The fake relationship between Nadra and Drake quickly transformed the social dynamic of the entire academy. Everywhere they went, pack members whispered in hushed tones, marveling at the sudden appearance of the dominant silver-eyed wolf who easily outranked Asher in both lineage and raw presence. Drake made sure to flaunt their connection publicly, attending every hockey practice and team gathering with Nadra at his side, pulling her into deep, possessive kisses whenever Asher or Rosalie walked past. Asher was visibly unraveling, his confidence shattering as he watched his former girlfriend receive the respect and attention he had always coveted for himself. However, as the days progressed, the line between performance and reality began to blur for Nadra. During private moments in Drake's off-campus apartment, away from the prying eyes of the pack, Drake treated her with a fierce, unwavering tenderness that she had never experienced with Asher. He listened to her ambitions, encouraged her training, and validated her worth without ever demanding political favors in return. The intense physical connection they shared continued to burn hot, but it was quickly becoming rooted in a genuine, deep emotional bond that terrified Nadra. She began to realize that her heart was no longer focused on getting revenge on her ex, but rather on the enigmatic man holding her in his arms. Meanwhile, Rosalie grew increasingly furious as her grand political pairing with Asher lost its luster. With Drake's return drawing the attention of the High Alpha and the pack elders, Asher's standing within the council plummeted, making Rosalie look foolish for discarding Nadra over a political move that was now backfiring. Desperate to reclaim her dominant status, Rosalie began digging into Drake's past, looking for any flaw or secret that could dismantle his growing influence. The tension reached a boiling point during the mid-season hockey gala, a formal pack event where the senior athletes were presented to the council. Drake arrived with Nadra on his arm, looking striking in a tailored suit, while Nadra wore a stunning dark dress that drew the gaze of everyone in the room. Asher spent the evening glaring from across the hall, visibly intoxicated and consumed by jealousy, unable to handle the sight of the stepbrother he loathed holding the woman he had discarded.