Liora
The morning of the exam came with a quiet tension, one I’ve grown used to.
I woke early, not from nerves, but from habit. Years of palace drills made it impossible to sleep in on days like this. Mia had brewed me tea the night before and stayed at my bedside, humming softly until I drifted off, as if she could drive out the anxiety just by being there.
Now, she sat across from me in the common room, her gaze steady and protective. “You’ll pass. I don’t care what strings they pull, Liora. You’re more than they think you are.”
I offered her a soft smile, one that didn’t quite reach my eyes, and slipped my notes into my bag. We both knew this wasn’t only about me. Being wolfless, Mia had her own stake in this.
“They’re not testing what I know,” I said quietly. “They’re testing whet
