The Apocalyptic Queen's Werewolf Journey (Thora and Darius) novel Chapter 10

**Shadows Hearts by Joseph King**
**Chapter 10: Roundabout**

**Darius’s POV:**

Nestled on the plush couch of my expansive estate, I found myself engrossed in the holographic screen flickering before me. The file of Thora, a sixteen-year-old girl, scrolled incessantly, each detail meticulously laid out in front of my eyes.

“Thora, 16 years old. Student at Astralis College, the premier academy within the Astralis Empire.”

Every conceivable piece of information was available—from her admission documents to her training evaluations. Videos played in a loop, showcasing her journey, while photographs captured moments of her life, and notes from her instructors provided insight into her struggles and achievements.

Just as I was lost in contemplation, my beta, Carl Reynold, stepped into the room, his expression serious.

“Alpha, the photos have been delivered.”

I offered a brief acknowledgment, my gaze still glued to the screen. “She looks so different now compared to the girl in these records,” I murmured, my thoughts racing.

On the display, Thora’s only remarkable attribute seemed to be her title as the heir to the Silverleaf Pack. Beyond that, the rest of her academic performance painted a disheartening picture.

“Combat Class: three consecutive semesters with a D, the lowest possible grade. Physical tests: consistently finishing last.”

“Pack Theory: barely scraping by. Her understanding of Pack Laws and the Wolf Spirit Awakening Texts is shockingly inferior, even compared to a typical freshman.”

At the end of her record, the instructor’s note struck me like a punch to the gut: “Mixed-blood defect. Wolf spirit not awakened. No battle instinct. Recommend withdrawal.”

Carl chimed in, his tone matter-of-fact. “She hasn’t awakened her wolf spirit yet. In the realm of academia, a werewolf without an awakened spirit is always at a disadvantage in combat. Poor grades are to be expected.”

“Expected?” I scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping my lips as I tapped on the photo from her most recent physical test.

In that image, Thora was hunched over, gasping for air, her complexion ashen. She appeared fragile, a far cry from the fierce girl who had once clawed her way back from a cliffside injury, her spirit undeterred as she pushed a lagging racecar past her competitors to seize victory.

“Carl, Astralis College starts in a week, right?”

“Yes, Alpha,” he confirmed, his eyes darting to the floor as if sensing the weight of my thoughts.

A smirk crept onto my lips as I drummed my fingers rhythmically on the polished coffee table.

“Perfect. We’ll make an appearance on opening day. I want to discuss funding for their new combat training facilities.”

“What? But you turned down that investment last time…”

I shot him a pointed look, and he quickly recalibrated his response. “Yes, Alpha. I’ll make the arrangements.”

As he exited, I caught him muttering under his breath, “Just admit you want to see Ms. Green. No need to be so roundabout…”

I clenched my jaw, choosing silence over a retort.

Yes, I desperately wanted to see Thora again.

It had barely been half a day since our parting, and already I felt an insatiable longing to be in her presence once more.

I rubbed my nose and glanced at the thermometer hanging on the wall.

The temperature seemed perfectly normal. Was someone gossiping about me?

In that moment, a sharp, venomous mind-link pierced through my thoughts. “Come out. I’m waiting for you in the left hallway.”

It was Hazel’s voice.

She severed the connection immediately after delivering her command, leaving an unsettling silence in its wake.

I narrowed my eyes, a cold fury igniting within me.

I hadn’t even made a move toward her, yet she was already seeking me out.

If she was so eager for confrontation, I would oblige.

With a determined stride, I left my room and headed toward the left hallway she had mentioned.

The corridor was narrow and shrouded in darkness, a rarely used passage that felt eerie at this late hour.

As I stepped into the dimly lit hallway, I instinctively reached for the light switch, only to find it unresponsive. Someone had sabotaged the lights in advance.

Before I could process my surroundings, I heard a rush of air—a metallic clang as an iron bar swung toward me with alarming speed…