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Chapter 1 — Protect Your Identity And Survive
_Zephyr’s POV_
The early morning sun slipped past my curtains, spilling across my bedroom floor. Birds chirped outside, flying around the inner courtyard of the Silver Wolf Packhouse. If you listened only to the wind and watched the light shining over the walls, you’d think today was a beautiful day.
But deep within me, it was far from that.
Deep in my chest, a storm raged.
I stood in front of the mirror in my room, staring at my reflection.
The uniform had just arrived this morning, shiny black pants, a buttoned tunic stitched with silver thread along the collar, and a family name sewn over the left breast. The name of the Silver Wolf Pack. My family’s name too.
The future Alpha’s uniform.
My chest and throat tightened.
Tomorrow, I’d be leaving for the Royal Wolf Academy, the same academy where male heirs from powerful packs trained to become leaders. It was a place of wicked politics and even more wicked expectations. I had known it was coming for months, but hearing Father mention it last night at dinner made it feel real.
“Tomorrow morning, first light. No excuses,” he’d said, barely sparing me a glance as he tore into his venison steak.
And just like that, my life was over. Or more like kicking off.
I could barely breathe, barely take in the sight of my new look.
“Zephyr?” A soft knock came from the door.
It was slowly open before I could answer, and Mother walked in. Luna Isolde looked as radiant as ever in her green dress, her long blonde hair that looked exactly like mine in the past, was twisted into a long braid down her back. She shut the door behind her quickly, turning to me with a smile that was a little too wide.
“How are you holding up?” she asked gently and I was tempted to snort.
I didn’t answer at first. My hands were clenched at my sides as I watched her reflection in the mirror instead of turning around.
“I don’t want to go,” I finally whispered, not caring about her reaction. I couldn't keep up with this whole thing anymore. Wasn't sixteen years enough for her?
“I know,” she said softly instead, stepping behind me. She placed her hands on my shoulders and met my gaze in the mirror. “But you must.”
“I don’t want to keep lying.” I shook my head.
She stiffened slightly, but her voice remained calm.
“You’ve done well for sixteen years. You’ll be fine. Just… protect your identity. That’s all I ask.”
I turned, my eyes burning with unshed tears.
“Why can’t I just be me?”
A flicker of something cold crossed her face. Her fingers tightened slightly on my shoulder.
“Because being you will get us both killed,” she said bluntly. “You want to know the truth? You were never supposed to live. When your twin brother died, I made a choice. I saved you by giving you his life. You’ve been living on borrowed time ever since.”
The pain surrounding her words hit me like a punch to the chest and I swallowed hard. “But what if I get caught?” I asked. “What if someone finds out?”
“Then we die,” she said again without hesitation. “Me. You. Everyone who helped hide the truth. Your father is not a forgiving man, Zephyr. To him, women are pawns, tools to warm beds and produce heirs. I was just lucky to have had him fall for me and kept me as his only wife. So do you think he would accept that his precious Alpha is a girl?”
I looked away from her.
Of course father would never accept that.
She stepped forward and gently tilted my chin up, our gaze meeting. “You are strong, Zephyr. Stronger than any male heir. And one day, when the time is right, you will have your chance to choose your own life. But not now. Not when the world will tear you apart the moment you show weakness.”
I tried to nod, but my throat was too tight.
There was a soft knock again. This time it was Lani, my personal maid, the third person after my sister in this entire cursed mansion who knew the truth.
“Your bath is ready, my prince,” she said formally, but her eyes flicked to mine with sympathy.
“Thank you, Lani,” I murmured.
Mother turned to her. “Pack his things. Everything he’ll need for the academy. And only the black clothes, nothing feminine or soft.”
“Yes, My Luna.”
As she left, Mother turned back to me and took my face between her hands.
“This is your last test, Zephyr. Get through the Academy. Rise above the rest. Make your father proud. And no one, I repeat, no one will ever question you or make you do what you despise again.”
I nodded, heart pounding. She pulled me into a tight embrace, and for a second, she was just a mother holding her terrified child.
