CHAPTER 5

Vanya’s POV

I didn't speak. My tongue felt glued to the roof of my mouth.

“Answer me!” Garrick roared. “Did someone bully you? Did anybody lay a finger on you at the academy?”

“No!” The word burst from my throat before I could lose my nerve. I forced my hands to stop trembling, balling them into tight fists against my skirt.

 “No, Garrick, nothing like that. I—I just went downtown after classes to get some supplies I needed for the holiday. But I lost my purse on the way. I couldn't buy anything, and I couldn't afford a ride back home, so I had to walk.”

Garrick’s chest heaved. His sharp eyes raked over my face, scanning for any flicker of a lie. For a terrible second, his nose twitched, searching the air. My heart hammered violently against my ribs, so loud I was certain his apex hearing would track it.

Slowly, the rigid tension in his shoulders melted. He let out a long, ragged breath and ran a rough hand through his hair, his fangs slowly retracting.

“A lost purse huh?” he muttered.

 “Don't scare me like that next time, Vanya. You're wolfless, When you disappear for hours without a word, my mind goes straight to the worst-case scenario. Go up to your room.”

“Okay,” I whispered.

I hurried upstairs, locked the door, and sank straight onto the floor.

i couldn't Sleep that night, every time I closed my eyes, the memory of Kaelven’s hands and the searing heat of his pocket-dimension flooded my senses. 

My shoulder throbbed where he mark me, i tossed and turned, staring up into the dark until the sun cut through the window.

The academy courtyard was pure chaos. It was the final morning before break, and nobody was paying attention to school rules. Some groups of student were shouting, tossing old flyers into the central fountain, and dragging heavy luggage toward the main gates.

I kept my head down, navigating through the crowd toward the lockers.

“Vanya”

Maya dropped her backpack onto a nearby stone bench and caught my arm. Her eyes narrowed the second she saw my face. She reached out, pressing the back of her hand firmly against my forehead. “God, you look completely wiped out. Are you feeling unwell?”

“No, I'm fine, Maya,” I said, pulling back quickly and fixing my hair to cover my neck. “Just didn't sleep at all.”

“Are you sure? Because you look like a ghost.” Maya crossed her arms, analyzing me. “If you're sick, we should go to the infirmary before the final assembly.”

“I’m fine, seriously”

“Vanya.”

An arrogant voice cut right through the  noise, the crowd of nearby students split apart as Torin pushed through. 

He was wearing his Ironwood pack leather jacket, his broad shoulders squared and a smug, predatory grin pinned to his face. it was Torin My father’s handpicked  fiancee.

Before I could even step away, Torin clamped his fingers around my wrist, his grip was entirely too tight.

“What are you doing here, Torin?” I strained against his hand, but he didn't budge.

 “You can't just walk in the academy grounds like you own the place.”

chill honey, I already taken permission before I came here.

“The holidays start in an hour, which means our arrangement becomes official,” Torin said, pulling me a step closer.

 “Your father already gave me the green light. my car is packed at the gates right now. Go grab your things from the locker We’re leaving now.”

Maya lunged forward, shoving her hand right against Torin’s chest. 

“She’s not feeling well, Torin. Let go of her.”

 “Keep your friend quiet, Vanya. You're my betrothed. If you’re feeling sick, you can spend the holidays recovering at my packhouse.”

“Torin, let go,” I warned, my voice rising as a few passing students stopped to watch the scene, People are looking.

“Let them look,” he growled, his thumb digging into my skin until it bruised. 

“You belong to the Ironwood territory you their future luna, You don't tell your Alpha no.”

“She won't be going to the Ironwood territory today, Alpha Torin.”

A cold voice cut torin off as the crowd went completely silent, it was  the senior academy administrators walking toward us, holding a formal white document sealed with silver wax, her focus was entirely locked on me.

Torin’s jaw clenched, “What is this? Her father already signed the release forms for the holiday.”

The administrator stopped two paces away, the regional pack approvals are voided. 

Vanya has just been issued an immediate, direct mandate from the central tower.”

Maya gasped, looking between the document and my face

“A mandate? For what?”

The administrator held out the paper, her voice echoing clearly across the courtyard. 

“Release the girl, Torin. Vanya, you are to report to the Supreme Lycan Prince’s private office immediately. He is waiting, and he does not tolerate delays.”