New Day, New Danger
I could feel the stares, their eyes burning into me as soon as I stepped through the iron gates of Crescent Moon Academy. Whispers followed like a shadow, persistent and relentless. "That's her, right? The Alpha's abandoned daughter?" Another voice murmured, trying to keep quiet, but I heard every word.
This was supposed to be a new beginning. A chance to blend in, keep my head down, and, more importantly, to fulfill the real purpose of why I was here. But Crescent Moon Academy wasn't the place for quiet starts, not for someone like me. I was no stranger to attention, but this was different. This was darker, laced with judgment and suspicion.
I kept my face expressionless, my eyes fixed forward as I walked through the crowded hallway. My wolf stirred inside, ready to react, but I kept her in check. This wasn't the time. I needed to blend in, even if it felt impossible. These werewolves smelled the difference in me, even if they didn't fully know what they were sensing. It made me both fascinating and threatening, the perfect blend for their gossip.
But as I neared my locker, a surge of unease hit me like a wave. I could feel eyes on my back, a prickling sensation up my spine. I was being watched. My instincts screamed to move, but it was too late—a hard shove hit my shoulder, almost sending me off balance. I spun around, instantly on guard.
It was Claire. Of course, it was Claire. Her glossy hair was swept back, and she looked like she'd walked off a magazine cover. Her eyes sparkled with a twisted satisfaction as her friends gathered around, a wall of smug faces behind her.
"You can't just walk around here like you own the place, princess," Claire sneered, her voice sharp. "This isn't your territory."
I kept my face calm. There was no way I'd let her see how much she annoyed me. "I'm not trying to 'own' anything," I replied, my voice even. "Just passing through."
Claire laughed, a high, condescending sound. "Passing through? Oh, you're going to be passing right back out if you're not careful."
Her friends snickered, clearly enjoying the show. One of them crossed her arms and added, "Isn't she the Alpha's abandoned daughter?"
Laughter erupted again, sharper this time. It wasn't just laughter; it was an attempt to belittle me, to remind me that I didn't belong.
I took a slow, steady breath, reminding myself of my purpose here. Reacting would only give them the satisfaction they wanted, and I wasn't here to satisfy anyone's ego, least of all Claire's.
I adjusted my bag on my shoulder, meeting Claire's gaze evenly. "If I'm really that unimportant, then pretend I'm not here. Problem solved."
The comment threw her off for a split second, but then her eyes hardened, her gaze piercing as she leaned in. "You think you're better than us? Think you can come here and just...exist? I don't think so, princess."
She stepped closer, her fingers poised to shove me again, when suddenly a familiar voice cut through the tension.
"Is there a problem here?"
Jason Lycroft. Tall, sharp-featured, and effortlessly cool, he walked over, his presence shifting the dynamic instantly. His gaze fell on Claire first, then slid to me with a look that was both curious and...something else. I wasn't sure, but I didn't have time to analyze it.
Claire's demeanor softened as she leaned into him, her fingers trailing up his arm. "We're just having a little chat with our new classmate," she purred, flashing him a sweet, practiced smile.
Jason didn't respond to her. Instead, his eyes remained on me, lingering a second too long before he spoke. "Maybe it's time to stop the welcome party, Claire. It's her first day."
His voice was calm but held a note of authority that left no room for argument. Claire's face twisted, clearly unhappy, but she didn't argue. Instead, she tossed me a final glare, then sauntered away with her friends trailing behind her like a pack of well-trained dogs.
Jason's gaze stayed on me, his expression unreadable. "Ignore her. She likes to make her presence known."
I lifted my chin. "I figured that out pretty quickly."
He smirked, and I felt a flicker of amusement, despite myself. "Name's Jason," he said, extending a hand. "And you?"
I hesitated but took his hand. "Kira."
"Kira." He repeated my name slowly, like he was testing it on his tongue. His eyes seemed to study me, a glimmer of something flickering in their depths before he released my hand. "Well, welcome to Crescent Moon."
"Thanks," I replied, keeping my tone neutral. This school wasn't about friendships for me, especially not with someone like Jason, who had Claire wrapped around his finger.
"Maybe I'll see you around," he said, his voice casual but with an edge of interest.
I turned and walked away, feeling his gaze follow me. It unsettled me in a way I didn't expect, and I couldn't let myself get distracted. Not now.
---
As night fell, the Academy transformed. The dim lights cast long shadows, making the campus feel almost otherworldly. The forest stretched beyond the grounds, dark and dense, hiding secrets only a few knew. Secrets I was part of.
Tonight, I had a mission.
Slipping into the woods, I moved swiftly, letting my wolf take over my senses. The air was crisp, carrying scents and sounds far beyond what human senses could detect. I was fully alert, every muscle tense as I neared the meeting point. This was no ordinary assignment; the leader of the Savage Night Pack was rumored to be here tonight, overseeing a secret drug exchange that had been causing chaos in nearby territories.
I crouched behind a cluster of trees, scanning the area. The scent of wolves filled the air, interwoven with something darker, something I couldn't quite place. Then I saw them—two figures standing in the clearing, both tall, both with an aura of power.
Jason. And his twin, Kane.
My heart lurched. Jason, the high school heartthrob, the smooth talker...was the leader of the Savage Night Pack? It didn't make sense, but there he was, conversing with his twin, both of them clearly at ease in this dangerous setting.
I moved closer, silent as a shadow, my senses on high alert. I needed to understand their roles, their plans, everything. But as I focused, a voice pierced through my mind, not in words but in a wave of understanding, a command that resonated deep within me.
"You are bound to both. One will be your protector, the other your true mate. Embrace both connections with wisdom and grace, for only you hold the power to balance their strengths."
The prophecy struck me like lightning, an undeniable force that settled into my bones, as if it had always been part of me. Jason or Kane—one of them was destined to be my mate, while the other my protector. The revelation left me stunned, my mind whirling.
Jason turned abruptly, his eyes narrowing as he looked directly at where I was hiding. "Who's there?" His voice was cold, calculating.
I froze, holding my breath, every instinct screaming to stay hidden. But Kane's gaze followed his brother's, and his wolf's heightened senses picked up my presence. I was exposed.
There was no point in hiding now. I stepped out from behind the trees, meeting their surprised expressions with a calm I barely felt.
"Kira?" Jason's voice was laced with shock and something else—something that felt strangely like recognition.
"Interesting place for a schoolgirl to wander," Kane drawled, his eyes flashing with a mixture of curiosity and danger.
I squared my shoulders, meeting their stares head-on. "I could say the same for both of you."
Jason's jaw tightened, but he didn't respond. Instead, he stepped closer, his eyes locked on mine with an intensity that felt almost electric. "Who are you really, Kira?"
I met his gaze, letting my silence answer for me. I wasn't ready to reveal my true mission here, not until I understood the prophecy and the roles these twins would play in my life.
But as I stood there, facing Jason and Kane, I knew one thing with absolute certainty: my life had just become infinitely more complicated.
And so had theirs.