JOLYN'S POV
I looked up, my eyes locking with the familiar ones that sent a chill down my spine.
Ryner stood above me, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Long time no see," he added, offering his hand to help me up.
I hesitated, my pride battling with the shock of seeing him again.
Why was he here? Of all places, why did he have to transfer to this academy?
I couldn't still wrap my head around everything that was happening.
Ignoring his outstretched hand, I pushed myself off the floor, brushing off my shirt.
"Ryner." I acknowledged curtly, avoiding his gaze.
Lucious was now beside me, his jaw tight and eyes burning with anger.
I could feel the tension building between the two of them even before a single word was exchanged.
"Is this how you greet an old friend, Princess?" Ryner's voice was low, teasing, with that same confidence he always carried.
The kind of confidence that once drew me in, but now only served to irritate me. After the way he treated me, he dared to refer to me as his friend?
I was trembling on the inside but I had to stay calm.
"What are you doing here?" I asked coldly, stepping closer to Lucious and Bailey.
I could feel Lucious protective energy radiating off him, and for the first time in a while, I was glad he was here.
"Surprise." Ryner said with a slight annoying chuckle.
"I don't think it's any of your business because you don't own the place and next time, you watch where you are going?" he hissed, with a hint of disdain, and I knew he still despised me.
That realization hit a nerve.
"You didn't answer my question. Why are you here?" I asked, this time more assertively.
Ryner's smirk faded, and he glanced at Lucious before answering.
"The academy offers the best training for Alphas. You know that." His tone was flat, proud, but I couldn't shake the feeling there was more to his sudden appearance.
Lucious stepped forward, his presence overpowering.
"You should watch where you're going, new boy. You almost knocked her unconscious."
Ryner raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by Lucious' hostility.
"I'm not here for a fight. I'm here to study. I wouldn't want to embarrass anyone on my first day," he said, his tone oozing with mock politeness.
I placed a hand on Lucious' arm before things escalated further.
"Lucious, it's fine," I said softly, though every part of me was on edge. Ryner's return had stirred up memories I wasn't ready to face.
Luscious glanced at me, his expression softening just slightly before he took a step back, although I could tell he was far from done with Ryner.
"You've got your work cut out for you," I said, now facing Ryner trying to sound detached.
"Just stay out of my way, and I'll stay out of yours."
Ryner's smile widened as if he had won some unspoken victory.
"You have gotten tough since the last time I saw you. We'll see, Jolyn. We'll see."
"Hey, watch what you say to her." Bailey snapped as a hint growl echoed in her voice.
Without another word, I turned on my heel, leaving both Ryner and Lucious behind.
My mind raced as I walked down the hallway, Bailey's earlier words echoing in my head: Now that he's here, Lucious has got some real competition.
I had hoped to keep my past buried, but Ryner's unexpected arrival was threatening to unravel everything I had worked so hard to forget.
As I hurried down the hallway, I could hear Lucious calling after me, but I didn't stop.
His protectiveness was suffocating. I understood that he was trying to help, but after everything that had happened this morning, I needed space to breathe.
Bailey caught up to me as I reached the entrance to our next class.
"Hey, are you okay?" she asked, her face filled with concern.
I gave her a tight smile and nodded.
"I'm fine. It's just… him," I muttered, referring to Ryner.
Bailey sighed, wrapping an arm around my shoulder as we walked into the classroom.
"I get it. It's a lot to deal with, but you've got me, okay? Don't let him get under your skin. You're stronger than you think."
Her words were comforting, but I couldn't shake the sinking feeling in my chest. Stronger?
I didn't feel strong at all.
Not when I had just been humiliated in front of the entire academy, and certainly not with Ryner's sudden arrival stirring up memories I'd tried to forget.
We sat down at our usual seats, and I tried to focus as the class filled up.
The room buzzed with chatter, but all I could think about was Ryner.
Why now? Why here? What was his real reason for transferring?
"Jolyn?" Bailey whispered, nudging me with her elbow. "You're spacing out again."
I shook my head, snapping back to reality. "Sorry. I just—there's a lot going on."
Bailey gave me a reassuring smile, but I could tell she was just as distracted.
From my periphery, I caught her glancing toward the door every few seconds, probably waiting for Lucious or Ryner to barge in again. It seemed like neither of us was fully present.
The teacher entered the room, a tall man with an aura of authority that immediately silenced the class. His name was Professor Harkon, one of the strictest teachers at the academy.
He commanded respect without saying much, and his dark, piercing eyes seemed to see through everyone.
"Settle down, class," he said, his deep voice cutting through the remaining murmurs.
"Today, we'll be covering the principles of elemental magic and how they interact with lycanthropy. Pay attention."
I tried to focus, but my mind wandered again, drifting back to the confrontation in the hallway and the mocking stares I'd felt from the other students.
No matter how hard I tried to blend in, I always seemed to end up the center of attention—for all the wrong reasons.
"Jolyn."
I snapped back to reality as Professor Harkon called my name.
My heart skipped a beat as I realized the entire class had gone silent, and everyone was staring at me.
"Yes, sir?" I stammered, trying to hide my unease.
He crossed his arms, his gaze hardening.
"I just asked you a question. What are the three primary elements that a lycan must learn to control before mastering elemental magic?"
I blinked, my mind going blank.
I hadn't heard a word of the lesson. I could feel the eyes of my classmates burning into me, and a faint whispering began to ripple through the room.
"Uh… fire, water, and…" I trailed off, unable to remember the third.
Snickers erupted around me, and the whispers grew louder.
"Typical," one of the students muttered from behind me.
"Can't even answer a simple question," another sneered.
"Such a spoiled princess," someone else whispered.
"And they say she's the daughter of the Lycan King? What a joke."
I bit my lip, trying to hold back the wave of frustration and embarrassment that washed over me.
My hands clenched into fists under the desk, my nails digging into my palms.
Professor Harkon's voice cut through the noise.
"That's enough." His tone was sharp, and the room instantly fell silent. "I don't tolerate bullying in this class."
But the damage was already done.
The snide remarks, the mocking laughter—it all echoed in my head, confirming what I had feared for so long. I was weak. I was a disgrace.
"Jolyn," the professor said, his tone a little softer.
"Pay attention. You may leave if you feel you can't handle the lesson."
I shook my head, fighting back tears. "No, sir. I'm fine."
Professor Harkon nodded and turned back to the board, continuing the lesson as if nothing had happened.
But the tension in the room remained, and I couldn't shake the feeling of hopelessness gnawing at me.
Bailey squeezed my hand under the desk, offering silent support, but I couldn't bring myself to meet her gaze.
The whispers of the other students still rang in my ears, each one chipping away at my confidence.
After a few minutes, Professor Harkon paused, turning back to the class with a serious expression.
"I have an important announcement," he began, his voice filling the room.
"Starting next week, this class will be combined with others to promote peace and unity among all supernatural creatures."
The room buzzed with murmurs of surprise and curiosity.
"We'll be sharing lessons with werewolves, vampires, witches and other species. It is essential that you learn to work together, as this academy is meant to prepare you for the world beyond these walls."
My stomach twisted. Sharing classes with other supernatural creatures? As if things weren't already complicated enough.
Professor Harkon's next words sealed my fate.
"You'll be paired up with students from different species for practical lessons. Be prepared."
My heart sank as I realized the nightmare had only just begun.