Hadrien did not ask Blake what was wrong as he exited the sanctum to do as he was told. Blake unsummoned both the wolf and Prince as neither of them were supposed to be there. “Blake?”

Blake flinched at the sound of Hadrien’s voice but calmed himself. “I’m fine. Come down here.”

Elliott and Hadrien went down with Joshua at their heels. “What’s the urgency?” Elliott asked and sniffed the air. Blake tried to act normal but knew that Elliott could smell both the wolf and Prince in the air. Fortunately, Elliott seemed more interested in what Blake had found.

Blake showed them the black pelt. “Who is the host of this wolf?”

Elliott’s eyes turned to the pelt. “We are not sure. It’s hard to differentiate between the pelts. It is easier to distinguish between them when you see their entire form. Why?”

“Because according to the wolf I spoke with. This is the pelt of the wolf that has attacked me twice.”

That caught Elliott’s attention and he walked hastily up to the pelt to sniff it. “This… It can’t be true. It has no scent.”

“Did the wolf have a scent.”

Elliott pasted around the sanctum. ”It… Was weak. At least we presumed so as we could not pick it up.”

“What can remove a scent from a wolf and a pelt?”

“Nothing really, we hide our scent by putting on something that smells stronger such as alcohol or perfume,” Joshua replied with shrug. “Makes it hard to know which wolves were in a drunken brawl.”

Elliott was quiet. Eerily so as he watched the pelt with an unreadable expression on his face. ”Magic.”

“What?” Blake asked even if he had heard it clearly.

“Magic can remove a scent from a wolf. Advanced one at that.”

“But magic… Isn’t it forbidden for shifters to use magic? I’m sure Leon, I mean Mr. Graycrest mentioned it,” Blake said in confusion.

“Indeed, but the rule is not upheld like it was in older times. We won’t kill or exile those who use magic. They might be outcast inside of the pack which is why many of those interested in learning magic do so in secret.”

“Can you learn advanced magic in secret?” Blake asked and was answered by Joshua who shook his head.

“Non, advanced magic can only be learned by a master. If this wolf has been taught advanced magic, then there must be someone inside the Elan coven who has knowledge of who this wolf is.”

“I… Should I ask Leon, Mr. Graycrest about it?” Blake asked hesitantly but Elliott shook his head.

“No, this is my task. I will need to question them. I just hope that they are willing to answer. Maybe they will be more accommodating as the wolf has attacked one of their own.”

Elliott turned to Blake with a gentle smile. “Good work, Mr. Oakley. You proved to be of help in this case. Let us take over and get some rest. It is Saturday and you should not work on this day.”

Blake nodded and said farewell. Joshua drove them back and they went for a walk along the dorms. Most students had already left as many of them visited the close by villages for more entertainment than the school could provide.

“Want something to eat, cheri? I might not know much of magic but if it is anything like physical activities then you must be starving,” Hadrien asks when they stopped for a break. They were close to the cafeteria.

“Yeah, I’m a tad famished. I have noticed that happening every time I use magic.”

“I will go get us something to eat. You find us a nice place to sit. Preferably in the sun as you need some color on you.”

Hadrien ran off as Blake sat down on a table in the sun. The air had started to go cold and the trees have started to change color but it was still warm in the sun. Blake picked up his phone and started to SMS Alex when someone grabbed hold of him and slammed him against a close by tree.

He looked up at a giant guy with dark blond hair and brown eyes. He belonged to the rugby team and Blake has heard Jaxon call him Mark Rowe. Hadrien has mentioned him being a hotheaded Beta who is known to pick a fight with most people. He had several people with him. Including the redheaded guy Dale who was smirking at him.

“Someone didn’t listen,” Mark growled at Blake, who tried not to whimper. This was way too close to his previous experience in his hometown. Neither Hadrien, Alex or little Coney was there to help him through. Blake bit his lip and forced down his fear.

“And who might that be?” Blake said while forcing himself to look Mark in the eyes. Blake could have sworn that he saw a yellow glow in them for a second.

“Our Alpha told you that you weren’t allowed in the sanctum, bitch boy!” Mark said with a dangerous look in his eyes. He was after blood.

