Chapter 23 23- Do Not Let Him Walk You Home
LEXI
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Blake and I head back to the dorms together. I still can’t quite get over the way everyone reacts to him. People stare openly, their eyes flicking toward us again and again, but at the same time they’re careful, almost meticulous, about not drawing his attention. Conversations trail off as we pass. People shift direction without making it obvious, creating space long before we reach it. And they move. Out of the way. Always. Even though I’m matching Blake’s usual unhurried pace, we’re somehow getting across the Academy grounds faster than I ever have before. There’s no weaving around groups, no awkward pauses at doorways while people negotiate who goes first. No bumping into someone and doing that embarrassing little side–step dance where you both keep moving the same way and apologising. It’s… Efficient. Unnervingly so. Doors open before we reach them. Pathways clear as if by instinct. I don’t think anyone wants to be close enough to accidentally touch him, or worse, give him a reason to notice them. Blake doesn’t comment on it at all. He doesn’t look smug or annoyed. He just walks, hands in his pockets, like this is simply how the world works. I have the strange thought that he could probably walk through a packed crowd with his eyes closed and never collide with a single person. When we reach the dorm hall, Blake slows and stops in front of my door.
“Thanks for walking with me.” I say, genuinely grateful. People aren’t going to bother me when he’s around. By people, read the wolves.
“I think I’m just going to relax for a bit. I’m exhausted. But I’ll see you at dinner?” I add. He nods once.
“Yes. I’ll see you then.” He agrees. There’s no hesitation in his answer. No qualifiers. Just certainty. Then he turns and walks away, back down the hall, out the door, without even glancing toward his own room. I pause, watching him go. Wait. He wasn’t actually heading back to his room at all? He really did just walk me here… And then leave. The realisation settles warmly in my chest as I unlock my door and
step inside. I close it behind me, leaning back against it for a second, a small smile tugging at my lips. I’m tired. Completely drained. But
I’m happy.
I flop back onto my bed and pull my phone out, calling my mum. By the time we hang up, I’ve told her… Pretty much everything. Or at
least everything I can reasonably explain without sounding like I’ve completely lost my mind. I tell her about my classes, about how
strange and impressive the academy is, about the magic that seems to quietly anticipate my needs before I even realise them. She asks
question after question, clearly trying to picture it all, and then fills me in on her own day in between. She teases me about Blake again,
of course. Just lightly, nothing embarrassing, but I can tell it’s not really about him. It’s about the relief in her voice. She’s happy that I’ve
made a friend. Genuinely happy. As much as she encouraged me to come here, I know she was worried. Worried I’d be lonely. Worried I’d
retreat into myself the way I did at university. Worried I wouldn’t have anyone watching my back in a place where I don’t fully
understand the rules yet. But I’m NOT lonely. I’m tired, sure. Overstimulated. A little overwhelmed. But I’m also enjoying myself. More than I expected to, honestly. When Mum finally hangs up, apparently she picked up my call in the middle of work, which sounds exactly
like her, I lie there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, letting the quiet settle. Eventually, I wander over to my bookshell and scan the
spines, trying to decide what to read. There are too many options, and my brain feels fuzzy from the long day. I’m standing there,
indecisive, when one of the books slides forward on its own, nudging out of place just enough to be obvious. I blink at it
“…Thanks, Academy?” I murmur.vApparently the decision has been made for me. Also I am starting to think that the academy should be spelled with a capital A. Like it’s some kind of sentient being. Because I can’t see how else It would react to me so much. I pull the book free and flip through the pages. This time, instead of searching for dragons, and being reminded yet again that those pages are missing, I
turn to wolf shifters. I find the entry easily. I read slowly, carefully.
Of all known shifter types, wolves place the greatest emphasis on social bonds. For a wolf shifter, pack is not merely a preference but a
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Chapter 23 23- Do Not Let Him Walk You Home
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fundamental psychological necessity. Wolf shifters are deeply communal by nature. From a young age, they orient themselves toward group
structures, most commonly centred around family units or established packs. This instinct manifests early, often before a wolf’s first shift, and
strongly influences behaviour, decision–making, and emotional regulation. Pack affiliation is both a wolf’s greatest strength and its most
significant vulnerability. Within a healthy pack, wolf shifters demonstrate exceptional cooperation, coordination, and mutual support. Their
ability to work together seamlessly allows them to outperform many stronger or more magically gifted shifters when acting as a group. Wolves are known to instinctively cover one another’s weaknesses, anticipate each other’s movements, and prioritise collective success over individual
recognition. As a pack, they are significantly stronger than they are alone.
However, this same reliance on pack dynamics can lead to rigid hierarchical thinking. Wolves tend to defer strongly to perceived leadership, and in cases of poor or aggressive leadership, packs may engage in behaviours that individual members would not choose independently. This can include territorial aggression, intolerance of outsiders, and the targeting of perceived threats, whether real or imagined. Wolf shifters are predatory by nature, but not indiscriminately so. They are most likely to attack when they believe their pack is at risk. This includes threats to physical safety, social stability, or status within the pack. Once a target is identified, wolves may act swiftly and decisively, often as a
coordinated unit.
That said, a healthy pack structure acts as a powerful stabilising force. Well–balanced wolf packs provide emotional security, mentorship, and protection for younger members. It is widely believed that this environment of constant magical exposure and communal support contributes to wolves shifting earlier than many other shifter types. Wolf shifters commonly experience their first shift in childhood or early adolescence, particularly those raised in large or established packs. Unlike many other shifter species, wolves generally possess limited innate magical abilities. Their strengths lie instead in physical agility, endurance, heightened senses, and teamwork. They compensate for their relative lack of magic through coordination, strategy, and trust.
Common personality traits among wolf shifters include strong loyalty to family and pack, boldness in social situations, and a tendency toward direct communication. Wolves are often outspoken, decisive, and goal–oriented. They form deep bonds with partners and children and are known to be intensely protective once attachment is established. Wolf shifters demonstrate a notable intolerance for cruelty toward children and for betrayal within the pack. However, they may struggle with isolation, frequently experiencing distress, anxiety, or behavioural issues when separated from communal structures for extended periods. Solitary wolves are rare and often display atypical psychological patterns. If a wolf truly accepts you, that bond is enduring. A wolf’s loyalty, once earned, is difficult to break and often lasts a lifetime.
Wolf shifters are among the most populous shifter groups. This is believed to be a direct result of their emphasis on family units and strong Internal support systems, which naturally lead to larger packs and higher survival rates among young wolves. While wolves are occasionally harmed, most often through accidental conflict with humans or other supernatural entities, they have few natural predators. Their preference for hunting and travelling in groups further reduces Individual risk.
In summary, wolf shifters thrive through unity. Their strength lies not in magic or singular power, but in connection. When supported by a healthy pack, wolves are loyal, capable, and formidable allies. When guided poorly, however, that same devotion can become dangerous
I close the book slowly and stare at the ceiling, Well… That lines up disturbingly well with what I’ve already seen. The pack mentality. The hierarchy. The way Aaron surrounded himself with backup before confronting me. The way Malliny hovered behind them like she was afraid of stepping out of line. It doesn’t excuse their behaviour, but it explains It a little. They need each other. It’s strange. Up until now, all I’ve really experienced are the negatives of wolf shifters. The intimidation. The whispering. The hostility. But reading this, It’s obvious that there’s another side to them too. Loyalty. Protection. Stability. I suppose I should try to remember that. Just because SOME wolves have been unkind to me doesn’t mean all of them are bad. And… Just because someone is dangerous doesn’t mean they’re cruel.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
