Evelyn’s POV

Friday math class dragged like always. I sat by the window, sunlight streaming across my textbook, but my thoughts kept drifting to tonight’s dinner. The Alpha’s house, formal dining, all those expectations – my stomach twisted just thinking about it.

Nadia was focused on taking notes beside me. Her concentration made me feel guilty for spacing out, but I couldn’t shake the anxiety.

What if I mess up? What if I say something wrong?

Several figures suddenly sprinted past the window, interrupting my spiraling thoughts. Upperclassmen, their faces tight with worry. Then more people running in the same direction.

“What’s going on?” someone whispered.

More footsteps echoed in the hallway. I caught fragments of panicked voices:

“…the cubs area…”

“…lost control…”

“…need help…”

My heart jumped. Cubs?

The teacher moved toward the door just as an upperclassman burst in, breathing hard. “Something’s wrong at the cub training area! The kids are all… they’re completely out of control!”

The classroom erupted in whispers.

“Out of control? What does that mean?”

“How could cubs lose control?”

“Where are the leaders?”

“The Alpha and other leaders are at the warrior field across campus,” the student gasped. “They can’t get there in time. It’s chaos – we need help!”

I shot to my feet. Those cubs were just little kids, five to ten years old. If something was wrong…

“Evie?” Nadia stood too. “Where are you going?”

“I have to see what’s happening.”

“All students stay in your seats!” the teacher called, but half the class was already moving toward the door.

I ignored the order and headed for the hallway. Nadia followed close behind.

The corridors buzzed with nervous energy. Students poured out of classrooms, everyone talking at once.

“I heard the training field got destroyed…”

“How’s that possible? They’re just kids…”

My worry deepened. I picked up my pace, almost jogging.

“Wait up!” Nadia called from behind.

We rushed through the academic building, across the playground. Before we even reached the training area, I could hear the chaos – children crying, things crashing, adults shouting instructions that weren’t being heard.

This is bad, my wolf said nervously.

When we finally got to the entrance, the scene made me stop dead.

The training field looked like a disaster zone. Equipment lay scattered and broken everywhere. The ground was covered in debris, like a tornado had torn through.

But the kids were what really scared me.

More than thirty cubs ran around wild, their eyes filled with panic and confusion. Some were crying, others screaming. A few were destroying whatever they could get their hands on.

Several upperclassmen tried to control the situation but were clearly in over their heads. Every time they got close to a child, the kid would either run away or get more aggressive.

“Be careful!” someone yelled.

A seven-year-old boy swung a wooden stick, smashing training equipment with way more force than any normal kid should have.

Ready? my wolf asked.

Ready.

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