Thora's POV: Marlon simply smiled, his eyes becoming as loving as ever, yet his tone was incredibly firm. "Thora, remember this. You are different. Even if you can't awaken your wolf spirit right now, don't sell yourself short." He suddenly gripped my hand, his tone excited. "You were born different from everyone else. You're my granddaughter, but you will also be one of the strongest on Blue Star ... " As he spoke, he broke into violent coughing again. "Grandpa." I stepped forward and patted his back, secretly using my ability to sort through his chaotic and damaged wolf power. But Marlon still clutched my hand. "Do you remember ... what I told you?" He coughed violently.Why was he so confident that the original Thora of this body, an unawakened mixed-blood, could become one of the strongest on Blue Star? Though I didn't understand, I still nodded. Only then did Marlon catch his breath. With trembling hands, he pulled a finger-sized wooden box from his pocket and placed it in my hand. "From now on, it's yours. Protect it well." After that, he offered no further explanation. I stared at the finger-sized box and put it away. With our conversation concluded and the banquet over, Darius said goodbye to me and escorted Marlon back to the hospital. Felix and I also returned home. As soon as I got back to my room, I immediately opened the box Marlon had given me.Inside lay a brass key with a faint wolf head pattern carved on its surface. It felt cool to the touch. He'd instructed me to protect it. What was this key for? And why specifically give it to me? Or was it simply because I was his chosen heir? A series of questions swirled through my mind, but I couldn't make sense of them. I decided not to waste energy overthinking it. Whatever its purpose, I'd find out eventually. ... Ever since the banquet ended, the atmosphere in the Greens had been stuck in an awkward tension. Hazel would cry in her room from time to time, and occasionally Laurel's snide remarks could be heard.But no one dared to trouble me anymore, which suited me just fine. Before bed, I turned on my computer and saw an email from Luke inviting me to school tomorrow for a detailed discussion. It seemed my days of hard work hadn't been in vain. I smiled with satisfaction, confirmed the time and location with him, then washed up and went to bed. ... The next day, I'd just stepped outside to run to school when Felix came over. "Why aren't you driving today?" I asked in confusion. He grinned. "If you can run, so can I." As he spoke, he deliberately lifted his calf. His pant leg bulged noticeably. He'd clearly strapped on sandbags like me. I smiled approvingly. "Nice." Then I took off running. "Thora! Wait for me!" Felix caught up and ran alongside me, asking, "Thora, are you really going to marry that guy?" "Who said I'm marrying him?" "But ... didn't they announce it at the banquet yesterday ... " he said, his voice muffled. I was too lazy to explain. I said, "I'm not even an adult yet. The marriage can wait until later." "Oh yeah! You're only 16. Marriage would be after you turn 18 anyway! A few years is a long time. Who knows what could change!" He instantly cheered up. I glanced at him. I knew that unlike Hazel and the others who feared me marrying into the Blackwoods, he genuinely didn't want me to leave. ... The news from last night's banquet had spread throughout Astralis College. There was nothing but gossip about me breaking off my engagement with Caleb and then getting engaged to the Nightclaw Pack Alpha. Caleb had become a laughingstock, while Hazel was now widely labeled as the homewrecker who stole her own sister's fiancé. None of this interested me. I headed straight to a private room in the school café. Luke was already waiting. He pushed up his glasses and spoke first. "I couldn't crack the security system you wrote." I picked up the coffee on the table and took a light sip. "The bet's over then." Luke's face showed some frustration, but he wasn't a sore loser. He simply nodded. "A deal's a deal."