Morning crept into the academy slowly, as if afraid to disturb the heavy silence that had taken over since the incident. The hallways that once echoed with chatter now felt empty, each step echoing like a reminder of what had happened the day before.
Leon walked out of the infirmary, his face unreadable. His eyes were red—not from tears, but from the restless night he had spent sitting by the window, pretending the cold breeze could cool the storm inside him. He could still taste her lips, soft and trembling against his. That single kiss kept replaying in his head, no matter how much he tried to push it away.
"It was a mistake," he had said.
The words haunted him more than the kiss itself.
He stopped by the training ground, watching a few students spar under the morning sun. His body was here, but his mind… his mind was trapped in that single moment where he had lost control. Xavier growled within him, restless and angry.
"You hurt her."
"It was an accident."
"No, you lied. You wanted it."
"Enough."
"You're breaking what's ours before it even begins."
Leon clenched his jaw, his hands curling into fists. The ground beneath his boots trembled slightly as his power flared. He forced himself to breathe, to hold it back. He couldn't afford to lose control again. Not after everything that had already happened.
He turned around and walked toward the academy building. People moved out of his way without a word. Some bowed slightly; others didn't even dare to look him in the eye. The Lycan Prince of the Eclipse Clan had always been known for his silence, his composure. But today, even silence seemed heavy around him.
Mia sat in silence, replaying everything that happened—the attack, Leon's embrace, the kiss and then his apology, calling it mistake, followed by the suspension. She touched her lips unconsciously and then shook her head quickly, scolding herself.
What are you even thinking, Mia? He said it was a mistake.
She swung her legs off the bed and winced at the soreness in her side. Still, she stood up and walked to the window. The morning light felt warm on her skin, but inside she was cold.
Meanwhile, Headmistress Orla sat behind her desk, fingers tapping against the polished wood. Her usually calm face was tense. Across from her stood Leon, arms folded, eyes fixed on the ground.
"You understand what this means, don't you?" the headmistress said quietly. "Being involved in Rogue activity this close to campus or anywhere… cannot go unanswered."
Leon said nothing.
Orla sighed. "Your behavior yesterday—your outburst—it scared me, Leon. You can't lose control like that, not here."
His golden eyes flickered briefly before he replied in a low tone, "Then do the needful."
"Of course, your Highness." she said. Then she added, "And as for Rachel… she was the one who initiated that summoning circle, wasn't she?"
Leon looked up sharply. "Yes."
Orla nodded slowly, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Then she'll be suspended. One month. No need for investigation since she didn't deny it."
"She deserves it," he muttered.
The headmistress hesitated. "She's the Alpha's daughter. This will cause—"
"I don't care," Leon interrupted. "Actions have consequences."
There was a weight in his tone that silenced her completely. She'd seen that same authority before—in the council, in his father. Leon was still a student, but he carried power that demanded obedience.
When Leon left the office, the corridor seemed to breathe again.
Elsewhere, Rachel was pacing inside her dorm, restless and angry. Eliose sat on the bed, watching her with a mix of worry and disappointment.
"So that's it?" she snapped. "They'll just suspend me like that?"
Eliose sighed. "You brought rogues into the academy, Rach. What did you expect?"
Her eyes flashed. "I didn't bring them! I just wanted her to disappear. I didn't know it will escalate into something as big as this!"
"Yeah," she said quietly, "and because of that, people got hurt."
Rachel froze. For a brief moment, guilt flickered in her eyes—but it was quickly swallowed by anger. "This is ridiculous," she said. "My father won't let this slide. No one humiliates a Voss and gets away with it."
She turned toward the window, watching the guards outside. Her jaw tightened. "Just wait till he hears about this."
Back in town, far away from the academy, Laura sat by the fireplace with her phone in her hand. Her fingers trembled as she typed a message. The name she selected read Elder Rowan.
She hesitated for a second, then pressed send.
"Elder Rowan, it's Laura. I need to speak with you. It's about Mia. Something strange is happening. I think... the bond might be forming."
Her heart pounded as she stared at the message, watching the little dots appear. Then came the reply:
"Meet me tonight. Bring no one. The moon will reveal what must be known."
Laura exhaled slowly, fear settling deeper in her chest.
Beside her, Mia was having a dream. She was walking through the courtyard in the academy when she saw Leon in the distance. Her steps faltered. He looked up, their eyes meeting for a heartbeat before he turned away.
She waited for him to say something. Anything. But he didn't. He just walked past her, his face cold and distant.
The next morning came quietly. A pale mist floated above the school grounds, wrapping Eclipse Prowess in a silence that felt heavier than usual. Birds sang faintly from the edge of the forest, but even their song seemed unsure — as though the whole place could feel that something had gone wrong.
Leon stood by his window, shirt unbuttoned halfway, hair tousled. He hadn't slept. His eyes, usually calm and unreadable, carried a storm behind them. The memory of Mia helping him back to the school premises that day wouldn't leave him alone. It played again and again in his mind — the way her small hands clutched around him, the way her voice cracked when she was calling his name. "Leon, wake up please."
His jaw tightened.
Xavier's voice growled faintly inside him. You did this.
Leon shut his eyes. "Don't start."
You kissed her and called it a mistake. You pushed her away when she was already hurting.
He gripped the window ledge. "She's human," he muttered. "She shouldn't matter this much."
Then why does your chest burn when she cries? Why can't you breathe when she's gone?
"Enough." His voice came out rough. He hated how weak it sounded.
But Xavier didn't stop. You're lying to yourself. You're acting like a coward, Leon.
Leon's reflection in the glass looked cold, but there was something raw beneath it — regret. Guilt. Something he refused to name.
