Bound By Four: The Cursed Luna's Reckoning

Candidate list

Serena:

"Take your bag and get out," my mother said, shoving my meager belongings into my hands before folding her arms tightly across her chest.

The severe storm had finally passed after two long days, and though a dreary drizzle still fell, my mother was already forcing me out the door. I hadn't even been permitted to share a proper meal with them since the night I ate so frantically at the dining table.

At least, that was Ivy’s take on it—stating my lack of table manners was the exact reason I was barred from the family table.

"Go!" my mother snapped again, turning her head away to avoid my eyes. She had barged into my room at the break of dawn, demanding my immediate departure.

The morning air was bitter cold, and I had nothing to shield myself with except the faded pink sweater clinging to my frame. I lacked both gloves and socks, leaving my thin fingers entirely numb from the frost. It wouldn't be long before the persistent rain soaked through my clothes if I failed to find shelter.

"Fine!" After holding her gaze for a quiet moment, I turned on my heel and stepped toward the exit.

"And be sure to let your father know how thrilled I am with the absolute best mate I could have asked for!" she called out with bitter venom, her words cutting deep even as I kept my back to her. I maintained my pace, clutching the small bag against my chest. She genuinely assumed I would crawl back to my old home. I couldn't entirely blame her assumptions, though—I had shared nothing of my plight with her because she had never bothered to ask.

As I put distance between myself and the grand estate, I realized I would have to trek up the mountain ridge and descend the opposite slope just to cross beyond the boundaries of their territory. The family held an immense domain, encompassing the mountain where the academy stood and the vast valley behind it where the estate was nestled. It was an expansive territory. When they demanded my exile, they meant I had to clear out of their lands completely.

I hadn't crossed paths with any of the brothers over the past forty-eight hours. They had been fully consumed with managing the damage left in the storm's wake. Uprooted trees littered the landscape, and the estate's meticulously manicured rose gardens had been completely shredded. I couldn't help but ponder the nature of the tempest—why it seemed to concentrate its destructive force solely over this territory. I couldn't recall anyone in my old pack preparing for such a sudden, localized disaster.

Reaching the base of the mountain trail, I let out a heavy sigh. Was I truly being driven away? Where was I even supposed to wander?

Sinking down onto the damp earth, I hugged my knees and looked up at the grey sky, watching a flock of birds glide effortlessly through the wind.

"How did you survive all that without any roof over your heads?" I murmured softly to the sky. They were such fragile creatures, yet they possessed the quiet strength and courage to endure the elements alone.

Taking inspiration from their resilience, I forced myself back onto my feet, a fresh spark of determination igniting within me. I began the steep climb up the mountain trail.

Upon reaching the summit, I carefully scanned the perimeter to check for any patrols. Outside the academy's main grounds, groundskeepers and staff were hard at work clearing away broken branches and debris left by the storm. It appeared the academy had temporarily halted operations during the weather and was reopening its gates today.

My attention caught on a tall, slender young man dressed in a sharp red uniform and wearing glasses, walking briskly toward the main entrance. He carried a leather shoulder bag and a stack of damp papers in his hands.

As he approached a waste disposal truck, he paused to pull torn, waterlogged notices off the nearby tree trunks, adding them to the stack he carried. He appeared to be clearing out outdated announcements. Despite his lean frame, he carried himself with perfect, rigid posture.

After tossing the discarded papers into the back of the truck, he gave a brief nod of acknowledgment to the sanitation workers before heading toward the main doors of the academy. His pace slowed for a fraction of a second as his eyes met mine, acknowledging my presence before he disappeared inside the grand facility.

Since the workers were preoccupied with heavy clearing, I seized the opportunity to hurry over to the waste truck and retrieve the discarded notices. Clutching the damp sheets, I slipped away into the tree line to avoid drawing attention. A thick perimeter of old-growth trees encircled the academy grounds, though a vast cleared field separated the forest from the central buildings. The surrounding space had been completely leveled, likely serving as open training grounds.

Crouching behind a wide tree trunk, I carefully unfolded the damp papers in my hands. To my astonishment, I realized it was an official admissions announcement.

*"Open to all applicants, though only the elite will be selected. Secure an application and present yourself directly to the administration. Your name will be registered on the candidate roster. Upon registration, you will be assigned to the candidate shelter—"*

I paused, lifting my gaze toward the rear of the academy layout. There was no visible shelter from this angle. Where could it be located?

*"—positioned deep within the woodland perimeter, isolated from external contact,"* I continued reading, letting out a faint sigh at the dramatic phrasing. It sounded terrifying for those leaving behind loving families and comfortable pack homes. But for someone in my position, if I managed to secure entry, this academy would be the only haven I had left.

The main campus consisted of two massive stone structures standing side by side, separated only by a narrow courtyard pass. One building served as the central academic hall, while the other housed the residential dormitories. Neither, however, served as the candidate testing shelter.

*"During your stay at the candidate shelter, you will undergo rigorous evaluations. The applicant who demonstrates the highest performance across all trials will earn the official candidate placement."*

I scanned through the remaining guidelines. A rising frustration built in my chest as I pondered why Dorian had been so quick to deny me a chance. The document explicitly stated that the application process was open to anyone.

All I needed to do was present one of these forms directly to the admissions office. The deadline for registration was set for today, which explained why the notices were actively being taken down. I had to reach the administration desk before midday.

I carefully waved the least damaged paper through the air, hoping the wind would dry the damp ink. Standing up, I brushed the dirt and wet leaves from my dress and set out directly toward the main entrance. The courtyard was largely deserted, leaving me to wonder what business that uniformed student had attending campus today. My curiosity was answered as I ascended the grand stone steps and crossed into the main hall, my breath catching in my throat.

The moment I crossed the threshold, a deep certainty washed over me—I belonged here, and I would fight for a place in this building.

A small group of students was gathered near the center of the foyer, holding document folders and speaking in hushed, serious tones. Judging by their demeanor and badges, they appeared to hold supervisory roles within the student body.

As I entered, all five heads turned in my direction. A girl with striking blonde and pink ombre hair arched a refined eyebrow, her piercing blue eyes sweeping over me from head to toe. Her nose twitched in visible distaste at my disheveled appearance.

The slender student in glasses I had seen earlier was standing among them, though I quickly lowered my eyes, averting my face as I focused on a set of double doors marked *Admissions Center*.

Ignoring their cold stares, I pushed open the door and stepped inside, immediately catching sight of someone seated at a central desk with his back turned toward the entrance. I strode straight up to the mahogany desk and slammed the damp paper firmly onto the polished surface.

"I am submitting my application to join this academy," I declared, my voice ringing clearly through the quiet office.

The heavy leather chair rotated slowly, and my heart sank as I met the cold, hazel eyes of Dorian.

Dammit! Why did he have to be the one sitting behind that desk?