Chapter 5 Hiding from him

Selena

The moment my foot crossed the gates of Lycanwood Academy, I knew I had walked into the wolf's den.

Eyes. Everywhere. Watching. Measuring. Whispering.

I dragged my suitcase across the gravel, spine stiff, chin high, even though my pulse thundered in my ears. I had begged Alpha Kingsley not to send me here. Begged. But he never wavered. His word was law.

And now... I was at Stephen's mercy.

A hand tapped my shoulder. I jolted.

"This way, ma'am."

A young staff member led me toward two towering double doors. The principal's office. My palms dampened as I gripped my bag tighter. What had Stephen already told them about me?

Inside, the office smelled faintly of lavender and old parchment. Behind a grand oak desk sat a woman with sharp brown eyes and silver-rimmed glasses.

"Selena." Her lips curved, but her gaze was piercing. "Sit."

I obeyed.

"I'm Delilah, the principal. Alpha Kingsley has entrusted me with your care."

Relief flickered. Maybe she wasn't so

Her smile vanished.

"But don't mistake my welcome for indulgence." Her voice turned steel. "We don't tolerate troublemakers here. You will get no special treatment."

My throat tightened.

"Second," she pressed, "your brother, Stephen, is the academy's head. His office is off limits. Do not seek him out."

I flinched. Not that I had expected otherwise, but hearing it out loud was a blade to the chest.

"And third..." She leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "Your identity remains secret. No one must know who you are. Every step you take here will be reported back to your father. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, ma'am."

The sternness vanished as quickly as it came, replaced by the same pleasant smile. The shift unsettled me more than the threat.

"Good. You may go."

The staff girl my escort waited outside, smirking. "Scared, huh?"

"A little," I admitted.

She chuckled. "Relax. Delilah's bark is worse than her bite."

I wasn't convinced.

She guided me through the labyrinthine hallways. The scent of stone and pine clung to the air, shadows stretching long beneath chandeliers.

"First stop, the dining hall," she announced, pushing open heavy wooden doors.

The space was enormous rows of polished tables, chandeliers dripping golden light, the lingering aroma of roasted meat and sweet bread.

"Wow," I breathed.

"Close your mouth before a fly gets in," she teased.

I snapped my jaw shut, cheeks warming.

My gaze snagged on a portrait across the room. My breath caught.

Stephen.

Even from paint, his silver eyes sliced through me. Cold. Dangerous. Untouchable.

"He's handsome, right?" my escort whispered.

I tore my eyes away. "W-what?"

She smirked. "Stephen. Half the girls here swoon over him."

If only she knew. Stephen wasn't some brooding prince. He was the monster in my nightmares.

"Come on," she said quickly, glancing around. "Before his girlfriend sees us."

I blinked. "His... girlfriend?"

Her expression soured. "Yeah. Trust me, you don't want to cross Julia. Dangerous doesn't even cover it."

Great. Survive Stephen and avoid his girlfriend. Perfect.

By the time we reached the training hall, my nerves were raw. Students sparred across the vast floor, movements sharp and lethal. The air thrummed with power.

For a moment, comfort stirred in me. Training grounds were familiar. I could handle this.

Then I saw it.

Another portrait.

Stephen again.

His painted eyes bored into me. Watching. Judging. Waiting.

"You okay?" my guide asked.

"Yeah," I lied.

But deep down, I knew the truth: if I wanted to survive here, I had to stay invisible. No mistakes. No attention.

Especially not from him.

We reached the dormitory. My escort handed me a key. Inside, the room was elegant-dark oak, deep blue drapes, a window overlooking the academy grounds.

I turned. "Your warning earlier Stephen's girlfriend. How dangerous is she?"

Her smile vanished. "If you value your life, Selena, stay out of Julia's way."

I let out a shaky breath, my fingers brushing the cool iron of the key.

Three years. That's how long I had to last here. Three years in the same world as Stephen. Three years hiding from Julia. Three years keeping my identity secret.

If I wanted to survive, I had to play smart.

But as I unpacked my bag, one question gnawed at me, relentless and sharp

Did Julia already know who I was?