Lycan Unity Academy

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"You're still doing it?" she asked. I stiffened. "I can handle myself. You shouldn't be here." She smiled slightly. I could say the same to you. Applause. Then, you tried to enter the hall, she asked. Not shocked, interested. "That told me everything. Are you okay?" I stood up abruptly. "You have to leave." She smiled. Too wide, too rehearsed. "Yes, I know. I cannot be seen with you, obviously. I just... I just hate seeing you treated like that. You don't deserve it." I studied her closely, noting the changes time had etched into her once familiar face. But she pitied me from her lofty perch. "Doris, I'm fine. Thank you," I said tightly, fingers clutching my threadbare blanket. "Just busy. Busy scrubbing floors, I see," she whispered, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "The ceremony sounds incredible. I don't blame you for sneaking in. Sometimes I do sneak into events like this, trying to fit in." I laughed bitterly, the sound sharp in my throat. "Try to fit in? Oh, come on. You already fit right in. You're the beta's daughter, born to privilege. But me? Not so much." Her expression flickered for a heartbeat, something genuine from our childhood briefly surfacing. But it vanished, replaced by flawless composure. "Still, you shouldn't be alone right now. I know that guard was rude, and I've seen to it." I looked away, relief washing over me, mingled with caution. Experience had taught me not to rely on anyone, not even Doris with her fair-weather friendship. A faint shuffle from the hall reminded us both that any servant caught speaking with someone from above risked severe punishment. "You won't get caught again as long as you're with me," she hissed, her eyes da

any signs of recognizing his mate, which is rare since alphas typically find theirs quicker. The Luna is deeply worried. Everyone is." She paused. "I know you both share history together. You still think he'll choose you even after you lost everything?" she asked. That... that hit. My pulse quickened at her words, hope fluttering dangerously