Chapter 22: No Turning Back

Words : 1016 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

Chapter 22: No Turning BackEvaline: The drive to the Silver Moon Academy was shorter than I expected. More or less fifteen minutes was all it took before we reached the towering mountain peak where the academy was located. The road leading up was winding, cutting through dense forests that seemed untouched by time. The higher we climbed, the clearer the night sky became with the silver moon casting a soft glow over everything. But despite the beauty, my nerves were starting to creep in. I was about to step into an entirely new world. A world I didn’t belong to. When the car finally slowed to a stop, I expected to see the academy’s grand gates. Instead, we were still at the foot of the mountain. Not far from us, there was a small clearing surrounded by trees. Several cottages were built in neat rows, their wooden exteriors blending seamlessly with the wilderness around them. A few scattered lights glowed from the windows, but most of the area was quiet. "This isn’t the Academy?" I asked, turning to Alpha Kieran. He was already reaching for something in the backseat. "Non-students aren’t allowed to step inside the Academy grounds until they pass the entrance exams," he explained. "So, the exams will take place outside. Those taking the test are staying here until then." That made sense. They wouldn’t want just anyone wandering into their prestigious academy. He pulled out a bag and placed it on my lap. "Your essentials." I blinked at it before looking up at him, clearly confused. "Essentials?" "You didn’t pack anything for yourself," he reminded me. "So, I did." I wasn’t sure how to respond to that. I should have expected it, considering how he forced me to buy more clothes than I initially planned, but the fact that he even thought of giving me essentials left me feeling... strange. Before I could say anything, he handed me a folded piece of paper. "This is your entry form. You need to show it to the guard at the clearing entrance," he said. "Once he verifies it, you’ll be allowed to enter and get your assigned cottage." I took the paper, my fingers gripping it tightly. Though his expression remained neutral, something in his gaze softened slightly as he spoke the next words. "This is where we part ways for now. The first exam is the day after tomorrow. Until then, rest. Eat. Make sure you are prepared." He didn’t have to tell me twice. I knew I needed to be at my best. So, I nodded my head in understanding before adding, "I will." For a brief moment, neither of us spoke. I knew that it was time for me to climb out, but I was almost frozen in my seat. Then, I watched him leaning toward me, reaching for the door handle to open it. "Good luck, Eva." And just like that, I had to force my body to move. I gave him a nod and stepped out of the car with the bag. Then I grabbed the suitcase from the trunk and stepped to the side, watching as the car pulled away, leaving me behind. The moment he was gone, I let out a slow breath. This was it. There was no turning back for me now. Gathering my things, I made my way toward the clearing entrance, ready to face whatever awaited me next. In the meantime, I decided to take a look at the form in my hand. Even though I was wolfless, I still had more enhanced senses compared to a normal human. Plus the bright moonlight helped me read the small letter written on the piece of paper. It had my information and Alpha Kieran’s seal on it. What caught my attention was that there was no surname mentioned with my name and in place of my pack’s name, there was written ’rogue’. He had planned everything so well. I myself wasn’t looking forward to introduce myself as a Greystone or someone who once belonged to Shadowfang pack. So, I was content with the missing and changed information in the form. Taking in a deep breath, I approached the entrance and noticed a guard standing just beyond the wooden archway that marked the boundary of the clearing. He was a tall, broad-shouldered man, dressed in dark clothes that blended with the night. His stance was relaxed, but there was no mistaking the sharpness in his gaze as he watched me approach. I stopped a few feet away and held out the form. "I’m here for the entrance exams," I said, keeping my voice steady. The guard didn’t say anything at first. He reached out, took the paper from my hand, and unfolded it. His eyes scanned the contents before he looked back at me. "Name?" he asked. "Evaline." His brow furrowed slightly, but he didn’t question it. Instead, he turned and reached into a small wooden booth beside the entrance. He pulled out a clipboard, checked something off, then handed my form back. "Cottage thirteen," he said. "Follow the path straight ahead. You’ll find it on the left." I nodded, murmuring a quiet, "Thank you," before heading inside. The path leading through the clearing was well-trodden, the dirt packed firm beneath my feet. As I walked, I took in my surroundings more carefully. There were about twenty cottages in total, scattered throughout the clearing in neat rows. Some had soft candlelight flickering through the windows, while others were completely dark, signaling that their occupants were already asleep. I wondered how many people were already here. How many would be taking the exams alongside me? Would any of them be like me? A nobody with no wolf, no pack, no real identity? I was probably too lost in my thoughts because the next thing I knew, I was bumping into someone, or maybe it was that someone who bumped into me. Fortunately, I was able to catch myself right before I could have ended up landing on the ground. I immediately turned around, ready to apologize, but...

Chapter 22: No Turning Back

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