But the moment was over too fast.
By evening, the mansion buzzed with preparations.
Father summoned me to his study for a final word before my departure. He looked at me from behind his desk, his silver eyes as calm as a lake.
“Don’t embarrass me at the Academy,” he said simply. “You’re the future Alpha of this pack. And who knows, you might be the Alpha King of this community too. Just show them why the Silver Wolf Pack is feared. Alright?”
“Yes, Father.” I bowed.
He gave a satisfied nod. “Dismissed.”
I returned to my room, already feeling numb. The stars and moon were already beginning to rise.
Tomorrow, I’d leave everything behind and step into a world built for boys, for someone I was never even supposed to be.
As Lani helped me fold the last of my things into the travel trunk, I whispered, “Do you think I can do it?”
She looked at me and smiled gently. “You already have.”
Of course, her automated response.
I didn’t sleep that night.
I just lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying Mother’s words over and over.
Protect your identity and survive.
Chapter 2 — Royal Wolf Academy
_Zephyr’s POV_
The academy gates were taller than I expected, made of black stone and filled with silver patterns. As the carriage rolled to a stop, I stared at them for a moment, my stomach twisting with nerves.
“Prince Zephyr,” my butler, Garrick, said as he opened the door for me. “We’ve arrived.”
I stepped out, adjusting my cloak and taking in the sprawling grounds. Garrick followed me to the entrance, even though I told him he didn’t need to. He had always been more like an uncle than a servant. I would miss him the most.
“You’re going to be just fine,” he said, his eyes soft. “Be careful. And remember, you’re Prince Zephyr, the bravest boy alive. Always.”
I gave him a small smile and nodded. “Thank you, Garrick. For everything.”
He looked like he wanted to say more, but instead, he just gave me a deep bow and returned to the carriage.
I stood at the doors alone, watching him disappear before turning to face the huge door behind me. The door finally creaked open, a tall woman with forest green eyes and a calm presence stepped out with what looked like a small smile.
“Zephyr, I assume?” she asked.
“Yes, ma’am.” I nodded.
“I am Professor Virella. Head of House Administration and your personal supervisor.”
She didn’t smile, but there was something kind in her tone. She motioned for me to follow her and I followed her inside as she spoke.
“You’ll be in the east wing. A private room was prepared for you, under very specific instructions from your mother, Luna Isolde.”
I tensed, and she must’ve noticed.
“Your secret is safe,” she said simply. “Your mother made me swear an oath. I am bound by my life to protect your identity.”
I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
“You won’t have a roommate. No one will enter your room except me. Change, wash, rest, whatever you need. You’ll be introduced to the rest of the students during the welcome gathering tonight.”
The room was more than I expected. A small bed, a wardrobe, a chest, and a desk by the window. Nothing fancy, but it was private, and very safe.
As soon as the door closed behind me, I ripped off the heavy tunic I was wearing and slowly unwrapped the chest bandage binding my chest. My ribs ached slightly from the tightness, and I stretched my arms with a huge sigh. It always felt like I could breathe again when the cloth came off.
The bathroom was small but warm, and for a while, I let the hot water calm me as I sat inside the tub.
When I stepped out, I dried up quickly and changed into a formal black uniform laid out on the bed. It fit well and helped flatten my breasts a bit, though I knew I’d still have to bind myself again tomorrow.
When the bell rang to signal nightfall, I stood in front of the mirror and tried to steady myself. I’d grown up around guards and warriors, even my father, but this was different. These were young alphas in training. Boys raised to fight, lead, and conquer things.
And here I was, pretending to be one of them.
I dragged in deep breaths to steady my breathing before turning to leave my room.
I walked into the grand hall alone. It was massive, with arched ceilings and torches lighting the walls. Rows of students lined the hall, voices loud and full of energy. My steps echoed as I entered, and slowly, conversations began to quiet.
Professor Virella stood at the front and raised her hand. “Silence, please. I’d like to introduce our newest first-year student. This is Zephyr, Werewolf Prince of the Silver Wolf Pack.”
