s flutter open to the muted gray of my dorm room window. Outside, Silverpine University's campu

against the silver sigil tucked inside my jacket pocket. It's heavier than I remember-an anchor of r

"Raina?" Her voice tumbles undercut with alarm. "Everyone's talking a

Her panic doesn't reach me; it fuels me. "Let the

g to my closed fist. "You rejected him. He rejected y

and, smoothing the folds of my fitted blazer. "I

You trained too long f

mework collapses without a Luna-and a powerless Alpha." I pause, t

her face. I offer a small, wry

-

s, heads bent together as they pore over screens and campfire whispers. Pack members in dark hoodies exchange

shift in the collective conversation. "There she is," I hear. "The witch." "She's plotting

ling and silver crescent motifs, it feels like the nerve center of the institution. At th

e and the security camera feed showing the amphitheater

oritative. My blazer brushes the desk as

eight of what I've done. When the doors open on Level 3, the hallway is deserted-professors hav

someone has scrawled in red marker: "TRAITOR." They've crossed out every letter and rewri

s and leadership workshops. On the far wall, an organizational chart shows the pack's hierar

mpty seats," I murm

of alerts pops up: emergency Council meeting invites, security camera reques

ecisions exposed, alliances laid bare. Each document dissolves the illusion of Lucian's unassailable authori

the comm panel. "Luna...advice

I'm handling it. No mee

n is audible.

liability now. Information asymm

asonable camouflage. But I have no intention of lecturing on harmony-I intend to sow discord. I program a surprise

-

the curved desks. Silverpine's eldest faculty-my usual co-instructors-hover at the b

The screen displays a live newsfeed of the amphitheater rejection-grainy footage but unmistakable: Lu

room-shock, disbelief, cu

t fractures confidence in Lucian's rule a little more. I cite Council bylaws, historical precedents, and case studies-executive-level security breaches in i

t silence linger. The

nversation, offering insights laced with strategic ambiguity. I promise workshops on "Empowered L

an blind loyalty. As students file out, several linger to thank me. One Beta mutters, "Your clarity is r

Each one is a building block

-

ike-my network exploits worked. Council chambers are in emergency session; Lucian's team is

he door behind her. "How's

with purpose. "On schedule. Lucian's credib

ng in her expression. "Just...be car

Emotion drives engagement, Helena. Whether it's love or hate, we control the

sing. "I'll convene our hu

egies: strategic partnerships, public appeals, a counter-campaign to unearth Lucian's vu

al and more like a seed of transformation. In the quiet hum of my office, I plot the n

ver be the same. Neit

ither