The next morning felt like any other to Leora, but the moment she stepped through the school gates, the shift in atmosphere was almost palpable. She could feel eyes on her—burning, lingering, following her every move. Whispers rippled through the crowd, a current of sound that seemed to surge wherever she walked. She knew something was wrong.
Eyes. Everywhere. Boys leaning against the wall suddenly straightened when she passed. Her brow furrowed as she passed by a group of older wolves. They didn't even bother hiding the way they stared at her. Some even gave bold smiles,smirks, winks tilting their heads slightly in silent invitation.
A few younger ones straightened up as though her presence alone demanded it, while others nudged each other and whispered her name like it had suddenly gained weight.
Her steps faltered. Why are they staring like that? Did I spill ink on myself? Do I look weird? What in the world is going on?
Theron followed behind her with an invisible smirk plastered to his face. So unnoticeable that even if Leora was staring directly at him, she wouldn't see it.
She clutched her books to her chest and hurried into the classroom, only to stop short at the sight that greeted her. When she slid into her classroom, the sight waiting for her made her blink twice.
Her desk was buried beneath a ridiculous heap of gifts—flowers of every shade, colour and type, boxes of chocolates tied with ribbons, packets of sweets stacked carefully, and folded letters with her name scrawled across them. The sweet, overwhelming scent of roses filled the room, making her nose twitch.
"What is this?" she muttered under her breath, confusion tightening her stomach. She picked at random, opened one of the letters and read it.
"You need a strong mate to rule by your side. Choose me."
Leora's mouth fell open. "What…?"
Before she could grab another note, she heard her name ring through the hallway "Leora!"
Nyra burst through the door and practically skidded to her side. Her eyes were wide, her face flushed with the kind of excitement that could only come from gossip.
"Leora!" she gasped, grabbing her friend's arm. "You're not going to believe what I just heard."
Leora let out a low sigh "If it has anything to do with this mess on my desk, then please, explain."
Nyra nodded furiously, lowering her voice even though the room was already buzzing with hushed chatter and stolen glances in their direction. "There's a rumor spreading—fast. Like wildfire. Have you heard it?"
Leora raised an eyebrow " what rumor?"
"They're saying the Luna is searching for her mate right here in the school." Nyra said between gritted teeth.
Leora froze. "What?" Her voice cracked on the word. She set her books down with a thud and stared at Nyra in disbelief. "That's impossible. How… how would anyone even know that?"
"That's just it!" Nyra's brows furrowed.
Leora chuckled awkwardly " That's not true" she said trying to mask the worry in her eyes.
"Then where did such thoughts come from? I wonder who made this up anyways" Nyra pouted her lips.
"Do you perhaps hear the name of the person that said this?" Leora asked intently, her body shaken.
"No…no I didn't . You know the way rumors are, no one ever knows the real perp, just the lies that they spread" She folded her arms and raised her head to the ceiling as the person's name was written on it . "I know! It makes no sense, but it spread like wildfire. By now, half the school believes it. Honestly, maybe the entire school. I just heard it in the cafeteria—guys were literally fighting over who would talk to you first."
Her mind raced, trying to piece it together, but the harder she thought, the more panicked she felt. She hadn't said a word to anyone—not even Nyra—about what her aunt Zaria had told her and about her needing a mate to unlock her wolf. There was no way anyone should know. And yet, here it was: the entire school acting like she was some kind of prize to be won.
By the time the lunch bell rang, the situation had gone from unsettling to unbearable. Every hallway she walked down, every corner she turned, there was another boy—sometimes two, sometimes three—waiting with hopeful smiles.
"Leora, I've admired you for a long time," one said boldly, stepping in front of her with a grin.
"You should give me a chance," another cut in, puffing out his chest. "I'd make a strong mate."
One wolf even held out a small wrapped box with trembling hands. "For you, Luna. Just… think about me, please."
"Luna, allow me to carry your books."
"No, Luna, I should. My family's bloodline is strongest."
"Forget them—look at me. You need someone with real strength to protect you."
"Leora, I've admired you since the first day you arrived—"
Leora could hardly respond. She tried to be polite at first, brushing them off with small, awkward smiles, but the sheer persistence wore on her nerves. Their eyes weren't filled with genuine warmth or care—they were filled with hunger. Hunger for the title she carried, the respect and power that would come with being bound to her.
They don't see me. Not really. They only see the Luna.
Her throat tightened, and for a moment she wished she could vanish into the shadows, away from the suffocating stares. She slipped into the courtyard, where the autumn wind tugged at her hair, and leaned against the stone wall to catch her breath.
Nyra caught up with her, looking worried now. "They're everywhere, aren't they?"
Leora nodded slowly, her voice low and heavy. "It's like they can't even see me for who I am. Just… what I represent. They don't care about me. They care about the throne."
Nyra frowned, resting a hand on her arm. "You have to be careful, Leora. Not all of them want you for the right reasons. Some… might even try to force it."
Leora's stomach dropped at the thought. She shook her head quickly. "No. I won't let that happen. I'll find a way to stop this. I don't know who started this rumor, but I need to find out why."
As if on cue, a tall boy with sandy hair approached, his smile easy but his gaze sharp. He carried himself with a kind of confidence that made the wolves around him instinctively step aside.
"Leora," he said smoothly, bowing his head just slightly. "I've heard the news. And I think… we could be perfect together."
Leora's hands curled into fists at her sides, but she forced a calm expression. "And what makes you think that?"
He leaned closer, his smirk widening. " I want you not as the Luna and ruler of Crestwood. I want you."
But she caught the glint in his eyes—the same greedy spark she'd already seen in so many others that day.
Her heart sank.
Lies. That's all they are. Lies dressed up as charm.
At the edge of the crowd, Theron stood tall and silent. He didn't interfere, didn't move. After all Leora had given him orders not to interfere in her personal life… he is supposed to protect her from danger not curious classmates—he simply watched, his piercing eyes tracking every boy that stepped too close. His face was unreadable, but beneath it, tension coiled in his jaw.