Chapter 74 Chapter 74
Harper’s POV
The girls were looking at me with wide eyes, the three of us huddled together on a log near the edge of the bonfire pit while the rest of the camp buzzed with nervous energy after the growl and the sudden rush into the lodge. The firelight danced across their faces, highlighting Catherine’s curious expression and Sarah’s mischievous grin.
“So, when were you going to tell us that the twins were your brothers?” Catherine asked, her voice a mix of shock and excitement.
I laughed nervously, rubbing the back of my neck.
“Woah, that’s really awesome,” Sarah chimed in. “Having the most popular duo in school as your brothers? That’s like having built-in protection and drama all in one package.”
“I know, right?” Catherine chirped, leaning closer. “Kai’s the nice one, and Koda… well, he’s intense. But still, family!”
I shifted uncomfortably on the log, the wood digging into my thighs.
“Well, I was going to tell you,” I said, keeping my voice low so no one else could hear. “But I didn’t want students finding out about it. At first, I didn’t accept it when my mother married the Alpha King. It felt… wrong. Like I was intruding on their family. I kept it quiet because I didn’t want the attention or the questions.”
Sarah raised an eyebrow.
“What do you mean you don’t accept it? Do you know how many people would kill to be in your position? Living in the Alpha’s house, having those two as stepbrothers? That’s basically royalty in our world.”
Catherine nodded vigorously.
“Exactly. You’re basically pack royalty now.”
I shrugged, looking down at my hands.
“It’s complicated. The whole situation with Koda… it’s not as simple as it looks.”
Catherine leaned in, lowering her voice.
“Wait, Molly doesn’t even know her former crush is your brother.”
Sarah chuckled.
“You mean still crush on. She’s just using Ryan as a way of getting her way. She actually still likes Koda — that’s why she’s so mad at Harper.”
Harper blinked.
“How do you know?”
Sarah tapped the side of her head with a knowing smile.
“I can tell. Witches’ senses, I guess.”
Catherine and I looked at her strangely for a second, then all three of us burst into quiet laughter, the tension from the night easing just a little.
“Everyone gather round!” the head counselor’s voice boomed across the lodge.
The students slowly quieted and moved closer, forming a loose circle around the central area where the head counselor — a stern, middle-aged wolf named Elder Garrick — stood with a lantern in hand.
“You guys saw what happened yesterday night,” he said, his voice grave. “So I trust you all will stay clear of the forest and always go in groups at night. No wandering alone after dark. The woods are not safe right now.”
He paused, scanning the crowd.
“Anyway, with that all said… welcome to camp. For a week we’re going to be testing abilities and helping people unlock their powers. Freshen up, lads. We have a long day today.”
The students murmured in agreement, some already heading toward their assigned cabins to unpack or rest.
Harper glanced around, her eyes searching for The One in the crowd, but he was nowhere to be seen. A small pang of worry twisted in her chest.
Catherine nudged her.
“Come on, let’s get settled. Tomorrow’s going to be interesting.”
Harper nodded, forcing a smile.
“Yeah… interesting.”
But as she followed her friends toward the cabins, the memory of the black tear on The One’s cheek and the growl in the forest lingered in her mind.
The camp had only just begun.
And she had a feeling the real test was still coming.
—
I woke up to the warm morning sun shining directly on my face, its golden light filtering through the thin fabric of the tent. I groaned softly, turning over in my sleeping bag and burying my face deeper into the pillow, trying to steal a few more minutes of sleep. The camp had been exhausting already, and my body still ached from the events of the previous night.
“Harper, get up! We’re gonna be late!” Catherine’s voice cut through the haze, bright and insistent.
I groaned again, shifting my position in a stubborn attempt to ignore her.
Then, without warning, a cold splash of water poured down on my head and shoulders.
I shot upright with a sharp gasp, eyes flying open, water dripping from my hair and soaking my shirt. Catherine stood frozen in front of me, bucket still in hand, looking stunned. Behind her, Molly stood with a smug grin, arms crossed, her girls Claudia and Amy snickering beside her.
“Not gonna have any lazy bones letting me get to the camp ground late,” Molly said sweetly, dropping the empty bucket onto my sleeping bag with a wet thud. “My darling Ryan is waiting for me.”
She flipped her hair and walked away with her crew, their laughter trailing behind them like poison.
Catherine’s mouth fell open.
“Are you alright?” she asked, rushing forward with a towel.
I pushed my wet hair behind my ear, water dripping down my neck. I scoffed, anger flashing in my eyes.
“I’m gonna kill that bitch,” I muttered, standing up and shaking off the excess water.
