Alex sat quietly at his new desk, observing the classroom as his new classmates chattered and moved about, their energy filling the room. It was a private school, much more exclusive than his previous one, with polished wooden floors, sleek desks, and tall windows that let the morning sunlight spill in. He had already managed to blend in quickly, his calm demeanor allowing him to become part of the crowd without drawing too much attention. He wasn't invisible, but he wasn't a spectacle either—just the way he liked it.
A few kids had already introduced themselves to him—Jasper, a lanky boy with an easy smile, and Evie, a girl with an endless stream of chatter who made it her mission to introduce Alex to everyone. They seemed nice enough, normal enough, and Alex found himself relaxing slightly in their presence, even cracking a small smile now and then.
But amidst the sea of students, one person stood out—a girl with silver hair and piercing golden eyes who sat by the window. Natalia Elmiane. She didn't mingle, didn't speak much, and didn't seem to care about the lively conversations that surrounded her. Instead, she sat in her seat with her back straight and her gaze distant, watching the world outside as if it didn't concern her.
Alex had heard whispers about her before he'd even started at this school. Natalia's parents were both top members of the Hunter Association's elite attack teams, renowned for their prowess and strength. That reputation seemed to cast a long shadow over her as well, making her a figure of both admiration and fear among the students.
Where Alex had mastered the art of fading into the background, Natalia seemed to exist in stark contrast—standing proudly outside of the crowd, alone, but with an aura of quiet power that commanded attention even when she did nothing to seek it.
"That's Natalia," Jasper leaned over to Alex, his voice dropping to a whisper as he noticed where Alex's gaze had fallen. "She doesn't talk much. People say she's cold because of who her parents are."
Evie chimed in from behind them, her voice a little louder than it needed to be. "She's not just cold. She's like… unreachable. Never seen her smile. Like, ever. But then again, I guess being the daughter of two top Hunters doesn't leave much room for being normal."
Alex glanced back at Natalia, watching as she sat with perfect posture, her face devoid of emotion. There was something about her, something that reminded him of himself. Though they appeared different on the surface—her standing proudly outside the crowd, and him blending seamlessly into it—he recognized the same isolation in her that he felt within himself.
Perhaps that's why she didn't seem to need the warmth of the crowd or the validation of others. Just like him, Natalia was alone in her world, a world defined by the burdens and expectations placed on her.
For a moment, their eyes met across the room. Natalia's gaze lingered on him for just a fraction of a second longer than usual, as if she was sizing him up, assessing him. Alex held her gaze, not out of defiance, but out of curiosity. He wondered what it was like to stand so confidently, to be so unapologetically oneself.
Then, as quickly as it had begun, the moment passed. Natalia turned away, her attention once again focused on something far beyond the classroom walls. Alex exhaled a breath he didn't realize he had been holding and returned his attention to his surroundings, the sense of connection fading but not entirely gone.
*****
The school day ended, and as the final bell rang, students spilled out into the courtyard in groups. Laughter and chatter filled the air, but Alex kept to his usual spot on the fringes, his mind elsewhere. He adjusted his bag on his shoulder, waiting for Kael when a sleek black car pulled up to the curb ahead.
Alex glanced up, catching sight of the car just as Natalia Elmiane stepped out from the front of the school. She stood there for a moment, eyes scanning the crowd with her usual, aloof expression. Her silver hair shimmered in the sunlight, and her golden eyes, sharp and observant, caught everything but betrayed nothing.
Before Alex could slip into the background, the car door swung open, and Natalia's father stepped out with a warm but formal smile. He was a tall man with an air of quiet authority, his silver hair cropped short. His tailored suit only added to the presence he carried, a presence Alex recognized from his past life—the kind of power and respect that came only from years of battle experience. Natalia's mother, graceful and poised, followed close behind. Her golden eyes mirrored her daughter's, though they softened as they landed on Alex.
"Alex, right?" Natalia's father asked, stepping toward him. His voice was deep and respectful, carrying the weight of someone accustomed to leadership but without a trace of arrogance. "Kael mentioned you might need a ride. We're happy to help."
Alex blinked, taken aback by the directness but quickly nodded. "Yes, sir," he replied, dipping his head slightly in acknowledgment. He wasn't used to people of such status addressing him with this level of courtesy. "Thank you. I appreciate it."
Natalia's mother smiled warmly at him. "It's our pleasure, Alex," she said. Her voice was soft yet confident, with an elegance that made Alex understand why Kael would trust people like them. "Kael is a good man, and if he trusts you, we trust you too. You're welcome to ride with us anytime."
Alex gave her a small but sincere smile. "Thank you," he said again, genuinely appreciative.
Natalia watched the exchange quietly, her gaze flickering between her parents and Alex. She said nothing, as usual, her curiosity buried behind a wall of cold detachment, but Alex could sense she was observing him more closely than before.
He hesitated for a moment before following Natalia into the backseat of the car. As they settled in, the atmosphere was quiet, though not uncomfortable. Natalia sat with her hands resting neatly in her lap, her posture immaculate, and though her gaze remained forward, Alex could feel her glancing at him from time to time. She seemed to be quietly measuring him but kept her thoughts to herself.