I stepped forward, keeping my chin up even though my palms were sweating.
A few boys muttered to each other as they watched me.
I caught one of them smirking and whispering, “Prettiest boy I’ve ever seen.”
Another snickered and added, “Let’s hope he can fight better than he looks.”
I bit my tongue and looked away.
Mockery was better than suspicion.
Professor Virella said a few more words and then stepped back, leaving me to find a spot among the crowd. I moved to the side and found a quiet place to stand, until someone nudged my shoulder.
“Hey,” the boy said, smiling. “I’m Elias. Second-year. Stormfang Pack.” he had spectacles on.
I nodded politely. “Zephyr. First-year. Silver Wolf.”
“Nice. You’ll like the academy, it’s strict but solid. But keep your head down, yeah? Not everyone’s friendly.”
I raised a brow at his words. “You mean the teachers?” I couldn't imagine the teachers being mean to students.
He chuckled. “No, not the teachers. It’s the students. Especially the final years. They’re in a league of their own.”
"Oh, I see.” I nodded, trying to end the conversation as fast as possible. This was like the first boy I ever spoke to in my life.
Others were just grown up guards and elders of our pack.
Elias then added, “You really want to avoid Prince Kael as well and his bunch.”
“Prince Kael?” I asked, my interest piqued.
“Kaelen of the Bloodfang Pack. Top of the class and the best final year student. His friends are just as intense, most of them act more like animals than boys.”
I snorted. “Sounds like the usual arrogant types.” Of course they were always in every school.
The few books I read about schools always had the school’s thug in them.
Elias didn’t laugh. His lips formed a thin one instead. “Don’t say that too loud.” he whispered.
“Why not?” I asked, looking around. “I don’t fear anyone. I grew up around warriors. If there’s anyone who won’t scare me, it’s Prince Kael.” I realized I was louder this time when I heard my voice echo in the hall.
The silence that followed was immediate. Elias stared at me, eyes slightly wide in horror.
“What?” I asked, confused… Why was everyone not saying a thing?
And then I felt it.
A presence behind me.
Like a storm waiting to break. The atmosphere shifted. Every other student in the room had gone as silent as a dead body.
Someone even gasped in shock.
I turned slowly, wanting to see who it was.
When I saw him, my jaw almost dropped to the ground. He stood just behind me, tall and composed. His black hair fell slightly over his brow, and his eyes, deep and icy gray eyes, locked onto mine like he already knew everything about me.
Goddess.
Muscles under his uniform flexed slightly as he crossed his arms.
Without being told, I could already guess who he was.
Prince Kael.
Chapter 3 — First Enemy
_Zephyr’s POV_
The silence stretched like a taut wire about to snap. I could feel every pair of eyes in the hall boring into me, but none more intensely than the gray ones directly in front of me.
Prince Kael stood barely three feet away, and up close, he was even more overwhelming than I’d imagined. He towered over me by at least half a foot, his presence filling the space between us like smoke. His school uniform fit him perfectly, emphasizing broad shoulders and a lean, powerful frame.
He didn’t speak immediately. Instead, he tilted his head slightly, studying me with the kind of lazy interest a wolf might show a rabbit that had wandered too close to its den. The corner of his mouth curved upward in what might have been a smile, but there was nothing warm about it.
“Interesting,” he said finally, his voice low and smooth. It carried easily through the silent hall, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. “A pretty boy from nowhere shows up and already wants to pick a fight.”
The way he said ‘pretty’ made heat crawl up my neck. There was something in his tone—not quite mocking, but definitely something. Like he was filing away information for later use.
I forced myself to stand straighter, even though every instinct screamed at me to back away. “I meant what I said.”
His eyebrows rose slightly, and that almost-smile widened. “Did you now?” He began to circle me slowly, and I had to resist the urge to turn and follow his movement. “Tell me, Prince Zephyr of the Silver Wolf Pack, what exactly have you heard about me?”
The question felt like a trap, but I was already too deep to back down. Plus, he already knew who I was and where I came from.
“That you’re the top student. That you’re… Insane.”
