Aria’s POV

I had no idea when I finally passed out last night. One moment, I was rolling around on the bed, overthinking my entire life, and the next, I was waking up to soft morning light slipping through the curtains.

For a moment, I forgot where I was.

The unfamiliar ceiling. The soft, luxurious bed,way better than the one I had back home. And then it hit me like a rogue wolf barreling through the woods.

I was in the Stormbane Pack’s Academy. And worst of all?

I was Caspian Stormbane’s new trainee and roommate.

The same guy my mother had warned me about, the same guy who could probably snap my neck in his sleep.

I groaned and pulled the blanket over my face. Maybe if I stayed hidden long enough, I could disappear into the mattress and avoid whatever horrible fate awaited me today.

Then something else hit me, Caspian wasn’t here.

His bed was empty. Oh, thank the moon goddess.

This was my chance, I needed a bath. I was exhausted last night and completely skipped it. Now I smelled like dried sweat and regret, and honestly? That wasn’t how I wanted to start my first official day here.

I grabbed some clothes and hurried into the bathroom.

The academy’s bathroom was way fancier than anything I was used to. The floor was made of polished black marble, and there was an actual glass shower, not just a small tub and bucket.

I wasted no time, stripping and stepping under the warm water. For the first time since coming here, I felt a little bit of peace.

Of course, peace never lasted long in my life.

After drying off, I grabbed the bandages I had stuffed in my bag and began wrapping my chest.

It wasn’t the most comfortable thing in the world, but I had to do it. If anyone found out I was a girl, this whole plan would be over before it even started.

I was halfway through securing the wrap when…

BANG!

The bathroom door swung open

I didn’t even think. My body reacted before my brain caught up.

I slammed the door shut so hard I heard a dull thud and a very annoyed grunt from the other side.

“…Did you just hit me with a door?”

Oh, no Caspian, Of course it was him

I pressed my back against the door, heart hammering in my chest. “You walked in on me!”

“This is my room too,” he replied, his voice calm. Almost amused.

I swallowed hard, trying to keep my male voice. “Ever heard of knocking?”

“I wasn’t expecting you to be in my bathroom.”

I bit my lip. Technically, it was his bathroom, too, but that didn’t mean he could just barge in unannounced!

“Just.. just go away,” I said, tightening the bandages and grabbing my shirt.

There was a long pause.

“…Fine.”

I let out a relieved sigh when I heard his footsteps moving away. Thank the moon goddess.

I quickly pulled on my clothes, making sure everything was secure and in place. No sign of curves, no suspicion. I had barely exhaled when I reached for the door handle…

And froze.

Because Caspian was right there. Inside, and he was tanding next to me.

Not outside the bathroom but Inside the freaking bathroom.

I nearly choked on air.

“How.. How did you…?!” I stammered, pressing myself against the wall.

He smirked, a slow smirk. “I have my ways.”

Oh… no.

He had teleported.

I had heard rumors that the Stormbane Pack’s future Alpha had unique abilities, but I never expected him to use them like this.

My heart pounded as my mind raced. Did he see anything?

I had been fast, but had I been fast enough?

Did he notice anything strange?

Did he suspect…?

No. No way.

If he knew I was a girl, he would’ve said something by now. He wouldn’t just stand there smirking like an arrogant jerk.

Right?

“Are you serious?!” I finally managed to get out, shoving him hard. “You teleported into the bathroom?!”

He tilted his head slightly. “Technically, I phased through space.”

“I don’t care what you call it! You just broke, like, a million personal space rules!”

He just shrugged. “Not my problem.”

I shoved past him and bolted out of the bathroom before he could say anything else.

I didn’t stop running until I reached the cafeteria.

I needed food and peace, and a good distance from a certain teleporting lunatic.

The dining hall was buzzing with students, but I didn’t care. I grabbed a tray, piled it with food, and found a seat in the farthest corner.

If I was lucky, I wouldn’t have to see Caspian for the rest of the day.

That was the plan.

Until a guy walked up to me and dropped an envelope onto my tray.

I blinked. “What’s this?” He smirked. “From Caspian Stormbane.”

I stared at the envelope like it was cursed and slowly, I opened it. Inside was a single piece of paper.

A training schedule, and one simple instruction.

MEET ME AT NOON.

I groaned and let my head drop onto the table. I lifted my head slowly, staring at the paper again.

Something wasn’t right.

There was no training scheduled for today, at least, not according to the training roster that I was given to and I had already kinda memorized it . So why was he calling me in?

Did he see something? Did he suspect something?

 I tried to push the thought away. Maybe this was just some kind of power move. Maybe he just wanted to mess with me for slamming the door in his face.

But what if it wasn’t?

What if I hadn’t been fast enough in the bathroom?

I chewed on my lower lip, tapping my fingers against the table.

Caspian did smirked at me like he knew something. But then again, he always had that insufferable, arrogant smirk. That didn’t necessarily mean anything… right?

I exhaled sharply and shoved a forkful of eggs into my mouth.

Overthinking wouldn’t help me now. I’d just have to show up and play it cool.

 Damnnnn, things are already getting complicated on my first day.