Chapter 3 Lunacrest Academy.

Elara's Pov- 35 hours earlier.

If happiness had a sound, it would be the rustling of suitcases and the clatter of shoes on marble floors.

"Careful with that one!" I call out as one of the maids lifts my third trunk, the one with my books and sketchpads. "That's fragile!"

"Yes, Miss Elara," she says, breathless but smiling.

My room looks like a storm of silk and sunlight, dresses everywhere, ribbons scattered, the scent of fresh lavender and excitement in the air. I haven't felt this alive in years. Maybe ever.

Lunacrest Academy.

I whisper the name in my head like a spell.

The place where legends are made. The academy for the strongest wolves of the realm. And somehow, me, Elara Vayne, the girl without a wolf, got in.

"Mother!" I shout, practically running to the mirror to check my reflection. My curls fall in soft waves down my back, and for the first time in a long while, I don't hate what I see.

My mother appears in the doorway, radiant and composed, holding a folded cloak in her arms. "You look beautiful, sweetheart."

"Do I?" I spin once, grinning. "Do I look like a Lunacrest student?"

She laughs softly. "You look like my daughter. That's more than enough."

There's warmth in her eyes, the kind I haven't seen since I turned sixteen and everyone realized my wolf wasn't coming.

The day most girls in our world shift for the first time, I didn't. I waited under the full moon, breathless and trembling... and nothing happened.

The whispers started.

The stares followed.

And I started to fade.

For months, I couldn't eat. Couldn't smile. I avoided mirrors. Avoided my own reflection. I was the Beta's daughter who couldn't shift, the pack's quiet shame wrapped in expensive silk.

But today feels different.

Today, I finally get to breathe again.

Lunacrest Academy might be filled with powerful heirs and ruthless Alphas, but it's also my fresh start. No more pity. No more sad smiles. Just Elara, trying to belong.

Mother helps me fasten my cloak. "You know," she says softly, "when your father and I agreed to let you go, I wasn't sure you'd truly want it. But seeing you now..."

"I do," I say quickly. "I need this. I can't stay locked away forever, pretending I'm fine."

She smiles and brushes a curl from my face. "You've always been stronger than you think."

A knock sounds at the door before I can reply. Claude's voice carries through, low and firm. "Elara, we're leaving in five."

I roll my eyes, grinning. "Of course we are. Claude Vayne, punctual as ever."

Mother laughs. "Be kind to your brother. He worries too much because he loves you too much."

"I know," I mumble, but affection warms my chest.

Claude's always been that way, too serious, too protective, too everything. Ever since Father made him Beta-in-training, he's treated responsibility like it's stitched into his bones.

By the time I step outside, our car is waiting, it's sleek black color glinting in the morning sun. Claude stands beside it in his academy uniform, dark silver jacket, crest embroidered in gold, his expression sharp.

"Finally," he says when he sees me. "Do you plan to make a royal entrance, or were you aiming for fashionably late?"

"Maybe both," I tease, bumping his arm lightly.

He exhales, somewhere between fond and frustrated. "You packed half the manor, didn't you?"

"Only the essentials."

Claude gives the driver a look that clearly says 'my sister is hopeless.' Then he turns to me, voice softening. "You sure about this?"

I nod. "Positive."

He studies me for a long second, his silver eyes, so much like Father's, searching for cracks I don't want him to see. Finally, he sighs. "Alright then. Let's get you to Lunacrest."

The journey takes hours, winding roads through forests of pines, the morning air cool and crisp.

Lunacrest sits at the heart of neutral territory, where the great packs send their heirs to learn diplomacy, dominance, and control.

From a distance, the academy looks like a castle carved into the mountain itself, tall spires, glass windows glowing in the sun, banners rippling in the wind.

I press my face to the car window, heart thudding with excitement. "It's even more beautiful than I imagined."

Claude follows my gaze, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Don't let the view fool you. This place can be brutal."

"I'll be fine," I say. "You'll be here too."

"I'll be here," he confirms, but there's a warning beneath his tone. "Still... promise me something."

I glance at him. "What?"

"Keep your head down. Don't draw attention to yourself. These students... most of them can smell weakness from a mile away. And you..."

"I know," I finish for him. "I don't have a wolf."

He looks pained for a second. "I didn't mean it like that."

"Yes, you did." I smile, not angry. "But it's okay. I'll be careful."

He exhales slowly, running a hand through his hair. "Good. And remember, if anyone gives you trouble, you come to me. Always."

"Got it, Commander."

He chuckles despite himself. "You're impossible."

When we reach the academy gates, everything feels bigger than I imagined, the courtyard busy with students, the sound of chatter and laughter echoing through the hallways. Wolves everywhere, powerful and graceful.

And me, trying not to shrink.

Claude helps me out of the car. "Your dorm's in the south wing," he says, already in responsible big brother mode. "Stay close to the Beta ranks. They'll be friendlier than the Alphas."

"Got it."

"And if anyone asks about your wolf, just say she's... dormant."

"Dormant?" I echo. "That's your brilliant cover story?"

"It's better than 'nonexistent.'"

I laugh. "Fair point."

He glances toward a group of students in dark uniforms, tall, commanding, radiating dominance even at a distance. His expression hardens slightly. "And one more thing. Stay away from the Veyron brothers."

I blink. "Your best friends?"

"Yes, Elara." His tone drops lower. "They're trouble."

I shrug. "You say that about everyone."

"This time I mean it."

There's a flicker of something uneasy in his eyes, but before I can ask, one of his friends calls his name. He sighs. "Duty calls."

Then he turns back to me, hesitating. "There's a ball tonight. A welcome event for the new semester."

"Oh." My heart lifts a little. "Can I..."

"No." His answer is immediate. "You're not going."

I blink, surprised. "Why not?"

"Because these events are full of posturing and dominance games. Everyone trying to prove who's strongest. You'll just draw attention to yourself, and not the good kind."

I cross my arms. "I can handle a few glares."

"Elara." His voice softens. "Please. Just this once. Stay in your dorm. I'll come find you after."

I look up at him, torn between wanting to obey and wanting to live. "Alright," I say finally. "I promise."

He studies me for a moment longer, as if he doesn't quite believe me, then nods. "Good."

He reaches out, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear the way he did when we were kids. "You'll do fine, Elara. Just... stay low."

Then he walks away, his back straight, his aura steady and confident, everything I'm not.

I watch him disappear into the crowd, and for a long moment, I just stand there, clutching my bags, staring at the academy gates.

Lunacrest Academy.

My new beginning.

I take a deep breath and step forward.

And yes I'm aware, this is the step that will change everything.