“Insane.” He repeated the word like he was tasting it. “How diplomatic of you.” He completed his circle, coming to stand directly in front of me again. “What else?”
I glanced around the room, noting how even the older students had pressed themselves back against the walls, creating a wide circle around us. Elias looked like he wanted to disappear entirely.
“That you and your friends act more like animals than boys,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt.
This time, his smile was real, and it was devastating. It transformed his entire face, making him look younger but somehow more dangerous. “Animals,” he mused. “I suppose that’s not entirely inaccurate.”
He stepped closer, close enough that I could smell his scent, something clean with an underlying warmth that made my pulse quicken. “You see, prince, animals understand hierarchy. They know their place in the pack.” His voice dropped even lower, intimate in a way that made my stomach flutter. “They know when they’re outmatched.”
“I’m not outmatched,” I said, though the words came out weaker than I intended.
“Aren’t you?” He reached out, and for a terrifying moment I thought he was going to touch me. Instead, he plucked an invisible piece of lint from my uniform sleeve, his fingers barely brushing the fabric. Even that small contact sent electricity shooting through me. “You’ve been here less than an hour, and you’re already making claims about things you don’t understand.”
He let his hand drop, but he didn’t step back. If anything, he seemed to lean in slightly, and I caught myself holding my breath.
“I’ve been here for four years,” he continued conversationally. “I’ve never lost a sparring match. I’ve never backed down from a challenge. And I’ve certainly never had a first-year—” his eyes swept over me from head to toe in a way that made my skin burn “—such a delicate first-year, question my reputation to my face.”
The word ‘delicate’ hit me like a physical blow. He was seeing right through my disguise, or close enough to make me panic. I clenched my fists, trying to channel the anger I’d learned to hide behind.
“I’m not delicate,” I snapped.
“No?” He studied my face with those unsettling gray eyes. “Then prove it.”
The challenge hung in the atmosphere between us like a blade. I could feel the weight of everyone’s attention, the shocked silence that had fallen over the entire hall. This was it—the moment where I either backed down and spent the rest of my time here branded as a coward, or…
“Fine,” I said, the word escaping before I could stop it. “How?”
His smile turned predatory. “Training grounds. Tomorrow after morning classes. Full sparring match, no holds barred.” He paused, letting the implications sink in. “In front of the entire school.”
A collective intake of breath rippled through the crowd. Someone behind me whispered, “Is he insane?”
Kael’s eyes never left mine. “What do you say, prince? Are you as brave as you claim, or are you all bark and no bite?”
The mocking endearment made my cheeks burn, but I forced myself to nod. “I accept.”
“Excellent.” He stepped back at last, and I could breathe again. “I do hope you’ll put up more of a fight than the last boy who challenged me. He lasted all of thirty seconds before crying for his mother.”
The casual cruelty in his voice made several students flinch, but he seemed completely unbothered by their reactions. He turned to leave, and I caught sight of his friends—three other boys who looked like they could tear through steel with their bare hands. They’d been watching the entire exchange with expressions ranging from amusement to disbelief.
“Oh, and Zephyr?” Kael paused at the edge of the crowd, not bothering to turn around. “Sweet dreams.”
Then he was gone, his friends trailing behind him like shadows. The moment he disappeared through the doorway, the hall erupted in whispers and shocked murmurs.
I stood frozen in place, my heart racing and my palms sweating. What had I just done? I’d been at this school for less than two hours, and I’d already challenged the most dangerous student to a public fight. A fight I had no chance of winning. A fight that would likely expose every secret I was desperately trying to keep.
Elias appeared at my side, his face pale. “Are you completely out of your mind?” he hissed. “Do you have any idea what you’ve just done?”
I looked around at the faces staring at me—some impressed, some horrified, all of them certain they’d just witnessed my social suicide.
“I think,” I said quietly, “I might have made a terrible mistake.”
But even as the words left my mouth, I couldn’t shake the memory of those gray eyes, or the way my pulse had raced when he’d stood so close. Tomorrow couldn’t come fast enough, and I was terrified to find out why.
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