Chapter 100 Extra Story - Chapter 8 Age 16 More Rewards The change in Evan was sudden and somewhat concerning. Riley hadn't realized she might actually miss Evan's cocky attitude until it disappeared overnight. He became noticeably withdrawn, his smile gone, his forehead constantly furrowed as though something was bothering him. Max had been irritated with Riley at first, questioning why she would tell a sixteen-year-old boy about her abusive first mate. He hated that she had pointed out ways Evan reminded her of Paul and accused her of making him feel bad about himself. But Riley waited him out. Max could be temperamental and short-sighted, but she knew he would come around, especially after Evan finally agreed to go back to therapy and give it an honest try. After that, Evan showed up on time to nearly every training session. He worked hard, and Riley noticed a dramatic improvement in his skill. He was becoming harder and harder to beat in a sparring match. Riley had always prided herself on her speed, but she had nothing on Evan. And somehow, he kept adding muscle until every shirt he owned stretched across his chest. He also grew more focused. In the evenings, he studied with Alex, working on homework and preparing for tests. Evan had always been smart enough to pass without much effort, but once he actually tried, he started pulling straight A's. "I can't come to training tomorrow," Evan told her one morning as they sat in the grass, stretching after a particularly grueling hour. "Why not?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "I have a phone interview at eight. I don't want to be late." His voice was quiet, almost flat. "An interview?" He nodded. "With the academy." Riley blinked. "The academy? I didn't even know you applied." He shrugged like it wasn't a big deal. "Alex was applying. He helped me with the application. It wasn't too hard." "You did the essay and everything?" 175 Extra Grey Choptal # He nodded. "Yeah." "What did you write about?" He hesitated, eyes fixed across the field. "My therapist gave me some ideas. I took his advice." She studied him for a moment. "You didn't answer my question." He glanced at her, the corner of his mouth tipping up just a little. "I know." She gave a quiet laugh. "So, are you not going to tell me?" Evan sighed. "I just... I don't want to talk about it right now. You'll ask to read it. Same as Mom and Dad did." "Did you let them read it?" He shook his head. "I didn't let anyone read it. Not even my therapist." "Well," Riley said, still watching him, "I'm sure it was beautifully written." He almost smiled, but there was something soft and uncertain in his eyes. "I hope so." She pulled her knees up to her chest and rested her chin on them. "How are you doing, Evan?" He looked at her, blinking like the question caught him off guard. "I'm fine." "Are you, though?" A line creased his brow. "What do you mean?" She shrugged slightly. "You're quieter lately. Almost... sad, I guess." Evan looked away again, toward the treeline. "I'm just tired." "You're allowed to be," Riley said gently. They sat in silence for a moment, the morning air still clinging to the dew-soaked grass beneath them. "I didn't mean to make you feel like you were a bad person," Riley added softly. "You're not." "I know," Evan said, though his voice lacked conviction. "You're still figuring things out. That's not weakness. That's just being sixteen." He gave a quiet snort. "Sixteen feels a lot older than I thought it would." 215 "I always doves" Another silence stretched between them, but it wasn't tense. Just quiet. Evan's shoulders slumped a little, some of the tension easing from his frame. "I don't know if I want to go to Green River," he said at last. Riley looked at him, her expression calm and open. "You don't have to decide today" He gave a faint nod, then rose to his feet and brushed the grass from his hands. "I should get home." She watched him walk away, the morning sun catching in his hair, and wondered just how much he was carrying that no one could see. "Come in," Riley called, not taking her eyes off the screen as she tried to make sense of the email from one of the council reps. The door opened and closed, but she frowned a moment longer at the screen before finally glancing up. "Hey, Ev." He stood just inside the doorway, clutching a sheet of paper in his hand and glancing around awkwardly. "Hey," he said quietly. "How was your interview this morning?" "Good." He looked at her. "I think it went pretty well, actually. The guy interviewing me really liked my essay. We talked about it for a while." She smiled. "That's good to hear." He swallowed. "I hope I get in." "I'm sure you will," she said, standing and walking around the desk. "You're strong, talented, and very smart. You'd do really well at the academy." He shifted uncomfortably and cleared his throat. "Thanks." He glanced down at the paper in his hands. "I thought..." He sighed. "I thought you might like to see it." He held the paper out to her. 3/5 Extra Story - Chapter 8 She took it and turned it over. "Is this your essay?" "Yeah." He nodded. She smiled and looked up at him. "I'm honored you want to share this with me." More Rewards > His cheeks reddened slightly. "Right. Well, I need to get going. I promised Grams I'd help her with dinner tonight." "Okay." She smiled again, but Evan didn't return it. He slipped quietly out the door. She sat back down behind the desk, her eyes falling to the paper in her hands. How has your background and upbringing influenced your desire to serve your pack, and how do you hope to evolve during your time at the Academy? I do not come from a traditional background. I was born into one pack but raised in another. My birth father was the Alpha of Green River, but as an infant, I lost both of my parents. My mother was brutally murdered, and my father passed shortly after, unable to survive the loss of his mate. I was taken from the pack where I should have grown up. How I ended up at Red Moon is a long and terrible story, but it is also a miracle I do not take for granted. I was adopted by Red Moon's Beta and his mate, and raised in a loving home alongside their children, who became my siblings in every way that matters. Still, my life has not been without hardship. For as long as I can remember, I have struggled with a sense of belonging. My adoptive parents gave me everything they could, and I will always be grateful. But even in a house full of love, it is difficult to feel grounded when your path in life has been laid out by others. Everyone has always assumed I will return to Green River and assume the role my birth father left behind. To many, that sounds like an honor. To me, it has always felt like a burden. I have been trained to lead since childhood, yet no one ever asked whether leadership was what I wanted for myself. I love Red Moon. I love my family. The idea of leaving them for a pack I barely know is painful. And yet, I recognize the responsibility I carry. My lineage stretches back to Green River's founding Alpha, and my birth mother came from an esteemed Alpha bloodline in Juniper Grove, Leadership is in my blood, but I still find myself wondering if it is truly in my heart. As a True Alpha, I have physical gifts - strength, speed, stamina - that set me apart. People assume this makes me a natural leader, but the truth is more complicated. Some days, I struggle to manage my own emotions. I have made mistakes. I have let my temper speak for me. There is a version of myself I fear becoming, especially when I think about the kind of Alpha Extra Story Chapter 9 I refuse to be. Recently, I began therapy. I have committed myself more fully to training, studying, and reflecting on who I want to become. I am learning to listen with intention and to speak with care, even when it is difficult. I want to become a leader who does not rely solely on strength. I want to be someone who understands others, who protects them, and who creates a place where everyone feels safe to be themselves. I know what it means to feel like an outsider, even among those who love you. I believe the Academy can help me become the kind of Alpha who deserves to lead, not just one who was born to. 2 Comments Get Bonus (Ad) >