Chapter 4: The Person Who Teaches Us

Living as a wolf without knowing how to use your strength was like walking along the edge of a cliff blindfolded.

During class, my fingernails would suddenly start to grow, or my eyes would change color when I became emotional over something trivial. Each time, the other students would frown, and each time, I would hide in the corner of the classroom, holding my breath.

"If things continue like this, it'll cause another commotion."

After school, Ren said that and took me to an old training ground deep in the woods. It was a dilapidated wooden building that no one used. It seemed he intended to secretly teach me how to control my powers there.

"Wouldn't it be embarrassing if someone saw it? The next Alpha training a rogue woman?"

"That would be a problem. So don't tell anyone."

His words were curt, but I could tell he was genuinely worried. I remained silent and stood in the middle of the training ground.

"First, take a deep breath. The wolf inside you will rage more if you are frightened. Don't be afraid."

"Easier said than done."

"It's not easy. I couldn't do it at first either."

It was an unexpected statement. I never imagined that even he, who behaves so perfectly as the next Alpha, had gone through a period where things didn't go well.

"Have you ever failed?"

"When I first changed as a child, I went on a rampage in front of my father. I broke three walls and smashed a vase that my mother cherished."

I couldn't help but laugh. The word "failure" coming out of his mouth sounded so human, it was unexpected.

"Don't laugh."

"I'm sorry. But I feel a little relieved."

"peace of mind?"

"I thought you were a perfect person. Knowing that you make mistakes too has made it a little easier to talk to you."

Ren didn't say anything more, but I could see a slight smile on his face.

From then on, we spent an hour each day after school at that training ground. He taught us not only how to control our strength, but also the basic rules of wolf society, the hierarchy of the pack, and the meaning of rituals. As we talked, I realized that he was a much more serious and awkward person than I had thought.

"How do you know so much about herds?"

"Because it's decided from birth that you'll become the alpha. By the time you're old enough to understand things, the history and rules of the pack have all been drilled into you."

"That sounds tough."

"I never thought it was difficult. It was just normal for me."

I sensed a kind of loneliness in his words. His future was predetermined from the moment he was born, even though he hadn't chosen it. It was a different kind of confinement than what I experienced, being someone who doesn't belong to a group.

"You want to be an alpha."

Ren remained silent for a moment. The evening light filtering through the tree branches illuminated his profile.

"I've never thought about whether I want to become one or not."

"So, is there anything else you'd like to be?"

"No. I've never even thought about it."

"too good to waste"

When I said that, he looked at me in surprise.

"What does 'mottainai' mean?"

"But it's your life, isn't it? It would be a waste to fill it only with things decided for you by someone else."

He remained silent for a while, then said softly.

"You're a weirdo."

"That's something I'm often told."

On my way back to the dormitory after training, walking through the trees, I suddenly realized something. At first, I was so afraid of this person, and even hated them, but now I didn't feel so much resistance walking beside them.

However, that peaceful time didn't last long.

The next morning, the moment I entered the classroom, I noticed that everyone's gaze was different than usual. Someone was whispering. Hatori rushed over to me and whispered something in my ear, his face pale.

"It looks like Himuro is investigating your father."

"You mean my dad?"

"Yeah. There's a rumor going around that years ago, they found records of a 'stray' that was banished from the herd."

My heart started beating badly. My mother hadn't told me much about my father either. All I knew was that he had disappeared when I was little.

"What does that mean?"

Instead of answering, Hatori looked down the corridor. He saw Himuro Saya walking towards him with her entourage of students. A triumphant smile was on her lips.

"Saotome-san, I found something interesting."

The moment I saw the documents Saya handed me, my hands began to tremble.