"She doesn't belong in this world," he said under his breath. "She's better off without me."
You don't believe that.
He turned sharply, pacing the room. The floor creaked under his boots. "She doesn't even know what she is. What if she gets hurt because of me? What if she's tied to something dangerous?"
Xavier's tone softened for the first time. Then protect her, not abandon her.
Leon pressed a hand to his chest, where his heartbeat thudded painfully. The wolf's words hit too close to home. He couldn't stand how much she had gotten under his skin — that small, fragile human with the quiet voice and stubborn courage.
Raul entered without knocking, carrying two mugs of coffee. "You look like you wrestled a ghost all night."
Leon didn't answer.
Raul sighed, placing one mug down. "You're thinking about her again."
Leon's silence was enough of an answer.
Raul sat opposite him. "You know, I've never seen you this restless. The last time you snapped was when your uncle insulted your mother at the royal council."
Leon glared at him slightly. "Raul."
"I'm just saying," Raul continued casually. "You care about that girl more than you want to admit."
Leon's jaw flexed. "She was punished for something she didn't do. Anyone would be angry."
Raul raised a brow. "Anyone? Or just you?"
Leon looked away, fingers tightening around the mug. The steam fogged the air between them.
Raul leaned forward. "You could go see her, you know. Apologize."
Leon shook his head. "That would make things worse."
"Worse for who?"
"For her."
Raul frowned. "You're confusing me, brother. You care, but you won't go near her. You protect her, but you hurt her feelings. What are you doing?"
Leon didn't reply. He just stared out the window again.
Raul sighed deeply. "Fine. Keep denying it. But Xavier looks ready to tear you apart."
Leon's hand twitched. He could feel Xavier pacing inside his mind, snarling restlessly. The wolf's emotions were spilling into him — guilt, longing, anger.
Raul finished his coffee and stood. "Anyway, Orla reversed her decision last night. Rachel Voss got a month's suspension. She's leaving today."
Leon blinked. "She should've been expelled."
Raul nodded. "Maybe. But the headmistress said suspension was enough for now. The Council will deal with her later."
Leon's jaw clenched. "Rachel's lies almost destroyed someone. A month isn't enough."
Raul shrugged. "Talk to Orla if it bothers you that much."
Leon didn't respond. He just stared at the mist curling beyond the window, his thoughts miles away — maybe standing in front of a small cottage, where Mia Ashford was trying to make sense of her broken world.
Meanwhile, across the valley, in a quiet corner of the village, Mia sat by the fireplace. Her eyes were puffy from crying. The morning light filtered through thin curtains, painting her face in silver.
Her mother, Laura, moved around the kitchen silently. She had barely slept either. Every few seconds, her gaze would shift to her daughter — the way the faint crescent mark shimmered under her sleeve.
"Mia," she said gently. "Eat something, please."
"I'm not hungry," Mia murmured. Her voice was soft, hollow.
Laura walked closer and sat beside her. "You have to keep your strength up."
Mia looked down at her hands. "Mom… why did this happen to me? Why do I feel like something inside me is changing?"
Laura hesitated. She wanted to protect her. But hiding the truth had already cost too much.
"Mia," she said quietly, "there's something I need to tell you. Something about who you really are."
Mia lifted her head slowly. "What do you mean?"
Laura took a deep breath. "I can't explain everything alone. Not yet. I've already sent a message to Elder Rowan. He'll come tonight. He'll help us understand what's happening."
Mia blinked, confused. "Elder Rowan? From the Crescent Valley?"
Laura nodded. "Yes. He was close to your father… before he died."
The word father still made Mia flinch. She had never known him — only stories that felt more like fairy tales.
Laura touched her hand. "Promise me you'll stay calm when he comes. Things might sound strange, but I need you to listen."
Mia nodded weakly. "Okay."
At Eclipse Prowess, Rachel Voss packed her things with trembling hands. Eliose stood by the door, watching quietly.
"I didn't mean for this to happen," Rachel whispered. "I just wanted her gone. I didn't think it would go this far."
Eliose sighed. "Rachel, you brought rogues to the gates. You lied about Mia. You could've gotten people killed."
Rachel turned sharply. "She doesn't belong here! Everyone treats her like she's special — even Leon!"
"Is that what this is about?" Eliose asked softly. "Leon?"
Rachel froze. Her jaw tightened.
Eliose shook her head slowly. "You really think bringing her down will make him look at you?"
Rachel's throat burned. "He's supposed to be mine. He's the prince. We were raised to be equals."
"Maybe that's the problem," Eliose said.
Rachel's eyes filled with tears. "You don't understand."
"No," Eliose replied, her voice steady. "I just don't agree."
Rachel grabbed her bag and brushed past her. "You'll see. This isn't over."
When Rachel arrived home, the atmosphere shifted. Her father, Alpha Darius Voss, was waiting in the grand living room, his silver ring glinting on his finger.
The moment he saw her tear-stained face, his expression darkened. "What is this nonsense I hear from the Institute?"
Rachel froze. "Father, I—"
"You were suspended?" His voice thundered. "For a month? For what?"
Her lips trembled. "They said I lied about a human girl. That I brought rogues—"
Before she could finish, Darius slammed his fist on the table. "Rogues? Lies? And they dare send my daughter home like a criminal?"
"Father, please—"
"Silence!" His eyes burned. "Do they forget who I am? I sit on the northern council! No one humiliates a Voss and gets away with it!"
Rachel flinched as his voice filled the room. "I didn't mean to—"
He turned away, pacing like a predator. "Eclipse Prowess will regret this. That headmistress… the council… all of them."