"You all have to keep your powers in check and practice discovering your true selves. Do I make myself clear?"
Miss Ashley addressed the class, her hands clasped behind her back, her stern expression leaving no room for disobedience.
"Good. You have five minutes to prepare for training. I expect every one of you to prove your worth out there. Understood?"
"Yes, Miss Ashley!" the class chorused.
As soon as she left, Lauren rested her chin on her hand and stared out the window. Students poured out of the classroom, while a few stayed behind to show off their abilities.
Show-offs, she thought bitterly.
She tried to keep to herself, hoping no one would notice her.
It was a hopeless wish.
"Oh my... look who's sitting all alone."
Claire sauntered over with a smug smile, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
"Aren't you going to get ready for training?" she mocked.
Blaire laughed.
"How could she? She hasn't even manifested yet, and you're talking about training?"
The class burst into laughter.
"Lauren, check out my power."
Before Lauren could react, Claire slammed her fist into the desk in front of her.
CRACK!
The wooden desk shattered into pieces.
Lauren shot to her feet, glaring at Claire. She knew it wasn't an accident.
"My turn," Blaire said with a grin.
She drove her fist into the classroom wall.
BOOM!
Chunks of concrete broke apart. One sharp piece flew toward Lauren and grazed her cheek.
A thin line of blood trickled down her face.
The twins exchanged satisfied smiles before walking away.
"Idiotic twins," Lauren muttered under her breath.
Blaire and Claire Connor were identical twins with chestnut-brown hair. The only difference between them was their eyes—Claire's were emerald green, while Blaire's were steel gray. Beautiful... and utterly cruel.
Soon, the classroom fell silent.
Lauren rested her head on the school bag in her lap.
The door suddenly opened.
Jason strode inside.
"The Beta wants to see you."
Without waiting for a reply, he turned to leave.
Then he stopped.
"At the training hall."
Lauren swallowed hard as he disappeared.
This can't be good...
She made her way to the girls' locker room.
Her locker was plastered with papers and stickers.
She pulled one off.
THE BITCH.
Her jaw tightened.
Without saying a word, she ripped off every single one, crushed them into a ball, and tossed them into the trash.
She changed into her training clothes, slipped on her sneakers, tied her long hair into a neat bun, and took a deep breath.
Then she headed toward the training hall.
"Blaire! Excellent work!"
Coach Donald blew his whistle after Blaire defeated her opponent, Cara.
The students applauded as Blaire proudly returned to sit beside her sister.
"What the hell is taking Lauren so long?" Donald barked.
Jason sighed.
"I delivered the message."
Claire folded her arms.
"Coach, why do we even include a powerless human in our training? It's a complete waste of time."
Several students murmured in agreement.
"The Alpha gave the order," Donald replied firmly.
"If you have any complaints, take them to him."
Silence.
No one was foolish enough to challenge the Alpha.
At that moment, the training hall doors opened.
Lauren hurried inside.
"I'm sorry I'm late."
She bowed respectfully.
Every eye in the room turned toward her.
Some stared with amusement.
Others with disgust.
She walked nervously toward Donald.
"Why are you late?"
"I..." she fidgeted.
"I thought... since I'm not really like everyone else... there wasn't much point."
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
Donald sighed sympathetically.
"Lauren, none of this is your fault."
He paused before continuing.
"The Moon Goddess may have a different plan for you. Perhaps she's waiting for the right moment for your powers to awaken."
He smiled gently.
"From today onward, you're participating in every school activity. No more exemptions. Understood?"
"Yes, Sir."
Although Lauren wanted nothing more than to stay away from training, she simply nodded.
Donald pointed toward an empty corner.
"Take a seat."
She quietly obeyed.
"Now then..."
Donald clapped his hands.
"Bianca, you're next."
Bianca stepped confidently into the fighting circle.
"Choose your opponent."
Without a second's hesitation, she pointed straight at Lauren.
"I choose her."
Lauren's eyes widened.
The hall erupted into laughter.
Her heartbeat quickened.
Everyone knew Bianca was one of the academy's strongest fighters.
"I'm in a terrible mood today," Bianca said with a wicked grin.
"I need someone to take it out on."
The students cheered loudly.
Lauren slowly rose to her feet.
She walked into the ring with hesitant steps.
"Ready to lose?" Bianca sneered.
Lauren inhaled deeply.
Then exhaled.
She clenched her fists.
Dad... everything you taught me... don't fail me now.
Bianca curled a finger.
"Come."
Lauren charged.
Bianca sidestepped effortlessly and drove an elbow into Lauren's back.
Lauren stumbled forward.
The crowd laughed.
Ignoring the pain, Lauren spun around and kicked Bianca in the stomach.
Bianca barely moved.
Instead, she smiled.
Then—
BAM!
Her kick slammed into Lauren's chest with terrifying force.
Lauren cried out as she crashed onto the floor.
Believing she had already won, Bianca lowered her guard.
Big mistake.
Lauren swept Bianca's legs out from under her.
Bianca hit the floor hard, the air rushing from her lungs.
Before she could recover—
POW!
Lauren's fist smashed into her face.
Another punch landed immediately afterward.
Blood streamed from Bianca's nose.
Lauren stood over her, breathing heavily.
The training hall fell silent.
No cheers.
No laughter.
Only stunned faces.
No one could believe what they had just witnessed.
Lauren...
...had knocked Bianca down.
Humiliated before the entire class, Bianca slowly wiped the blood from her nose.
Her fingers came away crimson.
Her face twisted with rage.
She rose to her feet.
The atmosphere instantly grew heavy.
Everyone held their breath.
Then Bianca's brown eyes began to glow.
Golden.
Bright.
Wild.
A wave of raw werewolf energy exploded from her body.
Lauren froze.
She swallowed hard.
Bianca had finally stopped holding back.