Her parents made light conversation in the front, their voices calm and respectful. They spoke of their most recent mission for the Hunter Association, but they kept their tone light, refraining from discussing any of the more gruesome details. It was clear they were trying to maintain a level of normalcy, something Alex appreciated, given how strange his life had become recently.
As the car neared his stop, Alex turned to them with a polite nod. "Thank you again for the ride," he said earnestly. "It means a lot."
Natalia's father turned slightly in his seat, meeting Alex's eyes with a serious but kind expression. "Anytime, Alex. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
Natalia's mother smiled at him warmly. "Kael is lucky to have you," she added. "You're welcome in our car, and in our home, whenever you need."
Alex felt a rare warmth in their words. It wasn't often that adults spoke to him with such respect, especially knowing the things he carried. He nodded in appreciation before stepping out of the car, watching as it smoothly pulled away from the curb
*****
The Elmiane household was quiet that evening, the soft hum of the city barely seeping through the thick walls of their spacious home. Natalia sat at the dining table, absentmindedly swirling her spoon in her soup. Her silver hair cascaded over her shoulder, catching the warm glow of the chandelier above. Her golden eyes were distant, her mind replaying the events of the day.
She had never been one to dwell on others, especially not her classmates. But there was something about Alex that stirred a strange curiosity in her. He was different. He didn't stand out, didn't demand attention like so many of the others at their school. And yet, there was a quiet strength in him that Natalia had only caught glimpses of.
Her mother, noticing Natalia's distracted demeanor, exchanged a glance with her husband. He raised an eyebrow and smiled knowingly. It wasn't often their daughter took an interest in anyone, let alone a boy from school.
"So," her mother began lightly, leaning forward with a twinkle of amusement in her eyes. "It seems you've been thinking about Alex quite a bit since we dropped him off."
Natalia blinked, surprised by the comment. She looked up, her face a carefully composed mask, but her mother's words had struck a chord. "I just find him...interesting," she said slowly, her voice betraying only a hint of the curiosity she felt.
Her father chuckled from the other side of the table, setting down his glass. "Interesting? That's a word I didn't expect to hear from you, Natalia."
Natalia shrugged, trying to brush off the conversation. "He's different," she admitted. "I can't quite figure him out. He blends in with everyone, almost too well. But there's something about him..."
Her mother's smile grew. "You're not the only one who thinks so," she said, a playful tone in her voice. "There have been rumors around the Hunter Association for a while now. Some people think Alex might be the secret child of Kael, the Association president."
Natalia's eyes widened slightly at that. "Kael's secret child?"
Her father nodded, leaning back in his chair. "The rumors started a few days ago. People noticed how Kael seemed to have taken a special interest in Alex. The fact that they both have those emerald eyes and sharp intelligence only adds fuel to the gossip."
Natalia frowned, her mind racing. She had never really thought about it before, but now that her parents mentioned it, there were similarities. The way Alex carried himself, the way he seemed to effortlessly blend into the background, yet never truly disappeared—it was a skill, a tactic. A survival mechanism, maybe. Unlike her, who stood tall and made her way in the world, Alex hid in plain sight, burying his claws beneath a facade of normalcy.
"Do you believe it?" Natalia asked after a pause, her voice softer now.
Her mother and father exchanged a glance again before her father spoke. "We don't know," he admitted. "But it's not impossible. Kael's a private man, and if he did have a child he wanted to protect, it would make sense to keep them out of the spotlight. But regardless of whether the rumors are true, Alex is not just some ordinary boy."
Natalia nodded slowly, her curiosity deepening. She couldn't help but feel drawn to Alex, not in the way she was drawn to a challenge or an opponent, but as if there was something she needed to uncover. Something he was hiding, even if he wasn't aware of it himself.
"I'm going to keep an eye on him," Natalia said finally, her tone more determined.
Her mother smiled warmly.
Just as Natalia was about to get lost in her thoughts again, her father suddenly interjected with a playful grin, his deep voice cutting through the contemplative air.
"No monkey loves in primary school, Natalia," he said, wagging his finger dramatically.
Natalia snapped out of her thoughts, rolling her eyes at the absurdity of her father's comment. "Dad," she groaned, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks.
Her mother chuckled softly, covering her mouth to stifle a laugh. "Your father's just teasing, dear. But you know how he gets."
Natalia crossed her arms, trying to maintain her usual composed demeanor. "It's not like that," she muttered under her breath.
Her father leaned back with a wide grin, clearly pleased with himself. "Of course, it isn't," he teased, though the warmth in his eyes softened the joke. "Just making sure no one's catching your fancy too much."
Natalia shook her head, a slight smile tugging at her lips despite her best efforts to remain stoic. "You've got nothing to worry about, Dad," she assured him. "I'm just curious about him, that's all."
Her father raised an eyebrow but let it go, his grin still lingering. "Alright, alright. Just remember—no monkey business."
As the conversation shifted to other matters, Natalia's thoughts remained on Alex. He was different from anyone else she had met—different from her, even. She had always walked her path, proud and unwavering. But Alex... he moved through the world like a shadow, slipping between people and blending in seamlessly. It was as if he had mastered the art of survival without ever needing to show his true strength.