Finn’s jacket hung heavy on my shoulders as I slipped into the dorm, my heart still hammering. The fabric scratched against the binding beneath my torn shirt—*too close, too close*. I leaned against the door, sucking in a shaky breath.

“Aiden?” Finn whispered, sitting up in his bunk. “Are you okay?”

“Fine,” I lied, yanking the jacket tighter. “Just need to fix my shirt.”

He scrambled down, rummaging through his trunk. “Here.” He tossed me a plain gray tunic. “It’s too big for me anyway.”

I caught it, nodding thanks. My hands trembled as I changed behind the room’s flimsy privacy screen.

“Jaxon’s been asking questions,” Finn said quietly. “About the fight. About… your *shirt*.”

I froze. “What’d you tell him?”

“That you’ve got scars from a rogue attack. That you’re sensitive about it.” Finn’s voice wavered. “He didn’t believe me.”

“Good enough.” I stepped out, adjusting the tunic. The binding felt tighter than ever.

Finn frowned. “You’re turning blue. Loosen it.”

“Can’t.” I grabbed my water flask, avoiding his eyes. “Not until lights out.”

A knock rattled the door.

“Aiden.” Headmaster Thorn’s voice. “My office. Now.”

---

Thorn’s office smelled of pine and iron. Maps of pack territories covered the walls, and a wolf pelt lay draped over his chair. He didn’t look up as I entered, scribbling notes on parchment.

“You fought well today,” he said finally. “Unconventional, but effective.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Where did you train before Ironclaw?”

“My father taught me,” I said, careful to keep my voice low, steady.

Thorn set down his quill. “Your father. The rogue attack.”

My throat tightened. “Yes.”

“And your mother?”

“She’s a healer.” *Not a lie. Just not the whole truth.*

He leaned back, studying me. “You’re hiding something, Aiden.”

Ice shot through my veins. “Sir?”

Before he could reply, the door burst open.

“Headmaster!” A panting recruit staggered in. “Rogues—sighted near the eastern ridge!”

Thorn stood, all business. “Sound the alarms. Aiden, with me.”

---

The forest was a blur as we raced toward the ridge. Thorn led the pack, his wolf form a streak of silver. I ran beside Finn, my human legs struggling to keep pace.

“Shift, Aiden!” Thorn barked over his shoulder.

*Shit.*

“I—I can’t, sir!” I shouted back. “Injury from the trials!”

He growled but didn’t argue.

We skidded to a halt at the ridge. Below, three rogues tore into a deer carcass. Thorn snarled, signaling the pack to flank them.

“Aiden, Finn—stay back!”

But a rogue lunged before the order finished. I shoved Finn aside, barely dodging its claws.

“Aiden, *move*!” Finn yelled.

The rogue circled me, saliva dripping from its fangs. I grabbed a fallen branch, swinging hard. It connected with the rogue’s skull—*crack*. The beast whimpered, retreating.

Thorn’s wolves finished the others quickly. He shifted back, human eyes blazing. “You disobeyed a direct order.”

“You said stay back,” I said, chest heaving. “Didn’t say *don’t defend yourself*.”

A muscle twitched in his jaw. “Report to the infirmary. Now.”

---

The infirmary reeked of herbs and blood. Kael waited inside, arms crossed. “Heard you played hero.”

“Don’t start,” I muttered, collapsing onto a cot.

He tossed me a salve jar. “For the binding rash. And don’t say ‘I’m fine.’ You look like corpse.”

I caught it grudgingly. “Why are you here?”

“Your mom sent supplies. And a warning.” He lowered his voice. “Cyrus is asking about you. Says he’s ‘curious’ about the new top recruit.”

The salve turned to lead in my hands. “What’d you tell him?”

“That you’re a moody brat who bites.” Kael’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Be careful, Aria. He’s not like Jaxon. He’s *smart*.”

The door creaked open. Finn hovered awkwardly. “Headmaster wants you rested for tomorrow’s hunt.”

Kael stood, clapping my shoulder. “Play nice, *Aiden*.”

---

That night, I lay awake, Finn’s snores muffled by the thin dorm wall. Moonlight sliced through the window, glinting on the salve jar.

A floorboard creaked.

I sat up, knife in hand. “Who’s there?”

“Such paranoia.” Cyrus leaned against the doorframe, smirking. “Relax. I’m just here to talk.”

“Get out.”

“Or what? You’ll scream?” He stepped closer, voice slick as oil. “I wonder… would they come running for *Aiden*? Or would they find someone… *else*?”

My blood turned to ice. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t you?” He flicked the salve jar. “Binding’s a nasty business. My sister tried it once. Nearly suffocated.”

I lunged, knife at his throat. “Say another word, and I’ll—”

He grabbed my wrist, twisting until the blade clattered to the floor. “You’ll what? Kill me? Then who’ll keep your secret?”

I glared, silent.

“Smart girl.” He released me, straightening his coat. “We’ll talk again. When you’re… *calmer*.”

He vanished into the shadows.

Finn stirred. “Aiden? You okay?”

I scooped up the knife, hands shaking. “Bad dream. Go back to sleep.”

But sleep didn’t come.