Chapter 4 A lady can be an alpha

Aria's POV

Lying to my father wasn't the hardest thing I've ever done.

No, the hardest thing was doing it with a straight face while my mother sat beside me, spinning the most elaborate, detailed, Oscar-worthy lie I've ever heard.

"She just needs a break, darling," she said, placing a comforting hand on my father's arm. "You know how restless she's been. She's been training so hard, but she's never seen how other packs live. A visit to my cousin in Silverclaw will be good for her."

I nodded solemnly, as if I were going on some peaceful spiritual retreat instead of sneaking into the most violent, testosterone-filled lycan training school in existence.

Father eyed me suspiciously. "Silverclaw?" He frowned. "You've never cared about that pack before."

I shrugged. "Well, I do now."

Why is your hair shorter, he asked raising his brows. I just gave a shrug and gave him a dirty smile.

She just wants something different and new, my mom chopped in.

And her her, my father asked again. Alpha come on, this is my life.. the question are getting irritating, I said already getting tired of everything.

He studied me for a long moment, then sighed heavily. "Fine. But you take two guards with you."

My mother immediately protested, placing a hand on her chest like he'd just suggested feeding me to rabid wolves. "Two guards? Do you think our daughter is weak?"

Nice one, Mom. Father narrowed his eyes. "I never said that."

"Then what is the issue?" she pressed. "Silverclaw is peaceful. My cousin will take good care of her. Besides, Aria needs to learn independence."

Father hesitated, looking between the two of us, then finally sighed again. "Fine. She goes alone. But if anything happens, I want to hear about it immediately."

I forced a grateful smile. "Of course, Father."

And just like that, we were free.

The journey to the Lycan Academy was long, and I spent most of it trying not to panic, or throw up, or rethink every single life decision that led me to this moment.

Mother and I traveled in secrecy, disguised in thick cloaks. Well, she was disguised. I was fully dressed as my new identity.... Ari Silverclaw, a hopeful young warrior from a distant pack. My mother had even forged documents for me, just in case someone decided to get nosy.

When we finally arrived at the Academy gates, Mother walked ahead confidently, keeping her veil low to hide her identity, while I tried my best to look like a brooding, mysterious young Alpha-in-training.

Which was hard, considering I tripped over my own boot the second we reached the front desk.

"Idiot," Mother hissed under her breath, grabbing my arm to steady me.

The man at the registration table raised an eyebrow, glancing between us. "Name?"

Mother cleared her throat. "Ari Silverclaw," she said smoothly. "Son of... Lord Vincent of Silverclaw."

I kept my face neutral, even though I'd never heard of a Lord Vincent in my life.

The man eyed me for a second. "Age?"

"Ninety Nine," I answered.

"Papers?"

Mother slid the forged documents across the table. The man scanned them, then frowned slightly.

I held my breath. He glanced at me again. "You look a little..." He hesitated. "Small for a future Alpha."

Mother tightened her grip on my arm.

I forced a low, confident chuckle and deepened my voice. "That's because I haven't had my final shift yet."

He raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

I nodded, doing my best to look like a young wolf just waiting to unleash his full power. "It'll happen any day now."

For a second, I thought we were caught.

Then, the man gave a short nod. "Fine. You're in." He stamped my papers, handing them back. "Welcome to the Lycan Academy, Silverclaw."

Mother let out a barely audible sigh of relief.

I almost collapsed.

Once we were safely away from the desk, my mother grabbed my shoulders and glared at me.

"What in the Moon Goddess' name was that?" she whispered sharply.

I blinked. "What?"

She lowered her voice. "You nearly blew our cover."

I scowled. "How was I supposed to know he'd comment on my size? I'm supposed to be a ninety-nine-year-old boy. Not a bodybuilder."

She sighed. "Just be careful. You have to act like you belong here. Confidence is everything", Aria.

I nodded, swallowing hard. "Right." She gave me one last once-over, then softened slightly. "You're going to be fine."

I nodded again, even though I wasn't sure if I believed it.

She glanced toward the massive training grounds ahead. "Before I go, you need to know something."

I frowned. "What is it?"

She lowered her voice, eyes scanning the area like she expected someone to be listening. "The Stormbane Pack."

I blinked. "What about them?"

She met my gaze, dead serious. "They're the strongest pack in all the wolf clans. They don't just produce Alphas. They produce legends."

"And their heir..." She exhaled. "Caspian Stormbane."

The name sent a chill down my spine. I'd never met him, but I'd heard the stories. Everyone had.

Caspian Stormbane wasn't just any a maybe future Alpha. He was the future Alpha. He is powerful, undefeated in every fight he'd ever been in.

I swallowed. "You think he'll be a problem?"

Mother gave me a knowing look. "Aria. This is his domain. Everyone in that school will be fighting to prove themselves, but him? He doesn't need to. He already has the reputation, the power, the bloodline. This is his kingdom."

I shivered. She placed a firm hand on my shoulder. "Be careful. Do not make an enemy of him."

I nodded quickly, even though something about her words made me uneasy.

It wasn't just that he was powerful.

It was that, sooner or later... I was going to have to face him.

And when that moment came, I wasn't sure if I'd survive it.

Mother let go of my shoulder, her face full of pity. "I have to go now. This is your journey from here on out."

I exhaled, forcing my nerves down. "I know."

She hesitated. Then, in a rare moment of softness, she reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear. "Be smart. Be strong. And whatever happens..." She gave me a small smile. "Remember who you are."

I nodded. "I will."

She pulled her veil back down, and without another word, she turned and disappeared into the shadows.

Leaving me standing at the gates of the Lycan Academy all alone.

I took a deep breath. This is it.

If I wanted to be Alpha, this was the price I had to pay.

I squared my shoulders, adjusted my bag and luggages then stepped forward.

It is time to prove that I can be an Alpha. Even if I had to lie to every single person here to do it.