "Good… because I wasn't ready to leave yet."

I chuckled, sensing that this was only the beginning of something far greater than either of us could predict.

And, as always, Luke couldn't resist teasing me.

"See? Your IQ is higher than ever!" Luke teased, his grin mischievous.

I shot him a sly glance, smirking as I retorted, "Well, it's only natural that my IQ rises in response to your increasing stupidity, isn't it?"

His eyebrows shot up in shock, but before he could fire back, I bolted, laughing at his stunned expression. My amusement, however, was short-lived.

Bam!

I crashed into something—no, someone—who hadn't been there a second ago! Stumbling back, I rubbed my aching forehead, groaning, "When did this wall get here?"

Luke rushed toward me, concern etched on his face. But he wasn't looking at me. His gaze was locked onto something—or rather, someone—just behind me.

Turning around, I found myself face-to-face with a breathtakingly handsome young man. His black eyes, deep as the void, held an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. His jet-black hair was darker than the night itself, contrasting sharply with his pale skin, which only highlighted his chiseled features. His physique was strong, athletic, exuding an aura of quiet power.

But what unsettled me the most… was the strange sense of familiarity.

Heat crept up my cheeks as I realized I'd been openly staring at him. God, when did I turn into such a creep?!

What confused me even more, however, was the way he was looking at me—like we had met before. Like there was something between us that I hadn't yet grasped.

Luke's anxious voice snapped me out of my daze. "Lara, are you okay?"

I nodded slowly, though my eyes remained fixed on the stranger. Those eyes… why did they seem so familiar?

Before I could dwell on it further, the young man stepped forward, his voice deep and composed.

"I'm sorry. Are you alright? I hope I didn't hurt you."

"I'm fine. No need to apologize. If I had been paying attention, this wouldn't have happened," I replied, offering a small, embarrassed smile.

He chuckled softly, and the sound sent an unexpected warmth through me. Then, he smiled—an effortless, devastating smile that revealed charming dimples and gleaming white teeth.

"Allow me to introduce myself," he said smoothly. "I'm Jacob, Alpha of the Fire Pack, and new to the academy."

Alpha? A pack leader?

"Nice to meet you, Jacob," I managed to say. "I'm Lara, and this is my brother, Luke."

Jacob extended his hand for a handshake, but before I could respond, Luke stepped forward and clasped it first. His grip was firm—too firm. His eyes burned with something unreadable.

"Welcome, Jacob," Luke said, his smile forced.

Was that… jealousy?

I barely suppressed a laugh as I watched the two of them locked in a silent battle of wills, their hands gripping so tightly that their knuckles turned white.

"Alright, alright! That's enough. This isn't a wrestling match," I interjected, stepping between them.

Jacob chuckled, finally releasing Luke's hand. "I should get going. Hope we meet again, Lara."

I waved as he walked away, but Luke's fiery gaze followed him until he was out of sight.

Then, Luke turned to me, his voice low with irritation. "What the hell was that?"

I grinned. "Oh, I think you've just found yourself a new rival."

He shot me a sharp glare, but I simply grabbed his arm and pulled him along. It was time for biology class, and I wasn't about to be late.

A Lesson in Wolves

By the time we arrived, the classroom was already full. Jan, Fina, a few other friends… and Jacob.

Ah. What a coincidence.

Our eyes met for a brief moment. He smiled.

And before I knew it, I was smiling back.

I took a seat next to Jan while Luke sat beside Fina. Moments later, the teacher entered, clearing his throat before addressing the class.

"Good morning, everyone. Last time, we discussed the composition of vampires. Today, we'll be diving into the world of werewolves."

Murmurs filled the room. Even in a supernatural academy, werewolves had an air of mystery.

"As you all know, wolves live in packs, relying on each other for protection and hunting. However, not all wolf shifters are the same. There are various types, each with unique physical traits and abilities."

The teacher tapped on the screen behind him, and an image of a massive white wolf appeared.

"Let's start with ice wolves," he continued. "They possess two thick layers of fur. The outer coat provides protection against extreme cold, while the inner layer traps heat. Their paws have special padding for extra grip on ice, and their ears are smaller than those of other wolves to minimize heat loss."

I glanced at Jan beside me, who was listening attentively. Fina, on the other hand, looked bored, as if she already knew all of this.

The teacher then switched to another image—a striking red-furred wolf.

"Now, the fire wolf. They are the opposite of ice wolves in many ways. Their tempers are notoriously short, and few among them can master their emotions. Their fur is adapted to withstand scorching heat, and their ears are longer, allowing them to regulate body temperature more effectively. In the winter, their fur grows longer, but it never reaches the density of an ice wolf's coat."

My eyes flickered toward Jacob. He was focused on the screen, his expression unreadable.

Was he a fire wolf? He certainly looked the part.

I should learn more about him.

Before I could linger on the thought, an unsettling sensation prickled at my skin.

I turned my head slightly… and found Jan watching me.

His gaze was unreadable, intense.

A strange unease settled in my stomach.

What exactly was going on here?

"Dear readers, your support means the world to me! If you enjoyed the chapter, don't forget to leave a comment and add the story to your library. Every word from you motivates me to keep going and give my best. Thank you for being here!"

"What do you think of Lara's encounter with Jacob? Do you think he will be an ally or a rival?"