Page 25

Seren lay awake under the summer blanket, the warmth of the day still lingering in the air.

The moonlight streamed through the loft window, casting pale silver patterns on the wooden floor.

Somewhere outside, she could hear the rustling of leaves, the distant hoot of an owl, and the quiet stirrings of the night creatures moving unseen through the trees.

Her fingers curled into the quilt, the fabric soft and familiar beneath her fingertips.

She traced the patchwork patterns, following the delicate stitches that had been lovingly hand-sewn. Each square was different, yet together they formed something whole, something beautiful.

A small rabbit, its ears perked up, stitched in warm brown thread. A tiny honeybee, its wings translucent, hovering near embroidered wildflowers that trailed along the fabric. Birds with delicate wings, stitched in soft blues and greys, scattered among vines and tiny leaves.

It was a quilt that felt alive, as though it held memories within its seams, the hands that had sewn it weaving more than just fabric together.

Seren sighed, pressing her palm against it. She had survived her first day.

She had woken up to the scent of cooking, of wild honey and porridge.

The Oracle had already been waiting for her, a steaming bowl in front of her usual chair. She wore a gingham dress today, an apron tied around her plump waist.

"Be brave, my little warrior," she had said, her voice warm, steady as Seren ravenously finished her breakfast .

Seren had chin-upped and nodded.

A uniform had been waiting for her—a stiff grey pinafore, a white shirt, stockings that felt odd and too tight against her skin. The shoes felt foreign and rigid when she was used to sandals or nothing at all.

She had taken longer than she should have, adjusting the unfamiliar fabric, and smoothing down the creases. And even longer, trying to get into the unfamiliar stocking.

Before leaving, she had made one small friend.

A magpie, searching for a place to nest. It had flitted anxiously around the eaves, wings fluttering as it assessed the area.

Seren had smiled softly and pointed to a niche just below her window.

"Here."

The magpie had cocked its head, studying her before flying down to inspect it.

The Oracle had simply watched, a knowing look in her eyes, before ushering her to breakfast.

The Highclaw himself had come for her.

Draken stood at the foot of the stone path; his powerful form unmistakable in the early morning light.

But he was not alone.

Boden was with him.

Seren relaxed at the sight of her old friend, his broad figure and familiar presence a comfort she hadn't realized she needed. He tried to smile stiffly but when she caught his emotions underneath it—sober, worried—her relief dimmed .

She didn't have to ask what he was thinking.

She could hear them.

"I want to stay until she's settled." Boden's voice was firm, his words edged with quiet steel.

Draken didn't even look at him when he responded.

"No."

Boden's frustration burned hot through the tribelink. "She shouldn't be alone here. Not after the way your son treated her."

Draken exhaled sharply. "That is your future Highclaw. You have one more year of service with her tribe. You belong there—until the contract is over. Remember what is at stake for Vargrheim."

Boden's fingers clenched at his sides.

"She needs someone on her side."

"We are all here. She will adapt."

Silence stretched between them.

Seren lowered her gaze, pretending she couldn't hear the conversation humming through the link. The walk seemed endless. Finally, they reached the school steps. The building towered above them.

Boden sighed, frustrated. Then, he turned to her, his expression softening just slightly.

"I have to leave for a little while, princess. I'll be back before you know it."

She nodded. Her eyes remained dry. Just.

She knew he would.

But by then, who knew what she would have become ?

The moment Draken stepped onto the school grounds, the entire staff and student body seemed to shrink in submission. His aura seemed to push them to submit. Strangely, Seren was not affected. Maybe it did not work on non-shifters.

Teachers bowed their heads. Students parted like the great sea, keeping their distance. There was no question of who ruled this place.

Seren felt their gazes on her as Draken led her down the halls, his stride unapologetically dominant, his presence a silent warning to everyone present.

When they reached the classroom, he stopped just outside the door.

He sighed and hunched down.

"Seren, things will get better. We are here for you. Just give it time."

Seren nodded her head.

Draken sighed again "Hagan...Hagan will come around. He ...We should have prepared him better. Give him a chance"

Seren looked at him with her unnerving silver eyes, "Okay."

Draken smiled gently, "A warrior will be at the gate to take you home, alright"

Seren nodded again.

The teacher came out of the class and Draken introduced her.

Then he turned and left.

Inside, Hagan sat near the window.

He looked at her once—briefly—when the teacher introduced her and then looked away, uninterested .

The other faces were not as indifferent.

Dain. Lia. Veyr.

They were there too, along with a handful of other students.

And while none of them spoke, their thoughts slithered through her mind, like whispers in the dark.

She doesn't belong here.

What is she?

Not even a wolf.

Ugly.

Only Veyr was silent, his expression stoic, unreadable.

But the rest of them—

The rest of them ... their thoughts drifted to her like the sting of a scorpion's tail.

By midday, the students kept their distance.

Seren sat alone in the large dining hall, a wide, cavernous space where students clustered in groups—none of them near her.

She unwrapped her lunch.

A simple meal—an apple, a sandwich, a handful of nuts wrapped in brown paper. The smell of meat drifted to her, making her nauseous.

She took a slow bite, feeling the eyes of the room pressing in around her .

Then—

A small cub approached.

He was younger than the others, his dark eyes wide with curiosity, ears twitching as he studied her.

"Why is your skin so dark?" he asked plainly, tilting his head.

A ripple of silence spread across the surrounding tables.

Heat flared in Seren's face, the attention making her stomach twist.

But then she inhaled.

Slowly.

She had learned how to answer these kinds of questions before.

"There's a lot of sun where I used to live," she said, keeping her voice even. "Dark skin protects me from it."

The cub blinked, considering this. Then his ears flicked up.

"I wish I did too," he muttered. "I burn if I sit in the sun too long."

Seren stared at him, at his freckles, his pale skin and bright red hair.

"You are pretty," he said, smiling shyly.

She hadn't expected that.

"Thank you, pup," she whispered the unfamiliar endearment.

For the first time that day—

She smiled.

The last bell rang.

Seren gathered her things, stepping out into the courtyard where a warrior stood waiting .

He was tall, broad-shouldered, his posture rigid. He didn't look very friendly. Without a word, he started walking.

She walked behind him, falling into step beside him as they left the school grounds.

For a while, there was only silence.

Then, hesitantly, she asked—

"Don't we have to train?"

The warrior frowned slightly, clearly surprised.

"You want to train?"

Seren lifted her chin.

"Yes"

His eyes studied her, then flicked forward again. He looked sceptical.

"We'll see."

They continued down the path, the sky darkening above them.

But Seren felt lighter.

It had been a long day.

But she had survived it.

And that was enough.

For now.