The Academy was quiet.
Not silent. But still.
Not because of fear—but reverence.
The veil hadn’t broken. The Wild Ones hadn’t stormed the grounds or torn through realms. And yet, something had shifted.
A truth had been spoken in front of every trainee, every Elder, every wolf bound by old laws and older blood:
Aria wasn’t just Alpha-blood. She was Moonborn.
And she had chosen not to destroy, or conquer, or submit.
She had chosen herself.
***
For three days, the gates remained closed.
Riven stayed in the eastern tower, watching the veil from a distance, eyes shadowed with thought. He said little now. There was nothing left to teach.
“You’ve stepped beyond the lines,” he told her once. “No one can tell you what comes next.”
She didn’t answer.
Because she already knew.
***
Her