Catherine helped me dry off as best she could.
“Harper, don’t. She’s not worth it. We’ll deal with her later.”
I nodded, but the irritation lingered as I quickly freshened up, changing into dry clothes and tying my damp hair back. I joined the other girls outside the tent, where the camp teacher — Miss Elara, a strict but fair wolf — was already gathering everyone.
“Finally, the maid decided to show,” Molly mocked loudly as I approached, her girls laughing on cue.
Miss Elara shot Molly a sharp look.
“Alright, girls, that’s enough,” she said firmly. “We’re going to meet the boys at the training ground. Stay together and keep up.”
Everyone followed her along the marked path through the woods. The morning air was crisp, birds singing overhead, but my mind was still on Molly’s petty attack. When we arrived at the training ground — a large open field with wooden obstacles, sparring mats, and targets — I immediately spotted Kai and Koda talking to each other.
It was weird.
Koda rarely talked to Kai like that — especially not with that relaxed posture. But I knew it was The One wearing his skin. The One didn’t usually bother with casual conversation with Kai.
Then Koda saw me.
He waved, a small smile on his face.
I blinked, confused.
Why was he smiling like that?
The head counselor stepped forward, clapping his hands to get everyone’s attention.
“Today we start with sparring!” he announced. “We’ll pair two girls and two boys for demonstration matches to show how different abilities can work together — or against each other.”
He looked down at his list.
“First pair: Koda Blackthorn and Ryan.”
Ryan grinned widely, cracking his knuckles.
“Go Ryan!” Molly cheered from the sidelines, her girls joining in with loud claps.
Koda sighed a little, stepping onto the mat.
The match began.
Ryan moved first — fast and aggressive. He launched a powerful roundhouse kick that connected solidly with Koda’s side, sending him crashing to the ground with a heavy thud.
“No!” Kai hissed from the sidelines, his face tight with worry.
Students expressed disappointment, murmuring among themselves as Koda lay on the mat.
“Get up, loser!” Ryan mocked, his boys laughing loudly while Molly and her girls cheered.
Koda groaned on the ground, slowly pushing himself up on one elbow.
My eyes widened.
This shouldn’t be happening.
You couldn’t just knock down The One with a single kick.
What’s going on?
Could it be… Koda?
My heart skipped a beat.
The real Koda — fighting for control?
Koda suddenly stood up, causing the students around the training ground to gasp in surprise. The air was thick with tension, the morning sun beating down on the open field as everyone watched the sparring match between him and Ryan.
“Is that all you’ve got?” Koda scoffed, his voice low and mocking. I could see his eyes twitch, the black in them trying to push through, fighting for control.
Ryan smirked, rolling his shoulders.
“Nope.”
He lunged forward again, faster this time, throwing a series of punches and kicks. Koda blocked most of them with sharp, precise movements, but one solid hit landed in his gut. He doubled over, coughing up a small amount of blood.
“Woah,” the students murmured, a mix of shock and disappointment rippling through the crowd.
Ryan straightened, grinning triumphantly.
“You see? I told you guys I was way better than this Blackthorn. They’re nothing but shit.”
“Oh, shut it,” Kai muttered from the sidelines, his fists clenched.
Ryan turned to him with a sneer.
“Just keep quiet and watch how I destroy your brother.”
“Remember, guys, this is just training,” the female counselor called out, her voice firm but uneasy. “Don’t take it too personal.”
Ryan’s smirk widened. He brought out his claws, the sharp tips glinting in the sunlight.
“Now let’s make this interesting.”
Molly walked over to me, her hips swaying with that familiar arrogant stride. She stopped right in front of me, shoving my shoulder hard enough to make me stumble back a step.
“How do you feel seeing your pathetic boyfriend getting beat up?” she sneered, her voice loud enough for the nearby students to hear.
I clenched my fists.
No.
I couldn’t let this happen — whether it was training or not.
“The One,” I suddenly shouted, my voice cutting through the noise.
People turned to look at me, eyes wide with confusion, some whispering that I was crazy.
“The One, come out,” I said again, not caring about the stares.
Koda turned his head toward me.
I nodded, smiling at him — small, encouraging, trusting.
“The One,” I muttered once more.
Ryan scoffed.
“What a freak,” he said, then turned back to attack Koda.
But Koda caught his hand mid-swing, holding it in a vice-like grip.
He looked at Ryan, and his eyes flashed red — bright, dangerous, unmistakable.
The entire training ground went silent.
Ryan’s smirk faltered.
Koda’s grip tightened.
The red in his eyes burned brighter.
And I knew — The One was here.