A New Name, A New Beginning
1131 Words
The doors of Alpha's office closed softly behind Astera.
She remained silent, her thoughts still fixed on the Moon Challenge.
The challenge was now within her reach.
But another problem stood in her way.
Her identity.
The Alpha walked toward the large window overlooking the endless ocean. Below, ships sailed between floating islands while young wolves trained on platforms suspended above the water.
Without turning around, he spoke.
"You cannot enter the Moon Challenge as yourself."
Astera already knew the answer.
"I expected that."
He finally faced her.
"The world believes Astera is dead."
"If anyone discovers you survived the Forbidden Volcano..."
"Questions will be asked."
"And sooner or later..."
"The Inferno Pack will come."
Astera folded her arms.
"I don't intend to let that happen."
The Alpha nodded.
"Neither do I."
He walked toward an old wooden cabinet and removed a thick leather file.
Opening it, he placed several documents on the table.
"I have been thinking about this since last night."
Astera stepped closer.
The file contained official records, family registries, passports, academy certificates, and identity seals.
Everything looked genuine.
"You planned this?"
The Alpha smiled faintly.
"A ruler must always prepare for every possibility."
He pointed to one particular file.
"This identity belonged to the daughter of my closest friend."
Astera looked at the name.
The file belonged to a respected Ocean Tide warrior who had fought beside the Alpha for decades before sacrificing his life during a mission beyond the northern seas.
"He and his wife had no children."
"They always wished they had a daughter."
The Alpha gently closed the file.
"If they were alive..."
"I know they would have gladly protected you."
Astera remained silent.
She understood what he was offering.
Not simply a false identity.
A family.
"The official records have already been updated."
"From today onward..."
"The world will know you as..."
Ariana Tidewell.
Astera quietly repeated the unfamiliar name.
"Ariana..."
It felt strange.
Almost as if she were burying the last pieces of the girl she used to be.
The Alpha noticed the sadness in her eyes.
"You are not abandoning who you are."
"You are protecting her."
"When the time comes..."
"You will reclaim your real name."
Astera slowly nodded.
"For now..."
"Ariana Tidewell."
---
"There is another condition."
Astera looked up.
"If you wish to participate in the Moon Challenge..."
"You must first qualify through the Royal Alpha University."
She frowned.
"The university?"
"The Moon Challenge is no longer open to every warrior."
"It is organized jointly by the four ruling packs."
"Only students officially enrolled at the Royal Alpha University are eligible to compete."
"The university was created centuries ago to ensure future Alphas, heirs, commanders, inventors, healers, and strategists learn together before leading their respective packs."
Astera listened carefully.
"So every future Alpha studies there?"
"Yes."
"The heirs of all four packs."
"The strongest young wolves."
"The greatest inventors."
"The finest healers."
"The best strategists."
He looked directly at her.
"And now..."
"So will you."
---
The Alpha handed her another folder.
Inside was an official admission letter.
Royal Alpha University.
Department of Advanced Combat, Innovation and Elemental Studies.
Student Name:
Ariana Tidewell.
Astera stared at the paper.
A new life.
A new beginning.
Another lie.
But one she had no choice except to accept.
---
"Your appearance must also change."
The Alpha pressed a button on his desk.
Moments later, several attendants entered carrying elegant clothing.
One woman bowed respectfully.
"My Alpha."
"The preparations are complete."
Astera looked toward the clothes.
They were unlike anything she had worn before.
Elegant navy-blue trousers.
A fitted white shirt.
A long royal-blue academy coat embroidered with silver waves.
Black boots.
Fingerless gloves suitable for inventors.
A silver academy badge.
The Alpha smiled.
"You'll fit in better dressed like an Ocean Tide student."
Another attendant stepped forward carrying a wooden box.
Inside were cosmetic powders, magical dyes, and enchanted contact lenses.
"The blue hair already suits the Ocean Tide Pack," the attendant said politely.
"But we can refine the shade."
"And your eyes..."
She handed Astera shimmering sea-blue lenses.
"They will complete your disguise."
Astera quietly accepted them.
Several hours later...
She stood before a full-length mirror.
For a moment...
She barely recognized herself.
Her blue hair fell in soft waves around her shoulders.
Her ocean-blue eyes reflected the light beautifully.
Her clothing carried the elegance of Ocean Tide royalty.
She looked nothing like the broken prisoner who had escaped the volcano.
She looked like someone entirely new.
Ariana Tidewell.
---
The tiny dragon stared at her.
Then tilted its head in confusion.
Astera crouched beside it.
"What?"
"Don't recognize me?"
The creature sniffed her face before happily rubbing against her hand.
She sighed.
"At least one of us doesn't care what I look like."
---
Later that afternoon...
The Alpha personally escorted her through the palace.
Servants, commanders, advisors, and royal guards stopped what they were doing and bowed respectfully.
The Alpha addressed them calmly.
"I would like everyone to welcome Ariana Tidewell."
"The daughter of my late comrade."
"She will remain under my protection."
"And beginning this year..."
"She will represent the Ocean Tide Pack at the Royal Alpha University."
Respectful murmurs spread throughout the hall.
Many smiled warmly.
Some welcomed her kindly.
Others looked curious.
A few young nobles whispered among themselves.
"She must be talented."
"The Alpha never personally sponsors anyone."
"I heard she spent years traveling."
"She'll probably join the Moon Challenge."
Astera heard every word.
But she remained composed.
She offered only a polite nod.
No arrogance.
No fear.
Only quiet confidence.
---
The Alpha introduced her to the palace council, military commanders, inventors, healers, and scholars.
Everyone greeted her as Ariana.
No one questioned her identity.
No one recognized the girl who had once been condemned to die.
For the first time since escaping the volcano...
Astera realized something.
She had disappeared completely.
The world no longer knew she existed.
And perhaps...
That was exactly what she needed.
A chance to grow stronger in silence.
To uncover the truth hidden by history.
To awaken the wolf sleeping within her.
And when the time finally came...
Astera Moonvale would return.
Not as the powerless girl the world had abandoned.
But as the woman destined to change it forever.
Outside the palace windows, the sea breeze carried the scent of salt and freedom.
Far across the Wolf Realm, invitations to the Royal Alpha University were arriving in the territories of the Inferno, Stormfang, and Earthclaw Packs.
Soon, heirs, prodigies, warriors, and future Alphas would gather beneath one roof.
None of them knew that among the new students would walk a girl hiding the greatest secret the Wolf Realm had ever known.
The Moon Challenge had not yet begun.
But destiny had already made its first move.
- Writer
