Eila had just submitted her completed parchment to the examiner, who was still blinking in disbelief at her flawless answers. She gave him a polite nod and stepped out of the room, her chest rising with pride—and nerves. One challenge was done. But the day was far from over.
Lunch break had begun, and in two and a half hours, the second part of the entrance evaluation—the physical and magical trial—would commence.
The pack house had taken full responsibility for hosting the day's event, including meals for all candidates and university officials. It was a matter of great prestige. Alpha Magnus and Luna Priscilla took personal pride in this collaboration with Moonshine University, eager to showcase the strength and hospitality of one of the wealthiest and most powerful packs in the world.
But Eila wasn't hungry.
Her stomach churned with anticipation and unease. Instead of heading to the banquet hall, she wandered toward the East Wing Library. The familiar scent of parchment, ink, and old bindings was the only thing that could soothe her nerves. She longed for the calm and silence the library always offered.
As she passed a stone corridor, she noticed a half-open window near the old warrior trainer's office—now repurposed as a temporary examination office for the visiting officials. She would have walked by without a second thought, but then a sharp whisper caught her attention.
"A Varium, you say?"
The name sent a jolt through her body. Her wolf, Sera, stirred immediately. You heard that too, Sera whispered in her mind, her tone alert. Get closer, Eila.
Eila hesitated—but only for a heartbeat. She crept toward the edge of the window, careful to keep herself hidden beneath its ledge. Her heart pounded in her ears as she strained to hear more.
Inside, a woman's voice, firm and laced with irritation, continued.
"That brute of a man opened the Veil," she hissed. "Those vile creatures were sealed for good, and now they're slipping back through. We warned them centuries ago—never tamper with dimensional boundaries."
Eila recognized the name spoken next: Violet.
She was one of the senior magical historians visiting from the capital. The man speaking beside her—Aron—was a defense tactician, also from the University.
"They're gathering an army," Aron said grimly. "Something old, something dark. They're looking for beings with extraordinary abilities—rare ones. That's why we're seeing attacks across multiple territories. They're targeting anyone who could be useful to them. This pack was attacked not long ago, too."
Eila's breath caught in her throat.
She clenched her fists at her sides, trying to make sense of what she had just heard. So the Varium didn't act alone… Someone opened the Veil on purpose. And they're recruiting. Or worse—hunting.
Then, a low bell echoed across the compound—three slow chimes. The signal for the end of the written exams and the final call to assemble for the afternoon trials.
Inside the office, the conversation went silent.
Eila didn't wait for more. She stepped away from the window and resumed her pace, trying to look as casual and innocent as possible, though her heart still thundered.
But then—
"Eila!"
She froze mid-step.
The voice had come from behind.
Her thoughts spiraled in panic. They heard me. I've been caught. Her blood turned cold. What would they do to someone caught eavesdropping on University examiners? She had no idea, but the possibilities were far from comforting.
Slowly, she turned around.