Chapter 24

Chapter 24
## Elara's POV

Violet and I circled each other on the training mats, our movements precise and controlled. Since obtaining my wolf form, my reflexes had sharpened considerably, making our sparring sessions more challenging for my Omega friend.

"Your movements are different," Violet observed, ducking beneath my sweeping kick. "More fluid."

I smiled, savoring the new connection between my body and instincts. "Anna has changed everything. It's like I've been fighting with only half my abilities until now."

Our concentration broke at the sound of the training room door slamming shut. A harsh laugh echoed through the space, followed by the click of expensive heels against the polished floor.

"Ugh, look what the wolf dragged in. A slut and her Omega."

Isolde stood before us, arms crossed over her chest, her perfect features arranged in a smirk that didn't reach her cold eyes. I felt Violet tense beside me, her Omega instincts responding to the presence of an Alpha's daughter.

"What do you want, Isolde?" I asked, keeping my voice level despite the irritation bubbling beneath my skin.

She examined her manicured nails with exaggerated interest. "I just wanted to inform you that my father, Alpha James, is reviewing your scholarship. The board will be calling you soon."

I raised an eyebrow, refusing to show any reaction. "That's fine. Your father can do whatever he wants. Now, if you don't mind, we're training."

I turned back to Violet, demonstrating a defensive stance, but barely had time to position my feet before Isolde's hand gripped my shoulder, spinning me around to face her.

"You think you're so perfect," she hissed, her face inches from mine. "You're pathetic. You don't belong at this academy, and I'll make sure everyone sees that."

"Take your hand off me," I warned, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.

"Or what?" Isolde challenged, her eyes gleaming with malice. "Going to use your Volana powers on me? You can't even control your wolf. Pathetic."

I held my ground, centering my weight as my father had taught me. The last thing I wanted was to cause trouble at the academy.

"Oh, you want to fight me?" Isolde laughed, the sound sharp and cruel. "That's adorable. Trust me, that's not something you want to do."

Her eyes began to glow gold, her features shifting as she allowed her wolf to surface. Before I could react, she transformed completely, her golden-furred wolf lunging toward me with bared teeth and a ferocious growl.

I sidestepped her attack easily, my combat instincts taking over. As Isolde prepared to lunge again, the entire building suddenly began to tremble. The lights in the training hall intensified to blinding brightness, and moonlight streamed through the windows with unnatural strength, shattering the glass.

Both Isolde and I jumped back in shock.

"What the hell is happening?" Isolde demanded, shifting back to human form, fear replacing the arrogance in her voice.

My heart hammered against my ribs as shadows formed on the floor, coalescing into intricate starlight patterns I'd never seen before—manifestations of Volana power I didn't know existed.

Violet and Isolde stared at me with wide, terrified eyes.

"Are YOU doing this?!" Violet cried out. "I knew Volana wolves were dangerous!"

"No... I'm not doing it on purpose..." I stammered, not knowing how to stop the energy surging through me.

The floor continued to shake, starlight and electrical currents spreading throughout the hall.

"Whatever you're doing, STOP IT!" Violet shouted, panic evident in her voice.

I trembled with fear, closing my mismatched eyes and focusing inward, trying desperately to contain the energy flooding through me.

Calm down, Anna whispered within. We can control this...

I concentrated, steadying my breathing, working to suppress the Volana power raging inside me.

Suddenly, everything went quiet. When I opened my eyes—one purple, one green—both Violet and Isolde were staring at me in horror.

"I don't know what just happened," I said softly. "I just completed my first transformation. My abilities aren't stable yet."

Isolde's face contorted with rage. "I knew it. You're even more of a freak than I thought. You're a dangerous Volana wolf. I'm telling my father everything."

She fled the training hall, leaving me alone with Violet, whose expression remained wary.

"You're really a Volana wolf?" she asked. "Why didn't you tell me?"

I nodded. "Yes. My mother is one too."

I recalled Margaret's explanation: "Once we complete our first transformation, our Volana abilities activate. Unless we learn to control them, they only grow stronger."

"I didn't mean to scare you," I told Violet. "I don't know where all that energy came from..."

"Are you really as dangerous as Isolde says?" Violet asked, maintaining her distance.

"I don't think so. I just let my emotions control me. I'll learn to master this..."

Violet's expression hardened. "You didn't tell me you were a Volana wolf... How do I know this won't happen again? How do I know you won't use your powers against me? I'm your combat partner."

"I need you to trust me," I pleaded. "I promise I'll do everything I can to control these abilities. I think I just need to talk to my mother, Rhiannon. She'll know what to do."

I explained that my mother was also a Volana wolf with more experience and could help me control my powers. Violet seemed to relax slightly, though wariness remained in her eyes.

Before I could reach for my phone to call my mother, students began filing into the training hall. Class was about to begin.

Isolde was noticeably absent—likely reporting to her father about how dangerous I was. I realized the news would quickly reach my own father, Alpha Alaric. Forcing myself to focus on the impending class, I pushed these worries aside.

We'll see Caius! Anna said excitedly within me. I can't wait to see him.

I eagerly anticipated seeing Professor Caius, wanting to ask why he'd suddenly disappeared from Celestria yesterday.

To my shock, the person who walked into the hall wasn't Caius, but a young woman. Dressed in fitted training clothes, she surveyed the students with a determined expression.

"Hello, everyone. I'm Professor Eleanor. I'll be your substitute teacher for the time being."

My heart sank to my stomach.

A substitute? Where had Caius gone?

Where is our mate? Anna whispered inside me. I can't sense his presence...