Jolyn's pov
"Princess Jolyn!" Mrs. Karps called out to me again, and my heart tightened even more.
There goes all my chances of living a peaceful life without my identity as the Lycan princess being revealed. It's not like I didn't want people to know, but I felt like a disgrace to my family.
The Lycan King had a weak daughter. I couldn't drag my family name through the mud.
"HERE. RIGHT NOW!" she ordered, sternly pointing towards the floor.
"Yes, ma'am," I replied, swallowing hard as the echo of the students' chattering rang deep in my ears.
I felt so ashamed and wished the earth could swallow me up.
My eyes scanned across the room where the students were seated until they landed on Lucious.
Averting my gaze, I pushed myself onto the podium. I didn't want to deal with him at a time like this.
No doubt he was going to scold me for being late.
Bailey's gaze lingered on me before she took her seat.
My body shivered as I stood beside Mrs. Karps, waiting for whatever she was going to say.
"Princess Jolyn, I know your father is the Lycan King, but our school will not condone such behavior from the likes of you," she said firmly.
Even when scolded, I couldn't stop myself from internally rolling my eyes. Must she address me as the princess?
"Mrs. Karps, that's not—"
Before I could finish my sentence, she brushed me off quickly, as if whatever I was going to say was trash.
"Not now, sweetheart. You don't interrupt me when I speak," she said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. My body stiffened.
My head was lowered, eyes casting to the floor and biting hard on my jaw.
There was no two ways about it—Mrs. Karps didn't like me.
I couldn't look at the remaining students. Their giggles and gossip filled my ears, but I forced myself to remain calm.
"Let this be a stern warning: this school will not provide any special privileges to royalty. Alphas, princesses, princes—you are all the same to me," she declared, her voice rising even higher. Her voice roared with power and authority.
Placing her hands on the podium, her eyes scanned the students, as if she was indeeectly issuing the warning to the rest of the students.
"Anyone who breaks the rules will be punished according to the laws that govern this facility."
Her voice still lingered in the air as she narrowed her gaze back towards me.
Her gaze cut through me like a sharp sword.
"Have I made myself clear?"
My heart splintered in my chest as I gave a slight bow, my fingers clasped tight as the words came out of my lips.
"Yes, ma'am."
She gave me the kind of smile that said I'm watching you, before she gestured with her hands for me to go, although her eyes never left mine.
"You may go."
My body immediately followed her command, and my legs thudded fast against the marble floor. Locating Bailey, I silently slipped on a seat beside her, releasing a long breath.
The breath I didn't know I was holding back the entire time she was speaking to me.
Bailey gave me an assuring smile, squeezing my hand when she noticed my unsettled expression.
I tried to focus on Mrs. Karps' speech as she addressed the students, but I got distracted, sneaking glances at Lucious from the corner of my eye.
He was staring at me like we were the only one in the room. I had never felt so awkward in my entire life.
From butt to butt, I shifted in my seat, and Bailey's head snapped toward me.
"Are you okay?" she questioned, concern written all over her face.
All I could do was nod, tearing my gaze back to Mrs. Karps. Slowly, I regained awareness of what was happening.
"I don't normally do this, but today I'd like to introduce a special transfer student from a werewolf academy," Mrs. Karps announced with an unusual amount of enthusiasm.
"Wow, a transfer student! I hope he's cute," Bailey whispered, nudging my arm playfully.
I shook my head and focused on Mrs. Karps. I didn't want her to catch me talking during her speech and make an example out of me again.
"He's a straight-A student, and we're really lucky to have him join us this semester, even though it's late..." Her voice trailed off as her eyes landed on me.
The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end as I grabbed Bailey's hand tighter.
"But we've made an exception before, so we can do it again," she said cryptically, giving her usual devious smile.
I instantly knew she was talking about me. Dad had told me the Supernatural Academy wasn't accepting students this late, so he had to pull a few strings as the Alpha.
Scoffing inwardly, I crossed my arms over my chest. That would explain a lot.
"Please help me welcome, Alpha Ryner."
WHAT?!
My eyes nearly fell out of their sockets as I processed the words. Did she just say Ryner? No, it couldn't be. I shook my head.
Maybe it was some other Alpha who just happened to have the same name as him.
Who knows? Maybe it's a popular name, right?
"Please stand up, sweetheart." Mrs. Karps grinned toward the front row, and I craned my neck to see who it was.
When the student stood up and turned toward the rest of us, the room erupted into a sea of applause as he waved with a proud smile.
My world lost all color as I tried to process what was happening.
Ryner?
What in fucks name was he doing here? Why was everything happening so suddenly?
I blinked rapidly, struggling to catch my breath as my hand slowly moved to my chest, gasping for air.
Bailey was too busy fawning over Ryner to notice my discomfort.
Averting my eyes from him, I slumped even more down my seat.
My thoughts spiraled out of control. What was I supposed to do now that he was here? Leave maybe? But how?
Yes, mother!
Mother was my saving grace. Maybe I should just tell her I wanted to go home.
First, I had to deal with Lucious, and now, Ryner?
All my morning pep talk about being strong disappeared within me, and I was left with knots twisting in my stomach.
The snap of Bailey's fingers brought me out of my reverie, and I realized I was in the hallway.
I hadn't even noticed the assembly was over.
"Jolyn, what's going on with you?" she asked, clearly confused. "You've been zoning out since the announcement of that transfer student."
"Nothing," I lied, pushing my hair behind my ears, but Bailey wasn't buying it.
"Alright," she mumbled as we continued walking down the hall, not pressing further. "Anyway, like I had said, that new student looks so amazing. I wonder if he's single." She giggled dreamily, feeling awed.
"Now that he's here, Lucious has got some real competition."
I stopped in my tracks, but she continued ranting on and on until she realized I wasn't by her side.
The smile on her face faded when she saw the look on my face, as she took steps to meet me, raising a brow in suspicion.
"That new kid… was my ex-fiancé. The one I told you about," I confessed, feeling a burden lift off my shoulders.
"What?!" Bailey's eyes almost bulged out of her sockets, her mouth hanging open in surprise.
"Oh my goodness, are you okay Jolyn?" She asked, giving a supportive smile and throwing her arm over my shoulders.
"I knew something was off about that new guy. He's so ugly. He doesn't deserve you," she said with a nod.
Rolling my eyes, I forced a smile, trying to shut down the numbness in my heart.
Wasn't she the same girl who had been fawning over him just minutes ago?
But it felt satisfying that she was on my side now.
"You're just saying that to make me feel better."
Before she could respond, my eyes caught Lucious approaching us. I couldn't face another one of his lectures in this state, so I did the first thing that popped up in my head.
I turned to Bailey. "You go home first. I'll catch up with you later," I said, unhooking my arm from hers, while glancing at Lucious who was now already a stone throw from our position.
"Okay."
From where I stood, I could see a scowl of disapproval written all over Lucious's face. The way his eyes glared at me made my heart shudder, but race at the same time.
The idea of running away didn't sit well with him, but who cares? So long as I wasn't anywhere near him.
As I hurriedly spun around to leave, I suddenly collided with someone.
I stumbled back a few steps and crashed to the floor. The thud echoed in the room, and everyone's gaze immediately became fixated on me.
"Ouch!" I gritted my teeth, nursing the side of my arm when I felt a presence hovering over me.
"Hello, Jolyn."