The atmosphere of Wolfden Alpha Academy was a blend of pride, strength, and ambition, emanating from countless elite Alphas.
At the academy gates, the massive stone doors stood ancient and solemn, as if leading to another realm.
Several uniformed werewolves stood guard at the entrance. Among them was a towering, imposing middle-aged man whose sharp eyes resembled those of a hawk.
Instructor Sigurd, a name well-known throughout the academy.
"From the Vance family, Torin Vance reporting," Karen stepped down from the carriage, her voice steady as she announced the name. At the same time, she slightly shifted her body to shield me from Instructor Sigurd's initial glance.
I took a deep breath, the herbal scent churning my stomach.
I forced myself to straighten my back and descended from the carriage, my steps striving to replicate Torin's purposeful strides.
Instructor Sigurd's piercing gaze instantly landed on me, sharp enough to penetrate my disguise.
"Young Master Vance." His voice was low, carrying an undeniable authority.
He scrutinized me from head to toe, his gaze pausing on my face as he subtly sniffed the air.
A wave of powerful Alpha Pressure hit me. It wasn't hostile but felt more like a scan and evaluation.
My body instinctively tensed, my Wolf Spirit trembling under the weight of the pressure, yearning to submit.
I bit down hard on the inside of my cheek, using the pain as a reminder: You are Torin!
"You seem... different." Instructor Sigurd finally spoke, his tone calm yet sharp as a needle piercing the air.
"Exhausted from the long journey," Karen immediately stepped forward, her smile perfectly measured, "He hardly rested in his rush to arrive."
"Is that so?" Instructor Sigurd's gaze shifted to Karen, a trace of amusement in his eyes.
"The Vance Alpha I know is always brimming with energy."
He didn't seem entirely convinced.
The atmosphere grew tense.
Jasper suddenly rushed forward, waving his arms exaggeratedly. "Oh, Instructor Sigurd! Your sharp eyes are as impressive as ever! You even noticed the fatigue! Let's hurry inside, my stomach is already grumbling!"
As he spoke, he tried to push his way in, his movements comical and eager.
Instructor Sigurd's lips twitched slightly before his gaze left me. "Go register. Wolfden does not welcome the weak."
"Yes, Instructor."
I responded stiffly, feeling sweat soaking my back.
Following Karen and Jasper towards the academy gates, the stone doors slowly closed behind us, sealing me entirely into this cage of Alphas.
The registration area was packed with young, powerful Alphas, the air thick with a competitive aura.
As I kept my head down, trailing behind Karen, trying to minimize my presence, two voices suddenly emerged from the crowd.
"Torin? Is that you!" A bright and sunny voice rang out.
"Heh, Young Master Vance, so you finally arrived." Another voice, cold and low.
My body stiffened instantly. I looked up.
Standing not far away were two tall figures.
The one on the left had dazzling golden short hair and a radiant smile, exuding a warm, vibrant pinewood scent.
Ethan Wilder. He approached quickly, his face lighting up with delight.
The one on the right was equally tall, with dark hair and a stern expression. He radiated a chilling aura of metal and ice, mixed with snowfall.
Silas Knight. He stood with arms crossed, his cold eyes locking onto mine with an intense scrutiny and a faint trace of sarcasm.
Ethan reached me first, his warm pinewood scent enveloping me.
"It really is you, Torin! It's been so long! I heard something happened to you, but seeing you safe and sound is such a relief!" He reached out, intending to pat my shoulder with the typical Alpha camaraderie.
I stiffly avoided his hand and forced a smile.
"Ethan, long time no see." My Wolf Spirit let out a yearning growl under the warmth of his aura, making my cheeks flush and my heart race uncontrollably.
Ethan's hand hesitated, a flicker of confusion crossing his eyes.
"What's wrong? Is something bothering you?" He seemed to sense the tension in my body.
"Fatigue from the journey." Karen immediately stepped forward, positioning herself in front of me. "Torin isn't feeling well."
At this moment, Silas also approached, his chilling presence closing in like an icy wind, yet carrying a deadly allure.
My Wolf Spirit, caught between the pull of two powerful auras, nearly lost control, letting out a pained yet longing whimper.
The Dual Mate Bond peaked at this moment, overwhelming me with a dizzying surge of instinctual response.
"Not feeling well?" Silas repeated, his voice tinged with a palpable scrutiny and doubt.
"The Torin Vance I know could spend a night on horseback and still be full of energy. Moreover..." He subtly sniffed the air, his sharp gaze piercing into me as though trying to see through my very soul. "Your scent… it seems different as well."
His words struck me like lightning.
The scent! He noticed it! My heartbeat stopped for a moment, my mind going blank.
Silas's icy eyes seemed capable of shattering my disguise, reaching the essence of Aurelia within. He knew Torin, and he was incredibly perceptive!
"Perhaps you're mistaken, Young Master Knight," Karen's calm voice attempted to diffuse the situation. "Different places naturally carry different scents."
"Is that so?" Silas ignored Karen, his gaze firmly fixed on me.
The corner of his lips curved slightly, carrying a hint of disdain and challenge.
"Young Master Vance, I heard you set a new record in the power test for freshmen? I'm quite curious about that. Perhaps we could spar on the training grounds, to see if the rumors are exaggerated or..." He paused, his mocking gaze intensifying, "...or if the strength of the Vance Alphas has indeed declined."
A challenge! He was testing me with strength! My hands involuntarily clenched into fists.
Ethan glanced at Silas, then back at me, his face clouded with confusion. "Torin, what's wrong? You usually love Silas's challenges."
Love? Do I love being exposed?!
My Wolf Spirit writhed restlessly under Silas's pressure and challenge, while Ethan's confusion and proximity threw it into utter chaos.
The unprecedented pressure blurred the line between my disguise and my truth, threatening to crumble it entirely.
"Karen, Jasper." I steadied my voice with great effort, speaking in the cold tone Torin was known for. "Take me to the registration."
I avoided looking at Ethan or Silas, bypassing them directly as I headed for the registration area.
Karen and Jasper immediately followed. Karen whispered beside me, "Don't look back!"
Jasper, on the other hand, tried to draw attention with exaggerated gestures.
Behind me, Ethan's concerned call echoed, "Torin!"
And Silas's enigmatic murmur followed, "...Interesting."
I didn't turn back. Every step felt like walking on a razor's edge.
They were destined mates and would be the greatest threat to my disguise."