Chapter 2

EMAL

The large metal ball in the center of the castle yard has already been struck by the guards on early morning patrol. The deep echo reverberates through the walls, marking the start of another day. I sit up sluggishly, rubbing the sleep from my eyes before dragging myself to the bathroom to freshen up.

Stepping under the shower, I let the cold-water cascade over me, hoping it will wash away the thoughts pressing down on my chest. My father’s words echo in my mind.

"You will be more than others. In fact, you must be!"

I clench my jaw, gripping the edges of the sink as the memory cuts through me. No matter how much I try to ignore it, the truth remains—I am nothing in this pack. A weakling. An embarrassment. An Alpha heir with no powers.

If only I could do something to change that. If only I could feel my wolf. Do I even have one? Every werewolf connects with their wolf at a certain age, but mine remains silent. Others communicate with theirs before they even come of age, yet I hear nothing. Not a whisper, not a sign—nothing.

What am I?

I exhale sharply, forcing my thoughts away. Today is another day. Another battle to fight. Another reason to keep enduring.

Exiting the bathroom, I dry myself off. After drying off, I dress at a sluggish pace, lacking any enthusiasm. What’s the point? No matter what I do, the day will end the same—humiliation, whispers behind my back, and the ever-present feeling of being unwanted.

A glance at the silver-colored clock on my wall tells me it’s already past eight. I should be on my way to school by now, but I hesitate. The last time I was there, I returned home bruised and broken. My father refused to let me go back for a while, not because he was concerned about me, but because it was a disgrace to him. An Alpha’s son beaten and humiliated in front of others? Unacceptable.

Just as I am about to leave my room, a familiar voice calls out.

"Emal, come down for breakfast."

Matilda. My only sister. The only one in this family who doesn’t look down on me. But even she has to be careful. Associating with me too much would make her a target, and she knows it.

Before I can respond, she pushes the door open and steps inside.

"Good morning, sis," I mumble.

She doesn’t reply with words. Instead, she wraps her arms around me, hugging me so tightly it feels as though she’s trying to protect me from the world.

I appreciate her kindness, but it’s not enough. One person in a sea of hatred is still drowning.

"Mum made breakfast," she says, pulling away. "I heard you're going back to school today. Let’s eat before we leave."

Without waiting for a response, she grabs my hand and pulls me toward the dining room.

Our family’s dining hall is the largest in the castle, as expected of the ruling Alpha’s household. Each royal family residing here has their own dining space, but ours stands out. Yet, despite its grandeur, it always feels empty.

"My baby," my mother coos as she approaches, cupping my cheek in her palm.

As the youngest pup, she rarely calls me by my name. But I don’t know if the emotions in her eyes are love, pity, or regret. There was a time I thought she loved me but couldn’t show it because of her role as Luna. But as the years passed, I wasn’t so sure anymore.

"Mum, let him eat," Matilda interrupts, guiding me to my seat.

She wastes no time serving my food, always moving always fast with everything as if she's being chased. I guess that's one of her powers and abilities. Maybe that’s just how she is. Maybe that’s one of her abilities.

Ten minutes later, I finish eating, though Matilda is already done before me—another one of her habits. The table is emptier than usual, only the three of us instead of seven. The others, as expected, are nowhere to be seen.

Darius is probably tangled up with some girl, Shawl is likely doing something equally reckless, and Xander… well, who knows? I don’t even bother wondering about my father.

*

*

Matilda and I leave the castle, making our way to school. The journey is short, but my feet feel heavier the closer we get. Standing before the massive gate, I pause, staring at the engraved name above the entrance.

"LORD FORLOCK COLLEGE"

The school of elites. The best in Alacia. The place where wealth determines status, and strength determines respect. A school where werewolves dominate, but humans and other unknown beings walk the halls as well. Any other school in the kingdom are considered starters and unstandardized. Of course, except for the pack academy which I would start anytime soon.

"Aren't you going in?" Matilda asks, tapping my shoulder.

"I will…" I reply, but my voice lacks conviction.

She smiles knowingly. "Trust me, I'm always here for you. And you will overcome this."

We bump fists before parting ways. She heads toward her class, and I finally step through the gates. The moment I enter, I feel them. The stares. The whispers.

The morning roll call has just ended, and everyone turns their attention toward me. I force my feet forward, keeping my head down as I move quickly toward my classroom.

I barely make it to my seat located at the far end of the class before the mockery begins.

"Oh, the future Alpha finally deems it fit to attend school," Blake taunts. The girls giggle on cue, eager to stay on his good side. That is the only thing they are good at. They would never want to offend him.

I ignore them, reaching into my locker for a book to read before the teacher would come in for the first class. Maybe if I keep my head down, they’ll get bored and leave me alone.

But I should know better. Ignoring them never worked.

Blake strides toward me, snatching the book from my hands before tossing it to the floor. He stomps on it, smirking as he watches for my reaction.

I tighten my jaw, clenching my fists beneath the desk. I can’t afford to react. Not to him. Not to anyone.

Blake isn’t just another student—he’s from one of the five royal families of the pack. If I fight back and things escalate, it won’t just be a schoolyard brawl. It’ll be another excuse for the other royal families to turn against mine.

And that is a war my father cannot afford to lose.

So, I stay silent.

But inside, I am screaming.