“Oh, Elliott gave me permission or are you saying he isn’t your Alpha?” Blake replied and got a slap in the face as an answer. Dale chuckled from the behind and told Mark to do it again. Mark just smirked at that. Blake held back his tears while furiously refusing to look away.

“He is challenging you. It can’t be helped. He needs to learn his lesson,” some of the other guys said.

“I agree with you. Let’s send him to the hospital like the other witches,” Mark replied. He leaned closer. “I’m breaking your legs.”

“Better break his hands instead. I’ve heard that he is some fancy artist. I bet he will cry a river over losing his hands!” Dale said with a sadistic smile and clapped his hands. Blake felt sick and tried to shout for help, but Mark covered his mouth.

“There’s the fear. Seems like we have a winner,” Mark grabbed hold of Blake’s wrist and applied pressure.

Blake tried to let out a scream as the pain hit him but wasn’t able. He scratched Mark until his own fingers bled but Mark only laughed at his struggle. Blake tears flowed as he thought of losing his hands and he could hear laughter echo in his head as he remembered his past. “Are you crying, fag?”

Someone ripped Mark off him and Blake watches as Mark was sent flying straight down on one of the tables which broke because of the fall. The others looked in horror as Jaxon stood in front of them. He was somewhere in the middle of human and a wolf as he had started to transform. His body was covered in fur colored like obsidian and a head like a wolf. Blake felt his heart race as he saw the familiar sight. A black wolf.

Before he could think his legs had started to move on their own and he ran with every bit of strength he could muster. He heard Jaxon call his name, but he would not listen as fear guided every step he took. Blake was almost by the Conservatory when Jaxon grabbed onto his hand and pulled him in.

Blake let out a cry as his hand hurt because of his nails which were still bleeding from his struggle with Mark. Jaxon removed his hand quickly in surprise but saw the blood and Blake’s swollen wrist. He let out a growl and Blake backed away in fright. Jaxon went quiet and lifted his hands to show that he didn’t mean any harm. “Woah there, Coínin. I didn’t mean to scare you. I just wanted to make sure that you-“

“Get away from me!”

“What? What is it? I won’t hurt you!”

Blake shook his head in denial. He tried to calm his mind, but he was having a panic attack.

“I… You… You are a black wolf!”

Jaxon seemed to be confused by that statement before he realized what Blake was saying.

“What? No! I’m not… Well, I am a black wolf. But not THAT black wolf. I mean, sure, I thought I was for a while because I keep having dreams about chasing a white rabbit.”

“What white rabbit?”

“Well, you remind me of a white rabbit and-“

Blake was ready to run again, and Jaxon scratched his head in frustration.

“This is not helping!”

He took a step closer, but Blake backed away and started to hyperventilate. “Stay away, stay away, stay away!” Blake cried and started to pull his hair.

“Stop weeping like a baby, fag!”

Blake wanted to shout out as he was haunted by his past. He feels Jaxon trying to calm him, but his voice was beyond reach. Then he felt something.

Something warm touched his lips and he stared into two glowing blue eyes. Blue… Not golden. Blue like the sky. Blake whimpered against Jaxon’s lips and he pulled away. “I’m so sorry! That wasn’t… I shouldn’t have-“

“Blue,” Blake sniveled, and Jaxon stared at him with a confused frown.

“What?”

“Your eyes glowed blue.”

“Well, yeah. Shifters have the same color in their animal form as their human form. Mine are blue so are my wolf eyes.”

Blake shakily laughed at that and wiped away his tears. “The wolf that attacked me had golden eyes.”

Jaxon went quiet before giving him a smile. “Most have. That means that they have brown eyes when they are human.”

Blake nodded and before he could think he fell into Jaxon’s strong and comforting arms. Blake could feel Jaxon stiffen for a second before holding him close to his heart which was beating fast, but Blake didn’t want to comment on it. “I’m sorry for all that you have to endure. I should have kept you safe.”

“Don’t be silly. None of this is your fault,” Blake sniffed but he could hear himself and he hardly sounded convincing.

He was just about to continue when he felt Jaxon freeze. Blake looked up and noticed Jaxon watching something behind him. Blake’s eyes grew wide when he heard a growl. He turned around and stared into two bright, yellow eyes and a gaping mouth filled with sharp fangs.

The black wolf stared back at him.