Chapter 8 Liora Mia was still lost in thought, her expression soft and distant as we walked side by side. Her silence wasn't uncomfortable, but it was heavy. She kept tucking a strand of her jet black hair behind her ear and then forgetting she had, only to do it again. It was like she was trying to catch a thought that kept slipping out of reach. I let it go on longer than I should have, mostly because it was quiet and I liked quiet. But when the silence started to weigh even on me, I finally said, "If your brain melts any harder, I'm going to have to carry you back to the classrooms." She jumped a little. "What?" I gave her a side glance, tone flat. "You look like you were about to apologize to the air for breathing it. Relax. It's a nice day." A surprised laugh broke out of her, a little embarrassed, but warm. "Sorry. Just... a lot happened." "It did." She hesitated. "I keep thinking about how you stepped in. You saved me. Even destroyed Jessica's phone. You know she's gonna flip over that? It was the newest model!" "Yeah?" My head tilted her way. "My gut says she can afford a new one, start collecting new secrets. It's her lucky day." Mia nodded, but hesitated. "I guess. But the worst part is, I didn't even do anything helpful when you needed it most. I just stood there." I raised a brow. "Mia, you were being publicly threatened by glitter nails. I don't expect many to have combat instincts in that scenario." 1/5 D Like, I can give you some money." I blinked. "You want to pay me? Mia, I don't need-" "I know it sounds stupid," she said quickly, flustered. "I just don't want to feel like I'm freeloading off you. You're... clearly a lot more than I thought you were. I mean after that fight, when you crushed that phone, I realized... you're not just some strong, wolfless girl. You're someone important. I think...?" I paused, facing her. "Does that bother you?" I asked cooly. "That you don't know my secrets? My intentions?" She knew what I was saying, the boundaries I was placing. Her eyes met mine, studying me like one of her books. "No," she said firmly. "You didn't ask me what was on Jessica's phone. Just crushed it. What I mean is... you're... somebody, and I'm, well, I'm just... me." Nobody, she wanted to say. My head tilted in thought as I stared at her, then reached into my pocket and handed her a paperclip. She blinked down at it. "What...?" "Here. Next time I'm in a pinch in class, need some papers clipped, you can give it back. We're even now," I said. It took a second before she laughed, full and bright. "You're such a weirdo. I mean that in the best way." "I've been called worse." She shook her head, grinning. "Okay. I get it, no money. But still, you're stuck with me. And you're not allowed to do everything alone anymore. Friends?" 2/5 ΓΙ Chapter 8 5411 20 Sep 84% +15 BONUS I paused. Then nodded. "Deal. As long as you'll let me train you. I can't always be there to crush a phone for you." She nearly squeaked, "You'd do that! Train me!?" I motioned her to keep walking, "Well, yeah. You want to unlock your wolf one day, right? You can't do that if you can't land a punch." Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her shimmy a happy dance, her large glasses almost slipping down her nose. I smirked. She was loyal. Pure of heart, that was for sure. This was only confirmed when she offered for us to dorm together, helping me unpack into the small wooden room. A bed for me, and hers with swirling railings and a loft. It reminded me of fae den, Mia's plant speckled around the small space. Later that night, a package from my father arrived. It was wrapped in thick brown paper, sealed with an anonymous insignia. Inside were daily essentials, clean clothes-and tucked in a velvet box, a pair of earrings. A note rested underneath. From Callum. I stared at the card for a long moment. Mia leaned over. "Callum? Am I reading that right?" I hesitated before I nodded. "Wow. So you guys are fated mates." I gave her a stink eye, but she didn't press. "He never gives gifts," she said, eyes wide. "Like, never. Not even to girls who fawn over him." I set the earrings aside. "Yeah, apparently he is impressive. What can you tell me?" "Well," Mia said thoughtfully, "Callum's... intense. He's the perfect heir, you know? Smart. Focused on duty. All about 'making his pack great again,' but honestly, I think they are doing just fine. At The Alpha Summit he gave a speech, proposing a bunch of ideas like 3/5 Chopster B Proposal Gemmings and Law 4-32. Those were his." I stiffened. "They were?" +15 BONUS Both ideas, when I had been given the notes from the summit, I agreed with. She nodded. "He's basically the blueprint for what an arranged match should be. Reliable. Devoted. But he doesn't really open up to anyone." "Except Bianca," I muttered. Childish, I know. But it was still on my mind. "I don't know about that," she said. "There just... arranged." I didn't respond. Clearly, he cared for her... maybe even loved her. Or just... loved my title. My wolf stirred inside me, restless. When I eventually revealed my true name to him, I was going to reject him, too. I had to. But that didn't stop the ache. The next morning, we walked into school with our heads held high. At least, Mia's was. Mine was always high. The hallway buzzed with whispers. "Freak." "Ice cube." "She doesn't even have a real form." Mia looked furious. I glanced at the cluster of students talking and let my gaze settle. They stopped instantly. "Did you see that?" I said, monotone. "Terrifying." Mia burst out laughing. "How are you like this?" "Born spooky, maybe," I replied. We took our seats. The bullying didn't stop, but it softened into background noise. I had endured worse. These children weren't threats. They were scenery. 4/5 Chapter S Besides, I was here for the normalcy of school. +15 BONUS Bianca strutted in during second period, all grace and hairspray. She made a point to smile at Mia and me, all sweetness and malice. Clearly happy over all the nasty stares my way. When the teacher announced homecoming prep, which meant practicing dance etiquette... and my father's visit, I silently groaned. But Bianca's hand shot up like she was performing in a play. "Maybe we could all go to the club in town?" she said, sugary sweet. "My treat, of course. It's the perfect place to practice dancing. Unless, of course, you've never been somewhere that nice before." She turned to me. "I doubt someone who cheated her way into strength would feel comfortable." I smiled. "I've heard the royal pack owns castles across the region. Why not invite us to your castle instead?" A pause. I saw the moment when Bianca stiffened and became awkward. The silence that followed was the best part of my day. "Or..." I tilted my head. "Can't use it?" 2 5/5