Leora trudged down the palace corridor, her feet dragging against the polished marble floor. Every muscle in her body screamed with exhaustion, and her head still buzzed with the endless stares and whispers from school. By the time she reached her room, she didn't bother turning on the light—she just threw herself face-first onto the bed.
Her muffled groan filled the silence. "If every day is going to be like this, I'm doomed."
The door creaked open, and a familiar voice slipped in. "Rough first day?"
Leora rolled over to see Aunt Zaria standing by the doorframe, arms folded, her piercing dark eyes studying her. Zaria wasn't the kind of woman you could easily lie to. With a sigh, Leora sat up, pushing her hair back.
"That wasn't school, Aunt Zaria," she muttered. "That was hell."
Zaria closed the door and stepped in, her footsteps measured, calm. "Tell me everything."
Leora did. She spilled about the students gawking, about Nyra and her twin Nyelle, about the so-called elite group with their smug smirks, and about Jarek challenging her in front of everyone.
"They just wouldn't stop staring," Leora groaned, tugging at her uniform collar. "Like I was some rare animal in a zoo. And then that Jarek guy—he practically announced to the whole world that I was too weak to beat him."
Zaria's lips pressed into a thin line, her jaw locked. She listened carefully, her face unreadable until Leora trailed off. Finally, she sat beside her on the bed and spoke, her tone calm but edged with steel.
"You cannot afford to slip, Leora. The kingdom has eyes everywhere. You are not just a girl in school—you are the Luna. Even one mistake could cost you more than your pride."
Leora slumped against the headboard. "So I'm supposed to just… what? Pretend to be perfect?"
"Not pretend," Zaria corrected softly. "Learn. Grow into it. Slowly." Her expression softened, and she brushed a strand of hair from Leora's face. "I know it feels heavy now, but don't let their words crush you. Focus on finding your mate. That is the key. Once you unlock your wolf abilities, everything will change."
Leora swallowed, her fingers brushing against the moon pendant at her neck. "Finding my mate…" she repeated, uncertainty lacing her voice.
Zaria nodded firmly. "Yes. And you will. Do not rush it, but don't take it lightly either."
For a moment, the room was quiet, the weight of responsibility pressing down on Leora's shoulders. Then Zaria exhaled and gave a small, wry smile.
"I was even considering getting you a tutor to help after classes. Someone who could guide you privately through the studies of our history and laws."
Leora's head snapped up. "A tutor? Please tell me you're joking. School is already too much!"
But Zaria shook her head. "I decided against it. I can't trust anyone with you right now, not with the way people whisper and scheme. So…" she tilted her chin up with quiet pride, "…I will tutor you myself. Every evening, after supper. You will learn the traditions, the strategies, and the laws of Crestwood directly from me."
Leora groaned dramatically. "So basically more school. Yay me."
Zaria chuckled, just barely. "You'll thank me later."
Leora flopped back onto the bed with a sigh. "If I survive that long."
There was a pause before Zaria added, "Oh—your father called earlier today."
Leora sat up straighter, eyes wide. "He did?"
"Yes. He wanted to know how you were settling in. He would have called you himself, but he didn't want to disrupt your classes."
Leora's chest tightened, warmth spreading through her. "He actually asked about me?"
Zaria smiled faintly. "Of course he did. You're his only daughter and child. He misses you."
Leora bit her lip, suddenly blinking faster. She turned her head away before her aunt could notice the way her eyes glistened. "I miss him too," she whispered.
The silence that followed was gentle, filled with unspoken emotions.
Finally, Zaria leaned back, studying her with a sharp gaze. "And what about your new guard?"
Leora stiffened. "Theron?"
Zaria nodded. "Yes. Do you trust him?"
Leora hesitated, fiddling with the pendant again. "He's… okay. Just strange. He barely talks. I try to get something out of him, but it's like hitting a wall. I can't seem to figure him out."
Zaria arched a brow. "Strange how?"
"He's polite, he does everything right," Leora admitted, "but… it's like he's hiding behind this cold mask. I don't know if he's protecting me or just watching me."
Zaria's eyes narrowed slightly, but her tone remained calm. "Keep your guard up, Leora. Around him. Around everyone. Even those closest to you. Trust must be earned, not assumed."
Leora swallowed, her aunt's words echoing in her head. She nodded faintly, but as she lay down later that night, sleep tugging at her, one image refused to
leave her mind—Theron's piercing green eyes, sharp and unreadable.