Chapter 2 (Aries & Ezrina)

“Hey, you wolf… let me up already. I’ll be late for academy.”

Aries refused to move. Instead, the massive silver wolf pressed himself more heavily across Ezrina’s legs, pretending to sleep while cold morning rain echoed softly through the abandoned chapel. The ruined stained-glass windows above them allowed pale morning light to spill across old blankets scattered over the stone floor. Ezrina groaned weakly beneath him, fingers pushing uselessly against thick silver fur.

“Chunky!”

‘No.’

‘Stay here.’

Her fingers slipped absently into the fur around his neck while trying to shove him away. A fatal mistake. His wolf nearly melted instantly beneath the touch.

‘…five more minutes.’
‘Actually the academy sounds unnecessary altogether.’

Ezrina sighed sleepily while reddish-brown hair fell messily across her face. Still warm from sleep. Still smelling like rain and smoke and home.

Aries opened one blue eye silently, watching her struggle beneath him with absolutely no intention of helping. After all, this was technically her fault. She had raised him with affection. Now she had to deal with the consequences.

“Okk… I’ll bring you good food later, c’mon now…”

One blue eye opened immediately. Traitorous. Ezrina laughed softly beneath him while the giant silver wolf finally lifted his head from her stomach with obvious reluctance. The moment she scratched behind his ears absentmindedly, the last traces of resistance disappeared completely.

Pathetic.

Absolutely pathetic.

A terrifying wolf capable of making grown werewolves uneasy, bribed into obedience with food and affection.

“There’s my good boy.”

‘…’

‘This relationship has become spiritually humiliating.’

And somehow, his tail still betrayed him by thumping once against the blankets.

Traitor.

Ezrina pushed herself upright slowly while the oversized wolf remained pressed against her side possessively. Cold morning air drifted through the ruined chapel as pale light filtered through shattered stained-glass windows above them.

“You’ve gotten clingier lately,” she murmured sleepily.

‘Wrong.’
‘You simply leave too often.’

His gaze followed her movements carefully while she gathered her things around the chapel.

Training clothes.

Old books.

Bandages.

And finally, the extra food she always saved for him first. Even now. Even after entering the prestigious Moonveil Academy. Even after finally gaining recognition from the outside world. She still thought about him before herself. Ezrina crouched beside him afterward, carefully unwrapping the cloth holding pieces of dried meat before placing them in front of the giant wolf.

“Eat properly while I’m gone, okay?”

Meanwhile Aries internally:

‘You say that like I’m incapable of hunting.’
‘…keep talking.’

Her fingers brushed softly through the fur near his neck one final time before she stood up. The same warmth settled heavily inside Aries’ chest again. The same warmth that had ruined him twelve years ago beneath a storm. Meanwhile Ezrina remained completely unaware that the giant wolf staring at her looked one inconvenience away from personally destroying the academy if anyone upset her today.

…

First Day at Moonveil Academy

The first morning Ezrina left for Moonveil Academy felt strangely unreal.

For years, the academy had existed only in stories whispered among wandering wolves. A place meant for gifted heirs and powerful bloodlines. Not someone like her. Yet there she was.

To be continued~