Chapter 7 An Unexpected Miracle

Exploring that shadowy power alone, I was both exhilarated and terrified.

It resembled an untamed beast, elusive and unpredictable, making my aura all the more unstable.

I needed more time to understand and control it, but life at the academy left no room to breathe.

I still bore the identity of "Torian," forcing myself to attend various classes and training sessions.

My lack of strength and occasional slip-ups continued to draw attention and gossip.

Fortunately, Kalen and Jasper often came to my aid at critical moments, with Jasper's clumsy antics accidentally diverting suspicion

several times.

I also started using Concealment Agents more frequently. Though their scent was pungent, it was better than nothing.

Amid my frantic struggle to maintain my disguise and cope with the academy's challenges, a warm voice called out during a break

between classes.

"Torian."

It was Ethan. He walked briskly towards me, his sunny smile tinged with concern.

"Today's training... you still don't look well," Ethan lowered his voice, his gaze sincere as he looked at me. "Master Sigurd is strict.

You need to get back in shape quickly."

I forced a slight smile. "Thanks, I'm trying my best." My Wolf Soul stirred restlessly as he got closer, his warm pinewood scent

soothing my weary wolf spirit.

"It's not just about trying," Ethan shook his head, his eyes growing more serious. "I know how strong you were in the past. Breaking the freshman record isn't something just anyone can do. The way you are now... it must be because of the Missing Person Case, right? It's affected you a lot, hasn't it?"

He stared at me, as if trying to peer into my soul.

The Missing Person Case indeed had a huge impact on "Torian"-so much so that he had become an entirely different person.

I couldn't deny it. I could only give a vague response, "It... has affected me a little."

Ethan sighed and patted my shoulder.

His touch carried the unique strength of an Alpha, yet it was gentle and supportive. My Wolf Soul howled loudly within, and the

Mate Bond surged intensely. A current seemed to flow from his palm into my body, causing me to tremble slightly.

I quickly controlled my reaction, hoping he would think it was just exhaustion.

"I understand," Ethan said. "That kind of experience must have been terrifying. But you're back now. Wolfden is a strong place, and

it's safe too. Here, you can take your time to recover."

He sat down in the empty seat next to me, not leaving immediately.

His pinewood scent gently diffused, unlike the overpowering presence of other Alphas. It brought a kind of comforting tranquility.

"You know," Ethan began, his voice light with a hint of sharing, "when I was young, I used to be scared too. My powers awakened

late and were unstable. I was bullied a lot by my peers back then. It wasn't until I learned to control them, until I came to Wolfden,

that I found my place."

He looked at me, his eyes filled with understanding and encouragement. "Everyone has their struggles, their weaknesses. But Wolfden isn't just about showing off your strength. It's about finding ways to overcome your weaknesses and discovering your true self."

Was he trying to encourage me with his own experiences? Did he think my issue was just unstable powers?

His honesty and kindness warmed my heart beneath my disguise, mixed with a deeper sense of guilt.

He trusted me so much, sharing his vulnerabilities, while I hid my true identity from him.

"Thank you, Ethan," I murmured, my voice slightly hoarse.

Ethan smiled, his sunny grin easing my taut nerves slightly.

He didn't press further into my secrets; he simply turned his gaze to the training ground. "That spark you had is still there, but your

strength hasn't caught up yet. Don't rush-it'll come. If you need a sparring partner or don't understand something, you can always come to me."

He offered his help so openly, seemingly oblivious to my poor performance, faint aura, or the subtle feminine traits I might have let slip. His trust was so pure that in this environment of suspicion and scrutiny, I felt a rare sense of safety.

As Ethan spoke with me, I could feel a cold gaze fixed on us from a distance. It was Silas.

He stood at the edge of the training ground, exuding a chilling metallic aura. His sharp eyes were locked on us.

Though he showed no reaction to Ethan's closeness, his gaze remained piercing, silently reminding me of his presence and suspicions.

Ethan didn't seem to notice Silas' stare. He continued discussing training techniques with me, even enthusiastically sharing tips

known only to top-tier Alphas.

While listening, I carefully controlled my body's reactions, avoiding any outburst of Wolf Soul perception triggered by both Ethan's

proximity and Silas' watchful eyes.

"Alright, break time's almost over," Ethan said, standing up. "I'll head over to Master Sigurd. Remember what I said-don't shoulder everything alone."

He patted my shoulder again, that same warm and strong touch making my Wolf Soul howl once more.

"Got it," I nodded.

Ethan smiled and walked off, heading towards the center of the training ground.

I watched his back as the warmth of his pinewood scent slowly faded. Yet, the lingering trace in the air continued to draw my wolf

spirit.

On the other side, Silas withdrew his gaze and left the training ground. The cold metallic aura he carried also slowly dissipated.

I sat alone on the bench, my emotions a mix of many layers.

Ethan's warmth and trust, Silas' sternness and suspicion-both pulled at the scales of my heart.

They were both my fated mates, yet they stood on opposite sides of my disguise. One offered unreserved kindness; the other

relentlessly sought the truth.

Ethan's closeness brought me warmth, but it also made it harder to bear the pain of deceiving him.

I didn't know where this relationship, built on lies, would lead. All I knew was that it dragged me deeper into this dangerous

whirlpool.