Chapter 38

Chapter 38
## Elara's POV

I watched as Caius and Eleanor demonstrated the combat move to the class. Eleanor stood with her back to him, and in one fluid motion, Caius wrapped his arm around her waist, spun her to face him, and locked her in a chokehold. Eleanor expertly twisted her leg, rotating out of his grip with practiced ease.

Their bodies moved together with a rhythm that spoke of familiarity. Eleanor was beautiful—tall and graceful with her blonde hair falling perfectly despite the physical exertion. I couldn't help but wonder how long they had known each other, how many times they had practiced these moves together.

"Elara?"

Violet's voice startled me. I realized I'd been standing motionless in the center of the training arena, staring at Eleanor.

"Are you going to try the move?" Violet asked, uncertainty in her brown eyes.

"Oh, yes," I forced myself to look away from Eleanor, pushing down the uncomfortable feeling rising in my chest.

Across the room, Eleanor's laughter echoed as she placed her hand on Caius's bicep. Whatever he'd said to her must have been amusing, and though he wasn't laughing with her, she didn't seem to mind. She stood close to him, continuing to talk and laugh.

I felt my blood boil. My fists clenched involuntarily as I tried not to let it affect me.

"Elara, are you okay?" Violet asked, her brow furrowed with concern.

"Yes," I lied.

We began practicing the move, with Violet turning her back to me. I tried to focus, but Eleanor's laughter kept distracting me. I grabbed Violet's arm and spun her around too quickly, not realizing how much strength I was using or noticing her dizziness.

I locked my arm around her throat, and as I did, I felt a familiar tingling in my fingertips. Power pulsed through me, seeking release. Before I could let go of Violet, electricity escaped from my fingers.

Violet's entire body illuminated with blue current. Her scream pierced the training area, shocking everyone into silence. I released her arm, watching in horror as she collapsed to the floor, nearly paralyzed. Electricity continued to dance across my fingertips.

Everyone backed away in fear. Whispers of terror spread through the room.

Everything went silent. I couldn't tear my gaze from Violet's motionless form on the ground. What had I done?

"Oh, Moon Goddess..." I whispered, barely audible even to myself.

Caius knelt beside Violet, checking her pulse. "Someone, call the infirmary. We need to get her there immediately."

"What happened?" Eleanor demanded, rushing to Caius's side. "Is this related to what you told me about her?"

Caius's jaw tightened. "Not now, Eleanor," he muttered, lifting Violet carefully. His eyes flashed briefly to mine, filled with something between disappointment and anger.

"I warned you about this," Eleanor said under her breath, just loud enough for me to hear. "These abilities are unpredictable."

"This isn't helping," Caius snapped, cradling Violet against his chest. "Call the infirmary. Tell them we're coming."

Eleanor stood beside me, phone in hand as she made the call. Caius carried Violet out of the training arena toward the infirmary.

The other students continued to stare at me.

"What happened?" one student asked.

"Did you do that to her? Why was she glowing like that?" another questioned.

Eleanor stepped in front of me, facing the others. "Get back to practice," she ordered, then turned to me. "You should go to the infirmary."

I was completely numb from head to toe as I made my way to the infirmary. Outside the door, Caius was speaking with the nurse. They both turned as I approached.

"I'll check on her," the nurse said quietly to Caius. "But she might need a real hospital. I can't guarantee the Alpha Council will let this slide. They'll be here soon."

Caius looked at me, his expression cold and distant. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to see how she is..." My voice was thick with pain.

"You've done enough already," he said harshly.

"Caius—"

He lifted his gaze to mine. "You should leave... now."

"I want to—"

"There's nothing you can do for her right now. She hasn't regained consciousness; the nurse is examining her, and she may need to be transferred to a hospital."

"Do you think she'll be okay?" I whispered.

"It's too early to tell; her pulse was weak, and it got weaker by the time we arrived here. Seriously, Elara, you need to go."

My heart squeezed painfully in my chest, and I choked back a sob. I didn't want him to see me fall apart. I considered whether I could heal Violet the same way I'd healed Caius days before, but given my current emotional state, I knew it was best not to attempt it.

I turned and walked away, allowing a few tears to escape and slide down my cheeks. My heart ached too much.

Anna? I called internally, but my wolf remained silent, likely as shocked as I was by what had just happened.

For the next hour, I sat on a bench in the center of campus with a view of the infirmary. I watched as an ambulance arrived and they transferred Violet from the infirmary. I couldn't bring myself to leave or attend my other classes.

Representatives from the Alpha Council had also appeared outside the infirmary, engaged in lengthy conversation with Caius. Occasionally, he would look across the campus and meet my eyes. He knew I was sitting there watching; he could feel my presence.

My entire body remained numb, as if it no longer belonged to me. I considered calling my mother, Rhiannon, but knew she would be so disappointed in me. After what I had just done, I couldn't face her.

Hours passed, and everyone eventually returned to their posts. Somehow, Eleanor had convinced everyone that I hadn't caused what happened to Violet—that it was something else entirely. I felt strangely grateful to her for that.

After sitting on the bench for hours, I decided to return to the training arena. I wondered if Caius was still there, if there might be time to talk.

As I approached, I heard voices from inside.

"I'm just saying, Caius..." a female voice said, "she's dangerous. She's a Volana wolf. I wish I had known that before. She doesn't belong at Lunastride Academy."

I froze outside the door, my heart sinking. I recognized Eleanor's voice, and the realization that she'd only pretended to help me earlier cut deep. She thought I was dangerous—a monster who didn't belong here.

Maybe she's right, I thought as fresh tears formed. Maybe I don't belong anywhere.