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tone. The sharp scent of damp earth and stale air filled my nostrils, making me realize I was no longer in my cell. A dim, orange glow filtered through th

weak, and my legs, when I tried to move them, gave way beneath me. I collapsed to the ground, my palms slamming

urned with thirst, and I reached for it with trembling hands, greedily bringing the liquid to my lip

ld react, the wooden door banged open with a thud. The morning air was cool against my

him, a few guards lingered at the entrance, their expressions unreadable, their presence suffocating. I tr

choing off the walls. His rage was barely

er arms were crossed as she leaned against the wooden frame, completely at ease with my suffe

ne, a storm brewing in their depths. "You t

I struggled to form words. "I.

ons through the floor. He knelt before me, gripping m

breath warm against my skin. "You will le

in my eyes, but he only chuckled da

e ordered, his voi

winced. One of them threw a crumpled prisoner's uniform at m

es. The werewolves were kept separate from the Weraravens and the Lycans, but even so, I could feel the tension thick

ies, damp earth, and something more bitter-the scent of suffering. The whispers of the other prisoners barely reached my e

my battered body. The material was scratchy against my bruised skin, a constant reminder of my humiliation and defeat.

ore me. My throat was dry, my body aching for relief. Against my better judgment, I lifted the glas

mockery of what a school was supposed to be. Here, the lines between discipline and cruelty blurred beyond recognition. Students shuffled about in identical uniforms: the wolves clad in brown short-sleeved button-ups an

wounds that had barely begun to heal. The Lycan in charge of attendanc

arked, tapping a clip

fore bowing my head in subm

ere I hesitated, as if waiting for an excuse to punish me. Then, without wa

rs dug into my skin, and I gritted m

rmured, avoiding

ing a worn-out book into my hands. "Next ti

g. As I walked, whispers followed in my wake. The stares of my fellow students felt like daggers piercing my sk

The uniform I had been given barely covered anything, and the chill in the air sent shivers down my spine. I clenched my fis

he scent of woodsmoke and leather flooded my senses, causing me to freeze in place. Alpha

e going, Adolfa?" His voi

. "To the priso

"I see you're finally learning

my throat and kept my

oulder. I fought the urge to flinch as he tilted

chances." His fingers brushed over the injury on my

he urge to show pain. I refuse

l as defiant as ever, Adolfa. I d

f, his heavy boots echoing down the corridor. Mavi watched

ive, I had to be smart. I had to be pati