CHAPTER 54: _ THE AWAKENING CEREMONY

A satisfied smirk spreads across Daphne’s face. "Good. Glad we agree."

Isolde mutters something under her breath and slumps back in her seat, clearly unwilling to waste more energy fighting her sister’s vanity.

The chauffeur eases the car to the side of the road.

Heidi’s hand trembles as she reaches for the door handle. Her chest feels tight, her skin prickling under the weight of unseen eyes that aren’t even there yet. But she forces herself to step out, the warm air wrapping around her instantly.

The car door shuts with a soft, final thunk.

And then... There is silence.

The sleek vehicle pulls away, its hum fading down the street, leaving Heidi alone on the edge of the academy grounds.

For a brief, startling moment, relief floods her chest. Relief is so sharp that it nearly wobbles her knees. She breathes easier without their bickering, without Daphne’s pointed stares or Isolde’s cutting commentary. Out here, the world is hers alone.

But as she lifts her gaze, her breath rises.

The academy rises ahead like a monument carved from dreams and intimidation. The gates are draped in silver and deep blue banners, embroidered with wolves leaping toward the moon. Fresh garlands of white flowers are woven through the ironwork, their fragrance carrying on the breeze. Tall lanterns line the path, glowing faintly even in daylight, ready for the night’s festivities.

The cobblestones beyond gleam, freshly polished, as if even the ground refuses to be anything less than perfect today. Students stream toward the entrance, their laughter and chatter rising like a tide. Most are already inside—the ones still arriving rush in with quick steps, their outfits elegant, their hair styled just so and their faces are alight with excitement.

Heidi’s chest tightens.

It’s beautiful. Overwhelmingly beautiful. But the weight of it presses on her shoulders until she feels small. So, so small.

This is it. This is the place where everything changes.

Her feet remain rooted to the spot. The garlands sway gently in the wind, mocking her stillness. Her pulse drums louder. She wants to run forward, but fear holds her back. She wants to bolt in the opposite direction, but hope keeps her tethered.

She inhales deeply.

No matter what wolf I get... no matter what ability... I’ll survive this. I have to.

A handful of students rush past her, their shoes clicking against the pavement. Girls in glittering gowns that sweep the ground like they’re about to step into a royal ball, boys in suits so sharp they could cut glass. Laughter rings in the air, excited, nervous, full of energy as they hurry into the gates. They’re late, Heidi realizes. Most of the students must already be inside.

Which only makes her stand out more.

She tucks her hands against her dress, as though smoothing invisible wrinkles might make her less noticeable. It doesn’t. The gown Daphne put her in is too fine and radiant. She looks like a princess dropped into a world where she doesn’t belong.

"Just breathe," she whispers to herself, but even her own voice trembles.

Her feet move forward. The steps she takes feel so heavy, as if the pavement knows she’s an omega and doesn’t want her walking here. She passes under the arch of the gates, and immediately her senses are flooded.

The campus looks transformed. Strings of crystal lights are strung between buildings, twinkling like constellations. The wide stone pathway leading to the main hall is lined with tall silver torches, flames flickering blue instead of orange, a symbol of the sacred bond that will be awakened today. Banners hang from every balcony, embroidered with the crest of the academy.

Everywhere she looks, there is extravagance. And everywhere she looks, there are werewolves who belong here.

The high-class students drift forward as though the earth itself rolls out a carpet for them. Their hair is perfectly styled, their clothes are custom-made and adorned with jewels, silks, or expensive tailoring that screams wealth. Even the way they move is elegant, shoulders back, heads high, eyes full of confidence. They don’t hesitate, don’t falter. They are the sons and daughters of betas, Deltas, gammas, and pack elites.

In sharp contrast, the omegas stand out—not because they’re noticed, but because they’re ignored. Their outfits are plainer, obviously borrowed, or just simple dresses their assigned families think fit their omega profiles because they probably don’t want them to outshine their own kids.

Nervousness clings to them like a second skin. They shuffle at the edges, giving way whenever a high-class wolf wants to pass. They know their place. They know they are not allowed to shine here.

But Heidi—Heidi is different.

She feels the stares prickling against her skin before she even looks up. The whispers start almost instantly, rippling like wildfire through the crowd. Heads turn. Eyes linger on her.

"Who is she?" a girl hisses to her friend, her jeweled mask slipping as she cranes her neck.

"She’s too dressed up to be an omega."

"She must be from one of the senior families."

"I’ve never seen her before... maybe she’s foreign?"

Heidi lowers her gaze, cheeks burning. Her pulse thunders in her ears. She should feel proud to wear something so fine, but instead she feels like she’s been painted in gold and thrown into a pit of wolves. They’re going to devour her with their eyes before the ceremony even begins.

She slows her steps, trying to keep behind the others, letting the groups pass in front of her. The whispers only grow.

A pair of girls in shimmering lilac gowns stop mid-conversation, their painted lips parting as their gazes flick down Heidi’s dress, then up to her hair, then back down again. They tilt their heads in unison like judgmental doves. Then one leans in and whispers something behind her hand, and the other’s eyes widen with delight.

Heidi flushes.

"Oh Goddess," she mutters under her breath. "Maybe if I walk quickly, they’ll mistake me for furniture."

However, everywhere she turns, the whispers follow:

"Who is she?"

"Wait, is she from one of the families?"

"I don’t recognize her crest..."

"She’s gorgeous, though. Look at that gown!"

"Maybe she’s some Alpha’s secret fiancée..."

"No, don’t be stupid. Look at her face. She’s too... common."

Ugh... Heidi hates this. She used to enjoy attention, but all the words from Sierra, Darien, Morgan, Grayson, and Daphne have messed up with her head. She can’t think straight. They’ve warned her that she isn’t meant to shine, so she obeys because she’s scared of whatever consequences might come out of trying to outshine her status in Duskwind.

Frankly, she doesn’t want to die by bullying.

Hence, she tries to wait near the side of the walkway, hiding in the shadows of a stone column. Maybe if she hangs back, if she waits until everyone else has gone inside, she can sneak in without too many eyes on her. She takes a deep breath, willing herself invisible.

But invisibility is impossible here. Especially when giggling voices start to rise behind her.

"Oh my Goddess, did you see the Alpha brothers?" a girl’s voice squeals.

Heidi’s ears perk up at the mention of them... her potential fated mates. She peeks to find two girls in gleaming emerald gowns linking arms with their excitement bubbling like champagne.

"They look even hotter than last year. I swear Grayson could set the hall on fire just by smiling."

"Please, Darien is the dream. Did you see his suit? Midnight black with that crest pin on his collar—oh, the detail! The way it hugs his shoulders... if the Goddess doesn’t make me his mate, then what’s even the point of fate?"

They laugh, too high-pitched, too giddy, but the sound is contagious. More girls join the chorus, whispering, sighing, biting their lips over the idea of being chosen by one of the Alphas, or at the very least, the Beta’s son.

Heidi forces her eyes down. She can feel her face heating.

Mate.

The word is a drumbeat in her mind, one that makes her chest ache. She doesn’t know what wolf she’ll get. Doesn’t know what ability. Grayson’s sneering voice echoes in her head: "Weak-ass, low-level wolf."

She squeezes her fists. She doesn’t want to believe it. But fear curls inside her stomach like smoke. What if he’s right? What if the Goddess plays some cruel joke and pairs her with the weakest of wolves... or worse, none at all?

What if she becomes an actual omega? A wolfless trashy omega.